Remaining Updated on December 4, 2024
The holidays are very good, nonetheless while you’re web internet hosting a meat-free feast, you is maybe questioning which vegetarian principal dish to put on the center of your desk. Whereas I like sides as quite a bit as anyone, it’s good to have a principal which will put any turkey or ham to shame.
A delicious vegetarian principal dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration is essential to make your event full! Vegetarian trip principal dishes are such a delight. They’re hearty, healthful, and super easy to include in a zero waste trip cooking plan. These simple nonetheless tasty vegetarian principal course dishes are sure to take care of your mates’ stomachs full and their hearts glad!

most interesting vegetarian principal course dishes
Roasted cauliflower and stuffed acorn squash are two of my non-public favorites for the holidays. Each of those recipes is unimaginable served by itself, nonetheless as well as they go correctly with so many fundamental trip facet dishes.
I like a vegetarian principal dish that really ties the plate collectively, and I imagine every of these decisions may very well be an exceptional model to your menu.

serving a vegetarian principal dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas
For many who haven’t checked out my zero waste Thanksgiving data make sure that to grab a duplicate, as a result of it has an entire data along with a grocery document, menu, recipes — along with these two vegetarian principal course dishes — and even a cooking schedule!
It takes some cautious planning for any trip celebration to come back again collectively, nonetheless to me, it’s on a regular basis worth it to benefit from some good meals and agency.
why you’ll love these vegetarian principal dish recipes
- each recipe is ready in 30-45 minutes
- merely as tasty as they’re beautiful
- full of a great deal of nutritional vitamins
- meatless recipes reduce environmental impression

roasted cauliflower:
The simplest vegetarian Christmas principal dishes is that this roasted cauliflower. Its engaging crust makes it additional beautiful than a golden brown turkey!
1 hour 25 Minutes / 400 Ranges F / 4 Servings
ingredient document
-
1 head of cauliflower
-
2 tablespoons of flax meal
-
2 tablespoons of dietary yeast
-
1 teaspoon each of: salt, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, mustard powder, turmeric, smoked paprika, and cumin
-
1/4 cup of olive oil
-
1/4 cup of water
-
juice of 1 lemon
steps
- Fastidiously take away the complete leaves from the cauliflower, leaving the stalk completely intact. Place the cauliflower in a pan, stalk facet up.
- Mix the rest of the parts collectively in a bowl. Pour half of the mix into the cauliflower and tap it to make sure the spices settle into every nook and cranny.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then take away and flip the cauliflower over so the florets are on prime.
- Unfold the rest of the spice mixture over the florets. Since there’s flax meal, it’d get considerably congealed, so be joyful in order so as to add 1-2 additional tablespoons of water to loosen it up.
- Bake the cauliflower for 25 additional minutes, until golden brown. Take away from the oven and let it cool for about half-hour, then slice into steaks.
- Serve your vegetarian principal dish with a facet of gravy — that you must use the gravy recipe in my Thanksgiving Info!

stuffed acorn squash:
That’s such a festive addition to the desk and an entire celebration of fall produce. Acorn squash is in season in fall and winter, making this the right vegetarian principal dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
40 Minutes / 400 Ranges F / 2 Servings
ingredient document
-
1 acorn squash
-
2 cups of cooked quinoa
-
1/4 cup of toasted pecans
-
1/4 cup of toasted cashews
-
3/4 cup of shiitake mushrooms
-
3/4 cup of granny smith apples (or dried cranberries)
-
zest and juice of 1 lemon
-
salt and pepper to model
-
modern sprigs of thyme
steps
- Slice the acorn squash in half, then scoop out the seeds and stringy insides. Salt every halves generously.
- Place the halves flesh facet down on a greased cookie sheet.
- Bake throughout the oven at 400 ranges F for half-hour, until the flesh is caramelized and fork tender.
- Within the meantime, start the filling. Sautand the mushrooms and apples with lemon zest and juice until tender. Add throughout the quinoa and nuts, then season with salt and pepper to model.
- As quickly because the squash is accomplished, spoon the quinoa stuffing inside.
- Excessive your vegetarian principal dish with modern thyme and serve!

faqs for vegetarian trip principal dishes
how prolonged can these dishes be saved?
Since roasted cauliflower and stuffed acorn squash are every comprised of latest parts, I prefer to suggest consuming them inside 3 days of cooking. It’s possible you’ll retailer leftovers throughout the fridge in an airtight container to take care of them modern.
what sides go correctly with a vegetarian principal dish?
As regards to vegetarian facet dishes, the alternatives are actually limitless! Roasted potatoes, inexperienced beans, creamed spinach, or a facet salad are just a few ideas that you’d have the ability to choose from to make your meal full.
what makes vegetarian meals so eco nice?
Making vegetarian Christmas principal dishes is a simple choice to reduce your environmental impression. Consuming additional veggies and fewer meat helps reduce carbon and greenhouse gasoline emissions. Plus, it moreover has a ton of effectively being benefits!

For many who make any of my vegetarian principal course dishes this trip season, please tag me on Instagram!

Prep Time
10 minutes
Put together dinner Time
45 minutes
Further Time
half-hour
Entire Time
1 hour 25 minutes
Elements
-
1 head of cauliflower
-
2 tablespoons of flax meal
-
2 tablespoons of dietary yeast
-
1 teaspoon each of: salt, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, mustard powder, turmeric, smoked paprika, and cumin
-
1/4 cup of olive oil
-
1/4 cup of water
-
juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Fastidiously take away the complete leaves from the cauliflower, leaving the stalk completely intact. Place the cauliflower in a pan, stalk facet up.
- Mix the rest of the parts collectively in a bowl. Pour half of the mix into the cauliflower and tap it to make sure the spices settle into every nook and cranny.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then take away and flip the cauliflower over so the florets are on prime.
- Unfold the rest of the spice mixture over the florets. Since there’s flax meal, it’d get considerably congealed, so be joyful in order so as to add 1-2 additional tablespoons of water to loosen it up.
- Bake the cauliflower for 25 additional minutes, until golden brown. Take away from the oven and let it cool for about half-hour, then slice into steaks.
- Serve your vegetarian principal dish with a facet of gravy — that you must use the gravy recipe in my Thanksgiving Info!
Prep Time
10 minutes
Put together dinner Time
half-hour
Entire Time
40 minutes
Elements
-
1 acorn squash
-
2 cups of cooked quinoa
-
1/4 cup of toasted pecans, chopped
-
1/4 cup of toasted cashews, chopped
-
3/4 cup of shiitake mushrooms, robust chopped
-
3/4 cup of granny smith apples, diced (or dried cranberries)
-
zest and juice of 1 lemon
-
salt and pepper to model
-
modern sprigs of thyme
Instructions
- Slice the acorn squash in half, then scoop out the seeds and stringy insides. Salt every halves generously.
- Place the halves flesh facet down on a greased cookie sheet.
- Bake throughout the oven at 400 ranges F for half-hour, until the flesh is caramelized and fork tender.
- Within the meantime, start the filling. Sauté the mushrooms and apples with lemon zest and juice until tender. Add throughout the quinoa and nuts, then season with salt and pepper to model.
- As quickly because the squash is accomplished, spoon the quinoa stuffing inside.
- Excessive with modern thyme and serve!