40 Recipes For The Best Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Ever

• 40 Recipes To Impress Your Vegetarian Friends This Christmas
• Mushroom Piccata Pasta
• Best-Ever Vegan Meatloaf
• tricolore-skillet-lasagna2.jpg
• Whole Roasted Cabbage
• Cheesy Spinach Dip Christmas Tree
• Stuffed Shells With Spinach
• broccoli-cauliflower-casserole2.jpg
• Balsamic Glazed Roasted Cauliflower
• Healthy Green Bean Casserole
• Saag Paneer
• Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole
• Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie
• walnut-broccoli-stir-fry-6.jpg
• Creamy Kale & Gnocchi Bake
• Vegetarian Baked Ziti
• Sheet Pan Burrata Gnocchi
• Vegan Tortilla Soup
• Vegan French Onion Stew
• Vegan Meatballs
• Baked Feta Pasta
• Homemade Pizza
• Baked Risotto with Lemon, Peas & Parmesan
• 19 Genius Ways To Upgrade Leftover Mashed Potatoes
• Easy Vegetarian Chili
• Pull-Apart Christmas Tree
• Tofu Katsu Curry
• Sheet-Pan Spanakopita Quesadillas
• Curried Coconut Lentils
• Vegan Crunch Wrap Supreme
• Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
• Mapo Tofu
• Bean & Cheese Arepas
• Extra Lemony Seitan Piccata
• Tempeh & Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette
• Vegetable Lasagna
• Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
• Vegetarian Moussaka
• Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragu
• Cauliflower Parmesan
• Holiday Whole Roasted Cauliflower

40 Recipes To Impress Your Vegetarian Friends This Christmas

As more and more people are eating less and less meat, it’s likely there will be someone vegetarian at nearly every meal you make or attend this Christmas. Whether it’s you, a friend, loved one, or even a coworker, make the season extra bright by making and sharing one of these vegetarian dinners. They’re perfect for Christmas Eve and all season long.

If you’ve got dreams of the perfect Hallmark Christmas dinner spread, complete with a turkey or ham and all the sides, but don’t know what to do to replace the meat, we’ve got you. It’s easy—all you’ve got to do is swap it for something equally stunning, like a whole roasted cabbage or head of cauliflower; a impressive casserole or pasta dish, like our vegan shepherd’s pie, our tricolore skillet lasagna, or our sheet-pan burrata caprese gnocchi; or even an side dish shaped like a Christmas tree, like our cheesy spinach dip Christmas tree or our pull-apart Christmas tree. Fill the rest of your table with our best Christmas sides and cocktails, and you’ll have a magical meal to remember.

If your Christmas is more low-key this year (maybe because you’re celebrating with just you and a partner or roommate or with lots of family you’d rather spend time with than cook for), we’ve got tons of vegetarian recipes here for you too. If you’re looking for things that come together fast and can feed a crowd, try our sheet-pan spanakopita quesadillas, our vegan spaghetti and meatballs, our kale & gnocchi bake, or our vegetarian baked ziti. For a smaller meal that feels super-special, try our mushroom piccata pasta, our walnut broccoli stir-fry, our baked risotto, or our saag paneer. They’re the perfect thing to share with a loved one this holiday season.

And don’t forget dessert! Our Christmas cakes, cookies, and no-bake holiday desserts are all vegetarian and are sure to make your holiday extra sweet this year.

Mushroom Piccata Pasta

This is everything you love about chicken piccata but without the chicken. The sauce is bright and briny and extra buttery. Take your time with the mushrooms; you need to let them crisp and turn a dark golden brown (tip: wait to salt them, as salt will draw out moisture, making them soggy instead of crisp).

Get the Mushroom Piccata Pasta recipe.

Best-Ever Vegan Meatloaf

This hearty “meat” loaf is made mostly out of chickpeas and baby bella mushrooms. We’re in love! Serve it with a side of vegan mashed potatoes and green beans for the most comforting, vegetarian Christmas meal.

Get the Vegan Meatloaf recipe.

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We love a classic lasagna, but it can be a lot of work. This easy skillet version has everything we love about the original—including the frilly-edged long noodles—but without the confusing layering steps. Instead, you’ll toss the cooked noodles in an oniony marinara sauce, dollop with pesto, and top with ample slices of fresh mozzarella and a shower of grated Parmesan.

Get the Tricolore Skillet Lasagna recipe.

Whole Roasted Cabbage

This gorgeous, whole-roasted stunner is the perfect holiday substitute for vegetarians. It’s savory, sweet, and salty on the outside and super-tender on the inside. Topped with lots of silky mushroom gravy, we doubt anyone at your table will be missing meat.

Get the Whole Roasted Cabbage recipe.

Cheesy Spinach Dip Christmas Tree

Spinach artichoke dip + flaky puff pastry + festive design = a Christmas masterpiece. Feel free to swap in whichever cheesy dip you desire.

Get the Cheesy Spinach Dip Christmas Tree recipe.

Stuffed Shells With Spinach

The magic of a little freshly grated nutmeg is most pronounced in dairy, making stuffed shells a perfect occasion to use this special spice. You can choose between Parmesan or Pecorino cheese—both are delicious. If you want to switch up the regular mozzarella for some Fontina or caciocavallo, more power to you!

Get the Stuffed Shells With Spinach recipe.

broccoli-cauliflower-casserole2.jpg

There’s your average casserole, and then there’s this cheesy loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole. Filled with plenty of veggies and feel-good flavors, there’s something in this dish for everyone. Hot tip: This goes over like gangbusters at Christmas potlucks.

Get the Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole recipe.

Balsamic Glazed Roasted Cauliflower

A whole roasted cauliflower makes for a fantastic vegetarian main dish. This one is roasted around extra veggies and has a slightly sweet balsamic glaze over it. It’s easy to throw together and will leave you feeling full, not heavy. Win!

Get the Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Cauliflower recipe.

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Never fear, this lightened-up green bean casserole is here to help you save room for pumpkin pie. Forgoing canned cream of mushroom for a quick homemade mushroom gravy, we’d argue this version is even more delicious than the classic. We dig the sautéed and panko-ed onion topping, but if you can’t part from French’s fried onions, we won’t judge ya.

Get the From-Scratch Green Bean Casserole recipe.

Saag Paneer

This robust curry is a staple in many Indian restaurants, and with a manageable ingredient list, it’s easy to re-create at home. Blocks of paneer are readily available in many large supermarkets. Want to make this vegan? Swap in extra-firm tofu (pressed to remove excess liquid) and canned coconut milk to replace the heavy cream.

Get the Saag Paneer recipe.

Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole

If you think every bowl of chili should be hidden under mounds of melty cheese and a big dollop of sour cream, this is the casserole for you. With roasted sweet potatoes and black bean chili layered together under a gooey blanket of cheese, this easy vegetarian main is both incredibly comforting and surprisingly hearty, perfect for staying cozy this Christmas.

Get the Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.

Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie

When it’s cold out, a steaming hot pot pie filled with creamy, flavorful gravy, sweet and tender veggies, and topped with a shatteringly flaky crust is EVERYTHING. Here, mushrooms replace meat and are every bit as satisfying as their meaty counterparts.

Get the Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie recipe.

walnut-broccoli-stir-fry-6.jpg

We all love classic beef & broccoli stir-fry, but if you’re not eating meat (or want something a little less heavy after all those Christmas cookies), it’s time to turn to the almighty walnut. It’s fatty and rich, with a fun, rippled texture that gives sauces lots of nooks and crannies to hug onto. Make this instead of ordering takeout this holiday season.

Get the Walnut Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe.

Creamy Kale & Gnocchi Bake

Fans of creamed spinach will absolutely love this hearty, creamy kale and gnocchi bake that puts the classic side dish front-and-center on your plate with gnocchi as the main attraction. It’s quick to put together since the gnocchi cook right in the sauce, making them extra creamy and delicious.

Get the Creamy Kale & Gnocchi Bake recipe.

Vegetarian Baked Ziti

Wanna pack this baked ziti with even MORE veggies? Try throwing in some chopped bell peppers, sliced zucchini, or swap the spinach for kale! Just because it’s vegetarian doesn’t mean it has to be boring.

Get the Vegetarian Baked Ziti recipe.

Sheet Pan Burrata Gnocchi

This is one of our favorite ways to prepare gnocchi. Roasting gives the pasta a slightly browned exterior while still maintaining a pillowy, chewy interior. To accompany the gnocchi, we are utilizing the flavors of a Caprese salad without relying on the seasonality of tomatoes. Enter beautiful and perfectly sweet bell peppers.

Get the Sheet-Pan Burrata Caprese Gnocchi recipe.

Vegan Tortilla Soup

We’re piling on the flavor for this tortilla soup, because not eating meat shouldn’t mean missing out on any of the fun! There are three kinds of chiles, three kinds of canned tomatoes, hominy for chew, creamy black beans for protein, a medley of spices, all topped with a wondrous assortment of toppings.

Get the Vegan Tortilla Soup recipe.

Vegan French Onion Stew

With complex flavor and toasts broiled with melty dairy-free cheese, this is just as good as the French classic. Hot tip: If you’re meal prepping, it’s best to melt your cheese on a sheet tray instead to avoid losing soggy pieces of bread in your leftovers.

Get the Vegan French Onion Stew recipe.

Vegan Meatballs

Few comfort foods satisfy like a hearty bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. Now vegetarians can enjoy those cozy vibes too! These chickpea-based meatballs pack tons of flavor, come together quickly, and even provide a good amount of protein and fiber. Pair with spaghetti or whatever pasta shape you like.

Get the Vegan Meatballs recipe.

Baked Feta Pasta

Obviously roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes is going to be amazing. But is it good enough to break TikTok? Our answer, begrudgingly, is yes. It’s genius—super easy, but fancy enough for a special dinner all holiday season long. 😍

Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.

Homemade Pizza

Nothing beats a fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza, and once you see how easy it is to make for yourself, you’ll never order delivery again. Switch up the toppings and add your favorites to make it your own. Olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, pineapple? You can have it all!

Get the Homemade Pizza recipe.

Baked Risotto with Lemon, Peas & Parmesan

If you’ve never made risotto because you didn’t want to stand there stirring forever, then this recipe is for you. It packs all the satisfying flavor of a slow-stirred version into a fraction of the hands-on time (and come’s together in just one pot!). It’s the ultimate hands-off dinner so you can spend more time with your family this holiday season.

Get the Baked Risotto with Lemon, Peas & Parmesan recipes.

19 Genius Ways To Upgrade Leftover Mashed Potatoes

This meatless, dairy-free take on shepherd’s pie is packed with veggies (mushrooms! butternut squash! parsnips!) and loaded with flavor. It’s also incredibly hearty, thanks to lentils.

Get the Vegan Shepherd’s Pie recipe.

Easy Vegetarian Chili

This vegetarian chili is till every bit as warm, comforting, and filling as a classic beef chili. Three types of beans do the heavy lifting in the chili and “beef” it up. It’s filled with warm spices, and a jalapeño adds a little extra heat. Serve it on a cold fall night with a slice of homemade cornbread.

Get the Vegetarian Chili recipe.

Pull-Apart Christmas Tree

Now this is the ultimate Christmas centerpiece. Super-cheesy and herby, this festive recipe has the looks and taste to be an impressive vegetarian replacement for the traditional holiday turkey or ham. Bonus: Unless those meat dishes, this is ready in under an hour!

Get the Pull-Apart Christmas Tree recipe.

Tofu Katsu Curry

This hearty Japanese curry comes complete with crispy sesame-panko-crusted tofu, tender vegetables, and a rich and flavorful curry sauce. For a quicker version, swap out the curry for some cold shredded green cabbage, along with some katsu sauce for dipping.

Get the Tofu Katsu Curry recipe.

Sheet-Pan Spanakopita Quesadillas

This innovative recipe combines the savory spinach filling from classic Greek spanakopita and the format and toppings of a great quesadilla. You’ll skip spanakopita’s standard phyllo dough wrapper and instead use tortillas to make a large-scale quesadilla that bakes on a sheet-pan. It’s perfect for a holiday crowd.

Get the Sheet-Pan Spanakopita Quesadillas recipe.

Curried Coconut Lentils

In this version of dal, we’re bringing in the creamy factor with coconut milk instead of yogurt. Serve this as a soup or over rice, with some naan on the side.

Get the Curried Coconut Lentils recipe.

Vegan Crunch Wrap Supreme

We updated the fast food favorite to be totally vegan and completely irresistible. Creamy vegan queso dip and meaty lentils make a satisfying filling while a quick trip in a hot skillet adds crunch to every bite. Make this when you’re craving fast food, but don’t want to go out in the cold this Christmas.

Get the Vegan Crunchwraps recipe.

Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

The popularity of Olive Garden’s legendary minestrone reaches far and wide, and we’re giving you a way to make it at home. The key trick here is caramelizing the tomato paste, thereby deepening the flavor. This recipe makes a big batch, so whether you’re cooking for the whole famiglia this Christmas or just yourself, there will be plenty to eat or freeze for weeks on end.

Get the Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup recipe.

Mapo Tofu

Disclaimer: “authentic” mapo tofu is hard to perfect without a flaming hot wok above a fire and some hard-to-find ingredients. Never fear, we’ve made some concessions, and this one is still delicious. Just make sure to serve it with rice to help sop up all that yummy sauce!

Get the Mapo Tofu recipe.

Bean & Cheese Arepas

Here we’re sticking to a simple blueprint of basic arepas with easy fillings—black beans, cheese, avocado—but feel free to customize to your liking by switching up the cheese or your vegetarian filling (roasted sweet potato would be a delicious option).

Get the Bean & Cheese Arepas recipe.

Extra Lemony Seitan Piccata

Most piccata sauces use only lemon juice; we opt for whole pieces of the fruit to make use of every last bit of bright citrus flavor. After a simmer in a wine and broth jacuzzi, the lemon loses its sharp bitterness and becomes sweet and tender.

Get the Extra Lemony Seitan Piccata recipe.

Tempeh & Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette

When comfort calls, don’t ignore it. This pasta is packed with protein and flavor thanks to tempeh and a simple garlic-lemon sauce. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner, but special enough to serve for Christmas dinner too.

Get the Tempeh & Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette recipe.

Vegetable Lasagna

With no meat to get in the way, this lasagna isn’t messing around in the cheese department. Follow our top tips for getting it perfect every time.

Get the Vegetarian Lasagna recipe.

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

This is our take on classic stuffed mushrooms: they’re simple and insanely delicious. Cream cheese, bacon, and spinach make a classic combo while tomatoes add a pop of freshness. The buttery panko topping puts it all over the top.

Get the Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms recipe.

Vegetarian Moussaka

Moussaka is an eggplant-based Greek dish traditionally made with ground beef. Here we swapped the meat with lentils and added a creamy béchamel sauce on top to make this an extra hearty vegetarian dish you’ll love this winter.

Get the Vegetarian Moussaka recipe.

Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragu

Make this showstopper with a custom blend of your favorite funghi! If wild mushrooms are not accessible, creminis or button mushrooms would also work perfectly. If serving for a Christmas dinner party, the ragú can be made up to three days in advance; just reheat gently on the stovetop while you make the polenta.

Get the Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragú recipe.

Cauliflower Parmesan

We can all agree, chicken Parmesan is absolutely incredible, and it can be a bummer to miss it if you’re vegetarian. Enter: cauliflower! This recipe has everything you love about the Italian comfort food, without the meat.

Get the Cauliflower Parmesan recipe.

Holiday Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Forget turkey—this impressive whole roasted cauliflower is the only centerpiece you’ll need this Thanksgiving. We’ve included a mushroom gravy recipe here as well. It’s so good, no one will miss the meat.

Get the Holiday Cauliflower recipe.