Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Cooking 101
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
SUBSCRIBE
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. entertaining
  3. Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dishes

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dishes

October 14, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: John Autry
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.
Start Slideshow

1 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Autumn Glow Salad

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Autumn Glow Salad

This plant-powered salad delivers over 50% of your daily fiber and one-third of your daily potassium goal. Butternut squash is an excellent source of eye-healthy vitamin A and a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C and blood pressure–supporting potassium.

1 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad

This salad of lentils with roasted butternut squash, carrots, and onions gets plated over a bed of creamy, lemon-scented Greek yogurt—so with each bite, you get the flavors of sweet caramelized veggies, earthy-nutty legumes, and tangy yogurt. We love the firm texture of French green lentils, but you can also use standard brown lentils. You’re not likely to find a whole butternut squash that’s only 1 pound; just buy the smallest one you can find, and use 1 pound of it.

2 of 22

3 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vegetable “Meat” Loaf

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Vegetable “Meat” Loaf

This umami-rich recipe received our Test Kitchen’s highest rating in March 2012 and continues to get raves from both vegetarians and meat lovers. Be sure to tightly pack the mushroom mixture into the pan so the slices hold their shape after baking.

3 of 22

Advertisement

4 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Butternut-Kale Frittata

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Butternut-Kale Frittata

Frittatas are some of the most efficient vehicles for leftover vegetables. Here, we combine roasted butternut squash with quick-cooking kale for a fiber-rich breakfast duo. A touch of dairy lends custard-like creaminess to the egg mixture.

4 of 22

5 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Acorn Squash With Sage-Cranberry Rice Stuffing

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Acorn Squash With Sage-Cranberry Rice Stuffing

Hack the cooker so that you can make smaller amounts with great results. For a stew or braise, use smaller amounts, place into 8- or 10-ounce ramekins, and set those down in the cooker to slowly simmer to perfection while you’re at work. With this recipe, you’re basically treating the slow cooker like a small steam oven.

5 of 22

6 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Eggplant Parmesan

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan

Traditional versions of this dish can tip the scales at nearly 1,000 calories and 30g sat fat per serving. This makeover cuts that by more than two-thirds and still has plenty of marinara, melty cheese, and crispy baked eggplant.

6 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Acorn Squash with Pomegranate and Kale Tabbouleh

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Acorn Squash with Pomegranate and Kale Tabbouleh

This is a fun dish to "carve" at the table, as each person gets one wedge to enjoy as a side dish. For an entrée take, give each person half a squash.

7 of 22

8 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Butternut-Kale Lasagna

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Butternut-Kale Lasagna

Gruyere-spiked Bechamel drapes over the noodles and squash to give this dish velvety richness. Hearty, earthy kale perfectly balances the sweet squash, and crunchy, toasted pecans crown the top of this luscious lasagna.

8 of 22

9 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vegetable Paella

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Vegetable Paella

"Paella may sound like something fancy, but it is a humble dish, made from ingredients that are fresh and healthy," says star chef José Andrés, whose restaurants in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, and California helped spark America's celebration of Spanish cuisine. The classic Spanish rice dish is a crowd-pleaser in his celebrated restaurants and at home. The heat for this paella starts high and reduced gradually, making the rice perfectly al dente and then crisping it at the bottom.

9 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pumpkin-Poblano Casserole

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Pumpkin-Poblano Casserole

This oven-baked side couples the earthiness of poblanos with the sweetness of red bell peppers. Combine those with rich pumpkin and you have a new fall-weather classic you'll make time and again.

10 of 22

11 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy Artichoke and Asparagus Lasagna

Credit: Photo: Rob Culpepper
View Recipe: Creamy Artichoke and Asparagus Lasagna

Lemon rind brightens the sauce, making for a more delicate lasagna. To save on salt, use frozen artichokes, which contain a quarter of the sodium of the canned variety that are usually packed in brine.

11 of 22

12 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mushroom and Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Mushroom and Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

While old-school stovetop-stirred risotto is undeniably delicious, the pressure cooker also delivers astonishingly good results: perfectly creamy, al dente risotto without constant stirring.

12 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mushroom and Caramelized-Shallot Strudel

View Recipe: Mushroom and Caramelized-Shallot Strudel
This recipe makes two strudels; for an eye-catching centerpiece, place them on a large platter, and surround them with fresh thyme sprigs.

13 of 22

14 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach and Feta Quiche with Quinoa Crust

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Spinach and Feta Quiche with Quinoa Crust

We’ve turned a classic dish into a perfectly clean brunch option that the whole family will love. The crunchy quinoa crust gives heartiness to the light and fluffy quiche inside. Swap out canola oil for coconut, almond, avocado, or olive oil, and look for organic eggs and dairy products.

14 of 22

15 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy Butternut, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Cavatappi

Credit: Photo: John Autry and Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Creamy Butternut, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Cavatappi

Cavatappi pasta offers a fun element to an easy weeknight dish. Full of exquisite flavors from the walnut and blue cheese, this dish offers a pleasant palate of tastes and textures.

15 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chickpea and Winter Vegetable Stew

View Recipe: Chickpea and Winter Vegetable Stew

This hearty, winter-worthy stew packs tender root vegetables, nutty chickpeas, and fluffy couscous into one comfort-filled bowl of goodness. Harissa is a spicy and aromatic chile paste used in Moroccan cooking; it packs a lot of heat and is extremely versatile, great with roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and anything served over brown rice or other neutral whole grains. Several of the reviewers commented that the stew is delicious without the harissa, but if heat is your beat then we highly recommend the addition. Use any variety of hearty root vegetables—parsnips and sweet potatoes make a lovely addition to this stew if you prefer a sweeter profile.

16 of 22

17 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Roasted Eggplant with Pomegranate, Pickled Chiles, and Pecans

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Roasted Eggplant with Pomegranate, Pickled Chiles, and Pecans

Toasted pecans and pickled jalapeños infuse some Southern accents into the traditional Middle-Eastern dish.

17 of 22

18 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pappardelle with Mushrooms

Credit: Photo: Levi Brown
View Recipe: Pappardelle with Mushrooms

When this recipe first appeared in the magazine in October 2009, it was made with hollow bucatini noodles. For this version, we switched to ribbony pappardelle. In truth, any pasta would work well.

18 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Eggplant Parmesan

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan

This perfect version of a classic Italian meatless dinner, Parmigiana, will quickly become a family favorite. Add a glass of vino for a Sicilian-style date night or a scoop of gelato for a kid-friendly Italian night.

19 of 22

20 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Nuts

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Nuts

Kids like the chewy gnocchi, sweet broccoli, and crunchy nuts. Look for shelf-stable packaged gnocchi with the dried pasta. To cut costs, swap in chopped almonds or pecans for pine nuts. Spinach, cauliflower florets, or green beans would also work nicely here. If you use spinach, simply stir it in when you add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet.

20 of 22

21 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Golden Beet, Greens, and Potato Torta

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Golden Beet, Greens, and Potato Torta

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

21 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 22

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Eggplant Involtini

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Eggplant Involtini

This vegetarian eggplant entree features thin slices of eggplant filled with a herbed cheese mixture, tomato sauce, and a cheesey topping.

22 of 22

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 22 Autumn Glow Salad
    2 of 22 Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad
    3 of 22 Vegetable “Meat” Loaf
    4 of 22 Butternut-Kale Frittata
    5 of 22 Acorn Squash With Sage-Cranberry Rice Stuffing
    6 of 22 Eggplant Parmesan
    7 of 22 Acorn Squash with Pomegranate and Kale Tabbouleh
    8 of 22 Butternut-Kale Lasagna
    9 of 22 Vegetable Paella
    10 of 22 Pumpkin-Poblano Casserole
    11 of 22 Creamy Artichoke and Asparagus Lasagna
    12 of 22 Mushroom and Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
    13 of 22 Mushroom and Caramelized-Shallot Strudel
    14 of 22 Spinach and Feta Quiche with Quinoa Crust
    15 of 22 Creamy Butternut, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Cavatappi
    16 of 22 Chickpea and Winter Vegetable Stew
    17 of 22 Roasted Eggplant with Pomegranate, Pickled Chiles, and Pecans
    18 of 22 Pappardelle with Mushrooms
    19 of 22 Eggplant Parmesan
    20 of 22 Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Nuts
    21 of 22 Golden Beet, Greens, and Potato Torta
    22 of 22 Eggplant Involtini

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Cooking Light

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    MeredithCooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Cooking Light. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

    View image

    Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dishes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.