This is a list of 10 Inspirational Vegan Festive Mains to make on Christmas and Thanksgiving that I hope it will make your job to decide what to bring on your cruelty free table easy and fun!
Is it your first Holiday on a vegan diet and you are lacking of ideas for your festive meals?
Do not worry, in this post you’ll find exactly what you are looking for.
Either if you are a first time vegan or a vegan veteran looking for new inspiration, here’s a list of 10 gorgeous main dishes that will make your festive table really special this year!
Most of them are also gluten free; you can easily spot because they carry this symbol “*” next to the title.
Hope you enjoy!
1. Homemade Vegan Wellington
If you live in the UK, you know that Wellington is a must on a festive table.
This is my take on the Traditional Beef Wellington made out of seitan, and flavoured with natural ingredients like spices and beetroot.
If you are looking to impress your guests with a vegan meat substitute during the holidays, this is definitely the dish you should bring on the table!
2. Roasted Cauliflower Wellington*
If you love Wellington but you want to bring something a bit different and original, you cannot go wrong with this Roasted Cauliflower Wellington. Absolutely flaky, aromatic and gorgeous, it can be also made gluten free for the guests that cannot have seitan. Just purchase pre-rolled gluten free puff pastry and use it instead of the regular. I’m sure everyone will come for seconds!
3. Turkey(less) Roast*
You are not ready to give up the tradition. I understand completely.
Well, even in this case you don’t need at all! With this unbelievable Turkey(less) Roast you can both enjoy a vegan meal whilst still following the tradition.
Almost forgot. This is also completely gluten free, which makes it even more special because it is suitable for all guests (it can also be made soy free and, if someone is allergic to peas but not soy, they can swap the pea protein with soya one).
4. Mushroom & Shallot Pies*
I personally think that you can NEVER go wrong with a good old pie.
These individual Mushroom & Shallot Pies are definitely worth making! Filled with brown button mushrooms, mini shallots and a rich red wine sauce, they are such a lovely and comforting treat to serve as a main on your festive table. They can also be made gluten free!
5. Stuffed Roasted Butternut Squash*
Another centerpiece you can present on your table is without any doubt this gorgeous Stuffed Roasted Butternut Squash.
Sweet and herby roasted squash filled with a generous and fragrant plant mince, accompanied by a flavourful sage and white wine gravy, will be the absolute star of your Thanksgiving or Christmas table.
6. Butternut Squash, Brussels and Cranberries Lasagna*
This vegan Butternut Squash, Brussel Sprout and Cranberry Lasagna is literally the best of the festive production into a main dish that is hearty, warm and absolutely mouthwatering!
As an Italian, I couldn’t help but suggesting in this list of vegan festive mains a typical pasta dish that is largely enjoyed throughout the country especially on Santo Stefano day (the 26th of December).
This festive lasagna is filled with roasted veggies enriched with walnuts and cranberries and cooked in a generous butternut squash sauce, topped with ground pistachios.
This dish will make everybody happy around your table and nobody will be missing the “meat” or the “cheese” I promise. This is your chance to impress even the most skeptical ones!
7. Veggie Lasagna with Pesto and Mozzarella Sauce*
Are you looking for a more Mediterranean flavoured lasagna?
Packed with flavours and different textures, this veggie lasagna with pesto and vegan mozzarella white sauce is an absolute perfect comfort food for the holiday table!
Layers of pasta sheets (you can use dry or fresh, as long as they are egg free) with roasted vegetables and vegan mince, basil flavoured tomato sauce and a cheesy plant based mozzarella white sauce. All topped with generous tablespoons of dairy free pesto.
Your taste buds will literally party on every mouthful.
8. Cheezy Vegan Meatloaf*
How about a good old vegan meatloaf?
This Italian inspired Cheesy Oozing Vegan Meatloaf is so easy to make and it’s so darn good!
All you need to do is to stock up on your favourite plant based burgers, whip up the cheese sauce, sauté some spinach, assemble and bake!
9. Black Bean Meatballs with Cranberries*
Not only vegan, but also gluten free, these Festive Black Bean Meatballs feature sweet cranberry bits and are served in a mouthwatering rich & creamy gravy sauce.
A real comforting treat that you can serve both as a main, an appetizer or a part of a vegan buffet.
Play around with the size and enjoy these easy and delicious meat free balls that come together in no time!
10. Pull Apart Brioche Bread Tree
Do you seriously want to impress? Make this stunning Pull Apart Brioche Bread shaped into a tree!
Gorgeous and buttery homemade brioche pastry, filled with store bought vegan meatball for a shortcut and sautéed spinach. It’s definitely a fun centerpiece to share and to accompany with a rich sauce like this Red Wine, Shiitake and Onion Gravy, ready from scratch in as little as 15 minutes!
BONUS – Last Minute Roast Dinner*
Do not hesitate to opt for a short cut if preparing the whole festive meal is too much overwhelming for you. Luckily today there are great alternatives in the shops that can save you time whilst still help you make a special feast.
This Last Minute Roast Dinner is made with store bought vegan meatloaf (Linda McCartney’s), store bought plant based puff pastry, and a bunch of roasted peppers (optional) to enrich it.
Hope this 10 festive vegan mains list gave you some sort of inspiration for the upcoming holiday season.
Even though this year will be a bit stranger and rather difficult than usual due to the pandemic emergency that we are all facing, I really want to wish you a serene holidays with the sincere hope that we can all be back to normal soon enough and just check out from this very surreal chapter of our lives.
Have a lovely and happy holidays you all!
with love,
