Vegetarian

A very vegetarian Christmas

Christmas is all about the food but it doesn't have to be all ham and turkey. This year, go for a plant-based menu that's just as satisfying.
vegan roast

And if you can't make your mind up? Pick two.

Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be all about ham, chicken or turkey. Regardless of whether you’re a full-time vegetarian, catering to family members or just looking to reduce the amount of meat served this year, we’ve got a whole range of dishes you can include.

These vegetarian dishes will satisfy carnivores and plant-eaters alike this Christmas. From elegant tarts and vegetarian terrines to colourful salads and stuffed mushrooms, we have all your vegetarian bases covered.

Finish it off with our delightful Christmas desserts, pavlovas or puddings. Looking for more side dishes or Christmas salads?

01

Savoury cheesecake with baby beetroot

Savoury cheesecake with baby beetroot

Keep vegetarians and meat eaters happy this Christmas.

Picnic Loaf

02

Picnic loaf

Picnic loaf

This colourful loaf is stuffed full of bright and healthy Mediterranean vegetables and makes a delicious change from the usual sandwiches.

03

Ricotta zucchini rolls with roasted tomato sauce

Ricotta zucchini rolls with roasted tomato sauce

This low carb rotolo dish will soon become your new go-to vegetarian dish with a touch of style that makes it worthy of Christmas dinner.

04

Peanut & sesame tofu with stir-fried greens

Peanut & sesame tofu with stir-fried greens

Crispy fried tofu lighted-coated in a peanut and nori mixture that gives texture and flavour providing a lovely contrast to fresh noodles and greens.

ROASTED Vegetable Filo Tart

05

Roasted vegetable fillo tart

Roasted vegetable fillo tart

Crispy filo pastry provides a light base for this vegetarian tart. Loaded with roasted tomatoes, capsicum and salty fetta, this is sure to please.

herb-crumbed baked beans

06

Herb-crumbed baked beans

Herb-crumbed baked beans

The ultimate comfort food, these delicious baked beans add the toast to the top of the dish with a gorgeous herb crumb. Enjoy for every meal

07

Crumbed zucchini skewers with romesco sauce

Crumbed zucchini skewers with romesco sauce

Crunchy breaded curls of zucchini are paired with a summery capsicum-based sauce. Everything tastes better on a stick. Great for vegetarians.

lemon roasted potatoes

08

Lemon roast potatoes

Lemon roast potatoes

Baked potatoes with a crunchy outer and creamy inner, with roast lemon adding a burst of brightness to accompany any delicious roast dinner.

Roasted brussels sprouts & lentil salad

09

Roasted brussels sprouts & lentil salad

Roasted brussels sprouts & lentil salad

This delicious golden roasted brussels sprout and lentil salad is great for lunch or as a salad side for dinner. It’s also perfect for diabetics.

quiche primavera

10

Quiche primavera

Quiche primavera

This spring vegie quiche will soon become your new go-to lunch.

11

Spinach and ricotta filo pie

Spinach and ricotta filo pie

This tasty spinach and ricotta pie made with filo pastry is very light and can be ready in only 30 minutes.

12

Roast vegetable and pesto vegan lasagne

Roast vegetable and pesto vegan lasagne

Roast vegetable and pesto come together in this vegan take on the classic Italian pasta bake. Meat and dairy-free but loaded with flavour.

grilled vegetable and ricotta stack

13

Grilled vegetable and ricotta stack

Grilled vegetable and ricotta stack

What better way to get your five-a-day than this colourful and healthy vegetable and ricotta stack.

14

Sweet potato and fetta tart

This savoury sweet potato and fetta tart topped with broad beans makes the perfect vegetarian dish for an easy lunch or a light dinner.

15

Baked pumpkin and ricotta

Baked pumpkin and ricotta

This hearty vegetarian dish is full of baked pumpkin, beans and ricotta with a crunchy breadcrumb topping and fresh broccolini.

16

Vegan Caulifower mac ‘n’ cheese

Vegan Caulifower mac ‘n’ cheese

Traditional comfort food is given a vegan twist with this creamy cauliflower mac ‘n’ cheese. Simple, hearty and comforting with a cashew cheese sauce

vegan roast

17

Vegan roast

Vegan roast This clever roast is a vegan take on the turducken. Whether the whole family is meat-free or you’re catering for a few vegetarian guests, this is a great main option.

18

Asparagus with crisp lentils and herb yoghurt

Asparagus with crisp lentils and herb yoghurt Whip up this easy side with fresh asparagus and a tin of lentils, but the real star of the dish is the herb yoghurt.

sweet potato and zucchini tart

19

Spiced sweet potato tart

Spiced sweet potato tart Not only does this sweet potato and zucchini tart look impressive, it’s just as delicious too. It’s the perfect accompaniment to your meal and will keep the hungry crowds satisfied.

TOMATO AND GOAT'S CHEESE TART with Rice and Seed Crust

20

Tomato and goat’s cheese tart

Tomato and goat’s cheese tart A tasty gluten-free tart with fresh tomatoes and a creamy goat’s cheese centre.

21

Spinach dip cob loaf

Spinach dip cob loaf This is one retro recipe that never goes out of style. The cheesy spinach dip has just the right amount of garlic and bacon bits to make this an instant hit at any party.

polenta, blue cheese     and fig tarts

22

Polenta, blue cheese and fig tarts

Polenta, blue cheese and fig tarts

23

Roast beetroot and goat’s cheese terrine

Roast beetroot and goat’s cheese terrine This terrine uses the classic flavour combination of roasted beetroot and goat’s cheese to create a tasty and attractive vegetarian centrepiece.

Perfect potato salad

24

Perfect potato salad

Perfect potato salad Give this classic European salad a try with our easy recipe and enjoy the fresh parsley, mint and potato smothered in rich homemade mayonnaise.

25

Haloumi and avocado bruschetta

Haloumi and avocado bruschetta Excite your taste buds with this fresh and delicious haloumi and avocado bruschetta. It makes a brilliant snack, light lunch or dinner or starter to a dinner spread.

blueberry peach spinach salad

26

Summer salad of peaches and blueberries

Summer salad of peaches and blueberries Team your favourite fresh summer fruit with creamy ricotta, fresh spinach leaves, basil and chilli for a unique, delicious side dish for any outdoor gathering.

char-grilled polenta strips with corn salsa

27

Chargrilled polenta strips with corn salsa

Chargrilled polenta strips with corn salsa

barbecued kumara slices

28

Barbecued kumara slices

Barbecued kumara slices

29

Eggplant, kale and lentil salad

Eggplant, kale and lentil salad This delicious salad is packed full of flavour and textures, you’ll love the combination of flavours and sweet pomegranate dressing.

30

Avocado caprese salad

Avocado caprese salad Vine-ripened truss tomatoes are perfect for a simple recipe like this for their brilliant colour, robust flavour and crisp, tangy flesh to stand out at their best.

MUSHROOM AND SPINACH BRUSCHETTA

31

Mushroom and spinach bruschetta

Mushroom and spinach bruschetta Bruschetta is a starter, from Italy that like so many other Italian delights has been adopted by the rest of the world. This spinach and mushroom version is simple but yummy.

duck fat roast potatoes

32

34 Christmas side dishes

Christmas side dishes Perfect side dishes are essential to rounding out your delicious Christmas dinner.

33

Asparagus and goats’ cheese tart

Asparagus and goats’ cheese tart Indulge in this deliciously crisp, cheesy and tender asparagus and goat’s cheese tart.

34

Cherry, walnut and feta salad

Cherry, walnut and feta salad Indulge in the delicious combination of cherry, walnut and feta in this fresh wholesome salad – a perfect addition to Christmas lunch this year.

Sweet potato, mint and goat’s cheese tartlets

35

Sweet potato, mint and goat’s cheese tartlets

Sweet potato, mint and goat’s cheese tartlets These goat’s cheese, mint and kumara mash tartlets are a delicious and easy savory appetiser to serve family and friends at Christmas.

LENTIL, GORGONZOLA amp; WITLOF SALAD

36

Lentil, gorgonzola and witlof salad

Lentil, gorgonzola and witlof salad Deliciously bright and colourful lentil, gorgonzola and witlof salad.

37

Christmas celebration salad

Christmas celebration salad With chunks of roasted pumpkin, fine ribbons of zucchini and creamy mozzarella finished off with a sweet maple dressing, this vibrant Christmas salad will stand out from the rest.

pumpkin, capsicum and fetta stuffed mushrooms

38

Pumpkin, capsicum and fetta stuffed mushrooms

Pumpkin, capsicum and fetta stuffed mushrooms These tasty stuffed mushrooms are packed full of goodness and wonderful texture.

39

Butternut squash lasagne

Butternut squash lasagne This vegetarian take on lasagne is inspired by butternut squash ravioli. The squash and tofu ricotta is velvety smooth with a layer of succulent caramelized onions and folds of nutty, wholewheat lasagne sheets to give it structure.

40

Walnut and miso filled eggplant with radish salad

Walnut and miso filled eggplant with radish salad Nourish yourself with this wholesome and delicious walnut and miso filled eggplant with radish salad. A perfectly balanced vegetarian dish full of goodness.

41

Whole roasted miso cauliflower

Whole roasted miso cauliflower Whether you’re following a meat-free diet or are just looking for creative ways to up your vegie intake, try this delicious whole roasted cauliflower.

Double cheese potato gratin

42

Double cheese potato gratin

Double cheese potato gratin

A hearty gratin serves as the perfect winter side dish featuring sliced potatoes, smoked cheddar, parmesan and thyme for a flavour you can’t resist.

Caprese Salad

43

Caprese salad

Caprese salad

This classic Italian salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and sweet basil is proof that the simple things are often the best.

brussels sprouts with cream and almonds

44

Brussels sprouts with cream and almonds

Brussels sprouts with cream and almonds

Convert everyone into a lover of brussels sprouts with this easy, flavoursome recipe. With generous lashings of cream and a sprinkling of almonds

Orange and maple glazed baby carrots with hazelnuts.

45

Orange and maple-glazed baby carrots with hazelnuts

Orange and maple-glazed baby carrots with hazelnuts

Capitalise on carrots’ natural sweetness with this gorgeous recipe that uses syrupy sweet maple and zesty citrus to create a tasty side dish.

Pumpkin Gratin

46

Pumpkin, rosemary thyme gratin

Pumpkin, rosemary thyme gratin

Warm up with a creamy pumpkin and cheese gratin that can be served straight from the oven.

Beetroot, Asparagus and Fetta Salad

47

Beetroot, asparagus and fetta salad

Beetroot, asparagus and fetta salad

A beautiful salad with a gorgeous combination of flavours and textures.

Quinoa, zucchini and fetta salad

48

Quinoa salad with zucchini and fetta

Quinoa salad with zucchini and fetta

This healthy quinoa salad is great for weekday lunches. You’ll love the added crunch thanks to roasted hazelnuts.

Related stories