Top 8: Quick and easy vegetarian meals for main courses

French beans can be transformed with toasted sesame seeds, and fresh peas can be turned into purées, even roasted, to make the most of what’s growing in Ireland. 

Try new potatoes with garlic, spring onions, and a few spices, or some of the dressings from our last Top 8 survey—I could go on.

No matter how fresh our vegetables are, having a few standbys for when we return from a day on the beach is a good plan. We found some exciting dishes that did not require much work at all. 

What lifts most of them, particularly pasta parcels – tortelloni and ravioli - is salt in the cooking water (a dessertspoon for a pot for six people). 

Then, just before serving in bowls, a generous glug of good quality extra virgin olive oil, a little crunchy salt and a scattering of whole basil leaves or parsley will lift them further. 

Of course, some grated Parmesan or a blob of ricotta or mozzarella will increase the transformation to luxury status.

Have fun with vegetables.

Farmgate Café Sweet potato, Spinach & bean curry 750g €10.50

This tub of deliciousness is available only at the Farmgate shop in Cork’s English market and is worth the journey. 

With a creamy base of coconut milk and tomato, the sweet potato chunks give it a sweet bite, contrasting with slivers of spinach, tomato pieces, and substantial, small butterbeans. 

Warmly spiced with cumin, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala, this is a satisfying dish, hot or cold. Plenty for two.

Score: 10

Cully & Sully Moreish Mushroom Risotto 400g €3.49

Mushrooms combine with Arborio rice, onion, garlic, celery, red wine, olive oil, and vegetable stock for a very good, genuine risotto texture. 

Good mushroom flavour is nicely finished with plenty of black pepper and a light, underlying thyme flavour. A light meal for one.

Score: 8

Maki Sushi Rolls Vegan Bowl small size €11.50

The weight depends on what you choose for this bowl, which can have a base of warm rice. 

On top, I chose avocado, two forms of seaweed, pickled ginger, kimchi, watermelon, and edamame (young soybeans)—all bright and fresh. 

A range of poké sauces can be added to finish—my Tahini miso, tahini (sesame seed paste), and miso had a little maple syrup and tamari. Delicious. In English Market, Cork.

Score: 9.5

M&S Plant Kitchen Tikka Masala curry 400g €6.25

Decent pieces of cauliflower, red peppers, onions, and butternut squash are on a base of lentil protein with coconut oil. Rich flavours combine garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, and just enough chilli, cardamom, and fennel, all lively and interesting. Serves two. It’s a good buy. We also liked the No Beef pea protein-based pies.

Score: 9.5

The Happy Pear Meal Pot split pea & chilli korma 380g €3.69

Substantial yellow split peas and green peas are included in a base of coconut milk and tomatoes. Carrots, onions, and red peppers have a processed texture and don’t quite live up to the pack’s description of ‘wholesome’. 

The warmth and liveliness of ginger and garlic make a flavoursome, handy and complete meal. Tasters happily finished their samples. We bought at SuperValu.

Score: 8

Meals Made Easy Vegetable Lasagne 1kg €8

A green lentil and vegetable ragu is layered with egg pasta and has a typical Italian finish of a creamy béchamel sauce. Shiitake mushrooms, carrot, leek, onion, celery, rosemary and parsnip powder (new to me) add to the flavour. 

Still, the dish would have benefitted from more traditional Italian cheeses such as mozzarella and Parmesan. The cheddar didn’t quite yield enough flavour. Still, the kids liked it.

Score: 7

Tesco Finest Mac & Triple Cheese 400g €5.50

Cooked macaroni pasta is coated in cheddar cheese, cream, and mascarpone cheese, with a delicious addition of deliciously crisp breadcrumbs (typical of Sicily). 

There’s a touch of garlic and white pepper. Cheddar is used instead of Italian cheeses, which is a pity as they add more depth of flavour to Italian dishes (they are more expensive). An easy dish that suits younger diners.

Score: 7

Lidl Chef Select Spinach & Ricotta tortelloni 250g €1.99

A decent 35% Italian ricotta, 20% spinach, dried potato flakes, breadcrumbs, mascarpone, garlic purée, and nutmeg are used to pack decent-sized pasta shapes (tortellini are always smaller). 

We added salt to the water, which helps to keep the pasta firm. I would serve a finely sliced tomato and cucumber salad on the side and butterhead lettuce (magnificent at the moment) for a simple green salad.

Score: 8