Everyone knows that ham and turkey are often the stars of the Thanksgiving table, which leaves the vegetarians at the dinner table holding onto sides and desserts for dear life. Vegetarian Thanksgiving entrees are rarely even considered. Offering up more substantial Thanksgiving vegetarian options allow you to show some love to the vegetarians in attendance while also offering everyone else some more variety for Thanksgiving.
While it may be tempting to just offer up more sides, a plate of mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce is just not right. So how do you make Thanksgiving more vegetarian friendly?
Make Thanksgiving Vegetarian Friendly
The first option is to adjust things that are already on the menu? Consider skipping out on the meat in the green beans and adding in more seasonings and onions. Have something that you add chicken or beef broth to? How about swapping it out for a veggie broth?
My personal stuffing recipe swaps cream of chicken for cream of celery, and chicken broth for veggie broth, and it is does not change the overall flavor.
Just be sure to check certain unsuspecting ingredients such as pre-made stuffing. There are vegetarian options that you should be sure to grab.
1. Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter and Pecans
Anytime pasta is an option, it should be made available. As for this recipe, it does not get much more Thanksgiving than this super creamy and savory butternut squash ravioli. Complete with nutty brown butter and pecans, this makes an amazing addition to the Thanksgiving table.
2. Creamy White Wine Mushroom Stuffed Shells
Any excuse for this dish, is a perfectly acceptable excuse, so why not make Thanksgiving one of the reasons you whip this super cheesy and creamy dish up. Not only is it easy to put together, the earthy and herbaceous flavors make it a good choice for a Thanksgiving vegetarian option.
3. Pesto Polenta with Thyme Roasted Mushrooms
Pesto often gets a lot of love in the warmer months, but there is no reason not to bring the bright and bold flavor to the Thanksgiving table. Couple that with the filling polenta and mushroom mix, and you end up with a warm and cozy option that will be unexpected but welcomed!
4. Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
Fall foods call for all things warm and cozy, and it does not get much cozier than a hearty Shepherd’s pie. This recipe has the added benefit of providing a complex meal that is so complete it can work as an entree or all on its own.
5. Butternut Squash and Sun-Dried Tomato White Lasagna
Let this lasagna serve as show-stopping conversation starter this Thanksgiving. This Autumnal take on lasagna is a vegetarian delight that is subtly sweet with the addition of butternut squash and super cheesy with a delicious béchamel sauce! You won’t regret adding this to the menu.
6. Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Hands down, one of the best stuffed mushroom recipes you will come across, these portobello mushroomed are stuffed to the brim with cheesy, savory, goodness. They could absolutely stand on their own, but they also make an amazing vegetarian entree centerpiece to a Thanksgiving plate.
7. Cheesy Roasted Cabbage Wedges
While it may be obvious to opt for a vegetable as a vegetarian entree, many options are not substantial enough to anchor a meal. These roasted cabbage wedges definitely are up to the task. Smoky and cheesy goodness balanced by the subtly of the cabbage combines with some amazing flavors that make this vegetable good enough to stand up on its own.
8. Mini Wild Rice Stuffed Pumpkins
These mini stuffed pumpkins are sure to be the talk of the night if you serve them up for Thanksgiving. Not only are they adorable, and oh-so fitting for the theme, they add some functional character to the table. Even better, this recipe takes wild rice to another level. As far as vegetarian Thanksgiving options, it does not get much better than this.
9. Pumpkin Risotto
As if this pumpkin risotto wasn’t amazing enough on its own, the author of the recipe offers up multiple ways to adjust or change this recipe to fit your needs. The unexpected addition of the pumpkin makes it perfect for the holiday season, while still offering up a familiar favorite.
10. Brown Butter Pumpkin Galette
Galettes are so underutilized, but this fixes that in the most delicious way! Not only does this recipe easily incorporate multiple savory items into the meal, it does it with ease. It does not get much better than throwing this simple but efficient recipe together for Thanksgiving.
The best way to incorporate these entree options are to find ones that go with the menu you’ve already planned. Find recipes that compliment the flavors and ingredients you’ve already chosen to use.
If you find yourself adding something in that stands out, consider adding in another small complimentary dish so that the meal remains cohesive. Luckily, all of these recipes were chosen because they serve well as entree options, but also would likely fit into an already crafted Thanksgiving menu!
Warm, cozy, sweet, and savory! Check out these posts for everything you need for those delicious fall recipes!
