Thanksgiving Vegetarian Recipes

From veggie-filled tarts to layered squash lasagne, our favorite vegetarian recipes guarantee that you won't even miss the bird on Thanksgiving.

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Photo By: Tara Donne

Squash and Chickpea Morroccan Stew

Halfway between a soup and a thick dip, this hearty stew will warm you to the core. This dish is all about texture –– chickpeas, olives, nuts and squash add it in droves –– so don't skimp on the toppings.

Get the Recipe: Squash and Chickpea Moroccan Stew

Veggieducken (aka Squashleekotato Roast)

The Turducken? So last year. This year it's all about the Veggieducken — a masterpiece composed of concentric layers of banana squash, leeks, sweet potatoes and lots of stuffing. Vegetarians of the world, you're welcome.

Get the Recipe: Veggieducken (aka Squashleekotato Roast)

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

In-season spaghetti squash is at the center of Chuck's vegetarian-friendly shepherd's pie. Layer the squash with mashed potatoes and vegetables for a filling main dish.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Pumpkin Lovers Lasagna

Rachel combines pumpkin puree with cubed butternut squash in this make-ahead recipe. Freshly grated nutmeg is the secret ingredient, however, adding depth and woodsy appeal to this cheesy dish.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Lovers Lasagna

Vegetarian Pot Pie

Aida's pot pie takes chicken out of the equation and uses chunks of russet potatoes, button mushrooms and carrots.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Pot Pie

Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables

Loaded with fresh veggies and Italian herbs, this aromatic baked pasta dish offers a hearty main to non-meat-eaters. But it's the three cheese combination — fontina, Parmesan and smoked mozzarella — that gives this dish its complex, varied flavors.

Get the Recipe: Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables

Bengali Butternut Squash

A special blend of fenugreek, nigella seeds, fennel seeds, cumin and mustard seeds give sweet butternut squash rich, spicy flavor. Combined with chickpeas it's a hearty, protein-rich meal.

Get the Recipe: Bengali Butternut Squash

Ratatouille Tart

Kelsey's savory tart calls for a store-bought puff pastry to be coated in homemade onion-tomato jam. Top the flaky dough with layers of seasonal veggies like squash, zucchini and roasted peppers, then bake until golden brown.

Get the Recipe: Ratatouille Tart with Caramelized Onion-Tomato Jam

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese with Crispy Sage Leaves

Proving that good-for-you food can taste great, Jason Wrobel makes a healthier version of this childhood classic using coconut milk and gluten-free pasta.

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Mac 'n' Cheese with Crispy Sage Leaves

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Make Giada's homemade gnocchi using the flesh of baked sweet potatoes and ricotta cheese. Serve the finished pasta with a melted sage and butter sauce that gains sweetness from a splash of maple syrup.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Maple Cinnamon Sage Brown Butter

Eggplant and Squash Curry

Rachael uses Kuri squash because it lends the dish a playful title: Kuri Curry, but any butternut squash or small sugar pumpkins would work well, too.

Get the Recipe: Eggplant and Squash Curry

Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese

The fresh ingredients (cauliflower and watercress) in this mac 'n' cheese dish are a wholesome and unique addition to the classic comfort food.

Roasted Squash Chili Mac

Rachael Ray packs characteristic chili spice into gooey mac 'n' cheese. Add roasted butternut squash for a rich balance of flavors.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Squash Chili Mac

Mediterranean Chick Pea Stew

Protein-rich chickpeas form the base of Nadia G.'s stew, with paprika, parsley and mint, among other Mediterranean flavors.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chick Pea Stew

Vegetable Lasagna With Homemade Pasta

Turn traditional lasagna into a veggie-friendly dinner by layering roasted butternut squash with mashed jalapeno bechamel sauce. Serve it with charred rapini (broccoli rabe).

Get the Recipe: Vegetable Lasagna with Homemade Pasta and Jalapeno Bechamel

Kidney Bean Stew with Sweet Potatoes

Kidney beans and sweet potatoes form the base of Bal's hearty stew, filled with seasonal flavors and Indian spices.

Get the Recipe: Kidney Bean Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Oranges

Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi

Debi and Gabriele’s simple recipe combines steamed spinach, Parmesan, egg yolks and some spices into gnocchi-like balls that bake for 25 minutes. No wonder it’s one of our most-rated, five-star recipes!

Get the Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi

Peppers and Potatoes Stew

This seven-ingredient stew is a cinch to prepare on your stovetop while the turkey roasts.

Get the Recipe: Peppers and Potatoes Stew: Peperonata Di Patate

Veggie Balls

These veggie balls from popular NYC restaurant The Meatball Shop are so loaded with flavor and texture that you'll never miss the meat. Serve with a fresh tomato sauce or fresh herb pesto.

Get the Recipe: Veggie Balls

Traditional Vegetable Curry

Bal prepares a traditional Indian curry with onions, ginger and garlic, and uses a mortar and pestle to grind up the spices that give it stand-out flavor.

Get the Recipe: Traditional Vegetable Curry

Tartello with Raveggiolo and Mixed Greens

Spinach, Swiss chard and nutmeg compose the spiced, green center of this two-cheese pasta dish from Extra Virgin.

Get the Recipe: Tartello with Raveggiolo and Mixed Greens

Mediterranean Farro Salad

Giada’s simple farro salad gains color and texture from green beans and bright red peppers. Add Parmesan for flavor and protein and you’ve got yourself a fiber-rich meal made entirely from fresh, natural ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Farro Salad

Spiced Mushroom Risotto

Garam masala, curry leaves, mustard seeds and star anise add a touch of Indian flavor to this classic Italian comfort dish, while a medley of mushrooms round out the earthy profile.

Get the Recipe: Spiced Mushroom Risotto