20 Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes [That will Fill you Up]

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The Instant Pot is touted for its ability to cook up large portions of protein in a flash, but does this pressure cooker have a place in the vegetarian kitchen, too?

Turns out, yes.

There are plenty of ways to incorporate an Instant Pot into your cooking routine for faster, healthier meals, whether you’re cooking for kids, for someone on a low-carb diet or with limited time on your hands.

Want to Use your Instant Pot for Vegetarian Recipes?

If you want to use your Instant Pot for vegetarian recipes, then keep reading to learn how to create classic vegetarian favorites in your Instant Pot, from low-calorie options to kid-friendly meals, to meals you can whip up in 15 minutes flat.

You’ll find it all among these 20 vegetarian Instant Pot recipes.

Low-Calorie Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes

Many home cooks use their Instant Pots to create hearty, filling, comfort food-style dishes. However, you can still use the Instant Pot while cutting some calories. Looking for vegetarian Instant Pot recipes is one way to do this.

This Instant Pot Vegetable Soup with Quinoa, for example, comes in at only 200 calories per serving, offering a rib-sticking goodness without weighing you down too much. It’s chock-full of a range of veggies, including carrots, celery, zucchini, peas and spinach.

If you’re not a fan of quinoa, you might opt for a Low-Calorie Instant Pot Lentil Soup, for 325 calories per serving. Healthy and nutritious, this soup isn’t only low calorie and vegetarian, it’s also vegan and gluten-free, perfect if you’re cooking for a household with dietary restrictions or simple dietary choices.

For adding a bit of spice to your weeknight, you could go with an Instant Pot Enchilada Soup, at 229 calories per serving. It comes together in a snap, incorporating tomato sauce, enchilada sauce, two types of beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, onions, corn and spices, for a classic Mexican flavor that can’t be beat. Top it with a handful of cheddar cheese and you’re good to go!

But low-calorie vegetarian Instant Pot recipes aren’t only about the soups.

You can find filling, low-cal recipes among other food groups as well. Maybe try these Instant Pot Quinoa Burrito Bowls, for 163 calories per serving. The bowl’s base comes together with just a handful of ingredients and spices and then you can top it with whatever you have on hand — avocado, cilantro, salsa, etc. — for a flavor combination unique to you.

And if you’re in the market for some Instant Pot Indian vegetarian recipes, consider this Instant Pot Veggie Curry, which clocks in at only 277 calories per serving. It’s also vegan and gluten-free and combines the delicious flavors of fresh vegetables, coconut milk and a spicy curry.

Kid-Friendly Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes

Of course, sometimes it’s difficult to find a quick dinner option that’s both healthy and kid-friendly. These vegetarian Instant Pot recipes can remedy that dilemma.

You can’t go wrong with Instant Pot-Friendly Vegetarian Chili Mac and Cheese. In fact, chili mac is pretty much a crowd-pleaser no matter what your age. This one skips the beef you might see in other chili mac recipes and bumps up the flavor with lots of spices and a selection of tomatoes, several types of beans and whole wheat pasta.

For a chilly winter’s day, Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup with grilled cheese is a winning combination. While you’ll have to stick with the traditional stovetop to put together your sandwiches, your Instant Pot will have the soup covered. Just note this recipe, while vegetarian, isn’t vegan, though you can make it vegan by swapping out the butter and heavy cream for dairy-free alternatives.

This vegetarian Instant Pot recipe isn’t only kid-friendly, it’s also fast! Make Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo in just 20 minutes.

If your kids love tacos, but you aren’t a fan of animal proteins, whip them up these Instant Pot Lentil Tacos. No one in your family will even miss the meat!

Of course, you can’t forget about dessert (or this lovely snack for anytime, really, breakfast included). Instant Pot Hidden Veggie Applesauce is a hit with kids and adults, too, and it really does pack in a lot of hidden veggies, including three beets and two carrots.

Low-Carb Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes

Whether you’re going on a low-carb diet to lose weight, improve your overall health or improve your performance in the gym, you don’t have to spend hours meal prepping or give up your vegetarian lifestyle. There are plenty of low-carb, vegetarian Instant Pot recipes to choose from.

If you’re specifically seeking Instant Pot Indian recipes, then this Instant Pot Cauliflower Pav Bhaji is sure to delight. A rich and tasty vegetable curry that’s often found served as street food in Mumbai, this recipe swaps out some of its high-carb ingredients for more suitable ones, such as potatoes for cauliflower.

If you’ve been on a low-carb diet for a while, you’ve probably already realized how popular cauliflower is among low-carb recipes. This Low-Carb Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup is not only low carb, but it’s also vegan, paleo and gluten-free.

You can even fix breakfast in your Instant Pot. A low-carb Instant Pot breakfast recipe that’s easily customizable for every member of your family is this one for a Low-Carb Instant Pot Frittata. The original frittata is made with peppers, onions, spinach and cheese, but you can swap out ingredients to feature your favorite flavors, such as avocado, tomato, jalapeños or chives.

If you’re craving Italian cuisine, but know that pasta comes with a lot of carbs, you might find a suitable swap with this Instant Pot Eggplant Parmesan. In addition to being low carb and healthy, it only takes four ingredients, meaning it’s extra budget-friendly, and it only requires 20 minutes of your time.

Along the same lines, if you have a craving for pasta — specifically mac n’ cheese — then try out this Instant Pot Cauliflower and Cheese. This keto, vegetarian version is not only low carb, it’s also gluten- and egg-free. It comes together in less than half an hour.

Easy & Fast Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes

The Instant Pot is known as a huge time saver in the kitchen, but you’ll still see a lot of Instant Pot recipes that require 30 or 40 minutes of your time. If you have 20 minutes or less to spare, opt for one of these easy and fast vegetarian Instant Pot recipes.

Chili may have been an all-day cooking endeavor in the past, but not anymore. This  15-Minute Instant Pot Vegan Chili will have you wondering where it’s been all your life. The recipe comes together with everyday pantry items that you likely already have on hand.

If you want to get a little fancy, you can whip up this 20-Minute Instant Pot Vegetarian Cassoulet. A cassoulet is a hearty French dish that’s typically made of beans and meat and is usually quite time intensive. With this recipe, the meat is removed and the entire process comes together in less time than it would take to watch an episode of your favorite sitcom.

When you’re crunched for time, you might be tempted to call for takeout, but consider making this 20-Minute Instant Pot Vegetarian Pad Thai instead. The easy and fast Instant Pot recipe can be made vegan by simply omitting the egg.

A freezer-friendly, 17-Minute Instant Pot Vegetable Soup, this recipe makes enough to feed the entire family, with servings for eight. If you can’t down all that in one meal, you can throw the leftovers in the freezer for use later on in the season. Additionally, each serving is only 101 calories; for a comforting meal you won’t regret later.

And lastly, if you thought you couldn’t pull together a curry in less than half an hour, think again. This 15-Minute Instant Pot Chickpea Curry is a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s light, healthy and packed with a punch of flavor.

Adapting the Instant Pot for Your Own Vegetarian Recipes

The fun of cooking with your Instant Pot and creating easy, healthful and fast vegetarian meals that everyone in your household loves doesn’t have to end here. Take what you’ve learned from these 20 recipes and start adapting your long-time favorite vegetarian dishes for the Instant Pot lifestyle.

• Instant Pot Vegetable Soup with Quinoa
• Low-Calorie Instant Pot Lentil Soup
• Instant Pot Enchilada Soup
• Instant Pot Quinoa Burrito Bowls
• Instant Pot Veggie Curry
• Instant Pot-Friendly Vegetarian Chili Mac and Cheese
• Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup
• Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo
• Instant Pot Lentil Tacos
• Instant Pot Hidden Veggie Applesauce
• Instant Pot Cauliflower Pav Bhaji
• Low-Carb Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup
• Low-Carb Instant Pot Frittata
• Instant Pot Eggplant Parmesan
• Instant Pot Cauliflower and Cheese
• 15-Minute Instant Pot Vegan Chili
• 20-Minute Instant Pot Vegetarian Cassoulet
• 20-Minute Instant Pot Vegetarian Pad Thai
• 17-Minute Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
• 15-Minute Instant Pot Chickpea Curry