Home Gear Stovetop Cookware Dutch Oven
Katie BandurskiUpdated: Dec. 06, 2023
Soups, jambalaya, side dishes and even desserts—these vegetarian Dutch oven recipes are the ultimate comfort foods.
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Meatless Chili Mac
I came across this recipe in a newspaper years ago and it’s been a hit at our house ever since. It’s fast and flavorful, and it appeals to all ages. — Cindy Ragan, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
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By the way, here’s what you should know before giving up meat.
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Dutch-Oven Raisin Walnut Bread
On a cold day there is nothing better than a warm, crusty Dutch oven raisin bread filled with walnuts. —Catherine Ward, Taste of Home, Prep Kitchen Manager
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Green Beans with Creamy Pistachio Sauce
I was asked to bring vegetables for a party and wasn’t feeling inspired until I remembered Mom served green beans with butter and evaporated milk. I love pistachios, so I added those instead of almonds. Everybody wanted the recipe, and I was really pleased—very little work and lots of happy family and friends! —Loretta Ouellette, Pompano Beach, Florida
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These are our favorite Dutch ovens on the market.
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Freezer Salsa
Kids in the home economics class at the school where I teach were making this freezer salsa, and it smelled so good that I got the recipe. It’s a great way to use up garden produce. —Deanna Richter, Elmore, Minnesota
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Ravioli with Creamy Squash Sauce
Store-bought ravioli speeds assembly of this cozy, restaurant-quality dish that tastes so good, your family won’t notice it’s meatless. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Cozy up to this vegetarian shepherd’s pie, too.
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Hearty Italian White Bean Soup
A bowlful of this soup is so satisfying, it's hard to believe it's actually good for you, too. I crave it all the time. With lots of beans and potatoes, it's filling and even hits the spot with meat lovers. —Kristina Krummel, Elkins, Arkansas
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Dutch Oven Chocolate Dump Cake
Looking for a quick dessert that will make people think you spent all day in the kitchen? This Dutch oven dump cake will wow your guests. Feel free to use your favorite pie filling in place of cherry. — Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Homemade Meatless Spaghetti Sauce
When my tomatoes ripen, the first things I make are BLTs and this homemade spaghetti sauce. —Sondra Bergy, Lowell, Michigan
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What even is a Dutch oven? Find out here.
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My family can’t get enough of this comforting fall favorite, especially at Thanksgiving. I love the addition of the celeriac. Its mild celery flavor pairs well with the garlic and potato. —Lynelle Martinson, Plover, Wisconsin
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Simple Maple Baked Beans
I came up with this recipe in a pinch after running out of baked beans at our oldest daughter’s birthday party. I dressed up canned beans with maple syrup and a few other ingredients to produce this sweet, saucy version that tastes like homemade. They’re so easy to fix that I rarely make baked beans from scratch anymore.
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Summer Zucchini Pasta
I’m always experimenting when my garden is cranking out zucchini and summer squash. This simple and healthy summer zucchini pasta is one of my latest wins. It’s meatless, but you can add shredded chicken or grilled salmon for a heartier dish. —Beth Berlin, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
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Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens
Time to gather round the table, y’all! This dish has special meaning on New Year’s Day, when Southerners eat greens for future wealth and black-eyed peas for prosperity. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
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Mamma’s Caponata
Great as an appetizer, but you can easily turn this into a meal. Instead of topping bread, serve over warm pasta. —Georgette Stubin, Canton, Michigan
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One-Pot Mac and Cheese
Who likes cleaning up after making mac and cheese? Not this girl. This one-pot mac and cheese is a family favorite, and my 3-year-old is thrilled to see it coming to the dinner table. We love to add sliced smoked sausage to this creamy mac recipe! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Caribbean Potato Soup
My bright and hearty soup features an unusual blend of ingredients, including okra, kale and black-eyed peas. No kale on hand? Use spinach instead. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
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Peach Crumble Dessert
Old-fashioned, delicious and easy to make describes this yummy peach crumble dessert. It’s wonderful served with ice cream. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario
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Chunky Vegetarian Chili
This robust chili teams rice, kidney and pinto beans, and a variety of colorful vegetables for a hearty meatless meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler
This homey Dutch oven apple cobbler is always a big hit with my family. We like to serve it with ice cream or whipped cream. —Cindy Jajuga, Weed, California
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Easy Moroccan Chickpea Stew
When I’m invited to a potluck, I easily double or triple this healthy vegetarian recipe to treat the crowd to an exotic dish of enticing, bold flavors. —Heather Demeritte, Scottsdale, Arizona
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Makeover Creamed Corn
This healthy creamed corn has all the rich feel and flavor of the original, but only about half the calories and about a third of the saturated fat. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Spicy Applesauce
We have an apple-picking party every year. It’s a bushel of fun, and I always look forward to cooking a batch of this easy applesauce seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and allspice. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington
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Summer Bounty Ratatouille
Make use of your garden’s surplus with this comforting dish from the Provence region of France. It’s a vegetable dish traditionally made with eggplant, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, garlic, bell peppers and various herbs. I highly recommend accompanying it with some freshly baked bread. —Phyllis Jacques, Venice, Florida
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Come in from the cold to a piping hot bowl of this zesty bulgur and bean chili. The bulgur adds great texture and heartiness, so you won’t miss the meat. —Tari Ambler, Shorewood, Illinois
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This warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It’s yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
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Vegan Squash Soup with Naan Croutons
This butternut squash soup is so full of flavor that you won’t miss the meat or dairy! The added can of pumpkin helps to make the soup creamy and smooth, while the coconut milk adds a light sweetness. I love to make this soup as the seasons change! —Audrey Fell, Nashville, Tennessee
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Maple-Ginger Glazed Carrots
I first made this dish for my family and friends one Thanksgiving. Not only are the carrots lovely on the table, they taste terrific, too! —Jeannette Sabo, Lexington Park, Maryland
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Vegan Jambalaya
This flavorful entree won’t leave you hungry since it uses convenient canned beans in place of meat. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
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Fried Dill Pickles
You may be surprised when you see how easy it is to make a batch of Fried Dill Pickels. Don’t be surprised if they get snatched up in a flash! —Eloise Maynor, Scottsboro, AL
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Hearty Vegetarian Chili
Rich and flavorful, this chili is absolutely packed with fun veggies like mushrooms, beans and sun-dried tomatoes. It's so filling, you'll win over any meat lover. —Pam Ivbuls, Omaha, Nebraska
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Spiced Tea Poached Pears
Pears are among my favorite fall fruits. This lovely dessert makes them especially spectacular. Easy elegance at its best—and that’s important around the holidays.
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Holiday Creamed Spinach
My mother made a variety of spinach dishes when I was growing up. This rich, delicious creamed version is the only one that stayed with me through the years.—Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
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Contest-Winning Vegetarian Chili
My husband and I try to have at least one meatless meal each week and this vegetarian chili recipe is one of our favorites. This recipe makes a huge pot that’s chock-full of color and flavor. And once the chopping is done, it’s quick to cook. —Marilyn Barilleaux, Bothell, Washington
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Pumpkin Apple Butter
A few years ago, I decided to try my hand at canning. This first recipe I tried was such a success that I’ve been canning like crazy ever since! You’ll love the truly autumn flavor of this apple butter.
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Cherry Grunt
Back when I was cooking the hot lunch main dish for about 1,300 students a day, I liked to make this simple old-time dessert for my husband and sons. A scoop of ice cream is perfect.
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Company Mashed Carrots
Although I call these “company carrots,” I’ll often serve them on a weeknight to my family. No matter who’s eating it, the fast, easy dish is always a favorite. —Cynthia Hanus-Beard, Tamarac, Florida
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Pico de Gallo Black Bean Soup
Everyone at my table goes for this feel-good soup. It is quick when you’re pressed for time and beats fast food, hands down. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin
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“I try to serve a meatless meal two or three nights a week. It’s a great way to keep up our vegetable intake-along with all the fiber and nutrients they provide. It even helps save money! This hearty comfort food is a family favorite.” Heather Savage – Corydon, Indiana
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Dutch-Oven Bread
Crackling homemade Dutch-oven bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. —Catherine Ward, Taste of Home Prep Kitchen Manager
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Black Bean-Tomato Chili
My daughter Kayla saw a black bean chili while watching a cooking show and called me about it because it looked so good. We messed with our own recipe until we got this easy winner. —Lisa Belcastro, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
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Apple Honey Tapioca Pudding
I’m glad that apple season is long, since my family requests this pudding quite often!
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Creamy Mushrooms
Simply prepared yet so satisfyingly good, these mushrooms are creamy and cozy. —Mary Lou Boyce, Wilmington, Delaware
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Southern Okra Bean Stew
When this spicy stew’s simmering on the stove, my family has a hard time waiting for dinner. It’s much like a thick tomato-based soup with a hearty mix of okra, brown rice and beans. Everyone leaves the table feeling satisfied—and eager to have it again soon. —Beverly McDowell, Athens, Georgia
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Chickpea Tortilla Soup
This vegan tortilla soup recipe is healthy, filling and family-friendly! We love how hearty and flavorful it is. We like to play around with the different toppings we add each time it's served. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Originally Published: April 22, 2021
Katie Bandurski
As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.