15 Simple & Delicious Vegan Holiday Roasts and Main Courses

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Searching for an easy holiday main dish?
Holiday cooking can feel overwhelming between sides, desserts, and making sure your table looks festive, the last thing you need is a complicated main course that eats up your entire day.

That’s why I’ve gathered 15 simple vegan holiday roasts and main dish recipes all hearty, festive, and completely manageable.

These recipes are designed to impress without stress. From cozy lentil loaves to elegant mushroom wellingtons, each dish is approachable, even for home cooks new to plant-based cooking.

For more quick, make-ahead vegan holiday recipes, check out my Easy Vegan Thanksgiving & Christmas Cookbook—over 55 festive recipes ready in 30 minutes or less, all using 10 ingredients or fewer, plus tips for stress-free prep.

1. Easy Lentil Loaf

A comforting, filling loaf with a tangy glaze perfect for a holiday centerpiece.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked green or brown lentils
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp ground flax + 5 tbsp water (flax egg)
• 2 tbsp ketchup (plus extra for topping)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix flax + water, let sit 5 minutes.
3. Lightly mash lentils and combine with all ingredients.
4. Press mixture into a loaf pan, top with ketchup.
5. Bake 35–40 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

2. Simple Mushroom Wellington

Looks fancy, but surprisingly easy! Store-bought puff pastry with a savory mushroom filling makes you look like a pro.

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet vegan puff pastry (thawed)
• 16 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cook onion, garlic, and mushrooms in olive oil until browned. Stir in soy sauce, thyme, and breadcrumbs.
3. Roll puff pastry, place filling in the center, fold over, and seal.
4. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden.

3. Quick Seitan Roast with Herbs

Sliceable like turkey! Seasoned with thyme, sage, and rosemary for that nostalgic holiday flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups vital wheat gluten
• ½ cup chickpea flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix dry ingredients, then add broth + soy sauce to form dough. Knead 2 minutes.
3. Wrap tightly in foil.
4. Bake 60 minutes, unwrap, and bake 10 minutes more.

4. Chickpea “Turkey” Loaf

A pantry-friendly, beginner-friendly loaf. Serve with cranberry sauce for a cozy holiday dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans chickpeas, drained & mashed
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ cup chopped celery
• ½ cup grated carrot
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp rosemary

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mash chickpeas, mix with all ingredients.
3. Press into loaf pan, top with extra soy sauce or ketchup.
4. Bake 35 minutes.

5. Easy Stuffed Acorn Squash

Roasted squash filled with wild rice, cranberries, and pecans—fancy-looking with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

• 2 acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
• 1 cup cooked wild rice (or quinoa)
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Brush squash halves with oil, sprinkle with salt, roast cut-side down for 30 minutes.
3. Mix rice, cranberries, pecans, and cinnamon.
4. Stuff squash and bake another 10 minutes.

6. Jackfruit Pot Roast

Tender jackfruit shreds into a meaty texture, perfect in a slow cooker with carrots and potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans young jackfruit (in brine, drained)
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 potatoes, cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups veggie broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place jackfruit, vegetables, broth, soy sauce, and thyme in a casserole dish.
3. Cover and bake 1 hour, stirring once.

7. Vegan Nut Roast

Classic, easy, and full of flavor. Serve with mushroom gravy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed nuts (walnuts, cashews, almonds), chopped
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp ground flax + 5 tbsp water
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flax egg, sauté onion in olive oil.
3. Combine all ingredients, press into a loaf pan.
4. Bake 40 minutes.

8. BBQ Chickpea Meatloaf

A smoky twist on the classic with a sticky BBQ glaze.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans chickpeas, mashed
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 onion, diced
• ½ cup BBQ sauce (plus more for topping)
• 2 tbsp ground flax + 5 tbsp water
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix all ingredients.
3. Press into loaf pan, top with BBQ sauce.
4. Bake 35–40 minutes.

9. Whole Roasted Cauliflower

A stunning, simple vegan centerpiece with garlic and herbs.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole cauliflower, trimmed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub cauliflower with oil, garlic, and spices.
3. Place in a baking dish, cover with foil.
4. Bake 40 minutes covered, then 15 minutes uncovered.

10. Easy Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

Lentils, veggies, and creamy mashed potatoes—a make-ahead comfort dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked lentils
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook onion and carrots, stir in lentils, peas, and soy sauce. Spread in casserole dish.
3. Top with mashed potatoes.
4. Bake 25–30 minutes.

11. Tofu Roast with Gravy

Marinated tofu baked to perfection, served with rich vegan gravy.

Ingredients:

• 2 blocks extra-firm tofu, pressed
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice tofu, marinate in soy sauce, oil, and spices 15 minutes.
3. Bake 30 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Serve with vegan gravy.

12. Holiday Vegan Lasagna

Layers of pasta, cashew ricotta, and spinach made simple for the holidays.

Ingredients:

• 1 box lasagna noodles (oven-ready)
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 ½ cups cashew ricotta (blend 1 cup cashews + ¼ cup water + 2 tbsp lemon juice + 2 tbsp nutritional yeast)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Layer sauce, noodles, ricotta, and spinach. Repeat.
3. Top with sauce and bake 40 minutes.

13. Vegan Meatballs in Cranberry Sauce

Quick lentil or tempeh meatballs simmered in cranberry sauce—main dish or appetizer!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked lentils
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp flax meal + 5 tbsp water
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup cranberry sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix lentils, breadcrumbs, flax egg, and garlic powder. Roll into balls.
3. Bake 20 minutes, then toss in warm cranberry sauce.

14. Easy Portobello Mushroom Steaks

Simple, hearty, and always a crowd-pleaser with balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

• 4 portobello mushrooms, stems removed
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix marinade, brush over mushrooms.
3. Roast 20 minutes, flipping halfway.

15. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Rice, lentils, and herbs baked in savory tomato sauce—cozy and easier than they look.

Ingredients:

• 8 large cabbage leaves, blanched
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 cup tomato sauce (plus extra for topping)
• 1 tsp paprika

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix rice, lentils, ½ cup tomato sauce, and paprika.
3. Spoon filling into cabbage leaves, roll up.
4. Place in baking dish, cover with tomato sauce, bake 30 minutes.

Pro Tips for Stress-Free Vegan Holiday Mains

• Lean on sauces: Mushroom gravy, glazes, or cranberry sauce elevate any dish.
• Prep ahead: Many recipes can be made a day before.
• Keep it colorful: Garnishes like pomegranate seeds or fresh parsley add instant wow factor.

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

These vegan mains are festive, satisfying, and manageable. No 12-hour prep, no obscure ingredients, no stress. Perfect for vegan or mixed holiday tables—they’re guaranteed to impress

📌 Follow me on Pinterest for more easy vegan meals!

FAQs About Easy Vegan Holiday Roasts

1. What’s the easiest vegan roast to make?

Lentil loaf or whole roasted cauliflower—minimal prep and basic ingredients.

2. Can I prep vegan holiday mains ahead of time?

Yes! Lentil loaves, nut roasts, and stuffed squash reheat beautifully.

3. What’s the best sauce for a vegan roast?

Mushroom gravy, cranberry glaze, or simple BBQ sauce all work well.

4. Will non-vegans enjoy these recipes?

Absolutely. Hearty, flavorful, and festive—perfect for mixed holiday tables.

5. What sides pair best with vegan roasts?

Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, vegan stuffing, and dinner rolls are classic favorites.

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