50+ Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes That Might Make You Forget About Turkey Altogether

Recipe: Mashed Potatoes and Rutabaga with Collards

This recipe brings three vegetables together to create one creamy side dish. Plus, it couldn't be any easier to eat your greens than when they are swirled in buttery mashed potatoes.

Recipe: Tabitha Brown's Vegan Mac and Cheese

North Carolina native Tabitha Brown has proven that mac and cheese can be both comforting and vegan. While there's no dairy in this recipe, the dish is still as creamy and gooey as ever. 

Recipe: Spiced Cranberry Mold

One of the best things about this recipe is you can make it ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to a week, eliminating one to-do item on Thanksgiving Day.

Recipe: Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini

Instead of bread, we used sweet potatoes as the base in this crostini recipe. This impressive looking appetizer only takes 20 minutes of hands-on cooking time and less than 10 ingredients. 

Recipe: Instant Pot Creamy Root Vegetable Soup

We love that this soup comes together entirely in your Instant Pot. It's also very adaptable, so if you can't find one root veggie, just add in more of another. 

Recipe: Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

This may be the first dish that the kids flock to, but (rest assured) the adults will all be scooping out portions of this creamy, cheesy mac too.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Stacks

You'll be surprised to learn how few ingredients are needed to pull together these impressive sweet potato stacks. This adult version of sweet potato casserole still strikes that balance of sweet and savory, but without the marshmallows. 

Recipe: Buttery Yeast Rolls

If you've shied away from homemade rolls but are ready to give it a go, this easy recipe is a good one to start with. The hardest part is dragging out your stand mixer. 

Recipe: Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Roasting veggies at a high temperature and long cook time give them a sweet finish that will be enjoyed by every member of the family. 

Recipe: Butternut Squash Lasagna

Butternut squash and fresh sage give this meatless main loads of seasonal flavor. 

Recipe: Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Just five minutes of cook time are needed when you use a multicooker to make homemade cranberry sauce.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

 If you can't find canned butternut squash puree, this recipe can also be made with canned pumpkin. Both will give this mac and cheese it's pretty orange-hue. 

Recipe: Crispy Potato Galette

Even though you may be tempted, don't hold cut potatoes in water before baking. This will remove the starch that's needed to hold the galette together.

Recipe: Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

These mini pastry shells with a mushroom filling are a great appetizer to serve your guests as soon as they walk in the door. 

Recipe: Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro

This side dish is so hearty and flavorful, you'll forget all about the other dishes on the table. Our test kitchen recommends roasting the squash cut side down for the best caramelized color. 

Recipe: Harvest Salad

All of fall's best produce comes together to create one hearty, seasonal salad. The variety of tastes and textures make this salad anything but boring. 

Recipe: Melting Sweet Potatoes

Forget about the marshmallow-topped casserole of your childhood, this sweet potato dish with toasted walnuts is full of flavor. 

Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

Want to get ahead of your holiday cooking schedule? This updated take on mashed potatoes can be made up to two days in advance. 

Recipe: Classic Cranberry Salad

Ditch the wobbly cranberry sauce for something with a bit more texture. This Cranberry Salad is still true to the classic fruity flavors, but it's studded with pecans for added crunch.

Recipe: Savory Corn Pudding

Onion, thyme, and salted butter help you lean on the savory side in this classic holiday dish.

Recipe: Classic Candied Yams

Just like Grandma used to make. Candied Yams may be traditional, but we don't plan on leaving them out of the spread any time soon.

Recipe: Old-School Green Bean Casserole

Ditch the canned cream-of-mushroom soup and opt for fresh mushrooms in your Green Bean Casserole.

Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

If you're looking to impress this Thanksgiving, this elegant Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole is a sure-fire way to win over the in-laws.

Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

These cheesy bites just take 20 minutes from start to finish. You can prepare them minutes before your guests arrive with no problem.

Recipe: Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

Honey lends a touch of sweetness to these holiday-spiced carrots. For an impressive presentation and pop of color on the table, use rainbow carrots. 

Recipe: Sweet Potato Soufflé

Looking for something sweet that's still hardy enough to make it on the non-dessert menu? This classic soufflé is sure to delight.

Recipe: Cranberry Fluff Salad

Liven up your Thanksgiving spread with this colorful, retro salad that's sure to go fast.

Recipe: Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole

Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes combine with butter, cream, and cheese in the fluffiest potato casserole we've ever tasted. 

Recipe: Herbed Wild Rice Dressing

Tired of bland cornbread dressing? Mix things up with this colorful Herbed Wild Rice Dressing, complete with red onion, apple, and fresh sage.

Recipe: Yeast Rolls

A good yeast roll is a Thanksgiving meal staple, and these swirled breads surely won't disappoint.

Recipe: Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Meld spicy, tangy, sweet, and creamy all into one bite with this new holiday classic.  

Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Imagine your favorite broccoli-Cheddar soup, distilled into a melty casserole. This weeknight hero will be a welcome addition to the Thanksgiving spread.

Recipe: Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Wait, there's cauliflower hidden in this gooey mac and cheese? Your guests will never be able to tell the difference.

Recipe: Oven-Baked Sweet Potatoes

Your holiday main may be complex, but that doesn't mean you can't balance things out with something simple. Elevate these easy baked potatoes with a few toppings, and you've added one more dish to the spread without breaking a sweat. 

Recipe: Ben Mims' Perfect Cornbread

If "perfect" is in the name, we'll certainly have high hopes for a recipe. Luckily, this cornbread lives up to—and exceeds—our expectations.

Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Let the full flavors of your sweet potatoes shine in this quick dish that will leave your oven free for the main event. 

Recipe: Acorn Squash Soup

Want to take it up a notch? Top it off with fried scallions, chopped toasted hazelnuts, a dash of hot sauce, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Take a risk and sprinkle some vegetables into your Thanksgiving mac—we doubt anyone will complain about this crispy, roasted broccoli.

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

It'll be hard for Grandma to part with that marshmallow topping, but this savory pecan crumble will immediately win over the crowd.

Recipe: Mashed Potato Cakes

The key to perfect potato cakes? Patience. You've got to let them brown nicely on one side before flipping them.

Recipe: Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

Decadently creamy on the inside and topped with a crown of crispy leeks, this Green Bean Casserole has achieved a blissful balance of textures and flavors.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Gratin

Who needs turkey? Butternut squash is packed full of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, making it a healthy and substantial option for vegetarians.

Recipe: Parmesan-Herb Angel Biscuits

Ramp up the flavors of Mama's favorite homemade biscuits with Parmesan and fresh herbs.

Recipe: Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes are done the only way we know how: swirled with plenty of buttermilk, crème fraiche, and butter.

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Cornflakes, marshmallows, and pecans crown this family-favorite sweet potato casserole.

Recipe: Herbed Potato Stacks

With only 10 minutes of active time, these elegant potato stacks—seasoned with fresh thyme and rosemary—are easier to execute than you may expect.

Recipe: Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions

Balsamic brings an acidic tang to these snappy green beans, brought together by the slightly-sweet bite of the pearl onions.

Recipe: Sautéed Mustard Greens with Garlic and Lemon

A simple vegetable sautée is never out of place on our Thanksgiving table, and these mustard greens couldn't be easier to prepare.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Cobbler

Topped with fresh biscuits, this creative Sweet Potato Cobbler combines sweet and savory in the loveliest ways.

Recipe: Creamed Spinach

Woven with thick whipping cream, Parmesan cheese, and studs of toasted pine nuts, this is not the mushy creamed spinach of your childhood.

Recipe: Asparagus Gratin

A creamy, cheesy sauce gives fresh asparagus an upgrade making it worthy of being placed on your holiday spread.

Recipe: Sumac Carrots with Feta Mousse and Crispy Panko

Feta mousse and crispy panko dress up carrots for the special occasion. 

Recipe: Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens 

Traditionally, Southern collard greens are made with pork, but we've come up with a vegetarian recipe that packs in as much flavor as the original. Slow-cooked with fire roasted tomatoes and paprika, these greens still have that smoky bold flavor without the meat. 

Recipe: Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad

This fresher take on Thanksgiving beets combines the earthy root with crisp apple and sweet fennel for a refreshing palate cleanser between all of the mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. 

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Asparagus

This low-effort side uses only a few ingredients to dress up roasted asparagus. Don't skip finishing the dish with a sprinkling of almonds; they add a touch of delicious crunch. 

Recipe: Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Mix up the mashed potatoes this year by folding in some goat cheese. We call for plain, but have fun using flavored goat cheese for an extra boast of flavor alongside a little tang. 

Recipe: Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole 

This hearty and comforting vegetable casserole is sure to satisfy even the meat lovers. The creamy cheese sauce also makes it easy to sneak veggies into the kids (and adults too).