13 Weeknight Dinner Recipes to Wrap Up Supper in Time for Hot Cocoa
Hot cocoa can wait until dinner is wrapped up, but a long evening makes that easier said than done. These 13 vegetarian dinners cover familiar weeknight choices, from pizza and pasta to burgers, tacos, and a warm casserole. Most have short prep and cook times, with options for the nights that give you a little more room. Choose a quick stovetop plate or a crisp-edged pizza, then settle in for cocoa once supper is done.
Cheese Pizza
Golden edges and a bubbling top make Cheese Pizza a familiar dinner choice, and the full cook takes 15 minutes with a 12-inch crust. Marinara, vegetarian Parmesan, mozzarella, goat cheese, and fresh basil layer onto the base for a savory, cheesy finish. It fits an evening when everyone wants a slice without waiting on delivery. Serve it hot, then put the kettle on for cocoa.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Pizza
Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl
Colorful, build-your-own bowls bring fast-casual dinner home with Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl, a 30-minute option for evenings packed with homework and activities. Poblano and bell peppers, red onion, romaine, and a smoky chili-cumin seasoning create a mix of textures and flavors. Set the toppings out so everyone can assemble a bowl to their liking, leaving time to wind down after supper.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl
Pasta Primavera
Garden vegetables and short pasta make Pasta Primavera a bright 30-minute dinner with zucchini, asparagus, peas, tomatoes, red onion, lemon, and Parmesan. A little garlic and olive oil ties the vegetables together while fresh basil finishes the bowl. Bring it to the table on a night when you want a full plate without a long simmer, and save a little room for cocoa afterward.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera
Flatbread Pizza
Crisp, browned edges and soft mozzarella give Flatbread Pizza a quick 8-minute route to dinner. Flatbread holds pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella, sliced vine tomatoes, and torn basil, with red pepper flakes optional for a little heat. Make it when the evening has already filled up, then cut the pizza into portions and serve it straight from the oven before homework or bedtime routines continue.
Get the Recipe: Flatbread Pizza
Cacio e Pepe
Peppery, glossy sauce turns Cacio e Pepe into a simple 30-minute pasta supper. Spaghetti, coarsely ground black pepper, and finely grated Parmesan or Pecorino romano keep the preparation simple. The quick stovetop method suits nights when dinner needs to stay straightforward, and its familiar pasta-and-cheese flavor makes a warm plate feel right before an evening cup of cocoa. Finish with extra black pepper at the table.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Egg Casserole
When the evening allows for a longer bake, Egg Casserole brings a hearty option to the weeknight table in 59 minutes. Eggs, sour cream, milk, cheddar, green onions, bell peppers, red onion, and broccoli make it substantial enough to serve as dinner. Start it early so it can bake while the rest of the evening moves along, then cut into portions for an easy family meal.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole
Black Bean Burger
Burger night gets a satisfying center with Black Bean Burger a satisfying center, and the six-patty batch takes 22 minutes. Black beans mix with grated onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, egg, and panko before cooking; a vegan version is possible too. Tuck each patty into a bun with sauce for a casual dinner that answers a burger craving while leaving enough evening for cocoa.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Burger
Lemon Pasta
Bright citrus notes keep Lemon Pasta lively, and the spaghetti dinner comes together in 15 minutes. Olive oil, onion, garlic, lemon juice and zest, vegetarian Parmesan, and black pepper make a simple sauce that coats each strand. It works well when the clock is tight but a bowl of pasta still sounds good. Serve it as soon as it is tossed, while the sauce is glossy.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pasta
French Bread Pizza
Crisp edges and a soft center make French Bread Pizza a familiar family-style supper that yields four portions. Flour, yeast, warm water, salt, sugar, and olive oil form the bread before garlic butter, pizza sauce, seasoning, mozzarella, and vegetarian Parmesan go on top. Start early enough to let the dough rise before dinner, then portion it out for an unfussy meal. That leaves evening time for cocoa.
Get the Recipe: French Bread Pizza
Aglio e Olio
At the stove, Aglio e Olio turns linguine into a 17-minute dinner with olive oil, sliced garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, and Parmesan. The simple sauce clings to the pasta without a separate simmering pot, keeping the evening routine short. It is a handy choice when the fridge is low and supper still needs to happen, with a warm, peppery bowl ready before cocoa.
Get the Recipe: Aglio e Olio
Mushroom Tacos
Taco night gets a quick 15-minute option with Mushroom Tacos to the table in 15 minutes, with cremini or button mushrooms seasoned with garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and lime. Spoon them into tortillas with lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and cilantro for a fresh, customizable plate. The short cook makes this a useful weeknight dinner when there is only a little time between getting home and settling in.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Tacos
Pesto Pasta
Deep green basil sauce coats each noodle in Pesto Pasta, a 20-minute dinner built from short pasta, fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts. The pesto comes together while the pasta cooks, so the two are ready to combine without an extra long wait. Serve it for a familiar meatless supper on a busy night, then finish the evening with hot cocoa.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta
Cheese Quesadilla
Skillet-crisp wedges with a stretchy center make Cheese Quesadilla a nine-minute dinner for nights when the clock is running short. Flour tortillas, mozzarella, and butter form the simple skillet meal, which can be cut into wedges for easy serving. Add a side if you have one ready, or keep the quesadilla as the main event and get everyone settled before the cocoa is poured.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Quesadilla