Expecting a few vegetarians for Thanksgiving this year? Or making a full-on vegetarian meal? Make the main course just as much or an eye-catching centerpiece as the turkey. These meatless company-worthy mains include ample make-aheads so you’re not cooking two meals Thanksgiving Day, and are so hearty and delicious, you’ll find your turkey-loving guests clamoring for some as well.
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RecipeRoasted Squash & Polenta Torta
This savory polenta torta gets big flavor from roasted squash and slow-cooked onions. Kabocha squash lends a dense texture and nutty flavor, but you can also use butternut. -
RecipeRustic Vegetable Tart with Roasted Butternut Squash
This rich, autumnal tart, with its squash, parsnips, and nutty-tasting Brussels sprouts, could star as the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner or any festive meal on a cold evening. -
RecipeHeirloom Bean Potato Cassoulet
With deeply developed flavors and aromas that satisfy and entice, this cassoulet has everything you would expect from the homey French classic, except all the meat. -
RecipePumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good
Turning Dorie Greenspan’s rustic stuffed pumpkin into a vegetarian dish is easy—simply omit the bacon -
RecipeButternut Squash and Swiss Chard Lasagne
Indulgently cheesy like a traditional lasagne but bursting with the autumnal flavors of squash and chard, this dish makes a satisfying Thanksgiving entrée. -
RecipeSwiss Chard, Sweet Potato & Feta Tart in a Teff Crust
Adding teff flour to this tart’s crust gives it the texture of shortbread and a rich, nutty flavor. The filling is vegetable heaven—chard, sweet potatoes, and red onions—topped off with a salty sprinkle of feta. -
RecipeButternut Squash Lasagne with Goat Cheese, Sage & Breadcrumbs
The combination of sweet-and-savory roasted squash, tangy goat cheese, and fresh herbs brings big flavor to this lasagne, while the tender pasta keeps things light. -
RecipeRoasted Vegetable Tart
This crowd-pleasing tart is the ultimate solution for hard-to-feed guests. The basic version is vegetarian, but with a few tweaks you can make it vegan or gluten-free. -
RecipeWild Mushroom & Arugula Risotto
This classic comfort dish can be easily adapted for vegetarians. Simply swap in vegetable broth for the chicken broth. -
RecipePumpkin Enchilada Casserole with Red Chile Sauce
Thanksgiving may be an American holiday, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have a little Mexican flair. This casserole, served with a poblano-pepita salsa on the side, is hearty and satisfying. -
RecipeWild Mushroom Tart
Tangy goat cheese marries well with earthy mushrooms in this “meaty” savory tart. -
RecipeSquash Ravioli with Sherried Onions
A savory roasted butternut squash purée with maple syrup and two cheeses makes up the filling in this elegant dish. It works as a starter course for turkey-eaters and a main dish for vegetarians. -
RecipeSpinach & Ricotta Lasagne
This lasagna is a Thanksgiving triple threat: It can be assembled and frozen up to four months ahead, it’s truly a special-occasion dish, and it’s an undoubtedly delicious crowd-pleaser. -
RecipePortabello Mushrooms with Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Filling
This vegetarian main course brings together the addictive flavors of stuffed mushrooms and spinach and artichoke dip (which incidentally gives it a little party-food feel). -
RecipePotato and Leek Galette with Rosemary and Sea-Salt Crust
Potatoes and leeks baked in a buttery crust are punctuated with the snap of aged provolone and the flavor of rosemary. -
RecipeSwiss Chard and Fontina Potato Pie
Inspired by the Italian potato pie called gatto di patate, this dish features panko-dusted, Parmesan-flavored mashed potatoes that hold a layer of sautéed chard and creamy fontina cheese. -
RecipeHarvest Grain Salad Bowl
This vegan grain bowl is a colorful, fun meal. The pickled blueberries are a wonderful surprise that awakens the palate. You can use any combination of grains, nuts, or fruit, and the secret purée underneath it all. Cauliflower is great. Celery root is awesome. Cauliflower rice can also be a substitute for one or all of the grains. -
MenuMenu: A Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Dinner
Here’s the perfect holiday meal to please everyone: it’s make-ahead for the host, mostly meatless for vegetarians (though there is still a turkey), and incredibly delicious.
