89 Vegetarian Dinner Party Mains for Easy Entertaining
Planning a vegetarian dinner party is an opportunity to try that dish you’ve been meaning to cook since you saw it in the Epicurious newsletter. It’s a chance to fire up the grill—or get out your prettiest enameled casserole dish. And most important, it’s the moment to go big on whatever looks best at the market. Below you’ll find vegetarian recipes that look and feel impressive, but actually won’t require any fuss or last-minute stress, so you can extend the invite to everyone you’ve been meaning to see lately. Scroll down to start saving all of our vegetarian dinner party favorites.
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Photo by Eva Kosmas Flores1/89Cauliflower Puttanesca
If you need to make sure your vegetarian dinner party is also friendly to folks who eat gluten-free, this quick showstopper is an excellent plan. Instead of pasta, the savory olive-and-caper-packed sauce dresses tender roasted cauliflower.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks2/89White Pizza With Shaved Vegetables and Pesto
Make it a pizza party with this pretty green pie, topped with a veritable salad of peas, crisp asparagus ribbons, zucchini, leeks, and watercress.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell3/89Roasted Cabbage Steaks With Crispy Chickpeas and Herby Croutons
Cabbage turns sweet when roasted at a high temperature, but the star of this vegetarian dinner is the luxurious and lemony garlic sauce.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/89Eggplant Parmesan
Be sure to use a vegetarian-friendly parm for this recipe—and lots of gooey mozzarella.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Micah Marie Morton5/89Tater Tot Chaat
A big platter of chaat makes a festive dinner. And starting with a base of frozen tater tots is even more fun.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich6/89Pulled Mushroom Tacos With Salsa Guille
If your dinner party is a potluck, everyone could pitch in by bringing fillings for vegetarian tacos, plus salsas and crunchy toppings. But if you’re narrowing it to just one recipe, this is the place to start.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell7/89Pasta With 15-Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton9/89Fusilli in Creamy Vegan Asparagus Pesto
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell10/89Green Bean Niçoise Salad
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich11/89Creamy Mushroom Lasagna
Keeping your lasagna tomato- and meat-free means the spotlight really shines on the earthy mushrooms and creamy ricotta. Serve this baked pasta dish with a simple, tart salad on the side.
Photo by Elena Heatherwick12/89Confit Tandoori Chickpeas
Slowly cooking chickpeas with olive oil, whole garlic cloves, ginger, tomatoes, chiles, cumin, coriander, and turmeric renders them deeply flavored and perfectly tender.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch13/89Grilled Jerk Tofu and Plantains With Mango Salsa
If you haven’t been freezing your tofu, you’ll be delighted to see how well it absorbs this flavorful marinade after thawing. Grilled plantains make the ultimate side.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley14/89Marcella Hazan’s Butter, Tomato, and Onion Sauce
This pasta sauce from Italian cooking legend Marcella Hazan is perfect for spontaneous dinner invites. If you have canned tomatoes, an onion, and butter, you’re ready to rock.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks16/89Herb-Crusted Cauliflower Steaks With Beans and Tomatoes
Prep work for this sheet-pan dinner is simplified with an herbed garlic oil used two ways: First, it’s mixed with panko and cheese for a crispy crust for the cauliflower, then tossed with white beans and cherry tomatoes for a zesty side dish.
Photo by Evan Sung17/89Roasted Eggplant in Mafé Peanut Sauce
One taste of this iconic Senegalese peanut sauce, and your guests will be asking for the recipe.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow18/89Chickpea-Mushroom Veggie Burgers
Dinner parties are better when prepped ahead, and these delicious homemade veggie burgers are made in advance, frozen, then crisped up like a smash burger in the oven.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell20/89Pozole Verde Con Hongos
The garnishes are the thing here: Top each bowl with crunchy onion and radish, fragrant oregano, and fresh cilantro, then squeeze in as much lime juice as you please.
Photo by Facundo Bustamante21/89Paella Verde
Seafood paella isn’t the only option for the crowd-pleasing rice dish; this all-veg version works in artichokes, zucchini, baby spinach, and broccoli.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell23/89Vegetarian Skillet Stuffed Shells
This one-pan, stovetop-only pasta turns mushroom-and-spinach-stuffed shells into a dish you can pull together without a lot of fuss. Serve this vegetarian dinner party star with a big kale salad and garlic bread bites, and have your friends bring some wine.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich24/89Stuffed Squash With Preserved-Lemon Gravy
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews25/89Chickpea Flatbreads With Burst Tomato Sauce
Turn chickpea flour into crispy-edged flatbreads; then use them to scoop up a saucy, sweet-tart mix of burst tomatoes, chickpeas, feta, and greens.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks26/89Wild Mushroom and Parsnip Ragout With Cheesy Polenta
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson27/89Vegetarian Three-Bean Chili
You probably already have the pantry staples you need to make this 30-minute chili. Set out a toppings bar with options for everyone.
Photo by Nik Sharma28/89Lentil Lasagna
This recipe from Nik Sharma is a favorite among Epi app users and will delight vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell30/89Saucy Beans and Artichoke Hearts With Feta
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Simon Andrews31/89Cheesy Hand Pies
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Dawn Perry32/89Beer-Can Cabbage Sandwiches
With this awesome beer can–inspired technique, cabbage becomes the star of any backyard barbecue. Round out your menu with even more vegetarian grilling recipes.
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich34/89Cauliflower Steaks With Coconut-Turmeric Relish
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne36/89Baked Rigatoni With Red Peppers and Green Olives
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kate Buckens37/89Spiced Quinoa and Chickpea Bites
Inspired by the flavors of kefta, these protein-packed vegetarian bites are equally good tucked into a pita or served on their own.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton38/89Sri Lankan Cashew Curry
Whole cashews simmer and soften enough to sip up luscious coconut milk, scented with ginger, cumin, turmeric, and fennel. Serve with a squeeze of lime and this crunchy cucumber salad, swapping out the dill for cilantro or mint.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton40/89Butternut Squash Vegducken
This stunner of an entrée is an entirely meatless take on turducken, with butternut squash, eggplant, and zucchini swapped in for the traditional meaty ingredients. Looking for a vegan main course? Follow these simple swaps to remove the dairy and eggs.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Pearl Jones41/89Cacio e Pepe Pie
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell42/89Creamy Squash Risotto With Toasted Pepitas
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks45/89Cheesy Delicata Squash and Kale Casserole
Thinly sliced squash and kale (plus plenty of ricotta cheese) combine in a lasagna-like casserole that’s pure comfort food.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson46/89Lemony Pasta With Cauliflower, Chickpeas, and Arugula
A vegetarian pasta dinner that’s full of so much fresh arugula, it almost feels like eating a salad. In a good way.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell48/89Grilled Whole Eggplant With Harissa Vinaigrette
If you have a charcoal grill, you’re just a few steps away from the best eggplant you’ve ever had. Serve with a basket of flatbread for scooping.
Photo by Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Laura Rege49/89Shawarma-Spiced Tofu Pita Wraps
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks51/89Vegetarian Brown Rice Salad With Parsnips and Whipped Ricotta
This hearty salad combines roasted parsnips, hazelnuts, fresh orange, and crisp lettuce for a bright, refreshing vegetarian dinner.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson56/89Butternut Squash and Creamed-Spinach Gratin
A generous dose of heavy cream enriches this butternut squash and spinach gratin. Round out the meal with a baguette and some blanched green beans.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Andy Baraghani58/89Torta Pasqualina
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Lillian Chou61/89Shamey Momos
You’ll often see Tibetan veggie momos stuffed with potato, but this version uses tofu, bok choy, and shiitake mushrooms.
Gentl & Hyers62/89Root Vegetable Tarte Tatin
Why bother with a vase of flowers on the table when the main course for your dinner party looks this good?
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Alison Attenborough63/89Spinach and Artichoke Melts
Your favorite creamy dip—but in a form that feels main course–worthy, even at a dinner party. Serve with a lemony salad of bitter greens.
Photo by Issy Croker68/89Eggplant Tikkas in Creamy Yogurt, Mustard, Chile, and Ginger
Broil these eggplant skewers, or grill them outdoors for a veggie kebab party.
Photo by Bobbi Lin69/89Mushroom-Thyme Pot Pies
Brushing the underside of the dough with egg wash for this pot pie recipe creates an airtight seal so that steam will push the pastry lids into a dramatic dome during baking.
Photo by Alex Lau71/89Skillet Phyllo Pie With Butternut Squash, Kale, and Goat Cheese
This savory pie is quite the dinner party centerpiece. It’s packed with kale and pan-roasted butternut squash. Follow it up with a sweet pie for dessert.
By Nassima Rothacker72/89Jackfruit Curry
If you stocked up on jackfruit to make these nachos, use the rest in this curry recipe from Chetna Makan.
Jonathan Lovekin76/89Cauliflower Cake
Cake for dinner? Sure, when it’s this stunning quiche-like cake from Yotam Ottolenghi. Wrapped well, it will taste even better the day after you bake it, which means you can be the most relaxed dinner party host ever.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou77/89Braised Butternut Squash in Spiced Coconut Gravy
Photo by Gentl & Hyers, Prop Styling by Ayesha Patel, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich78/89Risotto al Limone
This risotto uses none of the customary stock, just dry white wine, olive oil, Meyer lemon, and water.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott79/89Long-Roasted Eggplant With Garlic, Labne, and Tiny Chile Croutons
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce81/89Vegetarian Lasagna With Easy Roasted Tomato Sauce
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton82/89Lentils With Caramelized Onion Aioli and Crispy Chile Oil
The aioli here, flavored with mustard and white miso, brings everyday lentils into special occasion territory.
Photo and Food Styling by Joseph De Leo83/89Quick Potato Gnocchi
Impress your friends with fresh gnocchi—without having to start with whole potatoes that need baking. The secret? Potato flakes.
Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich87/89Cheesy Cabbage Gratin
Photograph by Jenny Huang, food styling by Tyna Hoang, prop styling by Sophie Strangio88/89Creamy Mushroom and Green Bean Masala
