Make your Christmas feast meat-free this year with our collection of show-stopping vegetarian centrepieces. From fresh twists on traditional favourites to vibrant veg-centric feasts, you’ll want your Christmas table to feature at least one of these thoroughly festive dishes.
Rick Stein’s Carrot, Beetroot and Red Onion Tarte Tatin
This jewel-toned savoury tarte tatin from Rick Stein brings together heritage carrots, beetroot and a carrot pesto topping on a buttery pastry base.
Jamie Oliver’s Veggie Crown
If it’s a show-stopping centrepiece you’re after, you can’t go wrong with Jamie Oliver’s stunning veggie crown. Packed with roasted vegetables, cheddar, and grains, it makes for a flavourful alternative to the traditional roast turkey.
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Max La Manna’s Roast Dinner Tart
This vegan recipe incorporates all the best bits of Christmas dinner – stuffing, roast potatoes, perfectly cooked veg, and cranberry sauce – all served on a base of golden puff pastry.
Ainsley Harriott’s Honey and Thyme Caramelised Pear, Pecan and Cheese Tart
With creamy goat’s cheese, roast pear, aromatic thyme, and sweet pecan nuts, this tart is an irresistible medley of winter flavours.
Leek, Chestnut and Cider Crumble
Rustic, warming, and deeply comforting, this savoury leek crumble is studded with chopped chestnuts and flavoured with cheese, garlic, and dry cider.
Jamie Oliver’s Mushroom Toad-in-the-Hole
This vegetarian toad-in-the-hole makes the most of meaty Portobello mushrooms. It’s topped with crispy fried garlic and rosemary, and served with a rich onion and porter gravy.
Melissa Hemsley’s Cavolo Nero and Celeriac Cheddar Crumble
This rich bake combines hearty celeriac with a creamy filling and a nutty crumble topping. For more of a Christmassy vibe, feel free to replace the cavolo nero with Brussels sprouts, and add layers of fennel for additional sweetness.
Vegetarian Nut Wellington
With roasted nuts, dates and sweet leeks encased in flaky pastry, this is Elly Pear’s clever reworking of a classic festive centrepiece. “I make this Nut Wellington every Christmas. On many occasions I’ve been a (lone veggie) guest in other people’s homes and each time the other guests around the table wanted to try a slice”, she writes. If you’re the lone veggie at the dinner table, this one’s for you.
Cauliflower Shawarma with Pomegranate, Pine Nuts and Rose
A head-turner of a vegetarian centrepiece dish, this whole cauliflower marinated in a spiced shawarma butter and drizzled with a tahini sauce is almost as easy on the eyes as it is on the taste buds.
Melissa Hemsley’s Hasselback Squash with Roasted Grapes and a Sprout and Blue Cheese Slaw
This riff on Swedish hasselback potatoes champions winter squash, pairing it with grapes, orange and rosemary for a gorgeous centrepiece. Melissa serves this with a refreshing Brussels sprout and blue cheese slaw.
Mary Berry’s Onion, Artichoke and Sage Open Tart
“With buttery puff pastry and a deliciously herby filling, this tart is simple to make and so good to eat”, says Mary. Try to get a mixture of mushrooms here, such as chestnut, shiitake, button or even wild mushrooms if you can find them.
Celeriac Hasselback ‘Ham’ (Rotselleri ‘Hasselback Style’)
Go for a hasselback celeriac that resembles a traditional Christmas ham, and you might find even the biggest veggie-sceptics at the table are impressed.
Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Galette
A comforting vegetarian tart bursting with butternut squash and caramelized onion, this vegetarian dish is a real winter warmer, and pairs nicely with other classic Christmas dishes.
Jamie Oliver’s Sticky Onion Tart with Sweet Garlic, Fresh Thyme, Bay and Buttery Puff Pastry
With sticky, caramelised onions, sweet garlic, bay, fresh thyme and buttery puff pastry, this is Jamie’s savoury twist on a tarte tatin. Top with goat’s cheese for some festive indulgence.
Mary Berry’s Red Pepper, Mushroom & Leek Lasagne
A family favourite from the queen of home cooking, Mary Berry’s vegetarian twist on a classic lasagne will have the whole table asking for seconds. Use a rennet-free Cheddar substitute to ensure the recipe is fully vegetarian.
Festive Roast
This fail-safe recipe from Mary McCartney will go down as a Christmas classic in any vegetarian household. Serve with roasted vegetables, the traditional vegetarian trimmings and a good drizzle of vegetarian gravy and you’ve got yourself a festive feast.
Chestnut and Truffle Risotto
This hearty, warming chestnut and truffle risotto will add a taste of luxury and indulgence to your Christmas spread. Angela Hartnett’s expert knowledge of Italian cuisine makes this a reliable and authentic recipe that you’ll want to make again and again. To ensure this recipe is fully veggie, make sure you’re using a vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese instead of Parmesan.
Winter Warmer Hotpot
Another seasonal favourite from Mary McCartney, who knows the ins and outs of delicious vegetarian home-cooked meals. Packed with flavour as well as nutritious veggies, this is easy slow-cooker recipe takes the stress out of Christmas cooking.
Baked Squash Stuffed with Nutty Cranberry-spiked Rice
This show-stopping recipe makes a brilliant centrepiece dish for your Christmas table. Stuffed with a nutty cranberry rice, this baked butternut squash is filled with the best flavours winter has to offer.
