Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be all about the turkey! If you’re entertaining vegetarian guests this holiday season or are just interested in trying something new, here are five vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes to spice up your meal:
1. Appetizer I: Pumpkin Dinner Rolls with Cinnamon Butter
Because why have normal dinner rolls when you can flavor them with pumpkin and cinnamon?
2. Appetizer II: Creamy Pumpkin Soup
Oh, more pumpkin? Why not? This creamy soup will hold you over until the main course is done–the recipe calls for chicken broth but vegetable broth will work just fine if you’re following a strict vegetarian diet.
3. Main course I : Cauliflower Steaks with Olive Herbed Sauce
Meet cauliflower, the wonder vegetable! Cauliflower contains nutrients like thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids, is a great source of protein and fiber, and can prevent cancer and heart disease. Impressed yet? Seriously, it’s so great it could be this week’s campus cutie (I’m only 25% kidding). This probably won’t be enough for your main meal on its own, but when combined with some great side dishes, these “steaks” can make a great addition to your Thanksgiving meal.
4. Main course II: Vegan Lentil “Meatloaf”
This may sound gross, but this recipe will make a great, filling main dish for those of you not looking to take part in the turkey-eating tradition this year. Filled with beans, mushrooms, spinach and oats, this vegetable loaf and savory sauce will make you thankful that you’re a vegetarian.
5. Main course III: Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Give it a try! It’s basically a hearty vegetable, potato, and bean stew with a baked crust on top.
6. Side dish I : Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
I don’t think I need to talk this one up. Sweet potatoes…split open…and filled with a lot of other delicious food.
7. Side dish II: Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Feel like you’re eating lasagna while getting in a few servings of vegetables too! Sneaky…
8. Dessert I: Pumpkin Pie Muffins
Ok, can you tell I love pumpkin yet? This dessert is a mix between a pumpkin muffin and a creamy pumpkin pie–what more could you want?
9. Dessert II: Chocolate Chip Banana Cheesecake
It’s not a holiday gathering unless there’s cheesecake. On second thought, that may just be a thing in my family. My advice: make it a thing in your family. If you’re not a banana fan, I’m sure you could substitute for another fruit.