21 Vegetarian Mains That Hold Their Own Against A Holiday Roast

Holiday meals don’t need a roast to steal the spotlight. These vegetarian main dishes are bold, hearty, and ready to take center stage. Packed with flavor and substance, they’ll have even the most devoted meat-lovers giving them a second glance. Forget playing backup—these dishes demand attention and deliver on all fronts. Perfect for any holiday table, they bring a fresh and satisfying twist to the usual lineup.

Spaghetti squash stuffed with spinach and cheese. — Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pumpkin Stuffed Shells

These stuffed shells bring the cozy flavors of pumpkin, sage, and nutmeg to the table. They’re hearty, flavorful, and feel like a perfect choice for a fall or winter holiday main dish.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Stuffed Shells

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Mushroom risotto with peas and mushrooms in a pot with wooden spoon. — Creamy Mushroom Risotto. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This risotto is rich and velvety, with earthy mushrooms and a hint of sweetness from peas. It’s a perfect dish for adding a little elegance to your holiday meal without too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash

Stuffed with spinach, artichokes, and tomatoes, this twice-baked spaghetti squash is hearty enough to hold its own as a main dish. It’s light but satisfying and perfect for balancing out a holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

Two white bowls of butternut squash pasta with mushrooms, covered in grated cheese, are on a wooden table. A sprig of sage decorates one bowl. A glass of wine, a fork, and a small pile of cheese are nearby. — Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Puréed butternut squash creates a rich and creamy sauce for this pasta, topped with caramelized mushrooms and sage. It’s comforting, flavorful, and festive enough to be a great centerpiece dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

Baked Tortellini Casserole

A baked lasagna in a rectangular dish, topped with melted cheese and fresh basil leaves. The dish is placed on a marble surface with a wooden board nearby and scattered basil leaves around. — Baked Tortellini Casserole. Photo credit: Recipes From A Pantry.

This dish brings all the cheesy, hearty goodness you’d expect from a holiday main without the hours in the kitchen. Layers of tender tortellini and creamy sauce make it a standout option, perfect for stealing the show at your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tortellini Casserole

White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Three bowls of creamy macaroni and cheese on a light-colored surface. The pasta is coated in a rich, thick cheese sauce, with a spoon resting in one of the bowls, ready to serve. — White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Recipes From A Pantry.

Creamy, cheesy, and unapologetically rich, this white cheddar mac and cheese is a great choice for a holiday main. It’s bold enough to hold its own but pairs well with all your festive favorites for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
Get the Recipe: White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Beetroot Tartare

Two plates of food featuring a dollop of creamy white sauce, topped with a mixture of diced beets, nuts, and herbs, accompanied by crisp flatbread pieces, arranged on a white marble surface. — Beetroot Tartare. Photo credit: The Fruity Jem.

Bright, fresh, and packed with flavor, this beetroot tartare adds a touch of sophistication to your holiday spread. It’s an eye-catching main dish that’s as simple to prepare as it is impressive to serve.
Get the Recipe: Beetroot Tartare

Christmas Sushi Roll

Two plates of sushi rolls are arranged in a pyramid shape on wooden trays, each topped with a yellow star-shaped garnish, creating a festive presentation. The rolls are filled with rice and assorted vegetables. — Christmas Sushi Roll. Photo credit: The Fruity Jem.

These festive sushi rolls bring a playful, creative touch to your holiday table. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, with step-by-step instructions ensuring they look just as good as they taste.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Sushi Roll

Bauerntopf German One-Pot Mince and Potato Dish

Two bowls of hearty beef stew with potatoes, topped with sour cream and garnished with fresh herbs. Spoons are placed beside the bowls on a white surface. — Bauerntopf German One-Pot Mince and Potato Dish. Photo credit: We Eat At Last.

This hearty one-pot dish is full of flavor and ready in about 30 minutes. It’s packed with tender potatoes and a savory mince base, making it a comforting centerpiece that can easily rival traditional holiday roasts.
Get the Recipe: Bauerntopf German One-Pot Mince and Potato Dish

Butternut Squash Vegetarian Lasagna

A baked lasagna sits in a decorative rectangular dish on a wooden table. It is garnished with parsley and features a golden-brown, cheesy top. Nearby are decorative plates, a fork, spoon, and a blue napkin. Green herbs are scattered on the table. — Butternut Squash Vegetarian Lasagna. Photo credit: Healthy World Cuisine.

Layers of creamy butternut squash, caramelized onions, and three kinds of cheese make this lasagna a showstopper. It’s rich, satisfying, and packed with seasonal flavors perfect for a festive gathering.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Vegetarian Lasagna

Pansotti Pasta with Walnut Sauce

A white plate with creamy ravioli topped with crumbled walnuts and fresh herbs. A decorative fork is placed on the side. — Pansotti Pasta with Walnut Sauce. Photo credit: The Pasta Project.

This classic from Liguria brings handmade stuffed pasta and a rich, nutty walnut sauce to your holiday table. It’s elegant, comforting, and filled with flavor, making it a great choice for special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Pansotti Pasta with Walnut Sauce

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Zucchini

A glass baking dish filled with stuffed pasta shells in tomato sauce. A white plate beside it holds a few shells with sauce, garnished with herbs. Fresh basil leaves are scattered nearby, and a fork is on the plate. — Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Zucchini. Photo credit: Serene Trail.

Jumbo pasta shells loaded with creamy cheeses, herbs, and veggies, baked in a bubbling tomato sauce. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfectly festive for any holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Zucchini

Seitan Roast

Slices of roast beef topped with creamy mushroom sauce are surrounded by whole potatoes, carrot chunks, and rosemary sprigs on a parchment-lined tray. — Seitan Roast. Photo credit: My Quiet Kitchen.

Tender, juicy, and packed with bold flavor, this roast is a perfect centerpiece for any holiday feast. Whether you bake it in the oven or use an Instant Pot to save time, it’s a great option for a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Seitan Roast

Turkey Roast

Herb-crusted and full of savory flavors, this plant-based roast is a perfect swap for the traditional bird. It’s meaty, tender, and makes great leftovers, so you’ll be covered well after the holiday meal is over.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Roast

Onion, Broccoli and Cauliflower Stew

Stew with Onion, Broccoli, and Cauliflower. Photo credit: Refresh My Health.

Hearty and comforting, this one-skillet vegetable stew is packed with onion, broccoli, and cauliflower for a flavorful dish that feels right at home during the holidays. It’s quick, simple, and loaded with bold flavors.
Get the Recipe: Stew with Onion, Broccoli, and Cauliflower

Frittata Cavolo

This frittata is packed with greens and hearty enough to stand up as a main dish. Serve it alongside crusty bread or as part of a larger spread, and it’s sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Frittata Cavolo

Cheesy Broccoli Au Gratin

Creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden perfection, this broccoli au gratin feels right at home on a holiday table. It’s packed with sharp cheddar, nutty gruyere, and fragrant herbs for a side dish that could easily be a star.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli Au Gratin

Stuffed Butternut Squash

Roasted butternut squash filled with cranberry rice, pecans, and chickpeas makes for a festive and hearty main dish. It’s packed with seasonal flavors and looks as good as it tastes.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash Alfredo

This creamy Alfredo combines the natural sweetness of butternut squash with garlic and Parmesan for a comforting pasta dish that feels special enough for the holidays without being heavy.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Alfredo

Mushroom Kale Lasagna

Packed with mushrooms, kale, and layers of marinara and cheese, this lasagna is the ultimate comfort food for a holiday meal. It’s rich, garlicky, and perfectly festive for the season.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Kale Lasagna

Bucatini Pomodoro

A simple but flavorful pasta dish featuring San Marzano tomatoes and fresh basil. Bucatini pomodoro is light yet satisfying, making it a great addition to a holiday spread or a festive meal on its own.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Pomodoro

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.