These vegetarian Thanksgiving main dish recipes will keep you full until it's time for pumpkin pie. Choose a variety of them to round out your Thanksgiving feast.
24 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dish Recipes (That Aren’t Just Pasta)
Updated on Sep. 05, 2024
Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole
People who don’t even usually like broccoli casserole beg me to make this comforting broccoli cheese casserole recipe. It’s similar to a classic green bean casserole, but the melted cheese just puts it over the top. —Elaine Hubbard, Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania
1/24
Tofurky Roast
Thanksgiving isn’t complete without a turkey on the table. The Full Helping’s Tofurky roast recipe is the perfect star for your meatless Thanksgiving feast. (It’s vegan-friendly, too!)
Here are some more vegetarian substitutes for turkey.
2/24
3/24
Quick and Easy Vegetable Potpie
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This meatless superstar comes together quickly and is inexpensive as well. My 4-year-old always asks for seconds! You can substitute any canned or frozen beans for the canned lentils in this easy vegetable potpie. We also like using frozen edamame. —Maggie Torsney-Weir, Los Angeles, California. Looking for a non-dairy recipe? Learn how to make vegan pot pie.
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 356 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 705mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 9g fiber), 10g protein.
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Cranberry Apple Chutney
Joyful Healthy Eat’s cauliflower steaks are making my mouth water just by looking at them. I mean, check out that homemade cranberry-apple chutney! Keep this flavorful entree in mind for Christmas dinner, too.
4/24
5/24
Lentil Loaf
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This lentil loaf is so flavorful, you won't miss the meat. And it's packed with fiber and nutrients. —Tracy Fleming, Phoenix, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 213 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 580mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
6/24
Rustic Squash Tarts
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 tarts (8 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is hiding a big surprise. Flaky, rustic-looking pastry shells hold a sweet and spicy pecan layer under the squash slices. —Ann Marie Moch, Kintyre, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 279 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 196mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein.
7/24
Portobello and Chickpea Sheet-Pan Supper
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a fantastic meatless dinner. It works well with a variety of sheet-pan-roasted vegetables. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 mushroom with 1 cup vegetables: 279 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 448mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 7g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 starch.
8/24
Mushroom and Sweet Potato Potpie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The last time I was in the U.S., I had an amazing mushroom and beer potpie at a small brewpub. It was so rich and comforting. I tried numerous versions when I got home and I think I've come pretty close! —Iben Ravn, Copenhagen, Denmark
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 211 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 407mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
9/24
Easy Butternut Squash Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings (21/4 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator:
When the weather turns cold, get cozy with a bowl of this butternut squash soup. This recipe is super easy. The cream adds richness, but if you’re looking to cut calories, it can be omitted. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 157 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 3g protein.
10/24
Taste-of-Fall Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My parents stayed with me at a friend's beautiful ranch for the holidays and I made them this great salad. It turned into every night's first course. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 228 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 135mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
11/24
Veggie Mac and Cheese
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy mac and cheese definitely doesn't come from a box! Fresh veggies add crunch and color and will leave everyone asking for seconds. —Marsha Morril, Harrisburg, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 200 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 391mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
12/24
Sweet Potato Lentil Stew
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I fell in love with the spicy aromas in this sweet potato lentil stew. Add whatever ingredients you have on hand, like zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Gray, Little Rock, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 290 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 662mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 15g fiber), 15g protein.
13/24
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mushrooms, carrots, celery, peas and potatoes pack this full-flavored meal-maker. In fact, you’ll never even miss the meat. It’s that rich and satisfying!
—Kim Hammond, Kingwood, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 223 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 753mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.
14/24
Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We bought loads of apples and needed to use them. To help the flavors come alive, I roasted the apples and tossed them with a sweet dressing. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 191 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fruit.
15/24
Carrot and Lentil Chili
Total Time
5 hours
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my favorite plant-based versions of chili. I love to make this in fall and spring for the satisfying combination of fresh bright orange carrots and hearty earthy lentils. I serve it with yogurt, sour cream or plant-based cheese. —Rebekah Ranes, Sedona, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 310 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 574mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 12g fiber), 13g protein.
16/24
Fig-Carrot Stuffed Kabocha Squash
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While searching for a new winter squash variety, I stumbled upon kabocha squash—it really wowed me. The flavor and texture are both rich and beautiful, and this recipe, which I improvised, really suits the squash well. —Caitlin Stephens-North, Malden, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed wedge: 299 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 489mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 13g fiber), 5g protein.
17/24
Sage-Pecan Butternut Squash Ravioli
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I am addicted to this ravioli recipe. The sauce is incredible with any pasta, but ravioli makes it a convenient dinner-in-one. —Barbie Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 568 calories, 32g fat (11g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 637mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 5g fiber), 11g protein.
18/24
Vegetarian Potato au Gratin
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fill up on veggies and load up on great flavor with this creamy, hearty casserole. You’ll appreciate the homey bread-crumb topping and hands-free bake time at the end of a long day. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 557 calories, 25g fat (16g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 749mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 7g fiber), 27g protein.
19/24
Fennel Carrot Soup
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings (2 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator:
This soup is perfect as a first course for a special-occasion dinner. It gets its delicious flavor from toasted fennel seeds—a pleasant complement to the carrots, apple and sweet potato. —Marlene Bursey, Waverly, Nova Scotia
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 117 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 989mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch.
20/24
Wild Rice Stuffed Squash
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I made this recipe when we invited both our families to celebrate our first Thanksgiving in our new home. There were 37 of us, and those who tried this dish raved about it. —Robin Thompson, Roseville, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed squash half: 275 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 593mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 6g fiber), 6g protein.
21/24
Chickpea Potpies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves potpies, and with this recipe, no one—not even my carnivores—misses the meat. Hungry teens and adults gobble them up! —Annette Woofenden, Middleboro, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 potpie: 680 calories, 39g fat (20g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 1518mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein.
22/24
Cranberry and Roasted Beet Salad
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this healthy, tasty dish. It’s excellent for Thanksgiving. Even the children loved it! —Brianna St. Clair, Worland, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 212 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 278mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
23/24
Spicy Meatless Chili
Total Time
8 hours 25 min
Servings
5 servings (about 2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Before I retired, this recipe was a mainstay in our house. I could prepare the ingredients the night before, and then on the way out the door in the morning I could throw everything in the slow cooker. When I got home later, I prepped the toppings and supper was done. —Jane McMillan, Dania Beach, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 224 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1290mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 11g fiber), 9g protein.
24/24
Pumpkin Lasagna
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I especially like this comforting fall dish because it's vegetarian. Even friends who aren't big fans of pumpkin are surprised by this delectable lasagna. Canned pumpkin and no-cook noodles make it a cinch to prepare. —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 310 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 497mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 lean meat.
