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Cheesy Vegetarian

Perfect Welsh Rarebit

A traditional British recipe, this perfect Welsh rarebit is the ultimate quick and easy lunch – made with a gooey cheese sauce, and grilled to perfection on crispy bread.

Two slices of cheesy Welsh rarebit on a plate with tomatoes and lettuce.

If there was ever a recipe that wholly embodies the name of this website, ‘easy cheesy vegetarian’, it’s Welsh rarebit – and since I’m half Welsh, I thought it was fitting that I share this recipe. It’s such a simple one, but if you’re a fan of gooey cheese, it’s really rather spectacular, and makes a perfect easy lunch.

Two slices of cheesy Welsh rarebit on a place with tomatoes and lettuce.

Is Welsh rarebit the same as cheese on toast?

We Brits are known for our ‘does what it says on the tin’ kind of recipes, and cheese on toast is one of our best.

It’s cheese.
On toast.

You really don’t need a recipe for it.

But Welsh rarebit isn’t quite the same as a standard cheese on toast. It’s a little more interesting – and a lot more delicious – because it uses a gooey cheese sauce, rather than plain slices of cheese.

A slice of Welsh rarebit cut in half on a chopping board.

What is Welsh rarebit?

There are a million stories about how Welsh rarebit came about, where it got its bizarre name from (it’s also sometimes known as ‘Welsh rabbit’ – don’t worry, no rabbits were harmed in the making of this dish), and even whether it’s truly Welsh or not.

But wherever it came from, it’s an incredible dish that deserves to be shared.

Welsh rarebit begins with a super thick cheese sauce, smeared over a crispy piece of toast, and grilled until it’s golden brown on top.

It only takes a few minutes more than regular cheese on toast, and it’s totally worth the extra effort.

Aerial shot of a slice of cheesy Welsh rarebit on a cutting board.

How to make perfect Welsh rarebit

There are all sorts of different recipes for Welsh rarebit.

Some use beer, some don’t.
Some use real mustard, and others use mustard powder, or even no mustard at all.
Some recipes use Welsh cheese and others just use cheddar…

Nobody can really agree on just one Welsh rarebit recipe.

So this is just my version!

A thick white sauce in a saucepan.

Step 1: Make a thick white sauce

I begin with a really simple béchamel sauce (white sauce). You can find step-by-step instructions for how to make a white sauce here, but it’s essentially just flour cooked in butter, with some milk added.

You can swap a little of the milk out for some beer, if you want some real indulgence.

You need to make the sauce quite a bit thicker than you would if you were making, say, macaroni cheese – otherwise, it will all drip straight off the bread and you’ll end up with a big mess. A tasty mess, but a mess nonetheless.

Instead, the sauce should be thick and spreadable – more of a paste, really.

Grated cheese and black pepper being added to a white sauce in a saucepan.

Step 2: Add cheese and mustard

Of course, you can’t have Welsh rarebit without plenty of cheese.

Choose a good quality cheese with plenty of flavour. I went for an extra mature cheddar, but a Welsh cheese like Caerphilly would be fitting too!

I also added a dollop of mustard and plenty of black pepper.

Stir it well until the cheese has melted into the sauce and it’s all thick and gooey.

Cheesy Welsh rarebit sauce in a saucepan.

Step 3: Spread it on toast, and grill

You can use any type of bread for Welsh rarebit, but I like to use something a bit more special than a mass-produced white loaf. This time I used some slices from a nice crusty bloomer loaf.

I like to pre-toast the bread, so it gets crispy on the underside. Then, spread the thick cheese sauce on top.

Welsh rarebit sauce spread over some slices of bread on a baking tray.

Pop the tray under the grill (broiler) for a few minutes until the cheese sauce is bubbly and hot, with crispy golden brown patches on top.

Slices of crispy Welsh rarebit on a baking tray.

All that’s left to do is eat!

How to serve Welsh rarebit

In my eyes, Welsh rarebit is definitely a lunch dish, so I don’t tend to do anything fancy with it.

Just a bit of salad on the side is perfect – perhaps some lettuce, tomatoes, or cucumber.

A lot of people splash their Welsh rarebit with a few drips of Worcestershire sauce just before serving. The issue is that Worcestershire sauce isn’t actually vegetarian – but Henderson’s relish is a good vegan substitute. It’s a pretty specialist ingredient, but you can find it online if needed (Amazon US* / Amazon UK*).

Two slices of cheese on toast on a plate with tomatoes and salad.

Print

Perfect Welsh Rarebit

A traditional British recipe, this perfect Welsh rarebit is the ultimate quick and easy lunch – made with a gooey cheese sauce, and grilled to perfection on crispy bread.
Course Light lunch
Cuisine British, Welsh
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 472kcal
Author Becca Heyes

Ingredients

  • 4 slices good quality crusty bread
  • 1 Tbsp (~ 15g) butter
  • 1 Tbsp plain flour
  • 120 ml (~ 1/2 cup) milk (or you can swap a little of the liquid for beer if you like)
  • 75 g mature cheddar cheese, grated (~ 3/4 cup when grated)
  • 1 tsp mustard (I used Dijon)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Begin by laying the slices of bread on a baking tray, and placing them under the grill (broiler), set to a medium-high heat. Cook for a couple of minutes until one side of the bread is golden brown and crispy. Then, turn each slice over and remove from the grill.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan, and add the flour. Mix well for 30 seconds, then add half of the milk. Stir well until the sauce is smooth, then add the remaining milk and mix again. The mixture should thicken up into a smooth, thick paste.
  • Add the grated cheese, mustard, and black pepper. Cook for another minute or two, stirring constantly, until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth.
  • Spoon the sauce onto the untoasted side of each piece of bread, gently pushing it to the edges with the back of the spoon (don’t worry if it spills over the edges a bit!).
  • Place back under the grill (broiler) for about 5 more minutes, until the cheese sauce is just beginning to brown. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a richer flavour, you can replace a little of the milk with a splash of beer (light or dark, depending on how strong you want the flavour to be). As this is such a simple recipe, make sure you use a good quality bread and a flavourful mature cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 2slices | Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.1g | Protein: 19.1g | Fat: 22.9g | Saturated Fat: 13.2g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 730mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 2.5g | Sugar: 3.7g | Calcium: 415mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition Facts
Perfect Welsh Rarebit
Amount Per Serving (2 slices)
Calories 472
Calories from Fat 206
% Daily Value*
Fat 22.9g35%
Saturated Fat 13.2g66%
Cholesterol 61mg20%
Sodium 730mg30%
Potassium 179mg5%
Carbohydrates 47.1g16%
Fiber 2.5g10%
Sugar 3.7g4%
Protein 19.1g38%
Calcium 415mg42%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Note: Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on exactly what ingredients you choose. Information above is for 2 slices of Welsh rarebit.

Here’s another authentic British recipe – my homemade suet dumplings (perfect for cooking on top of a hot stew!)

* Note: This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will receive a small payment.

The post Perfect Welsh Rarebit appeared first on Easy Cheesy Vegetarian.

Cheesy Vegetarian

25 Vegetarian Picnic Recipes

Summer is here! Hurrah! At this time of year, my tastes definitely change. No more hearty, cheesy casseroles – now, it’s all about summer recipes. I’m thinking fresh salads, picnic food, and easy cold lunches.

And of course, summer is the perfect excuse to eat outside whenever you can. Whether it’s a proper picnic in the park or just a few nibbles in the garden, everything tastes better in the sunshine. I always have a few easy vegetarian recipes up my sleeve that are easy to pack up and take out – things like pasta salads, picnic nibbles, and quiches.

Collage showing vegetarian picnic recipes with text overlay.

I love how summer food often feels super relaxed and thrown together (in the best possible way). A bit of this, a handful of that, whatever fresh ingredients you’ve got in the fridge… somehow it all just works, even without a lot of forethought. Sometimes our meals are as simple as a slice of crusty bread with some hummus and grilled veggies, or a colourful salad topped with crumbled cheese and a zingy dressing – it’s the kind of food that feels light but still totally satisfying.

❤ Why You’ll Love These Recipes

  • They’re all light and summery – perfect for eating in the warm weather.
  • These recipes are easy to pack up and take outside, whether that be as part of an elaborate picnic, or a simple picnic lunch.
  • As with all of my vegetarian recipes, they’re all simple to make, with no hard-to-find ingredients.
  • Plus, these recipes are big on flavour and low on faff – just how I like it.

🧺 Vegetarian Picnic Recipes

Without further ado, onto the recipes!

Lentil Sausage Rolls

These vegetarian sausage rolls are stuffed with a seriously tasty lentil and mushroom filling, wrapped up in flaky puff pastry. They’re perfect to batch cook, and can be served cold as part of a picnic. We also love them packed up in lunch boxes!

Vegetarian Lentil Sausage Rolls

These vegetarian lentil sausage rolls are packed with rich, earthy flavours, and they’re perfect for a kids’ party or a lunchbox!
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 16 small rolls

Get the recipe here!

Parmesan Baked Fava Bean Chips

These crispy fava bean chips make a great crunchy snack, as an alternative to nuts or potato chips. Flavour them however you like – I made cheesy ones!

Parmesan Baked Fava Bean Chips

These parmesan baked fava bean chips are a crispy, crunchy snack idea – perfect for entertaining, or for a nut-free lunchbox snack!
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

Tex-Mex Tortilla Roll-Ups

Tortilla roll-ups make such a fun alternative to a sandwich for picnics and lunch boxes, or just to eat at home for a quick lunch.

Tex-Mex tortilla roll-ups on a plate.

Easy Tex-Mex Tortilla Roll-Ups

Tortilla roll-ups are a quick and exciting lunch option, or to serve on a platter at parties. These cheesy Tex-Mex ones are so tasty!
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

A plateful of vegetarian Tex-Mex tortilla roll-ups.

Peach and Mozzarella Salad with Rocket

Juicy peaches work so well in this tasty vegetarian salad, along with creamy mozzarella, crunchy homemade croutons, and a simple balsamic dressing. This one is a real favourite of mine.

A plate with a portion of peach and mozzarella salad.

Peach and Mozzarella Salad with Rocket

This peach and mozzarella salad is bursting with fresh summer flavour, including sweet peach, creamy cheese, and crunchy homemade croutons!
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

Peach and mozzarella salad with homemade croutons, tomatoes and pumpkin seeds.

Mediterranean Vegetable Flatbreads with Goat Cheese

One of my favourite summery dinners – a tasty mixture of vegetables and soft goat cheese, wrapped up in a flatbread. These are so adaptable, so they make great fridge clearers!

A flatbread topped with vegetables, goat cheese and sour cream.

Mediterranean Vegetable Flatbreads with Goat Cheese

Mediterranean vegetable flatbreads, piled up with sweet and jammy veggies, creamy dressing, soft goat cheese and fresh basil.
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Get the recipe here!

A Mediterranean vegetable flatbread on a plate.

Spinach and Goat Cheese Self-Crusting Quiche

A big slice of this self-crusting quiche is great packed up for a picnic or lunch on the go. The fluffy egg mixture forms its own crust as it cooks – you won’t miss the pastry!

Spinach and goat’s cheese self-crusting quiche

This self-crusting quiche has no pastry, but still heaps and heaps of flavour! It forms its own crust thanks to a special extra ingredient.
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 slices

Get the recipe here!

Creamy Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

This creamy chickpea salad can be served on its own, scooped up on tortilla chips, or inside some crusty bread to make the perfect high protein vegetarian sandwich!

Creamy chickpea salad sandwiches

These creamy chickpea salad sandwiches are a quick and easy vegetarian lunch option that’s endlessly adaptable!
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 sandwiches

Get the recipe here!

Easy Homemade Flatbreads

These homemade flatbreads require only 3 ingredients (and no yeast!). Pack them up in your picnic basket with a variety of fillings, and let everyone construct their own lunch.

Easy Homemade Flatbreads (Italian Piadina)

These homemade flatbreads are so easy to make, with no yeast required! They’re perfect stuffed with all kinds of sweet or savoury fillings.
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 piada

Get the recipe here!

A homemade flatbread on a board, stuffed with avocado, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Cheesy Veggie Fritters

These cheesy vegetable fritters are great served warm or cold, and they’re such a tasty way to clear out any veggies from the fridge! Serve them with some tzatziki for dipping, if you’re feeling fancy.

Cheesy Veggie Fritters

These cheesy veggie fritters are the perfect easy vegetarian lunch, with plenty of vegetables and crispy cheese! A great fridge clearer.
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Get the recipe here!

A stack of cheesy vegetable fritters on a board.

Carrot and Cheddar Bites

These cheesy bites are one of my all-time favourites for packing up into a picnic. They’re super easy to make, and far more tasty than they sound!

Carrot and Cheddar Bites

These cheesy little carrot and cheddar bites are the perfect finger food for a vegetarian party buffet – or just a mid-afternoon snack!
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 15 balls

Get the recipe here!

A stack of cheesy carrot bites on a plate with a ramekin of ketchup.

Cheesy Lentil and Veggie Slice

A slice of this tasty, cheesy slice is beautiful served cold – plus, it’s packed with protein and fresh vegetables!

Cheesy Lentil and Veggie Slice

This cheesy lentil and veggie slice is absolutely packed with flavour, and it can be made with store cupboard ingredients, using whatever veggies you have in the house!
Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

Chickpea Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a versatile meal that can be packed up for picnics, or kept in the fridge so you can dig into it throughout the week. I love to add chickpeas, feta cheese, and heaps of fresh veggies.

A bowlful of chickpea pasta salad with pesto and arugula.

Chickpea Pasta Salad

This chickpea pasta salad is hearty and nutritious, and absolutely packed with vibrant flavours and textures!
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Get the recipe here!

A bowlful of chickpea pasta salad with black olives and arugula.

Indian Naan Bread Pizza with Paneer

Pizza is one of our favourite summer dinners, sliced up for everyone to share, and served with a green salad, coleslaw, and crunchy veggie sticks. This Indian-inspired pizza is topped with paneer cheese and a curry-infused pizza sauce.

Indian pizza with tomatoes and paneer on a naan crust.

Indian Pizza with Paneer (Naan Bread Pizza)

This Indian pizza with paneer is made on a naan bread base, with a curry-infused pizza sauce. The most incredible fusion food!
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

Indian pizza with a naan bread base.

Feta and Roasted Vegetable Crustless Quiche

This roasted vegetable crustless quiche is packed with tasty ingredients, and since there’s no pastry, it’s a light and healthy meal that’s perfect for warmer weather.

A slice of vegetable crustless quiche on a plate with baby potatoes and salad.

Feta and Roasted Vegetable Crustless Quiche

This tasty vegetarian crustless quiche is packed with roasted vegetables and chunks of feta cheese – so much flavour, and no pastry!
Total time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

A slice of vegetable crustless quiche on a plate with potatoes and salad.

Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas

I make quesadillas at least once a week, as they’re such an easy meal! For these roasted veggie quesadillas, try cooking up a big batch of roasted vegetables at the start of the week, which you can dig into throughout the week for salads, pasta dishes, etc.

A plateful of roasted veggie quesadillas.

Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas

These roasted vegetable quesadillas are bursting with juicy veggies and gooey cheese, inside a crisp tortilla. Such an easy vegetarian meal!
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

Slices of roasted vegetable quesadillas on a cutting board.

Extra Special Tabbouleh Salad with Halloumi

Tabbouleh is another vegetarian salad that’s great to have on hand in the fridge all summer long! This version is extra special, with all sorts of bonus tasty ingredients. I love to serve it as part of a light lunch, with pitta bread and hummus.

A plateful of tabbouleh salad with pitta sticks and hummus.

Extra Special Tabbouleh with Halloumi Cheese

An extra special version of tabbouleh with halloumi cheese, chickpeas, olives, and much more! A tasty, healthy vegetarian salad.
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Get the recipe here!

Extra special tabbouleh salad with halloumi and olives.

Coronation Chickpeas

Coronation chickpeas are a vegetarian version of a traditional British recipe, with a lightly curried creamy sauce. There’s so much flavour, and they are wonderful served with toast or salad, or packed up into a picnic.

Curried coronation chickpeas on toast and lettuce.

Coronation Chickpeas

Coronation chickpeas are a quick and seriously flavourful vegetarian version of the British dish coronation chicken. Perfect for picnics!
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Get the recipe here!

Creamy coronation chickpeas on toast and lettuce.

Cold Spinach Dip with Greek Yogurt

This cold spinach dip can be whipped up in minutes, and is so tasty served with crackers for dipping. This one’s great for lunch boxes too!

Creamy cold spinach dip in a bowl.

Cold Spinach Dip (with Greek Yogurt)

A healthy cold spinach dip with loads of veggies and Greek yogurt – super creamy, and perfect to spread on something crunchy!
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3 people

Get the recipe here!

Creamy spinach dip in a bowl.

Easy Baked Mushroom Tikka

One of my all-time favourite lunches! These juicy roasted mushrooms have so much flavour, in a tasty tikka coating. I love them served with naan bread, salad, and a yogurt dip.

Baked mushroom tikka in a bowl with salad and naan bread.

Mushroom Tikka

This mushroom tikka is baked in an easy spiced yogurt marinade, which intensifies as it cooks and gets crispy round the edges. Irresistible!
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

Baked mushroom tikka in a bowl with naan bread and salad.

White Bean Hummus with Feta Cheese

Homemade hummus is so easy to make, and makes a wonderful addition to picnics or summery meals. This version uses white beans, lemon juice and feta cheese for maximum flavour.

White bean hummus in a bowl topped with crumbled feta and lemon wedges.

White Bean Hummus with Feta (No Tahini)

This white bean hummus with lemon and feta is quick to prepare, packed with fresh flavours, and perfect for picnics, snacks or light lunches.
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Get the recipe here!

White bean hummus topped with lemon wedges and crumbled feta cheese.

Air Fryer Pitta Bread Pizza

I love making pitta bread pizzas in the air fryer for a quick and easy lunch that doesn’t heat up the whole house. These ones have two layers of toppings and cheese!

Pitta pizza on a plate with arugula.

Air Fryer Pitta Pizza

These easy air fryer pitta pizzas can be made in just a few minutes. Plus, you get TWO layers of whatever pizza toppings you like!
Servings: 1 person

Get the recipe here!

Vegetarian pitta bread pizza in an air fryer.

Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

Homemade hummus is so quick and easy to make, and I love adding my own flavourings. This one is made seriously tasty with sun-dried tomatoes, basil and toasted pine nuts.

Sun-dried tomato hummus

This sun-dried tomato hummus takes just minutes to make, with only a few ingredients, and it tastes so much better than shop-bought hummus!
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Get the recipe here!

Creamy Cowboy Caviar with Avocado Dressing

Cowboy caviar is a simple vegan bean salad that’s absolutely packed with fresh, crunchy vegetables. My version is coated in a creamy avocado dressing for extra deliciousness! I love this scooped up on tortilla chips.

Creamy Cowboy Caviar (with Avocado Dressing)

This creamy cowboy caviar is an irresistible version of a simple bean salad, with fresh flavours and a creamy avocado dressing.
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Get the recipe here!

A hand scooping creamy cowboy caviar with a tortilla chip.

Easy Cheesy Chickpea Burgers

What could be more summery than a veggie burger?! These chickpea burgers are easy to make, and great stacked up with fresh toppings.

Easy Cheesy Chickpea Burgers

An easy chickpea burger recipe that makes a fantastically hearty, cheesy burger. They’re so quick and easy to prepare!
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 burgers

Get the recipe here!

Roasted Vegetable Fattoush

Fattoush is a tasty salad made with crispy pitta bread croutons. My version also has roasted vegetables and plenty of other tasty mix-ins!

Roasted Vegetable Fattoush

This roasted vegetable fattoush is a hearty, filling salad that’s absolutely packed with tasty bits. Definitely not the type of salad you only eat out of obligation!
Total time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Get the recipe here!

🧾 Top Tips for a Perfect Vegetarian Picnic

  • Don’t overcomplicate things – not everything needs to be elaborate and homemade. Try to aim for just one ‘main’ element (such as vegetarian sausage rolls or crustless quiche), plus one fun salad (like a pasta salad or bean salad). You can then augment your picnic with fresh veggies, fruit, and shop-bought snacks like potato chips or tortilla chips.
  • Make sure everything is well chilled before being packed up, to avoid warm, soggy food. You can also use ice packs to keep things fresh on the go.
  • Try to make sure you include at least one or two protein sources, to make sure everyone feels satisfied, even without any meat. Beans and chickpeas, boiled eggs, hummus and cheese are all great vegetarian protein sources that work well for picnics.

☀ Other Summer Recipes

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Extra special tabbouleh salad with halloumi and olives.

Extra Special Tabbouleh Salad with Halloumi

The post 25 Vegetarian Picnic Recipes appeared first on Easy Cheesy Vegetarian.

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