Winter cooking doesn't have to be an all-meat affair. Whether you're following a vegetarian lifestyle or are just aiming to cut down on your meat intake, when the temperature starts to drop your winter menu could look like hearty vegetarian soups, warming pasta bakes and dhal for days. And never, ever underestimate the goodness of balsamic-braised mushrooms piled on polenta. Glorious.
Cosy vegetarian recipes for autumn and winter
Because winter is not all about ragù.
![**[Greg Malouf's freekeh with pumpkin and mushrooms](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/freekeh-with-pumpkin-and-mushrooms-16267|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2018/07/31/16267/GT1807_Round_table_Freekeh_with_pumpkin_and_mushroomsA.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Greg Malouf's freekeh with pumpkin and mushrooms
Photo: Ben Dearnley![**[Split pea and coconut soup with yoghurt](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/split-pea-coconut-soup-17611|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/08/19/17611/web_splitpeasoup.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Split pea and coconut soup with yoghurt
Photo: Alicia Taylor![**[Dhal with crisp cauliflower and rasam](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/dhal-with-crisp-cauliflower-and-rasam-11753|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2020/02/03/11753/web_dhalcauliflower.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Dhal with crisp cauliflower and rasam
Photo: William Meppem![**[Agostino's mushroom tortelloni with buffalo ricotta](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/chefs-recipes/mushroom-tortelloni-17281|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/04/30/17281/111.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![[**Braised kale with mascarpone polenta**](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/braised-kale-with-mascarpone-polenta-13621|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/gt/2019/07/26/1564126037958_webpolenta.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![**[Greg Malouf's burrata with broad bean and chickpea stew](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/burrata-with-broad-bean-and-chickpea-stew-16263|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2018/07/31/16263/GT1807_Round_table_Burrata_with_broad_bean_and_chickpea_stewA.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Greg Malouf's burrata with broad bean and chickpea stew
Photo: Ben Dearnley![**[Whole roasted cauliflower with fermented chilli butter](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/roasted-cauliflower-17179|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/11/21/17179/web_cauliflower.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Whole roasted cauliflower with fermented chilli butter
Photo: Ben Dearnley![**[Celeriac and mushroom salad with parmesan](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/celeriac-mushroom-salad-17404|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/06/18/17404/Quick_Meals_Celeriac_Mushroom_Salad_050219_26556.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Celeriac and mushroom salad with parmesan
Photo: Anson Smart![**[Chana masala](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/chana-masala-17857|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/09/11/17857/web_chanamasala.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Photo: Alicia Taylor
![**[Leek and miso orecchiette](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/preview/recipes/fast-recipes/leek-miso-pasta-18620|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2020/06/25/18620/web_leekpasta.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Photo: Con Poulos
![**[Phil Wood's braised broccoli with butter beans, chickpeas and chilli](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/chefs-recipes/braised-broccoli-16608|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/11/18/16608/web_braisedbroccoli.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Phil Wood's braised broccoli with butter beans, chickpeas and chilli
Photo: Mark Roper![**[Adam Wolfers' carrot schnitzel](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/chefs-recipes/carrot-schnitzel-18402|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2020/02/28/18402/we_carrotschnitzel.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Adam Wolfers' carrot schnitzel
Photo: Alicia Taylor![**[Roti with chana dhal](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/roti-with-chana-dhal-12301|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/09/25/12301/web_rotichana-(1).jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Photo: William Meppem
![[**Stefano Manfredi's rice and bean minestrone**](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/chefs-recipes/rice-and-bean-minestrone-8265|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2020/08/12/8265/web_riceminestrone.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![[**Cauliflower mac and cheese**](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/cauliflower-mac-and-cheese-13599|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/gt/2021/04/19/1618800089757_web-fast-cauliflower-cheese.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Photo: Ben Dearnley
![**[Leek, mushroom and thyme risotto](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/leek-mushroom-and-thyme-risotto-13834|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/07/04/13834/web_mushrooms_risotto.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Leek, mushroom and thyme risotto
Photo: Chris Chen![**[Emma McCaskill's chickpea dhal with papadums](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/chefs-recipes/chickpea-dhal-18550|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2020/05/05/18550/web_chickpeadhal.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Emma McCaskill's chickpea dhal with papadums
Photo: Marnie Hawson![**[Chickpea, quinoa and kale soup with labne](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/chickpea-quinoa-and-kale-soup-with-labne-12814|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/gt/2021/04/19/1618800127477_webchickpeasoup.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Chickpea, quinoa and kale soup with labne
Photo: William Meppem![**[Chickpea, pumpkin and cavolo nero soup](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/chickpea-pumpkin-and-cavolo-nero-soup-12765|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/10/30/12765/web_chickpea.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Chickpea, pumpkin and cavolo nero soup
Photo: Chris Court![**[French onion soup](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/french-onion-soup-8664|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/08/15/8664/web_onionsoup.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Photo: Con Poulos
![**[Sweetcorn with coconut milk](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/corn-coconut-milk-soup-17094|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/03/05/17094/20181113-gourmet-081.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Photo: Chris Chen
![**[Honey-ginger roasted carrots by Leonardo's Pizza Palace](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/chefs-recipes/roasted-carrots-honey-ginger-17174|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/03/26/17174/vang_gourmet_2019_411.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Honey-ginger roasted carrots by Leonardo's Pizza Palace
Photo: Mikkel Vang![**[A cheat's recipe for spinach and ricotta ravioli](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/spinach-ricotta-ravioli-17247|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/04/24/17247/20181211-gourmet-052.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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A cheat's recipe for spinach and ricotta ravioli
Photo: Chris Chen![[**Silverbeet, pumpkin and farro broth**](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/silverbeet-pumpkin-and-farro-broth-13732|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/10/30/13732/web_broth.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Silverbeet, pumpkin and farro broth
Photo: Ben Dearnley![[**Silverbeet and gruyere tart**](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/silverbeet-and-gruyere-tart-13605|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/11/21/13605/web_silverbeettart.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Photo: Ben Dearnley
![[**Pumpkin ravioli with sage**](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/pumpkin-ravioli-with-sage-12321|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/08/16/12321/web_pumpkinravioli.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Photo: William Meppem
![[**Shakshuka**](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/shakshuka-13617|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2019/09/09/13617/web_shakshuka.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Photo: William Meppem
![[**Peter Gilmore's roasted carrots with feta, almonds and sherry caramel**](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/chefs-recipes/roasted-carrots-with-feta-almonds-and-sherry-caramel-8431|target="_blank")](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/gt/2021/04/19/1618800362025_webcarrots.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Peter Gilmore's roasted carrots with feta, almonds and sherry caramel
Photo: Ben Dearnley![**[Persian red lentil soup with tahini, beetroot and fried mint](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/persian-red-lentil-soup-with-tahini-beetroot-and-fried-mint-12513|target="_blank")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/gt/2019/07/26/1564125793958_weblentilsoup.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Persian red lentil soup with tahini, beetroot and fried mint
Photo: William Meppem![**[Braised mushrooms with polenta](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/fast-recipes/braised-mushrooms-with-polenta-16339|target="_blank"|rel="nofollow")**](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/Gt/2018/08/21/16339/GT1808_Quick_meals_Braised_mushrooms_with_polentaA.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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Braised mushrooms with polenta
Photo: Alicia Taylor
