Looking for a good vegetarian dish

A friend of mine asked for a recipe for a vegetarian entree dish. I am going to suggest a pasta dish, but wanted to give at least another alternative. Any ideas? It needs to be something relatively simple. TIA!

Mushroom risotto, use veggie stock or a nice mushroom stock.
If eggs are suitable a nice frittata can be special but not at all difficult and can have lovely seasonal vegetables, cheeses etc.
Tomatoes should be good now for you so a tomato tarte tatin with a great salad.
A platter of stuffed vegetables can be prepared in advance and then cooked or reheated for service.

As you are in the height of summer, so many lovely vegetables should be peaking now and it would be a great time to cook outdoors, grilled veg, corn on the cob, bruschetta alongside.
Mmm we are still in the depths of winter doing long slow braises etc so it is nice to think of summery things.
hope this is of some help
Barb

Need to pick some nits but what type of vegetarian are we talking here as there numerous variations. Are eggs and dairy allowed? Any other foods that need to be avoided? Any focus to the dish or meal besides keeping it simple? I was ovo-lacto for a decade ending sometime into the early 2000s so have numerous recipes I have collected. Many of the best come from the Moosewood books and they are almost all relatively simple.

[Robin Garr]

Mushroom risotto, use veggie stock or a nice mushroom stock.

Outstanding suggestion! And goes great with Pinot Noir. You can include cheese, which enriches it further, if the guests aren't vegans, but if they are, mushrooms alone (with onions and garlic, of course) still makes an outstanding risotto. I like to use a mix of dried and fresh mushrooms, and reserve the (strained) soaking water from dried porcini, etc., as part of the risotto liquid.

A veggie lasagna is another good option ... I wouldn't substitute tofu or any analogue "meats," just go with layers of veggies to present a good mix of flavors and textures. Slices of eggplant work very well with this.

How about omelets, frittatas or Spanish tortillas with meatless fillings?

Indian vegetarian dishes in general can be so hearty and filling that nobody misses meat.

Another pasta suggestion is penne (or similar pasta) with grilled or broiled strips of bell peppers in different colors, pitted ripe olives and tossed with olive oil. (I got the recipe from a California olive growers' association.)

Roast lenghtwise slices of eggplant and zucchini that have been brushed with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. Then layer the cooked slices with ricotta that has been mixed with grated parm and lots of chopped herbs with or without egg depending on the ovo -tarian status [ with egg is better for binding the whole gemish ]. You can sauce or not sauce with a beschamel or tomato confit. Bake. It is a pasta-less lasagna or vegetable terrine depending on what type of container you use and how you slice it. Can be very nice on a plate

As usual...great ideas! Thanks again everyone.