10 Easy Vegetarian Meals in 15 Minutes

1. Masala Veggie Upma

Main ingredients: 1 cup semolina (rava/sooji), 1 small onion (finely chopped), 1/2 cup peas & diced carrots, 1 green chilli, 2 tbsp oil, salt, lemon, coriander.

Prep & cook: Prep 3 mins — Cook 10–12 mins — Serves 2

Short recipe: Dry roast semolina until fragrant and keep aside. Heat oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, sauté onion + green chilli until soft. Add diced veggies, salt and 2 cups water. When water simmers, slowly add roasted semolina while stirring. Cook 2–3 minutes, finish with lemon and coriander.

2. Paneer Bhurji Wrap

Main ingredients: 200g crumbled paneer, 1 small onion, 1/2 capsicum, turmeric, red chilli, roti/tortilla.

Prep & cook: Prep 3 mins — Cook 8–10 mins — Serves 2

Short recipe: Sauté onion and capsicum till soft. Add crumbled paneer, turmeric, chilli powder and salt. Stir 3–4 minutes until warmed through. Fill rotis/tortillas with paneer bhurji, add salad leaves, roll and serve.

click here for full recipe of Paneer Bhurji

3. Quick Veg Fried Rice

Main ingredients: 2 cups cooked rice (preferably cold), mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, capsicum), soy sauce, oil.

Prep & cook: Prep 2 mins — Cook 10 mins — Serves 2–3

Short recipe: Heat oil, stir-fry diced veggies until crisp-tender. Add cooked rice, splash soy sauce and chilli sauce, toss on high heat 2–3 minutes. Garnish with spring onion.

4. Aloo Shimla Mirch (Potato & Capsicum)

Main ingredients: 2 medium potatoes (small dice), 1 large capsicum, cumin, turmeric, coriander powder.

Prep & cook: Prep 5 mins — Cook 10 mins — Serves 2

Short recipe: Heat oil, add cumin seeds. Add diced potatoes, sauté 5 minutes, then add capsicum and spices. Cover and cook 6–8 minutes until potatoes tender. Finish with coriander.

Aloo Shimla Mirch Recipe | Homestyle Sabji

5. Chickpea Salad Bowl

Main ingredients: 1 can chickpeas (drained), cucumber, tomato, onion, lemon, chaat masala.

Prep & cook: Prep 5 mins — Cook 0 mins — Serves 2

Short recipe: Toss chickpeas with diced cucumber, tomato and onion. Add chaat masala, lemon juice, salt and fresh coriander. Serve chilled or room temp.

6. Cheese & Veg Toast

Main ingredients: Sliced bread, grated cheese, capsicum, onion, chilli flakes.

Prep & cook: Prep 2 mins — Cook 5–6 mins — Serves 1–2

Short recipe: Top bread slices with chopped veg and grated cheese. Toast in a sandwich maker or oven until cheese melts. Sprinkle chilli flakes and serve hot.

7. Instant Veg Khichdi

Main ingredients: 1/2 cup moong dal, 1/2 cup rice, mixed peas & carrots, ghee, turmeric.

Prep & cook: Prep 2 mins — Cook 10–12 mins (pressure cooker) — Serves 2

Short recipe: Rinse rice & moong dal. Put in pressure cooker with veggies, 3 cups water, turmeric, salt and 1 tbsp ghee. Cook 2 whistles (about 10 mins). Mash lightly and serve with pickle or papad.

Quinoa Khichdi Recipe | Light, Comforting & Protein-Rich

8. Creamy Tomato Pasta

Main ingredients: 200g pasta, 1 cup tomato purée, garlic, 1/4 cup cream or milk, chilli flakes.

Prep & cook: Prep 3 mins — Cook 10 mins — Serves 2

Short recipe: Boil pasta. Sauté garlic, add tomato purée and simmer 2–3 minutes. Stir in cream, add cooked pasta and toss. Finish with chilli flakes and parmesan (optional).

Indian Macaroni Pasta recipe card

9. Soya Masala Rice

Main ingredients: Soya chunks (soaked & squeezed), leftover rice, onion, chilli powder, cornflour (optional crisping).

Prep & cook: Prep 5 mins — Cook 8–10 mins — Serves 2

Short recipe: Crisp soya chunks in a little oil (toss in cornflour first if you like). Sauté onion and veggies, add spices and cooked rice, then add soya chunks and toss on high heat for 2 minutes.

Soya Masala Rice: A Flavorful and Wholesome Vegetarian Delight

10. Dahi Poha

Main ingredients: 1.5 cups poha (flattened rice), 1 cup plain yogurt, roasted peanuts, coriander, salt, green chilli.

Prep & cook: Prep 3 mins — Cook 0–2 mins — Serves 2

Short recipe: Rinse and drain poha lightly. Mix with thick yogurt, add salt, green chilli, roasted peanuts and coriander. Chill briefly or serve immediately.