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The Most Popular Vegetarian Recipes of 2022

Like brothy beans, spicy sesame noodles, and comforting lentil soup.
Saucy Tofu Noodles With Cucumbers and Chili Crisp recipe
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophie Strangio

Of the many, many recipes we publish, there are bound to be a few favorites that steal the spotlight. From seasonal show-stoppers to comforting classics, these are the recipes our readers can’t get enough of. Head right this way for all of our greatest hits.

It turns out we couldn’t get enough of gochujang this year. When we looked back at the most read vegetarian recipes of 2022, the Korean fermented pepper paste took on a starring role. The top two dishes both showcased the spicy-sweet, umami-rich pantry favorite—first place to Sticky Spicy Baked Cauliflower and second to spicy Gochujang-Sesame Noodles. Also sharing the spotlight: steamy bowls of comfort food that we returned to over and over, like lemony lentil soup and creamy beans and greens.

There are weeknight mains (Big Baked Falafel Cake) and craveable sides to round out a dinner party (Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts) alike on this list. Read on for the recipes BA readers couldn’t stop cooking. And if you’re looking for more vegetarian inspiration, head over to the new Epicurious iOS app, which has all of these recipes and so many more.

  • A plate of rice topped with a spicy red sauce coated cauliflower
    Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophie Strangio
    1/10

    Sticky and Spicy Baked Cauliflower

    Battering and oven-baking large cauliflower florets gives them a slightly crackly, just-rich-enough exterior that’s ideal for coating in a sticky-sweet gochujang glaze.

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  • Gochujang sesame noodles with torn basil in a bowl
    Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Dayna Seman.
    2/10

    Gochujang-Sesame Noodles

    Spicy gochujang and creamy tahini come together harmoniously in this punchy, umami-rich noodle dish.

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  • Image may contain Food Pizza Dish Meal and Lunch
    Photograph by Isa Zapata.  Food Styling by Cyd McDowell.  Prop Styling by Paige Hicks
    3/10

    Spaghetti Squash That Fancies Itself Baked Ziti

    Spaghetti squash sheds its reputation for being bland and watery in this baked-ziti-inspired dish, in which it’s smothered in flavorful tomato sauce and blanketed under a layer of melty cheese.

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  • Saucy Tofu Noodles With Cucumbers and Chili Crisp recipe
    Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophie Strangio
    4/10

    Saucy Tofu Noodles With Cucumbers and Chili Crisp

    Get your Hulk on while squeezing out every bit of water from the tofu—it’s critical to achieving the crisp crumbles that make the sauce’s texture so satisfying.

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  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Plant Bread Lunch and Seasoning
    Photograph by Isa Zapata.  Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano.  Prop Styling by Maeve Sheridan and Molly Longwell
    5/10

    Big Baked Falafel Cake With Cucumber Salad

    No need to fight over the last falafel—this sliceable one is big enough for everyone.

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  • A bowl of brothy soup with noodles chickpeas and broccolini.
    Photograph by Isa Zapata.  Food styling by Susan Ottaviano.  Prop Styling by Maeve Sheridan
    6/10

    Chickpea Noodle Soup

    There’s triple the chickpea in this quick and comforting soup: The broth is flavored with chickpea miso, and the mix of soft and crispy chickpeas makes for a delightful mix of textures.

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  • Image may contain Spaghetti Food Pasta Noodle Meal and Dish
    Photograph by Isa Zapata.  Food Styling by Cyd McDowell.  Prop Styling by Paige Hicks
    7/10

    Vegan Cacio e Pepe

    This vegan cacio e pepe is everything we know and love about cheesy pasta (minus the cheese!): delicious, a little fancy, and deceptively simple to make.

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  • Red Lentil Soup With Preserved Lemon and Crispy Garlic in a bowl
    Photograph by Isa Zapata.  Food Styling by Kat Boytsova.  Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca
    8/10

    Red Lentil Soup With Preserved Lemon and Crispy Garlic

    That bag of lentils in the back of your pantry is in for a major glow-up. 

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  • Platter surface on gray marble surface.
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Carla Gonzalez-Hart
    9/10

    Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

    These deeply caramelized, tender, flavorful sprouts get coated in a simple, sweet-savory sauce and couldn’t be easier to throw together.

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  • A plate of beans on a blue background with a side of cilantro and a glass of water
    Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Taneka Morris, prop styling by Dayna Seman
    10/10

    Spiced Creamy White Beans and Greens

    Smashed white beans bring so much creaminess, you don’t even need dairy.

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Antara is an associate editor at Bon Appétit whose work includes writing about the joys of cooking with South Asian spice blends, a review of Bad Bunny’s Miami restaurant, and plenty of ingredient and technique explainers to help level up your kitchen skills. She developed the “Part-Time Plant-Based” cooking column ... Read More
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