Annabel Karmel Vegetarian Recipes for Kids and Families

Annabel Karmel is a trailblazer in the world of family-friendly, nutritious cooking, especially when it comes to vegetarian meals that both adults and children adore. Her inventive take on classic comfort foods and creative veggie-centric dishes have helped families everywhere discover the joy of plant-based eating.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to add more vegetables to your family’s diet, Annabel’s recipes make it easy, delicious, and fun. In this post, I’ll share a collection of my favorite Annabel Karmel vegetarian recipes—from vibrant veggie muffins to hearty lentil shepherd’s pie and colorful pasta bakes.

Each recipe is packed with flavor, nutrients, and Annabel’s trademark kid-approved touch. So, grab your apron and get inspired to bring more wholesome veggie goodness to your table!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe Collection

There’s a reason why so many families trust Annabel Karmel’s vegetarian recipes. They’re simple to prepare, use readily available ingredients, and are designed to please even the pickiest eaters.

Each recipe is crafted to maximize nutrition without sacrificing taste, making mealtimes stress-free and enjoyable for everyone at the table.

Whether you’re looking for quick weekday dinners, healthy lunchbox fillers, or nourishing snacks, you’ll find something to suit every occasion. These recipes are also easily adaptable for allergies or dietary preferences, ensuring that no one misses out.

Plus, cooking together can be a fantastic way to teach kids about nutrition and spark their interest in healthy foods!

Featured Annabel Karmel Vegetarian Recipes

• Mini Vegetable Muffins – Perfect for lunchboxes or snacks
• Lentil Shepherd’s Pie – A hearty, comforting dinner
• Rainbow Veggie Pasta Bake – Packed with colorful vegetables and cheesy goodness
• Cauliflower & Broccoli Cheese Bites – Great for picky eaters
• Sweet Potato & Chickpea Burgers – A family BBQ favorite

Ingredients

Equipment

• Muffin tin and liners (for muffins & bites)
• Mixing bowls
• Grater
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Sharp knife & chopping board
• Large saucepan
• Baking dish (for pasta bake & shepherd’s pie)
• Potato masher
• Oven and stovetop
• Food processor (optional for burger mixture)
• Spatula or wooden spoon

Instructions

Mini Vegetable Muffins

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a mini muffin tin with paper cases.
2. Mix the vegetables: In a large bowl, combine grated zucchini, carrot, and peas.
3. Add wet ingredients: Beat eggs, milk, and olive oil together, then stir into the vegetables.
4. Combine dry ingredients: Sift in flour, baking powder, and add cheese. Mix until just combined.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then spoon mixture into muffin cases.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden and firm. Cool before serving.

Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

1. Prepare the lentils: Rinse lentils and cook according to package instructions. Set aside.
2. Sauté the vegetables: In a large pan, heat a splash of oil and cook the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic until softened.
3. Add flavor: Stir in chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock, thyme, paprika, and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Combine lentils: Add cooked lentils to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Prepare the mash: Boil potatoes until soft, then drain and mash with milk and butter. Season well.
6. Assemble: Pour lentil mixture into a baking dish, top evenly with mashed potatoes.
7. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden.

Rainbow Veggie Pasta Bake

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Sauté vegetables: In a large pan, heat a splash of oil. Add peppers, broccoli, and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes & sweetcorn: Stir in cherry tomatoes and sweetcorn, cook 2 minutes.
4. Create sauce: Add passata and Italian herbs, season, simmer for 5-10 minutes.
5. Combine: Mix pasta and vegetables in a baking dish, sprinkle with mozzarella.
6. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Cauliflower & Broccoli Cheese Bites

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment.
2. Steam vegetables until tender. Allow to cool, then chop finely.
3. Mix: In a bowl, combine vegetables, cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, flour, salt, and pepper.
4. Shape into balls and place on prepared tray.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.

Sweet Potato & Chickpea Burgers

1. Cook sweet potatoes: Boil until soft, then drain well.
2. Make burger mix: In a bowl, mash sweet potato, stir in chickpeas, onion, garlic, cumin, oats, and egg. Season.
3. Form patties: Divide mixture into 6 and shape into burgers.
4. Chill for 20 minutes to firm up.
5. Cook: Heat oil in a frying pan. Fry burgers 3-4 minutes per side until golden.

For fuss-free prep, you can make most of these recipes ahead of time and freeze them for busy days!

Tips & Variations

• Make it gluten-free: Swap in gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs where needed.
• Add extra veggies: Sneak spinach, courgette, or grated beetroot into muffins or burgers.
• Swap the cheese: Use dairy-free cheese for a vegan version.
• Boost protein: Add cooked lentils or beans to the pasta bake or muffins for more plant-based protein.
• Get kids involved: Let little hands help with mixing, mashing, and shaping—it builds their confidence and curiosity about food.

“These recipes are wonderfully flexible. Don’t be afraid to make them your own by switching up spices and veggies according to what’s in season or in your fridge!”

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition facts are approximate and will vary depending on exact ingredients and serving sizes.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve Mini Vegetable Muffins with a side of Green Goodness Juice for a nourishing breakfast or snack.
• Pair Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with a simple green salad and a slice of Green Chile Cheese Bread for a hearty dinner.
• Enjoy Rainbow Veggie Pasta Bake with a dollop of Greek yogurt or dairy-free sour cream.
• Pack Cauliflower & Broccoli Cheese Bites in lunchboxes with cucumber sticks and cherry tomatoes.
• Serve Sweet Potato & Chickpea Burgers on homemade buns—try this Hamburger Bun Sourdough Recipe—with lettuce, tomato, and your favorite sauces.

Conclusion

Annabel Karmel’s vegetarian recipes open up a world of creativity and nutrition for families wanting to eat more plants. From make-ahead muffins to dinner-worthy shepherd’s pie, these dishes are proof that vegetables can be the star of any meal.

The recipes above are not only packed with flavor, but also designed to encourage kids and adults alike to explore new tastes and textures.

Cooking together and enjoying these meals as a family creates lifelong healthy habits and memories. Ready for more inspiration?

Try branching out with sweet treats like Grandma’s Old Fashioned Bread Pudding or explore other veggie recipes such as Kodiak Banana Muffins. There’s always a delicious adventure waiting in the kitchen—so let Annabel Karmel’s vegetarian recipes be your guide!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegetarian Sweet Potato & Lentil Cottage Pie”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A wholesome vegetarian twist on a classic cottage pie, packed with lentils and topped with creamy sweet potato mash. Perfect for family dinners and full of flavor.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT40M”, “totalTime”: “PT1H”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped”, “1 tablespoon olive oil”, “1 onion, finely chopped”, “1 carrot, diced”, “1 celery stalk, diced”, “2 garlic cloves, minced”, “400g can green lentils, drained and rinsed”, “400g can chopped tomatoes”, “2 tablespoons tomato puree”, “1 teaspoon dried thyme”, “100ml vegetable stock”, “Salt and pepper, to taste”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Boil sweet potatoes until tender, then mash and set aside.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a pan, saut\u00e9 onion, carrot, and celery for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in lentils, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, thyme, and vegetable stock.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened; season with salt and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spoon lentil mixture into a baking dish and top with mashed sweet potato.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake at 200\u00b0C (180\u00b0C fan) for 20 minutes until golden.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “295 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “11 g”, “fatContent”: “4 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “54 g”}}