How to cater for everyone in a part-veggie household

by Anna Jones, food writer and vegetarian

Back in 2021, a supermarket survey found only 28% of UK families are sharing the same meal each evening largely due to a mix of different dietary requirements. This includes a rise in those following a vegetarian diet. If you find yourself cooking multiple dinners to cater for everyone, you could be spending more time and money than you need to.

Traditional British food puts meat at the centre of a meal – with veg as a side dish. There are many reasons to think 'vegetables-first'. The cost of meat is rising and the latest health advice is to limit the amount of red meat we eat each week. Whether you're a vegetarian cooking for meat-eaters, or vice-versa, here are my go-to tips and tricks to ensure empty plates and happy tummies.

The ideal – get everyone veggie

Swapping some classic meat dishes for veggie versions is a great way to get the family enjoying more veggie food together. Try the easy ideas in this short animation.

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Part-veggie dishes

If meat is still non-negotiable for some people at your table, start by cooking a vegetarian meal and use these ideas to add in meat separately for those who'd like it. Sounds simple, but these methods really save time on a busy night:

Noodles or noodle soups – umami-rich wild mushrooms, tofu and an egg make noodles incredibly satisfying, but steaming a fish fillet in a parcel or adding a little smoked mackerel is an option for non-veggies. Search for Simple tofu ramen in the recipe search bar.
Tomato sauce for pasta – a rich, flavour-packed tomato sauce with pasta suits everyone. A batch of frozen meatballs on standby can be added to individual portions. This is a favourite with the kids. Search for How to make a tomato sauce in the recipe search bar.
Veggie soups can be filling and nutritious. A little bacon can be sprinkled over to please the meat eaters at your table.
Vegetarian tacos are brilliant and popular with everyone. To flex the recipe add a bit of basic braised mince. Search for Vegetarian chilli tacos in the recipe search bar.
Wraps are the ultimate flexi-food, to which the whole family can add the bits they like best. Use punchy feta and smoky beans. A little chicken grilled and sliced could easily be added in for meat-eaters. Search for Chilli beans burrito in the recipe search bar.