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    Home » MAINS

    27 Best Vegetarian Main Dishes for Thanksgiving

    Modified: Nov 25, 2024 by Susan Pridmore · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Four vegetarian main entrees for Thanksgiving dinner with text overlay.

    Looking for some vegetarian and vegan ideas for your Thanksgiving main entree? Here are some vegetarian main dishes for Thanksgiving that are both delicious and stunning enough to be a centerpiece dish. The below ideas range from hasselback butternut squash and stuffed acorn squash, to whole roasted cauliflower and pot pies.

    And if you want some fabulous ideas for side dishes, check out this post for 21 side dish ideas for a vegetarian Thanksgiving. Or maybe you need ideas for appetizers? Then check out this post for A Vegetarian Thanksgiving : 27 Appetizers & More.

    Four vegetarian main dishes for Thanksgiving with text overlay.

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    Want to create something truly special for your vegetarian Thanksgiving table this year? I want to help with that. So, check out this Table of Contents to what I've got for you!

    Jump to:
    • Roasted or Stuffed Squash Main Dishes
    • More Stuffed Vegetable Dishes
    • Whole Roasted Cauliflower Main Dishes
    • Vegan and Vegetarian Roasts
    • Pot Pies All Dressed Up
    • Go Non-Traditional with Italian Main Dishes

    We’re working ourselves towards mid-November and the biggest feast day of the year. All over the country, meal planning is beginning in earnest. And I've got your back if you need ideas for vegetarian main dishes for Thanksgiving that are centerpiece-worthy.

    Roasted or Stuffed Squash Main Dishes

    Winter squash is a natural choice because of their wide variety, range of vibrant colors, and different sizes. And when you scoop out the pulp and seeds, the hollowed out bowls are perfect for a wide variety of stuffings.

    A large platter of thinly sliced, pomegranate-glazed butternut squash, surrounded by a Brussels sprouts and apple salad.
    Pomegranate Glazed Hasselback Butternut Squash

    If you have two knives, then this dish is easy to make. Just put one knife on each side of the butternut squash, and cut into thin slices. The knife prevents you from cutting all the way through the squash. And the recipe has step-by-step instructions with photos for each step of the way.

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    A baking dish filled with two halves of butternut squash stuffed with quinoa, apples and figs.
    Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash with Quinoa, Apples and Figs

    In this recipe, first slice the butternut squash in half. Next, roast it in the oven while basting with plant-based butter mixed with fig jam and maple syrup. Finally, spoon the stuffing over the squash and slide it back in the oven for a final bake.

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    Hollowed out acorn squash stuffed with cornbread, roasted poblano peppers, red peppers and apples.
    Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash

    The cornbread stuffing for this recipe includes charred poblano peppers, red peppers and apples. Save the stuffing recipe to use with other dishes too!

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    Stuffed Delicata Squash

    One of the many great things about delicata squash is you don't have to peel it. Just scrape out the seeds and pulp, and roast it, skin and all. It's all edible. And you can make the spinach, quinoa and apple stuffing ahead!

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    Roasted Delicata squash halves, stuffed with quinoa and dried fruit stuffing.
    Spicy Squash Boats with Fruity Quinoa

    Whisk together some chipotles in adobo sauce, hoisin and maple syrup, and baste Delicata Squash with it while it roasts. Spoon a quinoa pilaf mixed with apples and dried fruits over the roasted squash boats.

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    Stuffed acorn squash drizzled with a tahini maple dressing.
    Mushroom & Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash (Bakerita blog)

    Fill acorn squash halves with caramelized onions, mushrooms, wild rice, cauliflower florets, spinach, dried cranberries, and pecans. Roast and serve with a drizzle of lemon tahini sauce for a delicious, hearty main dish.

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    Carnival Squash stuffed with a chickpea spinach dip stuffing.
    Roasted Carnival Squash with Chickpea Spinach Dip Filling (Heartbeet Kitchen blog)

    Caramelized roasted Carnival Squash is filled with a creamy spinach artichoke dip with added chickpeas for tons of flavor! If you're not familiar with this squash, Carnival Squash looks like acorn squash. But the coloring is more similar to Delicata Squash with cream and green stripes, and a little orange.

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    Stuffed butternut squash halves on a sheet pan.
    Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash (Chocolate Moosey - Homemade in the Kitchen blog)

    These vegan stuffed butternut squash boats are filled with cranberry rice, pecans, chickpeas and some butternut squash puree. When the squash is roasted, you'll remove some of the squash to add to the filling. 

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    Acorn squash halves stuffed with lentils and wild rice.
    Lentil Wild Rice and Cranberry Stuffed Squash (Recipe Runner blog)

    This vegan acorn squash dish uses a stuffing made of lentils, wild rice, cranberries and toasted pecans for a beautiful and flavorful vegetarian main dish. 

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    Roasted pumpkin stuffed with grains, fruits and nuts.
    Thanksgiving Roast Stuffed Pumpkin (The Good Hearted Woman blog)

    This roasted stuffed pumpkin is filled to the brim with a savory multigrain stuffing, dried and fresh fruits, nuts, and warm toasty seasonings


    More Stuffed Vegetable Dishes

    A baking dish of stuffed peppers topped with cornbread and melted cheese.
    Stuffed Red Bell Pepper Casserole

    These vegetarian jambalaya stuffed peppers can be made in a flash with Zatarain's Jambalaya Mix, and then scooped into red peppers ready for roasting. They're all topped off with cornbread and cheddar cheese.

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    Portabella mushroom stuffed with onions, gorgonzola and pomegranate arils.
    Portabella Mushrooms Stuffed with Cabernet Onions and Gorgonzola

    Portabella mushrooms are stuffed with onions sautéed in cabernet wine with spices, raisins and wilted spinach. Serve with gorgonzola cheese crumbles and pomegranate arils for a festive dish that's full of flavor.


    Whole Roasted Cauliflower Main Dishes

    Cauliflower, roasted whole, is a dramatic main dish, and absolutely delicious. The outside is a little crispy, and the inside nice and tender. One of the great things about cauliflower is that it plays so well with other flavors. So have some fun with spices and sauces like the below recipes.

    Whole roasted cauliflower, with tahini sauce and smokey paprika dressing.
    Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

    This is another of my favorite vegetarian main dishes for Thanksgiving. Roast a whole cauliflower head until charred and caramelized at the edges, and then cover it in a smoky paprika dressing. Serve it on top of a tahini sauce.

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    Whole roasted cauliflower covered in a red pepper pesto.
    Roasted Whole Cauliflower in Air Fryer (Healing Tomato blog)

    A whole cauliflower marinates for several hours in a red bell pepper pesto, and then cooked in the air fryer until the surfaces are just crispy. The recipe for the pesto is included in this post!

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    Whole cauliflower with pistachio pesto and pistachio sauce.
    Pistachio Crusted Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pistachio Cream Sauce (Snixy Kitchen blog)

    The soft subtle cauliflower core contrasts the crispy and deeply roasted pistachio crust. And a creamy bright lemony parsley pistachio sauce drizzled over the top adds depth of flavor.

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    Cauliflower steak on top of a lentil salad with a tahini dressing, parsley and pepitas.
    Cauliflower Steaks over a Lentil Salad

    Spice rubbed cauliflower steaks are roasted and served on top of a lentil salad with a drizzle of tahini dressing, parsley and pepitas.


    Vegan and Vegetarian Roasts

    There are several ways to think about vegan and vegetarian roasts, from nut roasts and seitan, to mushroom wellington (a vegetarian take on the classic Beef Wellington dish).

    Sliced Mushroom Wellington on a plate and cutting board with some cranberry sauce.
    Mushroom Wellington (The Last Food Blog blog)

    A deliciously rich Mushroom Wellington roast with chestnuts, spinach, caramelized red onions, and crispy puff pastry. 

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    Sliced seitan roast with fresh rosemary and thyme.
    Epic Vegan Sunday Roast Dinner with Gravy (Thank You Berry Much blog)

    This epic vegan Sunday roast dinner is complete with savory seitan roast beef, marinated tender root vegetables, and a creamy mushroom gravy. 

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    A layered nut loaf on a cake pedestal, ready to be sliced.
    The Best Nut Roast Recipe for Celebrations (Thinly Spread blog)

    This stunning nut roast has layers of butternut squash, spinach, beets and of course spiced nuts. Feel free to swap in your favorite veggies for the layers.

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    Slices of baked tempeh on a serving plate garnished with fresh herbs.
    Thanksgiving Baked Tempeh (The Live-In Kitchen blog)

    Marinate slabs of tempeh in herbs, spices, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar and more. Wrap in roasted butternut squash ribbons, and then bake in the oven for gorgeous packages of goodness.

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    Vegan Wellington on a serving platter with the end sliced off the reveal the inside of the roast.
    The Ultimate Vegan Wellington (Vegan Huggs blog)

    Mushrooms and chickpeas are broken down for a nice meaty texture, and mixed together with sautéed veggies and seasonings. Form the filling into a loaf, wrap in puff pastry, and bake.

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    Mushroom Wellington with the end sliced off, on a cutting board.
    Vegetarian Wellington Recipe (Wholesome Soulfood Kitchen blog)

    Butternut squash combines with a savory mushroom mix of portabella mushrooms, chestnuts, herbs and feta cheese to create a flavorful, savory filling. Wrap it in puff pastry and bake.


    Pot Pies All Dressed Up

    Pot pies are the ultimate comfort food, but they're super special when they dress up with filo dough (phyllo) and puff pastry.

    A vegetarian pot pie wrapped in folds of phyllo dough.
    Vegan Pot Pie with Filo Crust (Happy Kitchen blog)

    Simmer broccoli, leeks, mushrooms, carrots, green peas and herbs in a smooth and nutty vegan béchamel sauce. Wrap it in layers of flaky phyllo crust and bake.

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    A vegetarian pot pie topped with puff pastry.
    Vegetarian Pot Pie (Life Currents blog)

    This meat-free vegetable pot pie version of the classic comfort food is easy, wholesome, and nutritious food that you can cook with mostly pantry and freezer ingredients.


    Go Non-Traditional with Italian Main Dishes

    Welcome Italian food to your vegetarian Thanksgiving table with some filling comfort food.

    Butternut squash risotto with sage and pears, topped with Parmesan cheese.
    Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto with Pears

    This post includes directions for both the Instant Pot and stove top.

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    Finished eggplant parmesan with cheese and roasted tomato sauce.
    Eggplant Pesto Parmesan Casserole

    I recently updated this recipe to make it a little faster to make! It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

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    Cheesy polenta lasagna on a plate, layered with peppers, spinach and tomato sauce.
    Cheesy Polenta Lasagna Casserole

    This delicious vegetarian lasagna is made with layers of polenta (either homemade or purchased from the market), cheeses, peppers, spinach and marinara sauce. And thanks to the polenta, it's gluten-free. 


    « Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash with Quinoa, Apples and Figs
    Pomegranate Hasselback Butternut Squash with Sage »

    About Susan Pridmore

    Susan Pridmore is an award-winning cookbook author and the owner of The Wimpy Vegetarian. She has been featured in Huffington Post, Healthline, BuzzFeed, and has written for and developed recipes for The Food Network and Parade Magazine. She is professionally trained and focuses on easy vegetarian recipes for busy lives, bread-baking, and tips for new vegetarians. Susan lives in the mountains in Lake Tahoe with her husband and mini-labradoodle.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. AJC

      November 17, 2022 at 2:46 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for so many great ideas. I hope to try many of them out during the year as well.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        November 24, 2022 at 12:13 pm

        You are so welcome!! Happy Thanksgiving to you!

        Reply

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