9 Perfect Vegetarian Main Dishes for Thanksgiving

These elegant holiday entrees will never make your vegetarian guests feel like an afterthought

Elaine Johnson

Photo by Leigh Beisch; styling by Dan Becker

1 of 9 Photo by Leigh Beisch; styling by Dan Becker

Sweet-Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Spinach

This grand and very colorful vegetarian dish takes a little time to prepare, but you can make the gnocchi ahead and freeze them.

Recipe: Sweet-Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Spinach

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Annabelle Breakey

2 of 9 Annabelle Breakey

Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi

Browned butter, pine nuts, parmesan, and lemon zest put this vegetarian pasta dish over the top.

Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi

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Photo by Leigh Beisch; styling by Dan Becker

3 of 9 Photo by Leigh Beisch; styling by Dan Becker

Flaky Feta Tart

We created this crisp, cheese- and herb-rich tart as an appetizer, but you can also serve it as a special-occasion vegetarian main dish for 5 to 6.

Recipe: Flaky Feta Tart

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4 of 9

Caramelized Carrot Risotto

Everyone loves the jewel-like carrot pieces and mix of two cheeses in this elegant risotto. Feel free to swap in vegetable broth for the chicken broth if you’d like to make it vegetarian.

Recipe: Caramelized Carrot Risotto

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Alex Farnum; Styling: Randy Mon

5 of 9 Alex Farnum; Styling: Randy Mon

Gorgonzola and Radicchio Risotto

This creamy risotto features a younger, milder version of gorgonzola called gorgonzola dolce. To make it vegetarian, just use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Recipe: Gorgonzola and Radicchio Risotto

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Annabelle Breakey

6 of 9 Annabelle Breakey

Golden Cauliflower "Risotto"

Robust Italian fontina and white truffle oil add loads of flavor to low-carb “pasta.” The recipe is flexible if you want to increase quantities to serve a bigger group or use vegetable broth instead of chicken so the dish is vegetarian.

Recipe: Golden Cauliflower “Risotto”

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Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Margo True

7 of 9 Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Margo True

Spiced Red Lentils with Caramelized Onions and Spinach

Though the Indian seasonings are a departure from traditional Thanksgiving flavors, the bright vegetables in this vegan main dish are right in keeping with the holiday’s harvest theme. You can easily double it to serve a bigger group.

Recipe: Spiced Red Lentils with Caramelized Onions and Spinach

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Rachel Weill; Dan Becker

8 of 9 Rachel Weill; Dan Becker

Pearl Couscous with Fall Vegetables and Caramelized Onions

A fragrant, brothy pile of chewy couscous, spicy Thanksgiving vegetables, and tangy-sweet onions: Move over, turkey!

Recipe: Pearl Couscous with Fall Vegetables and Caramelized Onions

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Leigh Beisch; Dan Becker

9 of 9 Leigh Beisch; Dan Becker

Spaghetti Squash with Jalape?o Cream

We've tossed spaghetti squash with a spicy cream sauce and baked it, mac-'n'-cheese-style, for a warming, hearty dish that doubles easily and reheats beautifully.

Recipe: Spaghetti Squash with Jalape?o Cream

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