Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes Christmas Main Dishes 50 Dishes For A Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Go meatless this Christmas with our list of vegetarian dish ideas. By Alana Al-Hatlani Alana Al-Hatlani Alana Al-Hatlani is an Assistant Food Editor at Southern Living. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 21, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely Meat-free options for Christmas may seem like an impossible task when you're used to roasting a turkey or glazing a ham, but it's not nearly as hard as you think to pull off. If planning a vegetarian Christmas dinner this year, you aren't stuck making only salads, although veggies will likely be prominently featured. Hearty casseroles and pasta dishes, like our creamy kale and pasta bake, will take the place of the meaty mains, while many of the classic sides fill the table—just without the added bacon. Dressing, cornbread, and mashed potatoes can all be made vegetarian without sacrificing any flavor. And we promise guests will leave just as happy and stuffed as they would if meat were on the table. Explore our list of vegetarian dinner ideas to serve this Christmas. 01 of 50 Ben Mims' Perfect Cornbread Brian Woodcock If perfect is in the name, then you know this cornbread is going to be good. Made with plenty of butter, you won't miss the bacon drippings if you're used to using them in cornbread. It's made in a cast iron skillet, which makes the sides irresistibly crispy. Get The Recipe 02 of 50 Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith Beets are no stranger to the Christmas dinner table. However, instead of the canned variety, we suggest a fresh take on the root. Look for red-and-white-striped Chioggia beets (also called candy cane beets) at the store, for an extra festive salad. Get The Recipe 03 of 50 Herbed Wild Rice Dressing Most dressings get their flavor from sausage or meat stocks, but this one gets its flavor from fresh herbs like sage, a nuttiness from toasted walnuts, and brightness from apples and celery. Feel free to swap the toasted walnuts for pecans. Get The Recipe 04 of 50 Angel Biscuits Emily Laurae/Southern Living Every table needs a biscuit and these feather-light ones are our favorites. Plus, they can be prepared one week in advance to make your holiday cooking schedule a little less stressful. They're so good, you'll think they were sent straight from heaven. Get The Recipe 05 of 50 Green Bean Lasagna Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Combine two classic holiday dishes into one hearty main dish with this twist on lasagna featuring the flavors of green bean casserole. For a fun twist, we swapped cream of mushroom soup for a parmesan cream sauce. Top with buttery crackers and french-fried onions for an ideal salty crunch. Get The Recipe 06 of 50 Creamed Spinach Antonis Achilleos Even picky eaters will love this creamed spinach recipe. Plus, it's an easy way to serve greens that isn't another salad. Loaded with cream and cheese, then finished with a touch of nutmeg and toasted pine nuts, this vegetable side is a hearty, satisfying addition to the table. Get The Recipe 07 of 50 Lisa Cericola's Herbed Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis These mashed potatoes are so creamy and delicious, they don't even need gravy. Made with the quadruple threat of cream cheese, butter, half-and-half, as well as a generous swirl of herbed brown butter on top, these are the ultimate mashed potatoes. Be sure not to overmix to avoid a gummy texture. Get The Recipe 08 of 50 Classic Cranberry Salad Emily Laurae/Southern Living You don't need a turkey or ham on the table in order to serve cranberry sauce. This homemade version, full of fresh fruit and crunchy pecans is a great condiment to serve alongside vegetable sides, casseroles, and breads. Get The Recipe 09 of 50 Spicy Roasted Sweet Potato Salad Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Sweet potatoes are a staple around the holidays, but if you already have plenty of casseroles on the table, try this spicy sweet potato salad instead. The Southwest-inspired twist uses corn, black beans, and jalapeño to brighten up the root vegetable. Get The Recipe 10 of 50 Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Macaroni and cheese is a favorite of meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. This version, with roasted tomatoes on top and a blend of four cheeses in the sauce, adds extra flavor to the classic. Get The Recipe 11 of 50 Sweet Potato Rolls Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Mashed sweet potato is the secret to these soft, slightly sweet orange-hued rolls. Served with a side of hot honey butter, we assure you there will be no leftovers. Get The Recipe 12 of 50 Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks Linda Puglies; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Crispy leeks are a green bean casserole game changer. They also happen to look super elegant for the perfect presentation. Get The Recipe 13 of 50 Old-School Squash Casserole Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox This classic meat and three dish is a great hearty main for vegetarians. Our favorite part is the crunchy, buttery cracker topping that keeps us coming back for seconds. Get The Recipe 14 of 50 Green Beans with Garlic Jim Franco; Styling: Leslie Siegel A simple sautéed vegetable side like this is always a winner on the Christmas buffet. This five-ingredient dish uses only pantry staples (aside from the beans) but can be customized to your tastes with add-ins like red pepper flakes, shallot, or a little lemon juice. Get The Recipe 15 of 50 Creamed-Corn Grits Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Grits are welcome on any and all occasions. These grits that borrow the best aspects of creamed corn are a rich side that goes with almost anything else you're serving. Get The Recipe 16 of 50 Collard Green Salad with Oranges and Port-Soaked Cherries Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Who says collards have to be stewed? This fresh take on collard greens incorporates sweet and tart oranges for brightness and jammy port-soaked cherries. Get The Recipe 17 of 50 Classic Candied Yams Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall You need at least one side that is sweet enough that it could pass for dessert and this is our pick. Lightly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, these yams are bound to spread some holiday cheer. Get The Recipe 18 of 50 Asparagus with Cheese Sauce and Herb Breadcrumbs Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Vegetables are always better with cheese, add herb breadcrumbs and you'll hardly feel like you're eating a vegetable. The cheese sauce also happens to be stress-free, for a dish ready in 25 minutes. Get The Recipe 19 of 50 Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans Greg DuPree The crunchy and refreshing antidote to all the creamy, cheesy, and gooey dishes on the table. Use grocery-store pre-shredded sprouts to cut down on prep time. Get The Recipe 20 of 50 Roasted Cauliflower with Seed Salsa Peter Frank Edwards; Prop Styling: Kendra Surface; Food Styling: Anna Hampton The star of this dish is the seed salsa, made from all kinds of seeds, including sunflower, sesame, mustard, cumin, and coriander with heat from a chile de arbol. The salsa adds both great crunch and spice to the toasty, roasted cauliflower. Get The Recipe 21 of 50 Tabitha Brown's Vegan Mac and Cheese Greg DuPree, Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis While vegetarian dishes don't have to be vegan, this non-dairy mac and cheese might have people giving up dairy for good. Nutritional yeast is the secret ingredient that keeps this comfort food classic as cheesy tasting as ever, without using any cheese. Get The Recipe 22 of 50 Butternut Squash Lasagna Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall You could serve any lasagna recipe (without meat sauce) for a vegetarian Christmas dinner, but we think this butternut squash version made with seasonal winter veggies is ideal for serving during the holidays. Made with no-boil noodles, it's also easy to throw together. Get The Recipe 23 of 50 Crispy Potato Galette Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Mashed potatoes are delicious, but they aren't nearly as beautiful as this layered potato galette. Pro tip: use a mandoline for picture-perfect potato slices (just watch your fingertips). Get The Recipe 24 of 50 Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch A colorful and seasonal main dish that won't leave vegetarians wanting for anything. Stuffed with farro, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds, it hits on all the nutty, sweet, and salty notes. Plus, any leftover farro stuffing doubles as a great salad the next day mixed with some fresh greens. Get The Recipe 25 of 50 Savory Corn Pudding Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This corn pudding recipe puts a savory spin on the classic with chopped onion and fresh thyme. It's not low on calories, but trust us when we say all the heavy cream and butter in this dish is worth it. Get The Recipe 26 of 50 Sumac Carrots with Feta Mousse and Crispy Panko Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry You've probably roasted carrots, sautéed them, and glazed them, but have you ever served them with a feta mousse? Tangy, salty, and creamy, paired with crispy breadcrumbs and lemony sumac, these carrots are a bright, new addition to the Christmas buffet. Get The Recipe 27 of 50 Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake Hector Manuel Sanchez Sneak some kale onto everyone's plate with this pasta bake. Even the kid's table will happily reach for seconds once they're tasted how creamy and cheesy this pasta is. Get The Recipe 28 of 50 Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Thick slices of layered sweet potato create a meaty texture in this vegetarian casserole, which combined with an easy cream sauce hits all our favorite casserole flavors without any of the meat. Get The Recipe 29 of 50 Creamy Vegetable Pot Pie Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Flaky, buttery, and creamy, this delicious pot pie has no chicken and is the perfect solution for a vegetarian dinner. Frozen puff pastry makes this an easy meal to put together. Get The Recipe 30 of 50 Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Greek yogurt is added to the Caesar dressing for a delicious take on the classic, and romaine is swapped for kale. Hard-boiled eggs give the tossed salad a bit of protein. Plus, the toasted breadcrumbs add a wonderful crunch to the mix. Get The Recipe 31 of 50 Black Bean Burgers with Comeback Sauce Recipe Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke If you're looking for a heartier meal, try these black bean burgers topped with a spicy and smoky sauce. Plus, the delicious melt-in-your-mouth burger is made in the slow cooker, so you can prepare the sides or sit back and relax while it's cooking. Get The Recipe 32 of 50 Grilled Baby Eggplant Parmesan Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Anna Hampton Serve these healthy marinara and cheese filled grilled eggplants with bread and a salad to made this a whole meal. They are so tender and packed with flavor in every bite. Get The Recipe 33 of 50 Broccoli Pesto Pasta Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely Broccoli and basil are the base of this pesto dish. This pasta salad looks beautiful in a serving bowl and can be served hot or cold. It's topped with crunchy walnuts, and a sprinkling of basil, parmesan, and pepper. Get The Recipe 34 of 50 Lemon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad with Field Peas ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: CLAIRE SPOLLEN; FOOD STYLING: RISHON HANNERS This colorful pasta salad is the perfect option for Christmas dinner. Herbs, honey, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice, seamlessly mix in this delicious and hearty dish. It can be served chilled or at room temperature. Get The Recipe 35 of 50 Fig Flatbread Recipe Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele This flatbread recipe is a crowd-pleaser. Figs are the star of the show, but arugula, balsamic vinegar, and goat cheese intensify the symphony of flavors at play here. Store-bought pizza dough is a shortcut that ensures the meal is on the table in 30 minutes tops. Get The Recipe 36 of 50 Creamy Artichoke, Kale, and Rice Gratin Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis If you love spinach-artichoke dip, do we have the dish for you. Our Test Kitchen pros call this recipe: "Reminiscent of spinach-artichoke dip, but much better." Plus, you can make this recipe and freeze it for up to six months in advance. Get The Recipe 37 of 50 Slow Cooker Lentil Soup Recipe Jennifer Causey Everyone loves a hearty and comforting soup on a cold winter night. Since lentils are a great source of protein, you and your crew will be satisfied for the rest of the evening. Serve with your favorite bread. Get The Recipe 38 of 50 Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Let the slow cooker do most of the work for your Christmas dinner this year. This nutritious soup is only made better with a sprinkling of parmesan on top. Pair with sourdough to sop up every last bit of flavor. Get The Recipe 39 of 50 Slow-Cooker Black Bean Soup Recipe Southern Living This black bean soup is as crave-worthy as it is easy to make. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it a vegetarian dish. Serve alongside a toppings bar. We recommend diced avocados, cilantro, cheese, bread, tortilla strips, and green onions—but feel free to get creative! Get The Recipe 40 of 50 Squash and Green Chile Casserole Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Trust us when we say everyone will be going back for seconds. This Tex-Mex twist is made in the slow cooker, meaning you can be a little more hands-off. Before serving, sprinkle with cilantro and cheese. Get The Recipe 41 of 50 Okra and Rice Casserole Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Sweet corn, Cajun spices, breadcrumbs, and sautéed okra mix in this comfort food casserole. Consider this flavor-packed dinner for your vegetarian Christmas dinner. Get The Recipe 42 of 50 Potato, Leek, And Roasted Garlic Soup Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely This lush, creamy soup is what vegetarian dreams are made of. Our secret ingredient—mayonnaise— gives it the delicious thick texture we all want in a good bowl of soup. Garnish the soup with pepper, thyme, and croutons. Get The Recipe 43 of 50 Baked Tortellini Alfredo With Mushrooms ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL This baked tortellini alfredo recipe makes a delicious and satisfying vegetarian Christmas dinner. Mushrooms are added to the mix for added flavor. It comes together in just under 30 minutes. Get The Recipe 44 of 50 Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall While collards typically get their flavor from bacon or ham hocks, these greens get their sweet and tangy flavor from brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Plus, a slow cooker recipe is perfect for the holidays as it allows you to be hands-off with this dish so you can focus on another. You can even make this recipe up to two weeks in advance and freeze it in airtight bags to keep it fresh. Doesn't get much better than that. Get The Recipe 45 of 50 Skillet-Roasted Carrots Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Sweet and sour, these carrots have it all. Cooked in honey and apple cider vinegar, the carrots are finished with fresh thyme for a pop of lemony brightness. Get The Recipe 46 of 50 Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Antonis Achilleos What is Christmas dinner if it doesn't include mac and cheese? With this creamy recipe, you get to sneak some cauliflower into the mix. Panko breadcrumbs and chives top off this cheesy dish. Get The Recipe 47 of 50 Winter Greens Pesto Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen Make this versatile pesto recipe and keep it on hand for a few meals past Christmas dinner. Try mixing it into pasta, or spread on a grilled cheese sandwich. It's tasty however way you use it. Get The Recipe 48 of 50 Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi Greg DuPree Use precut butternut squash and pearl onions to have this satisfying dinner on the Christmas table in just under 30 minutes. Garnish with parsley. Get The Recipe 49 of 50 Zucchini Lasagna Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Tina Stamos Three kinds of cheese, zucchini, tender lasagna noodles, and marinara sauce create the perfect vegetarian Christmas dinner. Use a mandolin slicer for the thinnest zucchini slices. This warm and comforting main dish will surely be a hit at your Christmas get-together. Get The Recipe 50 of 50 Vegetarian Skillet Chili Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely Everyone loves chili in the winter because it's warm, comforting, and endlessly customizable to your liking. This vegetarian version of chili leaves out none of the flavor, and will surely please your Christmas crowd. Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? 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