20 Fabulous Vegetarian Main Course and Side Dish Recipes for Entertaining (2024)

20 Fabulous Vegetarian Main Course and Side Dish Recipes for Entertaining (1)

If you're hosting an upcoming dinner party or holiday feast—or maybe you just want to impress loved ones with a home-cooked meal for the first-time post-pandemic—we have a feeling that these extra-special recipes will come in handy. From appetizers and side dishes to all-star main courses, they're just right for hosting company. Better yet, all of our recipes here are vegetarian, which means that nearly everyone at your gathering will be able to indulge. And in some cases, they can be prepared to suit a vegan diet, too.

Start with the Spaghetti and Eggplant "Meatballs", pictured here. They're totally meat-free and get their heft from roasted eggplant and white beans, plus breadcrumbs, garlic, and oregano. The mixture is formed into meatballs and cooked in a skillet until they're evenly browned. Serve with spaghetti—or any other pasta shape that you love—and a homemade tomato sauce for a vegetarian-friendly twist on a classic dinner.

We also have plenty of vegetable-forward side dishes, including a few variations on a cheesy potato gratin, mashed potatoes, and stuffed vegetables (no peppers here!). Our main courses run the gamut from a silky mushroom pasta to a summer corn risotto to a southern baked macaroni and cheese. Some are perfect for serving on their own, but feel free to mix-and-match mains and sides for a complete dinner for a crowd.

Next time you're entertaining, these vegetarian dishes are sure to impress your loved ones and prompt them to ask, "Can I have the recipe for that?"

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White-Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes

20 Fabulous Vegetarian Main Course and Side Dish Recipes for Entertaining (2)

This family-friendly side dish is plenty indulgent thanks to a rich and silky combination of whole milk, heavy cream, and sharp white cheddar cheese.

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Vegetarian Bolognese with Bucatini

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If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing pasta dish that will wow when you're entertaining, try this hearty Bolognese sauce. Instead of the usual blend of beef, pork, and veal, our meat-free sauce is made with cremini mushrooms.

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Winter Cobb Salad

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A typical Cobb salad features bacon, but not this vegetarian version. We serve it with shiitake mushrooms and baked tofu for heartiness, and you'll find that the colorful display will win over any crowd.

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Tagliatelle with Porcini Butter Sauce

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Next time you're entertaining, try your hand at making homemade pasta from scratch, then toss the wide noodles with an umami-packed butter sauce made with garlic and an entire pound of porcini mushrooms.

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Whole Roasted Maitake Steaks with Japanese Sweets-and-Leeks Mash

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Ready for guests to ooh and ahh at this entrée? Clusters of maitake mushrooms—known as hen-of-the-woods—are roasted with soy sauce and the juice and zest of a lime. They're then served over a combination of Japanese sweet potatoes, turnips, and leeks.

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Sweet-Potato-and-Sage Tian

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If you're hosting a festive fall gathering, serve this vegetarian side dish that features stunning shingles of thinly sliced sweet potatoes. They cook with sage-infused half-and-half and plenty of finely grated Parmesan cheese.

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Red Onions Stuffed with Parsley Breadcrumbs

20 Fabulous Vegetarian Main Course and Side Dish Recipes for Entertaining (8)

This special occasion side dish only requires a handful of basic ingredients: Stuff red onions with an aromatic combination of herby breadcrumbs with three cups of fresh parsley, then watch your guests gobble them up.

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Sweet Corn-Brown Rice Risotto

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Come summer, we're all about utilizing fresh corn on the cob and this crowd-pleasing risotto recipe is perfect for when you're entertaining. Two cups of fresh corn kernels—plus a homemade corn stock—bring sweet, juicy flavor to this creamy rice dish.

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Leek-and-Goat-Cheese Tart with Rye Crust

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Between the golden-brown crust, pale yellow cheese filling, and vibrant green leeks, this vegetarian appetizer is the most beautiful tart we've ever laid eyes on.

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Cheesy Spinach-Potato Egg Casserole

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Inviting a crowd over for brunch this weekend? Try serving this meatless casserole—even without breakfast staples like bacon or sausages, it's plenty hearty thanks to a combination of an entire pound of spinach, fontina cheese, and Yukon gold potatoes.

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Gooey Gouda Puff-Pastry Bites

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Start the party with this three-ingredient appetizer—store-bought puff pastry is portioned and placed in a mini muffin tin. Next, they're filled with Dijon mustard and single cubes of Gouda cheese and baked until the cheese has melted and pastry is golden brown.

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Pimiento Mac and Cheese

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Upgrade classic baked macaroni and cheese inspired by the traditional southern condiment using a flavor-packed combination of Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, ground nutmeg, and red bell pepper.

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Rutabaga-Sweet Potato Mash with Garlic and Sage

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Try this genius duo of root vegetables—rutabagas and sweet potatoes—together they make the ultimate vegetarian mash to can accompany a roast turkey or beef, braised chicken, or a tofurky.

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Twice-Baked Potato-and-Raclette Casserole

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This is no ordinary potato gratin. Potatoes are sliced into wedges and baked; once they're cooked, the soft potato center is scooped out and mixed with butter, sour cream, cream cheese, grated raclette cheese, and milk. The mixture is transferred to a gratin dish and topped with more raclette and the potato skins.

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Mushroom-Eggplant Lasagna

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Skip the traditional meat filling and make this hearty vegetarian lasagna. It features layers of chopped cremini mushrooms and eggplant, and a three-cheese blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

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Stuffed Artichokes with Capers and Cornichons

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Serve this stunning vegetarian spring appetizer the next time you're entertaining, and we have a feeling you'll be asked to host again and again.

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Honeynut Squash, Leek, and Brie Gratin

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A petite main course or side dish that packs a punch, honeynut or butternut squash is tossed with broken lasagna noodles, thinly sliced leeks, chopped Brie cheese, and heavy cream.

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Creamed-Spinach Gratin

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Anyone who is suspicious of spinach will be a convert when they taste this crunchy, creamy, and super cheesy side dish at your next dinner party.

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Potato-Crusted Herb Quiche

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Skip the usual pie dough in favor of an incredible potato crust for this brunch quiche. It serves as a crunchy, silky vessel for an aromatic egg custard.

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20 Fabulous Vegetarian Main Course and Side Dish Recipes for Entertaining (2024)

FAQs

What to make when guests come over vegetarian? ›

Vegetarian dinner party recipes
  1. Spanakopita. ...
  2. Pear, walnut & blue cheese tart. ...
  3. Butternut squash & cherry tomato crumble. ...
  4. Baked camembert pasta alfredo. ...
  5. Cavolo nero, mushroom, potato & fontina strudel. ...
  6. Spinach & ricotta ravioli. ...
  7. Air-fryer clementine & chilli halloumi skewers. ...
  8. App onlyWild mushroom risotto.

What is the most famous vegetarian dish? ›

Originating in the Middle East, falafel is one the most popular vegetarian foods in the world! As one of the most popular vegetarian foods in the world, falafel needs no introduction! However, the origin of these beloved patties is rather controversial.

How do you throw a vegetarian dinner party? ›

How to throw a vegetarian dinner party (my 5 top tips!)
  1. Tip #1: If you're cooking for meat-eaters, serve a hearty meal. ...
  2. Tip #2: Avoid meat substitutes. ...
  3. Tip #3: Go big on flavour with international cuisines. ...
  4. Tip #4: Make life easy on yourself by pre-cooking as much as you can. ...
  5. Tip #5: Let everyone build their own meal.

What is the best food for vegetarians? ›

To get the most out of a vegetarian diet, choose a variety of healthy plant-based foods. These include whole fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Nuts and legumes, such as lentils, beans and peanuts, also are considered healthy plant-based foods. At the same time, cut back on less healthy choices.

What do you serve a vegetarian at a party? ›

Here are some delicious and easy-to-prepare vegetarian dishes that are perfect for parties: Vegetable Crudité Platter: Create a colorful platter of fresh raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and celery, served with a tasty dip, such as hummus, tzatziki, or a yogurt-based ranch dip.

What do vegetarians miss the most? ›

Vitamin B12

This particular vitamin is created by a bacteria and found primarily in animal products such as dairy, meat, insects, and eggs. However, many plant foods are fortified with b12 (like nutritional yeast and some plant milks) and supplementing with a B12 vitamin is a viable option.

What foods are surprisingly vegetarian? ›

Top Accidentally Vegan Foods
  • Cinnamon Life.
  • Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix.
  • SkinnyPop White Cheddar Flavored Popped Popcorn.
  • Airheads.
  • Cracker Jack.
  • Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili–Flavored Tortilla Chips.
  • Fritos.
  • Fruit by the Foot.

What are the 5 main food groups for vegetarians? ›

No matter which vegetarian eating style you follow, it is important to choose a variety of foods including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. This can help ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs each day.

What do Americans eat for dinner vegetarian? ›

Classic American Vegetarian Food
  • Southern mac and cheese.
  • Fried green tomatoes.
  • Hush puppies.
  • Red beans and rice.
  • New York pizza.
  • Tomato soup.
  • Classic apple pie.
  • Creamed spinach.
Apr 28, 2023

How to make a vegetarian grazing platter? ›

Put the dolmades, hummus, crispy chickpeas, stuffed peppers, olives and sauerkraut in little serving bowls. Slice some of the tomatoes, leaving about half whole, slice the carrots and cucumbers. Arrange your grazing platter on a board – or use a covered table if feeding a larger crowd.

What food has the most protein for vegetarians? ›

Chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans and even baked beans are an easy way to power up your protein intake. There are also a range of grains such as oats, barley, rice and quinoa that can add protein to a simple recipe.

What to eat instead of meat? ›

5 Protein-Packed Foods for Healthy, Meatless Meals
  • Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein. ...
  • Tree Nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds and pecans — don't confuse them with peanuts, which are legumes. ...
  • Legumes. Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Yogurt.

Which country is pure vegetarian? ›

As per a report published in Wikipedia, India has the least meat consumption per capita. While there are pure vegetarian Indian restaurants from North to South of India, American chain restaurants also have a huge selection of vegetarian dishes.

What do you serve a vegan guest? ›

The Vegan Guest: How to Feed a Vegan 101
  1. Earth Balance butter spread.
  2. almond, rice or soy milk (original or vanilla is a safe bet)
  3. hummus and guacamole.
  4. chopped veggies and mixed greens.
  5. fruit.
  6. mixed nuts.
  7. squash or sweet potatoes.
  8. soy, almond or coconut yogurt.

What should I prepare for a vegan guest? ›

Vegan dinner party snacks and starters
  1. Beetroot vegan hummus. ...
  2. Purple sprouting broccoli tempura with ponzu dipping sauce. ...
  3. Crispy fried cabbage. ...
  4. Grilled vegetable antipasti. ...
  5. Vegan summer rolls. ...
  6. Warm hummus with pine nuts, raisins and olives. ...
  7. Beer batter pakoras. ...
  8. Cashew cream and ancho chilli elotes.

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