The best vegetarian and vegan Christmas recipes
There's no need to miss out on a great Christmas dinner if you want to skip the meat.
Forget about overcooked sprouts and ready-made nut roasts, vegetarian and vegan Christmas dishes can be imaginative and delicious. These are a few of our favourites.
Starters
Cauliflower soup with cheese twirls
Creamy and delicious, this cauliflower soup is great for kicking off Christmas dinner in style. Served with cheese twirls on the side to dip and dunk into the soup, it will appeal to everyone.
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Butternut squash, sage and cheese risotto
Creamy, salty and sweet, this risotto has everything you'd want from an indulgent dinner starter. It can also double up as a main if a bigger portion is served. Swap the Comté in this recipe for a vegetarian hard cheese.
Mushroom and spinach en croûte
Whether served as a part of a buffet or as a starter, vegetarians will love this. It can also be partly made in advance and frozen, then cooked to serve.
READ MORE: Inventive ways to use up Christmas leftovers
Mains
Nutty pithivier with watercress and pistachio pesto
This recipe makes an excellent alternative to a Christmas roast – and works well with all the trimmings. It takes time and attention to detail to prepare, but it's definitely worth it.
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Roasted spicy squash, nuts and beans
A hearty one-pan dish of root vegetables, nuts and beans, this is a great meat-free meal that can double up as a side for the meat-eaters. The different textures and flavours complement each other well while the ready-made sauce makes the cooking of this dish even quicker.
Butternut squash and mushroom Wellington
This is a showstopping veggie centrepiece, perfect for a festive feast. Sweet butternut squash is paired with nutty mushrooms and encased in a wonderfully buttery pastry. Don't be put off by the long cook time either – it's mostly just the squash roasting in the oven.
The perfect homemade nut roast
Recipes don't get much more adaptable than this nut roast, which can be made gluten-free and vegan with a few simple substitutions. You can also make it ahead of time and freeze for up to three months.
READ MORE: Our ultimate Christmas recipe collection
Sides
This easy vegan stuffing recipe will be loved by everyone, even the meat-eaters. Save on the cook and prep time by using shop-bought vac-packed chestnuts.
This rich vegan gravy is the perfect accompaniment to something like nut roast. It's made with a base of mushrooms, onion and red wine and is flavoured with coffee and soy sauce for an umami-rich finish.
Up your sides by serving this brilliant one-tray wonder. The colourful root vegetables will not only look great on the table, they'll also add a touch of sweetness to a savoury meal thanks to the honey glaze.
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An alternative to the classic sides, this sweet potato salad is great for both veggies and non-veggies. It's also a healthier option than standard roast potatoes.
READ MORE: The best supermarket mince pies
Desserts
A decadent and irresistible dessert, this chocolate caramel tart is perfect for indulging during the festive season. Made without eggs or dairy, it's also suitable for vegans.
It’s delectably tender, fudgy and chocolatey, and not too sweet or over-rich so perfect to serve after a heavy Christmas lunch or dinner. You can serve it warm from the oven or prep in advance and serve at room temperature.
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A dessert that ticks all the boxes, these peanut butter puddings have all the flavours we crave at Christmas. You can make both the puddings and the sorbet in advance and freeze until needed.
Vegan millionaire's shortbread
You won't even be able to tell these sweet bites are vegan. There's a classic rich chocolate topping, a traditional base made with dairy-free butter and the caramel combines dates with Biscoff spread in an especially indulgent treat. They're great to have with a cup of tea or coffee.
READ MORE: Best-ever Christmas baking recipes
Lead image: Maldon/loveFOOD
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