These are the best vegetarian Christmas dinner recipes to make for 2023
Looking for a show-stopping recipe to feed vegetarian or vegan guests this Christmas? You've come to the right place. Here at Good Housekeeping, we have plenty of Christmas-worthy veggie recipes to inspire you. From fancy pithiviers to the classic, cranberry-studded nut roast, we have every vegetarian Christmas craving covered.
An easy vegetarian Christmas main is hasselback squash. Just like hasselback potatoes, cut slices across the width of the halved squash – then cover in a mix of maple syrup, oil and thyme and top with crumbled goats cheese (choose a vegan cheese option if you prefer). Simple yet sophisticated.
Pies can also make wonderful vegetarian Christmas dinners such as this brie and mushroom pie which is given a festive lift with the addition of crunchy walnuts and a dash of sherry. Fancy a challenge? Our root vegetable pithivier takes some effort but the results are well worth it.
This beetroot and shallot tarte tatin makes a wonderful vegan main or side dish. We’ve used vegan Jus-Rol pastry to make it easier and the tarte tatin is served with a dressing of hazelnuts, parsley and capers.
No Christmas dinner is complete without stuffing, so don't miss out on our lentil and nut stuffing – it pairs perfectly with our collection of vegetarian mains, as well as traditional turkey, too.
Remember, make sure if you are serving your vegetarian meal with gravy that you have a vegetarian alternative to hand (you can follow any normal recipe but be sure to use vegetable stock instead and omit any meat juices and products that might be used).
Time to start planning your tastiest vegetarian Christmas yet...
Stilton, Leek and Walnut Quiche
Serve this cheesy, nutty quiche warm or at room temperature.
Recipe: Stilton, Leek and Walnut Quiche
Cauliflower Wellington
This delicious centrepiece makes the perfect main course alternative for vegetarians on Christmas Day, and meat-eaters will love it too.
Recipe: Cauliflower Wellington
Root Vegetable and Lentil Terrine
This terrine is, unusually, served warm, which means it pairs perfectly with a vegetarian gravy. Any leftovers keep well in the fridge for 2 days, and are delicious served chilled or at room temperature.
Recipe: Root Vegetable and Lentil Terrine
Giant Savoury Mince Pie
We’ve taken inspiration from the sweet festive favourite for this veggie showstopper. Swap the sage for fresh thyme, if you like.
Recipe: Giant Savoury Mince Pie
Beetroot and Goat’s Cheese Roulade
The colour of this roulade alone will tempt everyone to try a slice! If you’re not a fan of goat’s cheese, cream cheese works well here too, but it will need a bit more seasoning.
Recipe: Beetroot and Goat’s Cheese Roulade
Whole Baked Tofu ‘Ham’
Tofu’s ability to take on flavours really comes into its own in this vegan roast, where the smokey, salty rub evokes the cured flavour of ham. Glazed and clove-studded, it looks a treat, too.
Recipe: Whole Baked Tofu ‘Ham’
Root Vegetable Pithivier
This wow-factor, vegan pie centrepiece is utterly delicious and worth the extra effort. If you're making a vegan Christmas dinner, make it this one.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Root Vegetable Pithivier
Spiced Whole-Roasted Cauliflower
This vegetarian centrepiece is sure to wow. We originally made this for an Easter celebration, but it would work as a veggie Christmas centrepiece, too.
Recipe: Spiced Whole-Roasted Cauliflower
Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnut Puff Pocket
This is the perfect budget-friendly vegetarian option for Christmas Day. The sweetness of the pears and honey cut through the saltiness of the blue cheese wonderfully.
Recipe: Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnut Puff Pocket
Individual Beetroot Wellington
Beetroot and goat’s cheese are a match made in heaven, and even more delicious when enveloped in pastry - the perfect veggie Christmas dinner.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Individual Beetroot Wellington
Mushroom and Shallot Bourguignon Galette
Echoing the flavour of our venison main – plus it works brilliantly with the horseradish crème fraîche.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Mushroom and Shallot Bourguignon Galette
Caramelised Onion and Squash Baked Ricotta
Serve this delicious vegetarian Christmas centrepiece at the table alongside your turkey and the meat eaters will all want a slice too!
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Caramelised Onion and Squash Baked Ricotta
Jewelled Sprouts and Chestnuts
It’s not Christmas without sprouts! The sweetness of apple juice and maple syrup here helps balance their brassica bitterness.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Jewelled Sprouts and Chestnuts
Whole Stuffed Celeriac
The earthiness of the mushrooms combined with the truffle oil makes this a perfect vegan Christmas dinner.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Whole Stuffed Celeriac
Hasselback Squash
We love this easy vegetarian Christmas dinner recipe, and it can be a vegan Christmas dinner too with just a little tweaking! Just replace goat's cheese with a substitute, we like Violife Feta Style Non-Dairy Cheese Alternative.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Hasselback Squash
Brie and Mushroom Vegetarian Pie
Earthy mushrooms and oozing Brie combine for a moreish vegetarian Christmas dinner that will be the envy of the non-veggies, while crunchy walnuts and a dash of sherry bring a touch of festive cheer to the table.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Brie and Mushroom Vegetarian Pie
Creamy Sweet Potato and Celeriac Bake
Earthy root veg in a herby cream makes a deliciously comforting accompaniment to just about any roast.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Creamy Sweet Potato and Celeriac Bake
Vegan Beetroot and Shallot Tarte Tatin
A stunning vegan Christmas dinner, even the meat eaters will want a taste! Also a delicious match with beef, if serving as a side dish.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Vegan Beetroot and Shallot Tarte Tatin
Spiced Squash and Chestnut Filo Tarts
These flavour-packed, Middle Eastern-inspired tarts are the perfect Vegetarian main for Christmas.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Spiced Squash and Chestnut Filo Tarts
Lentil and Nut Stuffing Balls
If you like a fruity twist, add some finely chopped dried cranberries to the lentil mixture. Hazelnuts also work well instead of walnuts.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Lentil and Nut Stuffing Balls
Twiced Baked Goat's Cheese Souffles
An indulgent classic, soufflés make a fantastic addition to any festive table. Serve as a vegetarian main course along with all the trimmings – these soufflés pair especially well with spiced red cabbage and cranberry sauce.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Twiced Baked Goat's Cheese Souffles
Roasted Cabbage with Blue Cheese Dressing
Roasting the cabbage really brings out its earthy sweetness. Just make sure that the blue cheese you use is vegetarian.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Roasted Cabbage with Blue Cheese Dressing
Vegetarian Pea Pithivier
Rather than serving up individual portions, make a statement with this stunning centrepiece.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Vegetarian Pea Pithivier
Garlic and Sage Roast Potatoes
Make sure to use a mild olive oil to allow the garlic and sage to really sing. Ideally, you want to roast the potatoes in an even layer for maximum crispiness – the oven tray is ideal for this.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Garlic and Sage Roast Potatoes
Lentil Stuffed Squash
These vibrant lentil-stuffed squash make a worthy Christmas centrepiece.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Lentil stuffed squash
Mushroom, Walnut and Chestnut Soup
Comforting, warming and great for a vegetarian Christmas starter.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Mushroom, Walnut and Chestnut Soup
Vegetarian Green Bean and Goat's Cheese Puff
This sumptuous vegetarian green bean and goat's cheese puff will take centre stage at any Christmas feast.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Vegetarian Green Bean and Goat's Cheese Puff
Mushroom and Cranberry Nut Roast
A mushroom risotto base gives this nut roast a magnificent depth of flavour and moreish texture.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Mushroom and Cranberry Nut Roast
Mushroom Roulade
This colourful roll may look tricky to make, but it’s fail-safe and so worth the effort to impress your vegetarian guests!
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Mushroom Roulade
Spinach and Ricotta Filo Baskets
These pretty filo baskets make a great vegetarian Christmas canapé or starter.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Spinach and ricotta filo baskets
Spiced Butternut Strudel
Butternut squash and goat's cheese wrapped up in crispy filo pastry, this spiced strudel makes a great Christmas main.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Spiced Butternut Strudel
Stuffed Squash
Roast squash stuffed with a cranberry, walnut and blue cheese filling makes this a simple yet sophisticated Christmas recipe.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Stuffed squash
Leek, Mushroom and Spinach Galette
Use any vegetables you have to hand in this delicious galette.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Leek, Mushroom and Spinach Galette
Cauliflower Cheese Frittata
Meltingly luscious, this cheesy delight can be served warm or at room temperature.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Cauliflower Cheese Frittata
Clementine Ginger Cabbage
Ginger and orange work wonderfully with red cabbage – an ideal accompaniment to any of our vegetarian mains.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Clementine and ginger cabbage
Nutty Butter Beans
This flavoured butter will keep for up to 2 weeks in your fridge – delightful on greens, potatoes, or fish for pescatarians.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Nutty butter beans
Vegetarian Choux Crown
A triumphant cheese pastry that’s sure to be a recipe you turn to time and time again.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Vegetarian choux crown
Pomegranate, Kale and Squash Salad
This vibrant salad offers full-on festive flavour for a lighter addition to the Boxing Day banquet.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Pomegranate, kale and squash salad
Mini Mushroom Wellington
A bit of effort is required to make these oozy mushroom, kale and cheese pastries, but we promise that even the most hardened meat eaters will fall for their charms. Easy to cook from frozen, too.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Mini mushroom wellingtons
Onion Tatin
This tart can be served as a vegetarian option or as an additional side.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Onion tatin
Christmas Wreath Salad
This salad makes a beautiful centrepiece for Boxing Day buffets. Toasting nuts brings out their flavour.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Christmas wreath salad
Squash and Kale Gratin
An unusual and comforting make-ahead side that works with any roast.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Squash and kale gratin
Portobello Pithivier
An elegant main, that can easily be made vegan by using a melted dairy-free spread rather than egg to glaze (and check you are using a vegan pastry, like Jus-Rol). For a cheesy addition, add some crumbled goat’s cheese to the stuffing.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Portobello Pithivier
Spinach Roulade
An eye-catching offering that is served at room temperature, so no last-minute stress. Check the cheese you are using is suitable for vegetarians.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Spinach roulade
Celeriac and Thyme Soup
A delicious winter soup and our whimsical pastry spoons add fun and crunch.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Celeriac and thyme soup
Butternut and Mushroom Wellington
The miso in this vegan wellington adds a delicious savoury flavour that really boosts the umami aroma of the mushroom filling.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Butternut and Mushroom Wellington
Stilton Pear Quiche
Pears and stilton are a match made in heaven in this veggie quiche.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Stilton and pear quiche
Jerusalem Artichoke and Cider Soup
The sweet acidity of cider beautifully balances the earthy, nutty flavour of the Jerusalem artichokes.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Jerusalem Artichoke and Cider Soup
White Winter Salad
This winter salad is very easy to prepare but packs a lot of flavour. With the bitterness of the chicory, the sweetness of the pears, and the saltiness of the Stilton, it's a wonderful balanced side dish to accompany a dinner party main course.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: White winter salad
Roasted Herby Squash
An easy side dish packed full of flavour thanks to the fresh herbs.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Roasted Herby Squash
Celeriac, Lentil and Stilton Salad
Make sure to check your Stilton to make this recipe vegetarian.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Celeriac, lentil and stilton salad
Rum and Plum Christmas Pudding
Prunes add a sticky texture and rum gives a boozy richness to this Christmas pudding recipe.
Vegetarian Christmas recipe: Rum and Plum Christmas Pudding
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