15 Vegetarian Dishes To Make This Christmas

It’s your turn to cook Christmas dinner… you know exactly what you going to make until your mom gives you a  call and reminds you that your cousin and her husband are vegetarians. Don’t panic, we have your back with these delicious meatless options that will keep your vegetarian guests satisfied and meat-eating guest wanting to try a few of the dishes, too.

(Hasan Kabalak/Flickr)

(Hasan Kabalak/Flickr)

1. Not Fried Chilli Poppers 

Let’s start with appetizers! You can prepare these chilli poppers the night before and  pop them into the oven and bake for 20 minutes just before your guests arrive. And for the meat eaters, you could put some bacon into them for that extra flavour. Recipe here.

(pulaw/Flickr)

(pulaw/Flickr)

2. Deviled Eggs

Everyone loves deviled eggs and it’s a great appetizer for both vegetarians and meat eaters. It’s a simple dish that’s fun to make for everybody. Recipe here.

(Wikimedia Commons)

(Wikimedia Commons)

3. Wontons 

Here’s something different for your traditional Christmas dinner. You can stuff these little pockets of goodness with a mix of cabbage, onions, garlic and ginger. The best part is that if the oven has a queue of dishes waiting to bake, then you can steam or deep fry them instead. Recipe here.

(stu_spivack/Wikimedia Commons)

(stu_spivack/Wikimedia Commons)

4. Vegetable Soup 

Nothing will wash down all those scrumptious appetizers better than a delicious vegetable soup. This freezer friendly recipe can be made a week or two before and just reheated for Christmas. Recipe here.

(Wikimedia Commons)

(Wikimedia Commons)

5. Vegetable Risotto 

Yummy! Risotto is a firm favourite at Christmas and having a vegetable option will go down well with all your guests. You can make the purely vegetarian option and add some chicken for those who want a meat option, too. Recipe here.

(Stuart Spivack/Wikimedia Commons)

(Stuart Spivack/Wikimedia Commons)

6. Mac and Cheese 

An amazing side dish for all guests is good old mac and cheese. A bonus — this recipe is a healthier option for anyone whose watching their weight (even though it’s Christmas). Recipe here.

(torbakhopper HE DEAD/Flickr)

(torbakhopper HE DEAD/Flickr)

7. Roasted Vegetables 

Another delicious side dish is roasted vegetables. Put eggplant, a zucchini, an onion, two carrots, a bell pepper, a few small potatoes and tomatoes on a baking pan with some garlic gloves, herbs and olive oil, and you’re good to go. Recipe here.

 (Silver Diner/Wikimedia Commons)

(Silver Diner/Wikimedia Commons)

8. Tofu Stir Fry

Not all vegetarians like tofu, so maybe first ask your guests before you make this dish. It’s a great dish that takes no more than 15 minutes to make and your vegetarian guests will love. Recipe here.

(Stacy Spensley/Flickr)

(Stacy Spensley/Flickr)

9. Stuffed Mushrooms 

Make sure to make extra stuffed mushrooms as all your meat-eating guests will definitely be wanting some of them. These ones are stuffed with onions, mushroom stems, roasted peppers and a bit of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Recipe here.

(John Fleskowitz/Flickr)

(John Fleskowitz/Flickr)

10. Indian Style Vegetarian Curry 

Add a little spice to your Christmas with a yummy Indian style curry. It will not only have your home smelling delicious, but your guests will love it too. Recipe here.

(Parkerman & Christie/Wikimedia Commons)

(Parkerman & Christie/Wikimedia Commons)

11. Mushroom Wellington 

Forget the the beef wellington and treat your vegetarian guests to mushroom wellington. It’s a great alternative to the meatier option and everyone will be impressed by this creative twist on the Christmas classic (we won’t tell them where you got the idea from).  Recipe here.

(Biskuit/Wikimedia Commons)

(Biskuit/Wikimedia Commons)

12. Stuffed Peppers

Here’s another side dish for both the meat lovers and vegetarians. Stuffed peppers is a firm favourite amongst everyone, and if you want to make a meaty option, you can add some sauteed ground beef — or better yet, bacon. Just don’t get them mixed up. Recipe here.

(a.pasquier/Wikimedia Commons)

(a.pasquier/Wikimedia Commons)

13. Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 

Now onto the best part of any meal: dessert. You can never go wrong with a good homemade vanilla bean ice cream. It will be a refreshing way to end your meal. Recipe here.

(David Allan/Flickr)

(David Allan/Flickr)

14. Apple Crumble 

Add a scoop of that delicious homemade vanilla bean ice cream to this apple crumble. This mouth watering dessert will definitely be a crowd pleaser, is easy to make, and can be popped into the oven just after mains. Recipe here.

(Kimberly Vardeman/Wikimedia Commons)

(Kimberly Vardeman/Wikimedia Commons)

15. Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies 

And for the kids, you can make eggless choc chip cookies for them to  leave for Santa Claus. It is also great to have with coffee after the amazing meal you’ve just cooked. Recipe here.

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