40 Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Ideas So Merry You Won't Miss the Meat
They're hearty enough to keep anyone full.
One of the best holiday traditions is gathering around the table for a big family dinner—no matter what's on the menu! While some families serve up classic entrées like prime rib, others might prefer a Christmas dinner that's entirely vegetarian. Whatever your meal looks like, these vegetarian Christmas dinner recipes will help you create a festive, flavorful meal that everyone can enjoy.
Whether you're looking to accommodate vegetarian guests or you want to go meatless this year, these Christmas vegetable dishes will make it easy to satisfy everyone at your holiday table. From hearty casserole dishes to vegetable sides, there are so many creative ways to let the veggies shine. In fact, you'll be just as excited about the cauliflower "steaks" and stuffed acorn squash as you would about any Christmas roast. Of course, you'll want to pair them with some classic potato recipes and seasonal winter vegetables, too.
For an added bonus, many of the vegetarian dishes ahead also double as healthy Christmas recipes. Just look at the shaved Brussels sprouts salad, simple green beans, or the Christmas crudités with a creamy herb dip. Of course, if you're anything like Ree Drummond, you'll want to add some hearty pasta recipes, like spinach lasagna or baked gnocchi alfredo, to the menu. You can also find options like winter soups and Christmas breads to enhance your main meal. Whichever you choose, just be sure to round out the feast with some festive Christmas desserts.
Winter Citrus Salad with Feta
Bright, fresh, and so seasonal, this salad comes together with juicy slices of blood orange, creamy feta, and crunchy pistachios for rich texture and flavor. It all gets tossed in a smooth tahini-maple dressing and layered over crisp lettuces and radicchio.
Get Ree's Winter Citrus Salad with Feta recipe.
Broccoli Rice Casserole
Veggies can provide cozy comfort, too! For this casserole, layers of vibrant broccoli florets and long-grain rice are enveloped in a creamy blend of sautéed onion, garlic, cream cheese, parmesan, sharp cheddar and seasonings, then baked until bubbly.
Get Ree's Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe.
Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
Vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike will enjoy this bread together. Tart cranberry sauce, creamy brie, and caramelized onions are all tucked into an artisan loaf. It's brushed with garlic-rosemary butter and finished with pepper jack cheese.
Get Ree's Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread recipe.
Crispy Potato Halves
Golden and crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, these potatoes are the perfect winter side for your Christmas table. A bright cilantro-garlic-lime sauce drizzled on top adds freshness and flavor to balance the richness.
Get Ree's Crispy Potato Halves recipe.
Stuffed Artichokes
Loaded with a savory mix of cheese, red pepper flakes, garlic, parsley, and seasoned breadcrumbs, these artichokes are bursting with flavor in every bite. While the recipe calls for anchovies, you can easily leave them out for a fully vegetarian version.
Get the Stuffed Artichokes recipe.
Cauliflower Steak
Even though they're not real "steaks," thick-cut cauliflower makes a surprisingly impressive main course. Seasoned with lemon pepper for a bright, zesty kick, these roasted slices are flavorful and satisfying. You can also finish them with a drizzle of pesto or chimichurri.
Get the Cauliflower Steak recipe.
Christmas Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a tasty, protein-packed addition to any vegetarian holiday spread. Transform them into mini Christmas trees by topping each one with a swirl of yolk filling, fresh herbs for greenery, and a sprinkle of chopped red bell pepper for ornaments.
Get the Christmas Deviled Eggs recipe.
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
This seasonal twist on mac and cheese is made with smoky cheese folded into real pumpkin puree. The subtle sweetness of the pumpkin pairs perfectly with the savory depth of the cheese, creating a rich and comforting dish that feels made for the holidays.
Get the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese recipe.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Add some green to your holiday table with these quick and easy green beans. They're tender, flavorful, and ready in just 15 minutes! Simply toss the beans in olive oil and your favorite seasonings, then let the air fryer do the work.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
Butternut Squash Risotto
Don't be intimidated—risotto is much easier than it looks! With a little patience, some heavy cream, and plenty of parmesan, you'll have a rich, creamy dish in no time. Roasted butternut squash adds a touch of sweetness and warmth.
Get the Butternut Squash Risotto recipe.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Vegetables
Roasted veggies, tender gnocchi, and melty cheese—what’s not to love? Bonus: you only need one pan to make it! Just toss the chopped veggies and gnocchi in simple seasonings, then spread it on the baking sheet.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Looking to switch up your typical mashed potato dish? Try a seasonal version with these mashed sweet potatoes instead. They're just as fluffy and comforting with cozy flavors like cinnamon, brown sugar, and maple syrup.
Get the Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Feta Pasta
It’s not just the red and green colors that make this dish perfect for Christmas—it’s also the fact that it’s incredibly comforting for the whole family! Bursting with bursting with tomatoes and fresh basil, you’ll see why it took the internet by storm.
Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.
Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes
This might just be the creamiest, cheesiest way to enjoy potatoes on Christmas. They've got a rich gruyère and sharp white cheddar sauce along with caramelized browned edges. The best part? They're totally hands-free!
Get the Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes recipe.
Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction
A tangy balsamic reduction is the secret to getting your whole family to eat their Brussels sprouts. Toss in some walnuts for added texture and everyone will be asking for seconds!
Cajun Green Bean Casserole
This classic casserole gets a spicy kick thanks to Cajun seasoning and hot sauce. Topped with fried onions, it has just the right amount of crunch. Plus, the red and green colors make it perfect for any holiday table.
Get Ree's Cajun Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Making these tender sweet potatoes is easy, but you'll want to be sure to cover each and every one in the spiced maple and bourbon glaze. It's what makes them so sweet and candied!
Get the Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Pasta Fagioli
This hearty soup will warm up all your guests on a chilly Christmas night. To make it vegetarian, simply swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth. It's so easy!
Get the Pasta Fagioli recipe.
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
This rich, decedent, creamy sauce is made from butternut squash, garlic, sage, and plenty of parmesan cheese. The recipe calls for chicken stock but you can swap it with vegetable stock if you prefer.
Get the Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta recipe.
Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
A few simple upgrades to your holiday menu will leave everyone at the table impressed. For instance, swap out your typical dinner rolls for this garlicky, cheesy pull-apart bread instead.
Get the Pull-Apart Garlic Bread recipe.
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