Top 10 things to serve a vegetarian this Christmas
From pies and strudels to loaves and tarts, we've put together our favourite must-try vegetarian centrepieces, all packed with festive flavours.
Interested in trying our FREE 7-day healthy diet plan? Click here and choose between our meat eaters, vegetarian or vegan meal plans.
Wondering what to serve a vegetarian at Christmas this year? Fear not, we have plenty of delicious veggie main courses that will look pleasing on the plate and are bursting with festive flavours.
1. Chestnut, spinach & blue cheese en croûte
Wrap winter veggies in flaky, all-butter puff pastry for a hearty vegetarian main. This spiced chestnut, spinach & blue cheese en croûte will perfectly complement all the usual seasonal sides.
2. Individual Christmas pies
Fill mini pie dishes with mushrooms, leeks, potatoes and a creamy sauce for a substantial Christmas Day main. The quantities for these individual Christmas pies can be easily halved, which is perfect if you only need to feed one or two.
3. Layered squash, barley & spinach pie
This delicious layered squash, barley & spinach pie looks simply stunning when sliced. Layers of pearl barley and butternut squash are flavoured with classic sage and onion to complement all the traditional trimmings.
4. Parsnip, cranberry & chestnut loaf
Leave behind plain nut roasts and let this modern alternative take centre stage. Sweet chestnuts and parsnips are spiced with savoury mace, then layered with festive cranberry sauce for a lovely loaf to add to the table. Try our parnsip, cranberry & chestnut loaf.
5. Mini nut roasts with candied carrots
These gorgeous mini nut roasts with candied carrots are a beautifully balanced main course – plus, the recipe is vegan if you need to cater for that too. Pretty and easy to make, these are sure to make your guests happy.
6. Polenta & goat's cheese stacks
Soft, buttery polenta is seasoned with nutmeg and filled with a cheesy centre, then topped with roasted veg in these spectacular polenta & goat's cheese stacks. You can make the polenta cakes up to two days in advance, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the festive fun.
7. Chestnut & shallot tatins with mushroom & madeira sauce
These individual tarts, topped with chestnuts and banana shallots, make a great seasonal starter, or serve with all the traditional trimmings for a delicious main course option at Christmas. See our recipe for these chestnut & shallot tatins with mushrooom & maderia sauce.
8. Parsnip, mushroom & barley wreath
This parsnip, mushroom & barley wreath makes a lovely centrepiece for a vegetarian feast, and is flavoured with wonderful winter aromatics, such as nutmeg, sage and rosemary.
9. Mushroom & tarragon strudels with madeira sauce
Contrasting textures make these mushroom & tarragon strudels with madeira sauce extra special – crispy filo parcels are filled with a trio of mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and crunchy pine nuts. Scatter with tarragon and serve in the centre of the table, then let everyone tuck in to a slice.
10. Moroccan spiced pie
This Moroccan spiced pie makes a showstopping centrepiece, bursting with warming flavours of cumin, paprika and cinnamon. Serve in wedges with a flavourful harissa yogurt.
Find more ideas for a meat-free Christmas:
Ultimate vegetarian Christmas recipe collection
Complete Christmas menu: Vegetarian
Top 10 vegetarian main courses
Vegan Christmas menu
Vegetarian Christmas canapé collection
Are you cooking a vegetarian feast this Christmas? We'd love to hear what you're making – let us know in the comments below...