On the keto diet but trying to eat fewer animal products? You don't need meat to infuse high-fat, low-carb dishes with flavor and richness. Here are 21 recipes that use cheese, vegetables, and herbs to create vegetarian keto meals you'll turn to again and again.
1. Pressure-Cooker Ramekin Eggs: This customizable recipe yields a cozy combination of eggs, veggies, and herbs in under 5 minutes any time of day. Scoop the final creamy concoction onto a bed of greens or keto cloud bread. (via Brit + Co)
2. Macadamia Nut Alfredo Zoodles: Fettuccine alfredo is creamy, comforting, and not at all conducive to a low-carb diet. This zoodle dish keeps the creamy and comforting components but is keto-friendly thanks to a sauce of macadamia nuts, olive oil, and nutritional yeast. (via Brit + Co)
3. Instant Pot Vegetarian Frittata: Hosting brunch? This Instant-Pot frittata keeps the oven and stovetop free for other dishes and yields an evenly cooked, easy-to-customize egg dish. (via Brit + Co)
4. Mini Cloud Bread Pizzas: Leave out the pepperoni (or use a low-carb vegetarian substitute) in these miniature pizzas. The fluffy “crust" comes from a mix of eggs, ricotta cheese, and cream of tartar. (via Brit + Co)
5. Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus: Garlic bread gets about 90 percent of its tastiness from the toppings, which means that veggies can get in on the garlicky goodness too. Dress roasted asparagus with olive oil, garlic, and mozzarella, and you'll be reminded of your favorite carby appetizer. (recipe adapted from Cafe Delites; photo via Brittany Griffin/Brit + Co)
6. Cheesiest Spaghetti Squash Boats: Spaghetti squash is lower in carbs than other squash varieties, making it a keto-friendly pasta substitute in moderation. Follow this recipe exactly for a completely vegan meal, or replace the dairy-free ingredients with the regular versions for ultimate creaminess. (via Brit + Co)
7. Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata: This one-pan meal is creamy, springy, and easy enough to cook on a campsite. (via Brit + Co)
8. Slow-Cooker Spinach-Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms: These meatless yet hearty shrooms will satisfy just about any kind of eater. Just omit the breadcrumbs (or replace with almond flour) to keep the carb count down. (via Brit + Co)
9. Egg Clouds: Without crumbled bacon, these fluffy-on-the-outside, runny-on-the-insides eggs are just the dish for a lazy Saturday morning. (via Brit + Co)
10. Zoodle Pad Thai: Use any of your favorite low-carb vegetables for this zoodle-based pad Thai, which packs a punch from fresh ginger and chili flakes. For a keto-compliant dish, simply replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos, and skip the brown sugar. (via Brit + Co)
11. Easiest Roasted Broccoli: A quick stint in the oven blesses broccoli florets with deep flavor and crispy edges. (via Brit + Co)
12. 3-Cheese Brussels Sprouts: Creamy cheese sauce isn't just for pasta. Ladle this gouda, feta, and mozzarella mixture over Brussels sprouts for bliss in every bite. Just omit the bacon. (via Brit + Co)
13. Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower: The secret to this vegan mash is olive- oil-roasted garlic, which lends richness and sweetness to puréed cauliflower. (recipe from Evolving Table; photo via Kurt Andre/Brit + Co)
14. Easy Green Beans: The three Bs (boiling, blanching, and buttering) transform fresh green beans from sad cafeteria vegetable to brilliantly crunchy side dish. (via Brit + Co)
15. Green Shakshuka: This tomatillo-spiced bed of kale, spinach, and parsley proves that keto meals don't have to be heavy. (via Brit + Co)
16. Cumin, Cilantro, and Lime Cauliflower Rice: Make this smoky, citrusy side once, and you'll vow never to eat plain cauliflower rice again. (recipe adapted from Ready or Not: 150+ Make-Ahead, Make-Over, and Make-Now Recipes by Nom Nom Paleo by Michelle Tam and Henry Fong; photo via Brit + Co)
17. Hasselback Caprese Salads: Individual caprese salads are delightfully creative and easy to serve to a crowd. Drizzle with olive oil instead of balsamic vinegar for a low-sugar dressing. (via Brit + Co)
18. Zucchini Lasagna: Thinly sliced zucchini and sugar-free tomato sauce yield a comfortingly low-carb meal. Make it vegetarian by omitting the ground meat or using a vegetarian substitute. (photo via Getty)
19. Spaghetti Squash With Avocado Pesto: You'll soon want to put this creamy avocado pesto on everything from eggs to chicken. (via Brit + Co)
20. Zoodles Primavera: Use all zoodles or a combination of zoodles and konjac noodles in this slightly spicy, veggie-rich dish. Be sure to replace the white wine with vegetable stock, as the sugar in the wine won't cook off in the heat. (via Brit + Co)
21. Steamed Artichoke With Garlic Butter: If you've never cooked and eaten a whole artichoke before, use this step-by-step guide to learn how to steam the vegetable until tender and eat its leaves with garlic butter. (via Brit + Co)
RELATED: 7 New Keto Cookbooks That You Need to Get, STAT
Not on a specific diet? You'll love these vegetarian keto meals anyways! They're tasty, easily doable, healthy and a great choice for family meals.
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