Searching for the perfect main dish for that plant based feast? Here are 40 of my favorite vegetarian main dishes for Thanksgiving!
Being a vegetarian can be a little bit awkward on a holiday often referred to as Turkey Day.
Judging by all the "What do you eat on Thanksgiving?!" questions I get, a lot of people seem to think it's impossible to celebrate the holiday without a plateful of turkey. (Really, it is possible!)
And these beautiful and delicious vegetarian Thanksgiving entrees for prove just that!
Last year, I had a ton of people visiting my blog in the days leading up to Thanksgiving in search of advice on how to cook for their vegetarian guests. So I thought I'd make myself useful and put together a post with some crowd-pleasing vegetarian entrees for thanksgiving.
(P.S. Here are some vegan Thanksgiving ideas too.)
And if you're not necessarily vegetarian yourself, but you're cooking for a vegetarian this Thanksgiving, here are a few helpful tips!
Make Vegetarian-Friendly Sides
Most vegetarians are happy just eating sides on Thanksgiving. Seriously - the sides are the best part anyway. But make sure they're actually vegetarian! Stuffing cooked in a turkey or gravy made with drippings don't count.
Ask What Your Guest Will Eat
I know people who consider themselves vegetarians, but eat poultry and fish. Others don't eat meat, but will eat broth, gelatin, shortening, etc. Because so many people define vegetarianism in so many different ways, the best thing you can do is be clear on what your guest can and cannot eat before you make any meal plans.
Have Your Guest Bring a Dish
This is probably the easiest solution! These vegetarian entrees for thanksgiving will make that much easier. Personally, I always prefer to bring along a dish so I can be sure there is at least one dish I will enjoy!
While there are a few vegetarian faux turkey options out there, I much prefer a homemade main dish made with real ingredients. If my Savory Pumpkin Galette and Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash Rings aren't your thing, here are 40 more vegetarian main dishes for Thanksgiving.
P.S. Don't miss our complete Vegan Thanksgiving Cookbook, for the ultimate plant based feast!
40 Vegetarian Main Dishes for Thanksgiving
Here are my favorite vegetarian entrees that are perfect for Thanksgiving!
Stuffed Vegetables
Nothing says Thanksgiving like hearty stuffed veggies! These stuffed veggie recipes are filling, delicious, and impressive enough to serve as a main dish.
Hoisin-Glazed Stuffed Acorn Squash
This Hoisin-Glazed Stuffed Acorn Squash is incredibly flavorful, simple to make, and loaded with protein. Chickpeas and veggies are tossed with a sweet and savory sauce, and roasted to perfection. And it's vegetarian and vegan too.
Baked Stuffed Pumpkin
These adorable baked pumpkins are stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, and cheese for a flavorful and easy main dish that's just perfect for Thanksgiving!
Chickpea and Cauliflower Vegan Stuffed Peppers
These vegan-friendly stuffed peppers are loaded with healthy ingredients like chickpeas and cauliflowers. It only takes 5 ingredients to throw together tis feast-worthy main dish!
Stuffed Acorn Squash Rings
These baked stuffed acorn squash rings are a long time reader-favorite for Thanksgiving! Packed with flavor from quinoa, apples, walnuts, and sage. Yum!
Chickpea Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
This beautiful and delicious stuffed spaghetti squash is packed with flavor from roasted veggies, chickpeas, and a hearty tomato sauce.
Kale-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
These Kale-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms are a lighter, healthier remake of the classic Chicken Florentine. And I think they're even tastier!
Squash With Wild Rice and Chanterelle Stuffing
This colorful stuffed squash is packed with flavor from wild rice, chanterelle mushrooms, dried cranberries, and fresh herbs. It's the perfect centerpiece for your vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner.
Savory Stuffed Winter Squash
This colorful winter squash is stuffed with hearty flavor from chia seeds, kasha, and lots of fresh veggies and herbs.
Vidalia Onions Stuffed with Rice-Lentil Pilaf
These giant Sweet Vidalia onions are stuffed with a hearty and flavorful mixture of brown rice, lentils, and and plenty of spices. This recipes is vegan, low-fat, and gluten-free.
Tarts, Quiches & Pot Pies
Broccoli Cheddar Pot Pies
Pot pies don't get much easier than this! Cheesy broccoli is topped with puff pastry and baked until flaky and golden brown.
Vegan Pot Pies
These vegan pot pies are the perfect centerpiece for any holiday feast. Loaded with fresh veggies in a creamy sauce and topped with a layer of perfectly flaky pie crust.
Pot Pie With Jackfruit
For a new spin on the classic pot pie, check out this vegan pot pie loaded with protein packed jackfruit.
Mushroom Pie
This simple and delicious mushroom pie is a savory pie that's perfect for the holidays. Ground flax adds nutty flavor and texture to the whole-wheat crust.
Crustless Tofu Quiche with Mushrooms and Herbs
This crustless tofu quiche is so tasty and easy to prepare that you may come to prefer serving it for Thanksgiving over the traditional egg-and-cheese variety.
Roasted Brussels Sprout and Grape Galette
This rustic galette is filled with roasted brussels sprouts, grapes, walnuts and Parmesan cheese, all drizzled with a balsamic reduction. Yummy.
Vegan Mushroom Pie
This yummy mushroom pie is filled with hearty mushrooms and veggies, and wrapped up in a homemade pie crust.
Hearty Vegetable Pot Pie
Everyone loves a classic vegetable pot pie. This crowd-pleasing vegan version is perfect for a Thanksgiving or Christmas feast!
Pizzas & Flatbreads
Need a vegetarian main dish that the kids will go crazy for too? Try a Thanksgiving-worthy flatbread or pizza recipe!
Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Flatbread
This tasty flatbread is topped with roasted butternut squash and caramelized onions for a family-friendly vegetarian main dish. And it's easy to make ahead of time too!
Wild Mushroom and Potato Pizza
This vegetarian Wild Mushroom and Potato Pizza is served up on Whole Grain Naan and topped with fontina cheese, then drizzled with white truffle oil. Wow!
Warm Fig, Apple and Gorgonzola Flatbread
This flavor packed flatbread is loaded up with creamy gorgonzola cheese, slices of Granny Smith apples, and juicy figs - then topped with shaved parmesan and honey.
Mediterranean Flatbread on Flaky, Phyllo Crust
This Mediterranean Flatbread is fancy enough to serve for Thanksgiving, and simple enough to serve as a weeknight dinner. It starts out with a flaky phyllo dough crust, then it's layered with incredible flavors from pesto, sun dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and kalamata olives!
Pumpkin Focaccia
This homemade focaccia is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and loaded with delicious pumpkin flavor.
Puff Pastry Tomato Tart
This light and flaky puff pastry is topped with tomatoes and herbs for a deliciously simple vegetarian dish!
Mushroom & Leek Brioche Tart
A mushroom tarte is a wonderful way to showcase fresh mushrooms! And this one is pretty enough to be the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast!
Meatless Loaves & Wellingtons
Move over, meatloaf! These meatless loaves are packed with nutritious flavor and way better than the original ever was.
Vegan Mushroom Wellington
Juicy mushrooms take center stage in this vegan mushroom wellington - a fun spin on the classic beef wellington.
Chickpea Meatloaf
This hearty and delicious veggie loaf is packed with chickpeas, plenty of veggies, and a simple maple glaze.
Beans and Walnuts Vegan Meatloaf
This Beans and Walnuts Vegan Meatloaf takes a classic comfort food and makes it into a meatless dish that everyone will love. Changing the meat for beans and walnuts makes this "meat" loaf vegetarian- and vegan-friendly as well as lower calorie!
Seitan Roast Stuffed with Walnuts, Dried Cranberries, and Mushrooms
Homemade seitan is wrapped around a flavorful veggie-packed stuffing in this beautiful and healthy vegan main dish.
Vegan Lentil Meatloaf with Tomato Glaze
Serve up this Lentil Meatloaf with Tomato Glaze for your meatless Thanksgiving entrée. This vegan meatloaf is made with plant-based protein, loaded with spices and seasonings, and tastes amazing!
Casseroles & Pastas
Nothing says comfort food quite like a casserole or a hearty bowl of pasta. And Thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge in your favorites!
Vegan Stuffed Shells
These vegan stuffed shells are packed with a creamy and delicious tofu and spinach filling, then topped with a savory tomato sauce and fresh basil. Yum.
Creamy Mushroom and Kale Lasagna
Cashews make a creamy, alfredo-like sauce for this lasagna -- without the dairy! This indulgent recipe makes an amazing vegetarian main dish.
Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
The classic eggplant parmesan has been a holiday favorite for generations. This tasty version is vegan friendly too!
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
This vegan-friendly Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is delicious, creamy, and simple to throw together. Loaded with fall flavor that makes it perfect for Thanksgiving dinner!
Butternut Squash and Sage Lasagna Recipe
Layers of squash, herbs, and rich, creamy ricotta cheese make for a delicious and indulgent vegetarian main course.
Italian Eggplant Casserole
This healthier spin on traditional eggplant parmesan is vegan friendly and gluten-free too!
Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta
This deliciously creamy pasta is packed with savory flavor from roasted and caramelized veggies. It's simple to make but fancy enough for the holidays!
Chickpea Shepherd's Pie
This crowd pleasing Shepherd's pie is packed with layers of hearty chickpeas, savory veggies, and perfectly fluffy mashed potatoes. Yum!
Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie
And if Shepherd's Pie sounds amazing, but not all the carbs - check out this mushroom and cauliflower shepherd's pie!
Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells
These delicious butternut squash stuffed shells are filled with creamy cashew cheese and roasted butternut squash, all topped off with a creamy butternut squash sauce. It's a little sweet, a little savory, and a whole lot of delicious. Vegan too!
Vegan Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
This easy vegan broccoli quinoa casserole is loaded with quinoa, broccoli, and vegan cheese for a Thanksgiving dish that's both nourishing and comforting.
Baby Bella and Kale Casserole
This simple and delicious pasta bake casserole is loaded with kale, baby portabella mushrooms, and ricotta cheese.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Everyone has a favorite mac and cheese recipe. This butternut squash mac and cheese, which uses sweet, creamy butternut squash in the sauce, is mine.
Vegan Thanksgiving Cookbook!
If you're looking for even more vegetarian and vegan recipes for Thanksgiving - be sure to check out our complete Vegan Thanksgiving E-Cookbook!
It's packed with my favorite tried and true Thanksgiving recipes to make the holidays easy and delicious.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Look at you go sassy pants! Way to hook us up!
Lena says
The vegetarian nut loaf sounds great. I think I need to give this a test before Christmas, I think I mentioned before that I am already looking for the perfect dish for me and my sis.
This is a great round-up. Thank you.
Kiersten says
I really want to make that nut loaf too! Let me know how it turns out if you try it. 🙂
Carolyn says
Yummy collection. I'm not going veg for this holiday, but these recipes are all great for future uses!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Kiersten, what an amazing list! So honored to be a part. 🙂
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
What a fabulous colletion!
JulieD says
Great list, Kiersten! Now I'm starving! 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
What a great roundup!
Jennifer The Quirky Momma says
I am starving and I want everything now! Again, you amaze and inspire me. Can't wait to do some cooking today!!!!! Thanks again!
Kiersten says
I could totally go for everything too. If someone else was doing the cooking!
Kelly says
Everything looks great!!!! I just wanted to point out Martha Stuarts butternut square lasagna is not vegetarian, it is made with chicken stock. Obviously you can swap out with Veggie stock but thought you might want to but a disclaimer 🙂
Kiersten says
Argh! Whenever I pin something that calls for chicken broth or stock, I add a note saying to use veggie broth instead--I must have forgotten with this one. Thank you so much for catching that!
Meg @ Beard and Bonnet says
Yay! I made the list, haha! Thank you for including my recipe with all of these other delectable treats. Now...which one am I going to make first?!
Kiersten says
No problem--it looks so good! 🙂
Courtney Rae Jones says
So many awesome vegetarian recipes. Thanks for including my shepherd's pie. 🙂 That is one of my very favourite comfort foods. Adding in the goat cheese and roasted garlic classes it up a bit for the holidays. 🙂
Kiersten says
I make a shepherd's pie too, but it's definitely not holiday-worthy like yours is. 😉
Stephanie @ henry happened says
What a fabulous roundup! I'm forwarding to all my veggie relatives because, well, I'm not planning to cook for them 🙂
Luv What You Do says
I love stuffed mushrooms. We make them every year for new years and I love that you used kale in this recipe. I can't wait to add it to my must make list!
julie@thesimpleveganista says
This is such an incredible list! 40 recipes and they all look so delicious, lot's of inspiration here. Thank you so much for making my humble lentil loaf a part of this inspiring list. Have a wonderful holiday! Cheers 🙂
Kiersten says
Thank you for the recipe--I totally want to try your lentil loaf! I've actually never made one. 🙂 I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving too!
Balvinder says
Hey Veggies are good! I have so many friends those are totally vegetarian and we enjoy the vegetarian food on special holidays.
Jeanette says
Oh my - these all look and sound fantastic! What a great resource for anyone cooking vegetarian this Thanksgiving. Thanks so much for including me. Happy Thanksgiving!
Kiersten says
Thank you for the recipe! I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving too!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
My daughter is veggie and she'll be here for Christmas, so we'll be doing something Italian because that's so easy to do meatless.
Kiersten says
That's usually what my husband's family does for Christmas too!
Mumseword says
I'm bookmarking this page. You've outdone yourself again!!! -)
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
What a great list and a good resource for any holiday meal.
Robin says
Awesome roundup! I love the idea of the pizzas & flatbreads. My kids aren't as picky as they used to be, but when they were littler, those would have gone over real big with them!
Maryann says
what smart ideas. I love the pot pie idea, I wouldn't have thought of it myself.
Notorious Spinks says
That mushroom looks great! Love it.
Sheri says
Everything looks so good!
Taylor says
Ohmygosh stuffed mushrooms! So delicious. Yours look amazing. Also, the website I linked above has other amazing thanksgiving recipes that are really easy. It's a well written piece. Share the veglove! Enjoy 🙂
Kiersten says
Thanks! I don't think your other comment went through, though--I don't see one with a link...
Jackie @ The Beeroness says
Wow. I want to go to your house for Thanksgiving. I would take these over turkey any day.