49 Recipes For The Best Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Ever (2024)

49 Recipes For The Best Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Ever (1)

PSA: It’s likely there will be someone vegetarian at nearly every meal you make or attend this Christmas. More and more people are eating less and less meat, so don't be left unprepared! Whether it’s you, a friend, loved one, or even a coworker, make the season extra bright by making and sharing one of these 49 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; an 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 co*cktails, 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 , our , or our Boursin 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.

1

Brie Spaghetti

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We love how simple and impressive brie is, whether we're eating it with crackers, folding into appetizers (hello cranberry brie bites), or eating it with pasta, like we did here. With very little effort, you can have a super decadent pasta dish perfect for holiday meals.

Get the Brie Spaghetti recipe.

2

Vegan Meatloaf

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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.

3

Cabbage Parmesan

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Craving chicken Parm but not eating meat? This cabbage recipe is about to blow your mind. It's even Italian mother-approved!

Get the Cabbage Parmesan recipe.

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4

Stuffed Shells

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Imagine lasagna being turned inside out to form cute pockets stuffed with creamy, garlicky ricotta and cream cheese, which are then slathered in tomato sauce for an impressive dinner with friends or family. That’s the beauty of stuffed shells.

Get the Stuffed Shells recipe.

5

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.

6

Grandma Pizza

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Grandma pizza has a thin, crispy crust topped first with cheese, then dolloped with a garlicky tomato sauce. It's not the usual way of assembling pizza, but the cheese melting right into the crust really makes some magic happen.

Get the Grandma Pizza recipe.

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7

Whole Roasted Cabbage

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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.

8

Mushroom Piccata Pasta

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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.

9

Boursin Baked Ziti

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Many white baked ziti recipes call for swapping out the marinara for béchamel sauce, but a mixture of Boursin, ricotta, and heavy cream is much simpler—and super delicious. The Boursin, which is packed with garlic and herbs, adds instant flavor to the sauce, and it melts like a dream.

Get the Boursin Baked Ziti recipe.

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10

Creamy Kale & Gnocchi Bake

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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.

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11

Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Cauliflower

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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.

12

One-Pan Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Gnocchi

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We combined everything we love about our favorite with quick-cooking gnocchi, turning it into an easy meatless dinner that’s loaded with flavor. It’s easy enough for when you’re just craving comfort food (just one pan!), but fancy enough to serve to guests too.

Get the One-Pan Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Gnocchi recipe.

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13

From-Scratch Green Bean Casserole

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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.

Get the From-Scratch Green Bean Casserole recipe.

14

Homemade Mac & Cheese

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If you're usually a boxed household, there's nothing more special than busting out a completely homemade version for the holidays. This one is extra creamy, plenty cheesy, and paired with a golden, crunchy topping everyone will flip over.

Get the .

15

Tricolore Skillet Lasagna

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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.

Get the Tricolore Skillet Lasagna recipe.

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16

Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

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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.

17

Saag Paneer

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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.

18

Whipped Ricotta Pasta

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If you’ve ever had whipped ricotta toast, you know how the simple ingredient can elevate even something mundane to new heights. The same goes for pasta—in one bowl, you get all the enjoyment of a marinara with the creaminess of something like an Alfredo sauce.

Get the Whipped Ricotta Pasta recipe.

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19

Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie

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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.

20

Walnut Broccoli Stir-Fry

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We all love classic , 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.

Get the Walnut Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe.

49 Recipes For The Best Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Ever (2024)

FAQs

What does a vegetarian eat for Christmas dinner? ›

Try one of our best-ever vegetarian Christmas dinner recipes, from roasted butternut squash with butterbean and goat's cheese mash to spinach and ricotta lasagne roll-ups – or an impressive spiral vegetable tart. Serve up plenty of greens on the side, and it will be a merry Christmas all round.

What is the most famous vegetarian dish? ›

Originating in the Middle East, falafel is one the most popular vegetarian foods in the world! As one of the most popular vegetarian foods in the world, falafel needs no introduction!

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to a turkey dinner at Christmas? ›

Nut Roast. The most popular Christmas meal for vegetarians and vegans is the nut roast. This typically describes a mixture of nuts, breadcrumbs, leeks, onions, broth and either oil or butter. However, this recipe is malleable and offers the opportunity for many alterations according to personal preference.

What do vegetarians miss from meat? ›

Previous reviews have indicated that vegetarians and vegans may risk vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc and calcium deficiency as these micronutrients can mostly be found in animal foods or have a lower bioavailability in plant foods [8,9,10,11,12,13,14].

Do vegetarians eat eggs? ›

Unless they are vegan (meaning they don't eat dairy products, eggs, or any other products which are derived from animals), some vegetarians do eat eggs and belong to a group known as lacto-ovo-vegetarians which according to the Vegetarian Society is the most common type of meatless diet.

What foods are surprisingly vegetarian? ›

Top Accidentally Vegan Foods
  • Cinnamon Life.
  • Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix.
  • SkinnyPop White Cheddar Flavored Popped Popcorn.
  • Airheads.
  • Cracker Jack.
  • Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili–Flavored Tortilla Chips.
  • Fritos.
  • Fruit by the Foot.

Which is the No 1 vegetarian country in the world? ›

India is ranked top in the world with 38% of the total population being vegetarian. Vegetarianism in the region became popular after the introduction of Buddhism and Jainism, which was around the 6th Century BC.

What should vegetarians eat most? ›

Planning a healthy vegetarian diet
Food group*Daily amount
Vegetables2 1/2 cups a day
Fruits2 cups a day
Grains (mostly whole)6 1/2 ounces a day
Dairy3 cups a day
4 more rows

Why is Christmas Eve dinner meatless? ›

The specific dishes may differ from country to country, but many of them are universal. Due to the Nativity Fast, no meat, eggs or milk (including cheese) are allowed during the supper.

What do vegetarians eat instead of turkey? ›

Other protein-filled vegan options that could replace turkey in your vegan Thanksgiving table are tempeh, tofu and seitan. Choose one of these plant-based turkey alternatives, or combine more than one in your table, complimenting with veggies, rice, salads, or any other plant-based whole foods ingredients you want.

What can I make for Christmas dinner instead of turkey? ›

Unique holiday dinner ideas
  • Beef Wellington: The Showstopper.
  • Christmas Roast Duck: The Twist on a Classic.
  • Vegetarian Enchiladas: The Surprise Favorite.
  • Roast Lamb: The Savory Star.
  • Stuffed Acorn Squash: The Festive & Flavorful.
  • Prime Rib Roast: The Hearty Hero.
Dec 12, 2022

What is the most popular veg at Christmas? ›

Within this article we will outline the 5 most popular Christmas vegetables, and how to keep them fresh for the big day!
  • 1) Carrots.
  • 2) Broccoli.
  • 3) Potatoes.
  • 4) Cauliflower.
  • 5) Brussel sprouts.

What is the perfect Christmas dinner? ›

You likely will want to choose a main first, like a turkey, Christmas ham, casserole or other show-stopping dishes. Then, you can compliment your main with Christmas side dishes and holiday appetizers. And of course, you can't forget about sweet Christmas desserts and festive co*cktails to sip on throughout the night!

What is the most popular Christmas dish in the world? ›

What are the Most Popular Christmas Foods Eaten Around the World?
  • Roast turkey or ham, a standard main course for holiday dinners.
  • Eggnog, a rich and creamy beverage made with eggs, milk, and spices. ...
  • Gingerbread cookies and houses are popular festive treats and decorations.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to a roast turkey? ›

Tofurky Roast

This soy-based roast is shaped like a turkey and has a savory stuffing inside, making it a popular choice for vegetarians on Thanksgiving. The Tofurky Roast is a popular vegetarian alternative to turkey, made from a blend of soy protein, wheat gluten, and a delicious combination of herbs and spices.

What do Pescatarians eat for Christmas dinner? ›

  • Tuna and Pesto Pasta.
  • Thai Vegetable Massaman Curry.
  • Baked Trevally with Sticky Coconut Rice.
  • Pescetarian Christmas: A Christmas Dinner Without the Meat.
  • Roast Cauliflower and Cheddar Soup.
  • Grilled Butterfish with Tricolour Quinoa.
  • Guacamole Grilled Cheese.
  • Focaccia Bread Pizza.
Dec 11, 2019

How much veg per person for Christmas dinner? ›

80g-100g is about right for any serving of vegetables, so you'll need roughly 800g for eight people.

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