Vegetarian Holiday Recipes

Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Roasted Root Vegetables with Walnut Pesto

This dish takes advantage of all the great vegetables that are in season right now. Root veggies and Brussels sprouts all benefit immensely from a long roast, which makes them tender and brings out their natural sweetness. Walnuts replace pine nuts in the pesto that better suits these vegetables' earthy flavors. Serve as a side or pair with wild rice or pasta for a vegetarian main course.

View Recipe: Roasted Root Vegetables with Walnut Pesto

Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Pappardelle with Roasted Winter Squash, Arugula, and Pine Nuts

This fresh and easy dish packs in lots of seasonal flavors, and you can put everything together in the 25 minutes it takes for the squash to roast. The recipe makes six filling servings, so it's great for a family dinner or casual get-together, but you can always double or triple it to be the main course at any holiday party.

View Recipe: Pappardelle with Roasted Winter Squash, Arugula, and Pine Nuts

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Fontina and Mascarpone Baked Pasta

This is mac and cheese for adults. It's got all the creamy comfort of the original, with the sophisticated flavors of Italian cheeses standing in for the traditional cheddar. The garlicky breadcrumb topping adds crunch and visual interest. If you want an even more elegant presentation, bake individual servings in ramekins or gratin dishes for each guest.

View Recipe: Fontina and Mascarpone Baked Pasta

Photography: Randy Mayor

Mediterranean Spinach Strata

With savory vegetables, cheese, and bread baked into an eggy custard, this recipe is at home on the brunch, lunch, or dinner table. It's filling, but also healthful, providing lots of vitamins and minerals, protein, and, most importantly, flavor.

View Recipe: Mediterranean Spinach Strata

Photo: John Autry

Wild Mushroom Pastitsio

Entertaining? Serve this alongside Swiss Chard with Crème Fraîche and an earthy pinot noir.

View Recipe: Wild Mushroom Pastitsio

Photo: Jonny Valiant

Spicy Moroccan Chickpeas

Put a global spin on your holiday meal with this flavorful dish. Serve as a vegetarian entrée or as a hearty side, but do serve it one way or the other!

View Recipe: Spicy Moroccan Chickpeas

Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Roasted Garlic, Sun-Dried Tomato, and White Bean Dip

Roasting performs a magical transformation on garlic, turning the pungent raw cloves into a sweet, mild paste that adds loads of flavor in any recipe. This impressive appetizer takes great advantage of roasted garlic, combining it with sun-dried tomatoes for color and white beans for body and texture.

View Recipe: Roasted Garlic, Sun-Dried Tomato, and White Bean Dip

Photo: John Autry

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tamales with Tomatillo Sauce

Complete this fiesta with Spicy Sautéed Broccoli Rabe and a Clementine Sparkler.

View Recipe: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tamales with Tomatillo Sauce

Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mashed Potato Gratin

Yukon Gold potatoes are naturally buttery and creamy, and this recipe adds cheesy to the mix. A baked, bubbly, and browned topping is what really sets this dish apart, though. Each recipe makes 14 servings, but don't worry about leftovers―if your guests don't eat it all, you will the next day.

View Recipe: Mashed Potato Gratin

Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Roasted Cauliflower with Fresh Herbs and Parmesan

Cauliflower is a versatile yet often overlooked vegetable. Roasted here until just tender and browned, and flavored with Italian herbs, garlic, Parmesan, and lemon juice, it's the highlight of any meal. It's heavy on flavor but light on calories, with only 89 per serving.

View Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower with Fresh Herbs and Parmesan

Photo: John Autry

Butternut Squash, Caramelized Onion, and Spinach Lasagna

Serve with a fresh salad of grapefruit and fennel, and sip our Pomegranate Fizz.

View Recipe: Butternut Squash, Caramelized Onion, and Spinach Lasagna

Photo: Ellen Silverman

Spinach Pie with Goat Cheese, Raisins, and Pine Nuts

This savory pie is full of flavor. Make it as a filling vegetarian option to serve with your holiday meal or let it stand alone as the main star on your dining room table.

View Recipe: Spinach Pie with Goat Cheese, Raisins, and Pine Nuts

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Parmesan and Root Vegetable Lasagna

Just a tip: Wash the pan well before using it again to cook the strained milk mixture--that will ensure a silken sauce.

View Recipe: Parmesan and Root Vegetable Lasagna

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Soft Polenta with Wild Mushroom Sautè

This is an easy and versatile side dish. The polenta is topped with a quick sautè of wild mushrooms (or use exotics, like shiitake and oyster, if wild are not available). If you replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth, this side dish can serve four as a vegetarian entrèe. Garnish with sage sprigs.

View Recipe: Soft Polenta with Wild Mushroom Sautè

Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Pumpkin Ravioli with Gorgonzola Sauce

Winter squashes like pumpkin have a deep flavor and hearty texture that makes them an excellent centerpiece of a vegetarian entrée. Here, pumpkin fills an easy-to-assemble ravioli and is topped with earthy hazelnuts and a thick cheese sauce for maximum winter warmth and comfort.

View Recipe: Pumpkin Ravioli with Gorgonzola Sauce

Photo: John Autry

Beet Wellingtons

Pair these sophisticated but earthy delights with a fresh spinach salad and our scrumptious French Apple Tart.

View Recipe: Beet Wellingtons

Photo: Johnny Autry

Golden Beet, Greens, and Potato Torta

Sophisticated and delicious—make this tall, flaky pie the centerpiece of the holiday table.

View Recipe: Golden Beet, Greens, and Potato Torta