Vegetarian Christmas recipes for a decadent meat-free feast

Whether you're a seasoned veggie or this is your first Christmas away from the main menu - these vegetarian recipes are sure to get you salivating.

You’ve decked the halls, got the Christmas centrepieces and even mastered the best gifts for teenagers - but what about the vegetarian Christmas dinner? 

The good news is, we’ve more than got you covered. 

Impress your guests with fancy Christmas starters like our vegetable and truffle tart before moving onto the main event. Our best ever nut roast is sure to make even the meat-eaters jealous, or, if that’s not enough you win you over, the chesnut, mushroom and cider pie will.

Of course Christmas is barely Christmas without a generous-helping of sides, so get ready to pile those plates sky-high with cauliflower cheese and beetroot salad.

Feeling hungry? Us too. Scroll on for the tastiest dishes around this festive season. And when you’re done, we’ve got the perfect sweet treats in our Christmas desserts round-up. 

Vegetarian Christmas recipes guaranteed to please a crowd

Vegetable And Truffle Tart

Try this vegetable and truffle tart, garnished with red amaranth for an impressive finish. This recipe only takes 45 minutes to make so you won't be slaving away over it for hours, particularly as most of that is cooking time, so when you stick it in the oven you can get on with the million other things you will need to get done on Christmas Day. Alternatively, you can prepare these delicious tarts the day before so all you'll need to do is heat them up before serving.

Beetroot, Butternut and Goats' Cheese Tartlets

A delicious starter for the whole party or a special vegetarian main course, we love the way the flavours marry together in this beetroot, butternut and goats' cheese tartlets recipe.

Mushroom Leek and Crumb Topped Tartlets

These vegetarian tarts match all the trimmings, so it will be easy to make these as the main course to go with everything else you'll be cooking.

Spinach and Mushroom Filo Tart

You can prepare this spinach and filo tart recipe ahead and then just warm on the day, ready to serve with the rest of the Christmas dinner. For strict vegetarians, leave out the Parmesan or replace with a vegetarian Italian hard cheese, which you can find in all major supermarkets.

Best Nut Roast

Forget dreary cardboard flavours, this nut roast recipe is packed with delicious ingredients - who needs turkey?!

Roast Butternut with Goats' Cheese

You don't need to be vegetarian to enjoy this roast butternut with goats' cheese recipe. The combination of sweet squash and pungent, tangy goats' cheese works fantastically well. From Christmas parsnips to roast potatoes, make sure your guests dip their vegetables into the cheese - it's delicious!

Chestnut, Mushroom and Cider Pie

A great alternative main for vegetarians, the chestnuts really bring the taste of Christmas to this chestnut, mushroom and cider pie recipe.

Red Onion Tarte Tatin with Chestnut Mushrooms

This upside-down red onion tarte tatin with chesnut mushrooms recipe is a savoury version of the French bistro classic tarte tatin - a smart main course your vegetarian guests will love. To make cooking easier on Christmas morning, you can cook the onions the day before, add the pastry and leave the dish in the fridge 
until you are ready to bake the tart.

Caramelised Onion Tart with Goats' Cheese

Make some time before things get hectic to prepare our caramelised onion tart with goats' cheese and thyme recipe - the longer you give the onions, the more fabulous the finished result will be!

Goats' Cheese, Walnut and Beetroot Salad

With no cooking required, you'll be amazed how easy it is to put together this sophisticated goats' cheese, walnut and beetroot salad recipe.

Blue Cheese and Caramelised Onion Tart

If you're catering for a veggie crowd, this blue cheese and caramelised onion tart recipe will go down a storm. It's delicious as part of a buffet with a crispy salad.

Artichoke and Cheese Veggie Pie

The rich filling in our artichoke and cheese veggie pie recipe takes no time at all to make - and is so delicious no-one would miss the meat! Find more vegetarian recipes

Ultimate Cauliflower Cheese

Delicious as a side dish or even on its own with the traditional Christmas dinner sides, this ultimate cauliflower cheese recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Wild Mushroom and Spinach Lasagne

A great idea for a Christmas Eve dinner, this mushroom and spinach lasagne recipe makes a welcome change from the traditional ragu filling. Serve with a crisp green salad and plenty of garlic bread. If you're cooking for strict vegetarians, omit the Parmesan or replace with a vegetarian cheese.

Leek and Dolcelatte Tart

The perfect Boxing Day lunch, this leek and dolcelatte tart recipe is equally delicious hot or at room temperature. Serve with homemade coleslaw and some chutneys. For strict vegetarians, omit the Parmesan or replace with a vegetarian cheese.

Baked Mushrooms with Onions and Roquefort

The rich flavour of France's favourite cheese makes this baked mushrooms with onions and Roquefort recipe a decadent main, which goes perfectly with the traditional Christmas side dishes.

Spanish Stuffed Tomatoes

Make Spanish-style stuffed tomatoes for a European twist to your Christmas dinner, packed with flavour.

Squash, Sage and Taleggio Tart

Squash and taleggio tart with fragrant sage makes a delicious vegetarian Christmas recipe that you can cut up and share with everyone at the table.

Mushroom, Goat's Cheese and Tarragon Tartlets

Delicious as a Christmas main or a dinner party dish over the festive season, your guests will love this mushroom, goat's cheese and tarragon tartlets recipe.

Terrine Forestiere

Rachel Khoo's terrine forestiere would make an unusual addiction to the Christmas table, but would work well with its robust texture and earthy flavours.

Roasted Butternut and Wilted Rocket Spaghetti

A complete doddle to make, roasted butternut and wilted rocket spaghetti recipe is full of flavour without being too rich or drowning in gloopy sauces. If you're cooking for strict vegetarians, look out for vegetarian Parmesan alternatives online and in specialist shops. Want more meat-free inspiration? Find more vegetarian recipes