We’ve picked our top 20 mains to ensure that your holiday festivities are delicious and plant-based. Entrées tend to be the most difficult things to “vegan-ize” when entertaining a mixed crowd, but you can never go wrong with comfort food! Think pasta, pot pies, and risotto. Mmmm, yeah.
If you try any of these recipes in the weeks ahead, let us know! Be sure to tag all of your holiday gathering photos @minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can see. Onto the eats!
(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)
10-ingredient vegan pot pies infused with white wine and fresh thyme. Flaky pie crust covers a savory, vegetable-white bean filling. A hearty plant-based meal that's especially comforting in the winter months.
A cozy vegan soup with all the flavor of your favorite pot pie, but none of the hassle! Flaky biscuits over a comforting, creamy soup with fiber-packed white beans and veggies.
Rich, saucy vegan stuffed shells with a protein-rich tofu and cashew ricotta filling. Perfect for meal prep or the holiday table. Just 9 ingredients required!
Creamy butternut squash sauce meets pasta, kale, and mushrooms in a delicious twist on classic lasagna. Bursting with fall flavor and just 10 ingredients required!
Amazing, 10-ingredient vegan meatballs infused with sun-dried tomato and fresh basil! Savory, tender, and loaded with protein and fiber. The perfect healthy, plant-based meal!
Incredibly delicious vegan moussaka with layers of roasted eggplant, hearty tomato lentil sauce, and roasted garlic cashew bechamel! Just 10 ingredients and simple methods required.
Incredible vegan lentil “meatloaf” with wholesome, whole-food ingredients like lentils, nuts, sweet potato, and mushrooms! Just 10 ingredients required for this flavorful, comforting entrée.
A hearty, 10-ingredient Vegan Shepherd's Pie that's loaded with veggies and savory lentils and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. So flavorful and satisfying that you won't miss the meat!
Comforting, creamy Tuscan-inspired soup with white beans, kale, tomatoes, and herbs! Warming, savory, hearty, and full of nourishing veggies and fiber-rich beans. Just 1 pot required!
Hearty red lentil chili made in 1 pot with simple ingredients! A smoky, flavorful, protein- and fiber-rich plant-based meal perfect for cold nights and feeding a crowd.
INCREDIBLE Cashew-Crusted Cauliflower “Steak”! 10 ingredients, flavorful, crisp on the outside, tender on the inside. A delicious side or entrée with plenty of protein!
Easy, flavorful pasta with mushrooms, veggies, and red lentils in a rich, herby tomato sauce. A satisfying vegan entrée with just 10 ingredients required!
Flavorful, hearty 10-ingredient Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bake with simple tofu ricotta and vegan parmesan cheese! A plant-based meal that’s perfect for fall and winter!
Creamy mushroom and asparagus pasta that’s entirely gluten-free and requires just 30 minutes to prepare! A hearty, quick, and flavorful plant-based meal.
10-ingredient creamy fall soup with carrots and butternut squash in roasted acorn squash bowls. The ultimate healthy comfort food this fall and winter.
I made #13 minus the tomatoes. I added 3 more garlic cloves cooking them 1st and set aside. I then cooked 3 cups sliced mushrooms. Then added 3/4 cup sliced red onion instead of stallions (didn’t have any) and cooked till done. When making the sauce I warmed 2 1/2 c almond milk unsweetened and added 3 tbsp nutritional yeast and flour for more protein (my daughter is a dancer and needs the extra). I cooked 3 cups of broccoli and served on the side. Everyone loved it including me and I am hard to please.
Happy New Year!! I recently got your everyday cooking cook book which I love!! Just a quick question, when your recipes call for almond milk can coconut milk be used? I can’t wait to work my way thru your entire cookbook.
Karen
Hi Dana! I love your post, these dishes look absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to try some of them! Especially the potpie, such a classic dish with a vegan flare. However, I was just wondering when one is trying to live an authentic vegan diet and while cooking how can you be sure that you are using authentic products, sometimes labels often include unfamiliar ingredients that may or may not be derived from animals, how do you steer clear of that while cooking? I am looking forward to trying these dishes out and further exploring the vegan lifestyle.
James, great question! This just requires a lot of due diligence in research vegan friendly products, and when in doubt, asking a store associate (or the seller) if the product is vegan friendly. Try not to stress being perfect and just do the best you can!
Dana,
Thank you so much for your incredible recipes I have been making something from here daily for the past few weeks. Never disappointed, in face obsessed.
Merry Christmas to you and yours
Kelly
marylynn m sabiston says
I made #13 minus the tomatoes. I added 3 more garlic cloves cooking them 1st and set aside. I then cooked 3 cups sliced mushrooms. Then added 3/4 cup sliced red onion instead of stallions (didn’t have any) and cooked till done. When making the sauce I warmed 2 1/2 c almond milk unsweetened and added 3 tbsp nutritional yeast and flour for more protein (my daughter is a dancer and needs the extra). I cooked 3 cups of broccoli and served on the side. Everyone loved it including me and I am hard to please.
Karen Johnson says
Happy New Year!! I recently got your everyday cooking cook book which I love!! Just a quick question, when your recipes call for almond milk can coconut milk be used? I can’t wait to work my way thru your entire cookbook.
Karen
James says
Hi Dana! I love your post, these dishes look absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to try some of them! Especially the potpie, such a classic dish with a vegan flare. However, I was just wondering when one is trying to live an authentic vegan diet and while cooking how can you be sure that you are using authentic products, sometimes labels often include unfamiliar ingredients that may or may not be derived from animals, how do you steer clear of that while cooking? I am looking forward to trying these dishes out and further exploring the vegan lifestyle.
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
James, great question! This just requires a lot of due diligence in research vegan friendly products, and when in doubt, asking a store associate (or the seller) if the product is vegan friendly. Try not to stress being perfect and just do the best you can!
Kelly Burke says
Dana,
Thank you so much for your incredible recipes I have been making something from here daily for the past few weeks. Never disappointed, in face obsessed.
Merry Christmas to you and yours
Kelly
Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
So kind. Thanks Kelly! xoxo
Natalie says
I might just make that sprouts pasta for dinner! Have a great Christmas!
– Natalie
Beth ann says
Natalie, I made that, and it is lick the pot clean delicious! ?
Enjoy, and peace in the season.
Laura says
Oh my goodness, so much lovely, creamy pasta! I’m bookmarking this post as I’d like to try many of these recipes – especially that chilli! x
Laura
Fernando @ Eating With Your Hands says
Enjoy these days of holidays with all your loved ones and celebrate with style! Those baked potatoes would look good on my table right now :)
Sarah | Well and Full says
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from my family to yours, Dana! <3