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Christmas is almost here and you’re probably planning the menu for your big holiday dinner. For those of us who won’t have a turkey or ham on the table, we need to plan a little extra for the main dishes. Everyone expects some dish to be the centerpiece of the table. Rather than feel like the table is missing what’s expected, let’s revel in the unexpected. When meat is off the table, the options for main dishes increases exponentially with veggie dishes that can feed two or twenty!

We have lots of main course recipes and ideas that will please every palate at your table. Check out these 10 Delicious Vegan Main Dishes for Christmas and these 5 Christmas Casseroles Made Vegan. Since Christmas is all about family and friends getting together, reuniting and gathering in a warm, welcoming home, we thought we would feature main dishes that say “home.” So get ready to Deck the Halls with these 30 vegan main dishes from the Food Monster App that will make your Christmas merry and bright.


1. Creamy Pumpkin Lasagna

Source: Creamy Pumpkin Lasagna

This Creamy Pumpkin Lasagna by Renee McKenzie is a real showstopper. It’s made with roasted pumpkin with a warm, creamy, and slightly spicy pumpkin béchamel sauce and gorgeous roasted pumpkin topping. Top it with the homemade pine nut parmesan.

2. Black Bean and Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Source: Black Bean and Spaghetti Squash Casserole

If you’re looking for something quick, easy, and filling that will feed a crowd of guests, look no further than this Black Bean and Spaghetti Squash Casserole by Ashley Smyczek. With black beans, spinach, and vegan feta, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser.


3. Creamy Baked Skillet Spinach Pasta

Source: Creamy Baked Skillet Pasta

This Creamy Baked Skillet Pasta dish by Medha Swaminathan has a creamy, cauliflower-based vegan spinach pasta topped with toasted breadcrumbs. It is baked to perfection in a cast iron skillet for a different take on the usual casserole. It’s easy and healthy dairy-free comfort food for the holidays.


4. Mushroom Ravioli with Creamy Leek Sauce

Source: Mushroom Ravioli with Creamy Leek Sauce

This Mushroom Ravioli with Creamy Leek Sauce by Kyra Howearth is a total Italian grandma recipe – hearty mushroom ravioli coated in a creamy, comforting leek sauce. It’s hearty, satisfying and delicious. Make sure everyone gets seconds (and thirds) like a true grandma would.


5. Bœuf Bourguignon Végétalien

Source: Bœuf Bourguignon Végétalien

This Bœuf Bourguignon Végétalien by Renee McKenzie is a vegan version of the beloved traditional French dish. Made with tofu and mushrooms, it’s rich, hearty, and delicious. You can also make in the crockpot while you prepare dessert. Julia Child would be proud!

6. Tofu Pot Pie Casserole

Source: Tofu Pot Pie Casserole

When you cross a pot pie and a casserole with delicious vegan flavors, you get this Tofu Pot Pie Casserole dish by Kathleen Henry. Hearty and healthy, this casserole is packed with veggies and tofu wrapped in phyllo dough. It looks impressive and will definitely be the star of your holiday dinner.

7. Show-Stopping Lentil and Eggplant Lasagna

Source: Show-Stopping Lentil and Eggplant Lasagna

Lasagna is always a great choice for a dinner that needs to feed a crowd. This Show-Stopping Lentil and Eggplant Lasagna by Lera Krasovskaya is wholesome, yet still totally satisfying. Whole wheat lasagna noodles, tofu, lentils, and eggplant give this pasta dish a hearty bite and awesome flavor. Plus, who doesn’t love hearty, saucy vegetables layered between noodles? No one we know.


8. Black Bean Chili Pot Pie with Cumin Sweet Potato Crust

Source: Black Bean Chili Pot Pies with Cumin Sweet Potato Crust

Nothing says love from the oven quite like pie! These Black Bean Chili Pot Pies with Cumin Sweet Potato Crust by Alison Murray is comfort food personified. These hearty, individually-sized veggie pies are healthy and delicious with black beans, veggies, and a spiced sweet potato crust. Guests will love being served their own little pot pie – no sharing required.

9. Pumpkin Gnocchi in Spiced Butter Sauce with Lemon Cashew Cream

Source: Pumpkin Gnocchi

Serve your guests a dish that looks and sounds gourmet but is really easy to make. This luscious homemade Pumpkin Gnocchi by Rhea Parsons is blanketed in richly spiced vegan butter sauce and then served with a lemon cashew cream. They’ll think you worked away in the kitchen all day. Let them.

10. Southern Stew

Source: Southern Stew

Put a little soul into your holidays with this Southern Stew by Kayli Dice. It’s packed with Southern flavor with a creamy sweet potato broth base. This stew is filled with hearty black beans, corn, and greens. This is how to do soul food at Christmas.

11. Spicy Potato Casserole With Tofu ‘Chorizo’

Source: Spicy Potato Casserole with Tofu Chorizo

Take all the flavors you love about baked potatoes topped with vegan chili and turn it into a hearty dish that can feed a crowd. This Spicy Potato Casserole with Tofu Chorizo by Kelly Williams has layers of thinly sliced potatoes doused in a spicy tomato-based sauce. Adding black beans and tofu “chorizo” increases the protein content and gives lots of texture to a saucy dish.

12. Pumpkin Cannelloni with Almond Sauce

Source: Pumpkin Cannelloni with Almond Sauce

This Pumpkin Cannelloni with Almond Sauce by Florian Nouh isn’t your standard pumpkin dish! Tender cannelloni are filled with savory pumpkin puree and topped with a creamy almond sauce … this is definitely a dish you want as the center of your Christmas table!

13. Hearty Stout and Mixed Vegetable Stew



Source: Hearty Stout and Mixed Vegetable Stew

When everyone gathers together at the holidays, you want to serve a dish that says “home.” This Hearty Stout and Mixed Vegetable Stew by Rinku Bhattacharya is just the thing. The base of the stew uses lots of onions, some garlic, rosemary, and thyme thrown in for good measure. The vegetables are then added in and we have a wonderful deep sauce that thickens and simmers the vegetables into soft and tender perfection. This is just what winter is made for.

14. Comforting Kale Pesto Pasta Casserole

Source: Kale Pesto Pasta Casserole

This Kale Pesto Pasta Casserole by Florian Nouh is filling, delicious, and so easy to make! It has an especially savory, umami twist thanks to the addition of sun-dried tomatoes and olives. Thin strips of sautéed eggplant are mixed in with the pesto. An absolutely lovely highlight is the crust, which is made of gluten-free bread crumbs mixed with olive oil and garlic. It’s crunchy, hearty, and perfect!

15. Tempeh and Pasta Casserole

Source: Tempeh and Pasta Casserole

This Tempeh and Pasta Casserole by Vanessa Croessmann is the perfect dish to feed everyone and anyone. The tempeh adds nutty protein while the pasta will really fill people up. The creamy cashew-based sauce brings it all together for a one-pan dish that will make your night warm, cozy and delicious.

16. Vegan Cioppino (Italian-Style ‘Fish’ Stew)

Source: Italian-Style ‘Fish’ Stew

This hearty and rustic Italian-Style ‘Fish’ Stew by Florian Nouh was inspired by “cioppino,” a classic fish stew. In this vegan version, tofu stands in for the fish, but the rest remains the same – vegetables and herbs simmered in a flavorful tomato broth.

17. ‘Cheezy’ Chilaquiles

Source: “Cheezy” Vegan Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican dish made of fried soft tortillas served with a myriad of delicious toppings. These “Cheezy” Vegan Chilaquiles by Gin Butters are a one skillet twist on the classic Mexican comfort food, and they’re extremely filling, savory, and full of flavor. Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients – this is really easy to make!

18. Jackfruit Pot Pie

Source: Jackfruit Pot Pie

Pot pies are so comforting and the perfect dish to serve when family gathers at the holidays. This Jackfruit Pot Pie by Sarah Pether is the plant-based pot pie of your dreams. Creamy, warm jackfruit, and veggie filling is encased in a delicate puff pastry crust. Everyone will be merry when this dish hits the table.

19. Simple Stuffed Pumpkin Manicotti

Source: Simple Stuffed Pumpkin Manicotti

Anyone who likes pasta will love this Simple Stuffed Pumpkin Manicotti by Michaell Johnson. This isn’t one of those dishes where you have to announce, “Look out! It’s vegan!” or “I know you don’t like these veggies, but they’re in there.” The ingredients are united in yumminess and full of nutrition. This is the perfect recipe for your Christmas gathering.

20. Pesto Pappardelle with Artichoke Chickpea Meatballs

Source: Pesto Pappardelle with Artichoke Chickpea Meatballs

Pasta is always a winning choice and this Pesto Pappardelle with Artichoke Chickpea Meatballs by Michelle Lee gets a blue ribbon. Light, yet deeply flavored veggie meatballs are served with pappardelle pasta tossed in a homemade pesto packed with fresh herbs and greens. Seared artichoke hearts and chopped fresh tomatoes complete the dish. This recipe looks expensive, fancy, and time-consuming but it’s so easy, you’ll have gourmet pasta in no time!

21. Moussaka with Cashew Cream

Source: Moussaka with Cashew Cream

If you need a dish that will feed a crowd and keep them all warm and satisfied, this Moussaka with Cashew Cream by Marie-Ève Couture is just the dish. It has comforting eggplant and mashed potatoes in a spiced tomato sauce. The cashew cream topping just makes it all the more delicious.

22. Thai Yellow Curry with Seitan and Potatoes

Source: Thai Yellow Curry with Seitan and Potatoes

Spice up the holidays with this Thai Yellow Curry with Seitan and Potatoes by Rosalie Livingstone. This homemade Thai-style yellow curry paste is showcased in the best way possible – by blanketing chunks of tender seitan and potatoes in a creamy coconut milk sauce. Yum!

23. Polenta Veggie Bake



Source: Polenta Veggie Bake

This mostly hands-off Polenta Veggie Bake by Sara Hohn calls for a couple of time-saving shortcuts. First, there’s quick-cooking polenta that’s prepared stovetop in under ten minutes. Next, there’s jarred marinara sauce that’s layered on top of the polenta before baking. The dish is packed with tons of veggies and it’s a comforting, home-y meal for the holidays.

24. Hearty Winter Curry Pie

Source: Hearty Winter Curry Pie

Forget everything you know about traditional veggie pot pies – this Hearty Winter Curry Pie by Rebecca Fallihee will be your new go-to! The rich, comforting flavors of curry spice, coconut milk, and ginger enveloped in a flaky pie crust will warm you right up on a cold winter evening.

25. Lentil Chili Pot Pie with Pumpkin Cornbread Topping

Source: Lentil Chili Pot Pies

Your guests will smile wide when you put these individually-sized Lentil Chili Pot Pies by Leah Moldowan down in front of them. It’s a hearty veggie-filled lentil spicy chili topped with a slightly sweet and fluffy pumpkin cornbread that also happens to be gluten-free.

26. Creamy Pumpkin Risotto With Sweet and Spicy Roasted Pepitas

Source: Creamy Pumpkin Risotto with Sweet and Spicy Roasted Pepitas

If you want to serve a show-stopping main course on Christmas that’s not un-turkey or stuffed squash, look no further than this Creamy Pumpkin Risotto with Sweet and Spicy Roasted Pepitas by Liz Moody. It’s creamy, rich, and delicious – and because it’s both vegan and gluten-free, it will satisfy everyone at the table! This is like a Christmas present in a bowl.

27. Country ‘Meatloaf’ With Gravy

Source: Country ‘Meatloaf’ with Gravy

This Country ‘Meatloaf’ with Gravy by Katie Koteen is a wonderful recipe for feeding a crowd during the holidays. It’s hearty and savory enough to satisfy meat eaters and healthy enough to get us through the holidays without putting on a few extra pounds. Serve it with or without the gravy or top it with sautéed mushrooms.

28. Not Your Mama’s Seitan Pot Roast

Source: Seitan Pot Roast

Pot roast is definitely a family meal and this Seitan Pot Roast by Dawn Kriss is kind of what your mom would have prepared for dinner but meat-free. It has tender homemade seitan in a lip-smacking vegetable stew. Plus, the pot roast is made in a slow cooker, so you can just throw everything in, work on the rest of your holiday feast and it will be ready and waiting at dinner time.

29. Rustic, Creamy Portobello Stroganoff

Source: Rustic, Creamy Portobello Stroganoff

This Rustic, Creamy Portobello Stroganoff by Rebecca Weller is a beautiful dish to serve at the holidays. It’s hearty enough so everyone will be satisfied and not even realize they’re eating healthy food. The Portobello mushrooms give it a deep flavor and a thick, ‘meaty’ texture while the cashew cream and herbs envelop it in creamy decadence.

30. Tempeh Shepherd’s Pie

Source: Tempeh Shepherd’s Pie

This Tempeh Shepherd’s Pie by Katie Koteen is the perfect winter meal made vegan. Crumbled tempeh and veggies make up the flavor-packed filling and it’s topped with your traditional mashed potatoes. Hearty and delicious, this is a crowd-pleaser.

Any of these amazing recipes will help make your holiday a holly jolly Christmas!

We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

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