I know “Chickpea Meatloaf Day” doesn’t have the same ring to it as “Turkey Day,” but after picking your perfect entree from this list of vegetarian main dishes for Thanksgiving and Christmas, you might be inspired to switch!
From vegetarian roasts to wellingtons to stuffed squash to so many other epic recipes, these these special-occasion-worthy veggie main dishes will take center stage on the holiday table.
An aside, we’re planning a trip to London soon, and one of the things I can’t wait to take part in is the Sunday roast tradition. Sunday roast is a British traditional Sunday dinner eaten mid-afternoon, and is typically made up of a meat main such as roast beef along with the trimmings such as potatoes, gravy, veggies, and Yorkshire puddings (source). We’re hoping to find the perfect family-friendly pub with a variety of traditional meals for my carnivore partner, vegetarian roast options for me, plus kid-friendly foods for the choosy one.
Until then, we’ll have to attempt to replicate the Sunday roast experience at home. So what I love about the recipes I’m sharing here today is that they are definitely holiday-worthy but they’re also Sunday-roast-worthy.
Read on for 30+ Thanksgiving-and-Christmas-worthy vegetarian roast recipes!
1. Mashed Potato Stuffed Wellington
Hearty chickpea “meatloaf” around a mashed potato core, then wrapped with puff pastry and baked until golden brown. This one’s a showstopper!
2. Veggie Wellington
Caramelized onions and carrots join up with tender mushrooms and white beans plus squash and spinach in this impressive Veggie Wellington that brings it all to the table.
3. Mushroom Wellington
It’s official – wellingtons make the perfect vegetarian roast recipe. This one’s especially golden and rich, stuffed to the brim with chestnuts, spinach, and red onions.
4. Vegan Ham with Marmalade Glaze
This juicy vegan ham brings main dish vibes to the table without any actual meat. Seitan ham bathed in a marmalade and brown sugar glaze? Yes, please!
5. Vegan Beyond-Meat Meatloaf
Tangy barbecue sauce glazes this tender meatloaf made with Beyond Meat.
6. Savory Vegetarian Hand Pies
Golden puff pastry stuffed with acorn squash, veggies, and cheese … they’ll want one in each hand!
7. Stuffed Potato French Loaf
Inspired by the popular Mumbia street food, vada pav, this potato-cheese stuffed French bread makes a unique – and easy! – holiday centerpiece.
8. Lentil Loaf
This hearty ketchup-glazed lentil loaf is one of the more protein-rich vegetarian main dishes for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
9. Creamy Spinach Artichoke Borek
Golden spiraled puff pastry stuffed with a rich and creamy spinach and artichoke filling … this one’s a showstopper!
10. Rustic Sweet Potato & Beet Galette
The colorful jewel tones of sweet potatoes and beets fills a rustic herbed coconut-oil-based crust for a vegan entree that’s sure to impress.
11. Mushroom, Onion, & Lentil Pie
A balsamic mushroom, onion, and lentil mix fills this golden vegan pie for an entree that’s sure to impress.
12. Maple Mustard Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Bring the veggies with caramelized roasted cabbage wedges coated in a pecan-herb-breadcrumb topping.
13. Vegetable White Sauce Lasagna
A gloriously cheesy, creamy pasta dish for the table? Yes, please! Pasta makes a perfect holiday main.
14. Baked Tortellini Casserole
Frozen or fresh cheese tortellini makes this baked centerpiece a snap to make.
15. The Best Vegetarian Lasagna Ever
Carnivores go crazy for this one too!
16. Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta Bake
Butternut squash, onions, garlic, spices, and coconut milk blend to make a silky-smooth sauce that coats penne pasta and bakes up bubbly. Don’t forget the herb-breadcrumb topping!
17. Creamy Artichoke Baked Pasta
Creamy, dreamy pasta baked with artichokes. Sure to be everyone’s fave!
18. Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
Cranberry rice, pecans, and chickpeas served up in tender butternut squash make the perfect Thanksgiving main for two.
19. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic Cheese Sauce
Whole-roasted cauliflower makes an impressive main dish, and this one smothered in a cheesy garlic cream sauce is no exception.
20. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tomato Pesto
This cauliflower roast is smothered in a tomato-miso pesto for a seriously savory experience.
21. Holiday Vegan/Vegetarian Roast
Chickpeas and tons of savory seasonings go into this special gluten-free vegan holiday roast.
22. Chestnut, Mushroom, & Squash Christmas Wreath Pie
This stunning centerpiece features layers of mushrooms, butternut squash, and pesto surrounded by golden filo pastry.
23. Vegan Pumpkin Risotto
Creamy, dreamy risotto with an autumn spin – and fully vegan!
24. Spinach & Herb Risotto with Oyster Mushrooms
Mirin-sauteed oyster mushrooms elevate this divine spinach and herb risotto.
25. Chickpea Meatloaf
Chickpeas and veggies make a tender main-dish-worthy loaf.
26. Vegan Turkey Roast
This vegetarian roast recipe will turn heads! Made from seitan and filled with stuffing, this one’s definitely a showstopping centerpiece.
27. Savory Carrot Tart
Filled with shredded carrots and wrapped in a rich empanada crust, this carrot tart is the vegan version of an Argentinean favorite.
28. Vegan High Protein Mushroom Lentil Risotto
The addition of protein-rich lentils brings main dish cred to mushroom risotto.
29. Mushroom Bourguignon
Gorgeous glossy mushrooms in a rich red wine gravy, served over creamy mascarpone polenta. Swoon!
30. Wild Rice Stuffed Delicata Squash with Cranberries & Pecans
Savory stuffing studded with cranberries and pecans fill vibrant delicata squash halves. Love this one.
31. Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash
Acorn squash deserves its moment in the sun too! This one is stuffed with chickpeas, pine nuts, and more for the perfect holiday main dish option.
More for Your Vegetarian Thanksgiving (and Christmas too!)
Looking for more vegetarian and plant-based Thanksgiving recipes? I’ve got you covered!
Recipes
- All Thanksgiving recipes
- 100+ Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes – one massive round-up of every kind of meatless holiday option
- 15 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes with Wide Appeal
- 19 Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- 12 Vegetarian Gravy Recipes
- 5 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Dishes for Freezing
Menu Ideas
- An Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Menu (+ a Super Simple Centerpiece Idea)
- A Thanksgiving Feast for (Nearly) Every Diet – a full, epic menu with plenty of options for the carnivores, vegetarians, vegans, AND gluten-free folks at the table!
- Thanksgiving for Special Diets: The Ultimate Guide to Coexisting Deliciously
- And for Christmas, here’s our Christmas dinner menu that I shared few years ago.
30 Vegetarian Main Dishes for Thanksgiving
Ingredients
- Veggie wellington
- Lentil meatloaf
- Baked tortellini
- Stuffed butternut squash
- Savory tarts
- And more
Instructions
- Select a recipe and enjoy!
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, with a name like mine, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
