Vegetarian Storecupboard Recipes: Make Delicious Meals with Everyday Ingredients

For vegetarians, having a well-stocked store cupboard is essential for creating quick and easy meals. With a few staple ingredients on hand, you can whip up a variety of dishes without having to make a special trip to the grocery store. Here are a few vegetarian storecupboard recipes that are both nutritious and delicious:

1. Lentil Soup

Ingredients: - 1 cup dried lentils - 1 onion, chopped - 2 carrots, chopped - 2 celery sticks, chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 4 cups vegetable broth - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 bay leaf - Salt and pepper to taste Instructions: 1. Rinse the lentils and pick out any stones or debris. 2. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

2. Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients: - 1 onion, chopped - 1 green bell pepper, chopped - 1 red bell pepper, chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed - 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained - 1 cup chopped tomatoes - 1 tablespoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon cumin - 1/2 teaspoon oregano - Salt and pepper to taste Instructions: 1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 2. Stir in the beans, corn, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until heated through.

3. Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Ingredients: - 1 pound pasta - 1 onion, chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes - 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil - Salt and pepper to taste Instructions: 1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. 2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. 4. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Toss to combine.

4. Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients: - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil - 1 cup chopped broccoli - 1 cup chopped carrots - 1 cup chopped snap peas - 1/2 cup chopped onion - 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 1/4 cup water - 1 teaspoon cornstarch - Salt and pepper to taste Instructions: 1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. 2. Add the broccoli, carrots, snap peas, onion, and red bell pepper and stir-fry for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. 3. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, and cornstarch. Add to the skillet and stir-fry for 1 minute, or until the sauce has thickened. 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. These are just a few ideas for vegetarian storecupboard recipes. With a little creativity, you can create endless meals using ingredients you already have on hand. So next time you're in a pinch, don't be afraid to raid your store cupboard for inspiration!