Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes are fast, easy, and delicious! These recipes are loaded with wholesome nutrition and are sure to please everyone at the table. Click here to skip to recipe ideas!
When my husband and I were first married, it would have been an absolute insult to present him a dinner that didn’t contain meat.
I was plenty happy to eat meat-free several nights a week, but my husband was the classic, “Grew up on a farm, I need meat and potatoes 7 nights a week” kind of guy.
Fast forward 16+ years: he has definitely come to accept my way of thinking on this one, and I am incredibly grateful! The challenge of making vegetarian meals that are still filling and satisfying brings me so much joy!
Plus, vegetables cook up in no time in the Instant Pot, which means dinner can be prepped, cooked, and ready to eat in very little time.
If you have ever found yourself saying, “Vegetarian meals are boring” well then I am bursting at the seams excited to show you how far from the truth that statement is!
Vegetables offer such a wide variety of flavor, color, and texture which means a well-constructed plate will be FAR from boring!
I know what you’re thinking: Great, you got your husband on board, but what about young kids that don’t like vegetables.
No problem, I’ve got your back.
HOW TO MAKE VEGETARIAN MEALS KID FRIENDLY
I’ve learned a few tricks along the way that work for my kids, and I suspect they will also work for many of yours.
DISGUISE THE VEGETABLES (BUT DON’T LIE ABOUT THEM)
Many of the recipes below contain vegetables that have been pureed. Vegetables are my favorite way to thicken soups and sauces without the use of cream or a roux.
While I don’t often present a bowl of soup to my kids and say, “that is a big bowl of butternut squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions” I also don’t shy away from telling them what’s in it if they ask. And I DEFINITELY make a point to tell them what is in it halfway through the meal when they are on their second or third serving.
SERVE WITH BREAD OR PASTA
I like to think of carbs as being the gateway to all kinds of new food acceptance. Stuff those veggies into a panini or quesadilla, serve with Breadsticks or Bread Bowls, or turn the veggies into a sauce for their favorite pasta/noodle. To be sure, they’re gonna like those veggies.
TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF
I know this style isn’t for everyone, but I’ve discovered my kids are a lot more willing to try vegetarian meals if I back off. I think of it like the time I had 3 people harassing me at a sushi restaurant to eat my first bite of uncooked fish. My stubborn side refused to try it for the mere fact that THEY WOULD NOT LEAVE ME ALONE! From what I know about children, 99% of them enjoy the power of refusing to do something that they know you can’t make them do. My suggestion? Back off, make lots of “ohh” and “ahh” sounds as you eat, and you never know, they just might be curious enough on their own to try it.
Here is a list of 15+ Vegetarian Instant Pot recipes that are 100% delicious, satisfying, and nourishing.
Please note, some of the recipes use chicken broth. Simply substitute with vegetable broth to make it 100% vegetarian.
Feel free to click through to your favorites. Enjoy!
- Instant Pot Cauliflower Fettucine Alfredo
- Instant Pot Sweet Corn and Tomato Pasta
- Instant Pot Whole Grain Mac and Cheese with Roasted Broccoli
- Instant Pot Creamy Cauliflower Soup
- Instant Pot Creamy Ravioli Butternut Squash Soup
- Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup
- Instant Pot Pinto Beans, Black Beans, and Refried Beans
- Instant Pot Tamales or Tamale Pie
- Instant Pot Quinoa Fried Rice
- Instant Pot Blue Cheese Cheesecake
- Instant Pot Red Lentil Soup
- Instant Pot Lentils
- Breakfast Lentil Taquitos
- Instant Pot Smashed Potatoes with Hummus
- Instant Pot Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Instant Pot Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Chimichurri Sauce
VEGETARIAN INSTANT POT RECIPES
Instant Pot Cauliflower Fettucine Alfredo
I make this pasta dish every Valentine’s Day. The cauliflower makes the sauce so silky smooth and it coats any shape of pasta wonderfully.
Total Recipe Time: 16 mins
Other Easy Pasta Dishes that have Veggies:
Instant Pot Sweet Corn and Tomato Pasta
This is my favorite summertime pasta dish! Of course, it can be made any time of year, but fresh sweet corn and flavorful cherry tomatoes make it REALLY special.
Total Recipe Time: 40 mins
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Instant Pot Whole Grain Mac and Cheese with Roasted Broccoli
This is a healthier take on mac and cheese and is bursting with cheesy flavor. No bland mac here! Serve with your favorite roasted vegetable.
Total Recipe Time: 35 mins
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Instant Pot Creamy Cauliflower Soup
My kids ask for this soup more than any other. It’s incredibly creamy (without the cream!) and loaded with a few unexpected ingredients that really make it shine.
Total Recipe Time: 30 mins
More Instant Pot Soup Recipes with Vegetables:
- Creamy Asparagus Soup
- Healthy Chicken Soup (loaded with Veggies)
- Healthy Butternut Squash Soup (with a Thai Twist)
Instant Pot Creamy Ravioli Butternut Squash Soup
Again, vegetables are the star here and make this soup EXTRA creamy. Look for MINI ravioli, they make all the difference!
Total Recipe Time: 40 mins
Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup
It might look like a traditional Tomato Basil Soup, but it’s so much more! Lots of veggies make this soup hearty and thick, and one unique vegetable gives it more pizazz than any tomato soup you’ve ever had.
Total Recipe Time: 45 mins
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Instant Pot Pinto Beans, Black Beans, and Refried Beans
If you don’t think beans can be a main course, you need a long chat with my kiddos. Vegetarian taco nights are a favorite at my house and any one of these 3 pressure cooker bean recipes will do!
Total Recipe Time: 60 – 80 mins
Instant Pot Tamales or Tamale Pie
Tamales (or tamale pie) can be filled however you like, making them a perfect vegetarian meal. These recipes include meat, but you won’t miss it for a second if you leave it out.
Total Recipe Time: 75 mins
Instant Pot Quinoa Fried Rice
This whole grain version of fried rice is one of my top 10 favorite dishes on the entire blog. I love to serve it with this Instant Pot Tofu and Peanut Sauce.
Total Recipe Time: 25 mins
More Instant Pot Grains and Veggies Recipes:
Instant Pot Blue Cheese Cheesecake
I make this cheesecake for my birthday every year (yes, I insist on cooking my own bday dinner). I serve it with a giant pile of spinach and berries. It’s the most gourmet salad I’ve ever had!
Total Recipe Time: 50 mins
More Healthy Instant Pot Desserts:
Instant Pot Red Lentil Soup
Lentils are so hearty and filling and this lemony soup does an amazing job at showing them off. Serve it with salad, fruit, or bread to round it out nicely.
Total Recipe Time: 30 mins
Instant Pot Lentils
Having a go-to Lentil recipe is a game-changer! I make a batch and use it in tacos, on nachos, or with a fried egg for the rest of the week.
Total Recipe Time: 30 mins
Breakfast Lentil Taquitos
This easy breakfast/dinner recipe is my #1 favorite way to use lentils. They also freeze well so you can have a quick meal on hand any time of day.
Total Recipe Time: 30 mins
Instant Pot Smashed Potatoes with Hummus
The addition of the hummus makes these Smashed Potatoes feel like more than “just a side dish.” They are filling AND addicting!
Total Recipe Time: 30 mins
Easy Instant Pot Vegetable Recipes:
Instant Pot Mexican Street Corn Salad
This salad and a bag of corn chips – if that can’t be called dinner then consider me a rebel. Add a side of fruit and call it good!
Total Recipe Time: 20 mins
Instant Pot Salads with Vegetables
Instant Pot Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Chimichurri Sauce
If you’ve never had a cauliflower “steak”, you need to try this out! Serve on a bed of hummus and an extra drizzle of chimichurri sauce. So satisfying!
Total Recipe Time: 20 mins
Take a look at my Vegetarian Instant Pot Meals section for even more inspiration!
You’ll also find several Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes on TIDBITS.
I’m happy to say with these recipes on hand, our family consumes a lot more vegetarian meals and we absolutely love it!
Whether you are a full-time vegetarian, part-time, or just want to get more veggies into your life, I challenge you to Pin, Save, or Print any of these Vegetarian Instant Pot recipes that call to you most and start relishing in the good life of colorful, flavorful, nourishing vegetarian meals.
Enjoy!
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