Ultimate Holiday Cookbook

A roasted turkey is the classic Thanksgiving table centerpiece. However, if you don't eat meat or have a guest who abstains from meat coming to your dinner table this Thanksgiving, these vegetarian Thanksgiving main dish recipes will come in handy. We picked through our collection of the season's best vegetables, pastas, grain dishes, and more to find a collection of vegetarian Thanksgiving main dishes you'd be proud to serve anyone, not just vegetarians.

The crown jewel of your Thanksgiving table needs no special techniques, tools, or ingredients—just time in the oven. Our foolproof steps, a roasting pan, and a little patience will ensure your success. Pick the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving or holiday meal from our ultimate collection of roast turkey recipes. This collection of Thanksgiving turkey recipes features classic options like Roast Turkey with Truffle Gravy and tasty, unique spins like Lemon-Thyme Turkey. When roasting in the oven, the best way to monitor the turkey is with a leave-in thermometer. You won't have to open the door or lid to check, and no heat will escape.

Main dishes have a special place on the Thanksgiving dinner table. For most celebrating this fall holiday, a turkey is usually the centerpiece of the table, but for vegans and vegetarians alike, seasonal produce, along with flavorful grains and hearty legumes, build dishes that are worthy of being a centerpiece. Choose comforting recipes, like Zucchini Lasagna and Vegetable Paella, or take a lighter approach with a dish like Tempeh with Sweet Potato Medallions with Almond Sauce and Chickpea Salad. Either way, these vegan Thanksgiving main dish recipes are sure to satisfy even the heartiest of meat-eaters.

Round out your holiday meal with a warming bowl of soup or fresh winter salad.

From stuffing and green beans to mashed potatoes and salad, holiday sides recipes are just as important as the main dish. Add color and texture to your holiday buffet with vibrant veggie dishes featuring caramelized winter squash or crisp green beans. For a lighter side, opt for a citrus-flecked salad or a showstopping whole cauliflower. Pair those with potato dishes both savory and sweet. You can't go wrong with spuds that are stacked, swirled, baked or gratinéed.

When it comes to serving crowd-pleasing veggies, nothing can compete with these vegetable casseroles. Casseroles are welcome at the dinner table, potluck table, picnic table, and everywhere in between. Our casseroles are as creamy, comforting, and satisfying as the traditional recipes that are weighted down with butter, cream, bacon, and sugar. We found creative, delicious ways to treat your taste buds to the iconic flavors with fewer calories and grams of fat.

Sugar and spice aren't the only ingredients making things nice this year. Whole grains have a unique complexity that lends a tasty twist to the classic lineup of holiday baked goodies. We go beyond the grain, too, adding fresh ginger to traditional gingerbread, vibrant beets to the red velvetiest of cupcakes, and toasted pecans to bourbon-spiked tassies. Delight your entire family with these lower-sugar, whole grain–packed holiday treats that are better tasting and better for you, with every bit of fun, festive, treat-yourself deliciousness.

The best way to improve on the classics of the season is to switch out plain, refined flours and artificial ingredients in favor of nutty, toasty, richer whole grains and natural food colorings. We've also lowered sugar, fat, and calories in these classic holiday desserts. That's right. Your holiday dessert just got a little bit healthier. Plus, these better-for-you desserts still boast the irresistible flavors of the season, so save the best for last with these incredible sweet treats.

Just because it's the holidays, you don't have to overindulge in treats that are loaded with sugar. There are plenty of ways to maintain a healthy diet while still participating in the revelry. One way to keep sugar levels in check is to bake and serve treats that are lower in sugar, while also keeping portion sizes in mind. We promise you won't feel cheated either. These low-sugar desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth and will keep you from crashing later, so you can enjoy all of the merriment.

No holiday spread is complete without this classic condiment. But the jellied substance that flops out of a can is a sad representation of how vibrant and fresh a cranberry sauce or relish can be. Our collection of cranberry sauce and relish recipes combine the jewel-toned ruby fruit with other fruits, herbs, and spices to create a delicious side that pairs beautifully with fresh turkey, stuffing, and vegetables. Try a classic recipe like our Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish, or venture outside the traditional flavor box and try our White Balsamic and Rosemary Cranberry Sauce.

Whether you're entertaining in style or simply feeding the family, kick off the festivities with these elegant and crowd-pleasing holiday appetizers. Our collection of holiday starters boasts flavors that feel indulgent but healthier ingredients so you can survive holiday gatherings without overdoing it. We skip sodium-heavy ingredients and lower the carb quotient for a boatload of recipes that are lower in fat and calories than their traditional counterparts but look and taste just as great.

Complete your healthy holiday dinner with these indispensable condiments and baked goods. The stars of the holiday feast may be the turkey and sides, but we'd argue the breads and little extras are where home cooks can really make their holiday spread shine. From cranberry sauces and relishes to rolls and baked breads, this collection of recipes is a great place to start when you're finishing your holiday menu planning. We've even included a few sweets that are great gifts for dinner guests to take with them when they leave.