15 Easy Vegan Holiday Roasts & Main Dish Recipes

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Looking for an easy holiday main dish?

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by holiday cooking, you’re not alone. Between the sides, the desserts, and making sure the table looks festive, the last thing you need is a complicated main dish that takes all day.

That’s why I’ve pulled together this list of 15 easy vegan holiday roasts and main dish recipes — all hearty, festive, and totally do-able.

These dishes are designed to impress without the stress. You’ll find everything from cozy lentil loaves to elegant mushroom wellingtons, but every recipe here is approachable enough for a home cook.

Trust me, even if you’re new to plant-based cooking, you’ll be able to pull these off.

Looking for more easy, make-ahead vegan holiday recipes? Explore my Easy Vegan Thanksgiving & Christmas Cookbook — it includes 55+ festive recipes ready in 30 minutes or less, all made with 10 ingredients or fewer and practical prep-ahead tips for stress-free hosting.

1. Easy Lentil Loaf

Comforting, filling, and perfect with a tangy glaze on top. This is one of those “set it and forget it” recipes you’ll come back to year after year.

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 more 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. Mash lentils lightly, then 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

Don’t let the fancy look fool you — this recipe is surprisingly easy. With store-bought puff pastry and a savory mushroom filling, you’ll look like a pro without breaking a sweat.

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 center, fold over, and seal.
4. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden.

3. Quick Seitan Roast with Herbs

If you want something sliceable like turkey, a homemade seitan roast is the way to go. Season it 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 veggie broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix dry ingredients, then stir in 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

Made mostly from pantry staples, this chickpea loaf is budget-friendly and beginner-friendly. Add cranberry sauce on the side and you’ve got 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 a loaf pan, top with extra soy sauce or ketchup.
4. Bake 35 minutes.

5. Easy Stuffed Acorn Squash

Roast a few squash halves, fill them with wild rice, cranberries, and pecans, and watch them steal the spotlight. They look fancy but take 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 salt, roast cut-side down 30 minutes.
3. Mix rice, cranberries, pecans, cinnamon.
4. Stuff squash and bake another 10 minutes.

6. Jackfruit Pot Roast

Jackfruit is magical — it shreds into tender, meaty pieces that soak up savory flavors. Toss it in a slow cooker with carrots and potatoes, and you’ll have a no-stress centerpiece.

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, veggies, broth, soy sauce, and thyme in a casserole dish.
3. Cover and bake 1 hour, stirring once.

7. Vegan Nut Roast

A classic that’s easier than it sounds. With nuts, breadcrumbs, and fresh herbs, you can bake this up in under an hour and serve with vegan 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, set aside. Sauté onion in olive oil.
3. Combine all ingredients, press into loaf pan.
4. Bake 40 minutes.

8. BBQ Chickpea Meatloaf

This twist on the classic uses a smoky BBQ glaze instead of tomato sauce. Sticky, sweet, savory, and simple to put together.

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 everything together.
3. Press into loaf pan, top with BBQ sauce.
4. Bake 35–40 minutes.

9. Whole Roasted Cauliflower

A head of cauliflower roasted with garlic and herbs makes a stunning (and surprisingly easy) vegan centerpiece. Minimal prep, maximum wow factor.

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 baking dish, cover with foil.
4. Bake 40 minutes covered, then uncover 15 minutes more.

10. Easy Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

Lentils, veggies, and creamy mashed potatoes — the kind of dish you can prep ahead and bake right before dinner. Comfort food at its best.

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

Tofu doesn’t have to be bland. Marinate, bake, and drizzle with gravy — it’s an easy, protein-rich main dish that pairs beautifully with holiday sides.

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 into slabs, marinate in soy sauce, oil, and spices for 15 minutes.
3. Bake 30 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Serve with vegan gravy.

12. Holiday Vegan Lasagna

Layers of pasta, cashew ricotta, and spinach sound complicated, but trust me — this version is weeknight-easy and perfect for a crowd.

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, spinach. Repeat.
3. Top with sauce and bake 40 minutes.

13. Vegan Meatballs in Cranberry Sauce

A fun holiday spin! Make quick lentil or tempeh meatballs, simmer them in cranberry sauce, and serve as a main 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.
4. Toss in warm cranberry sauce.

14. Easy Portobello Mushroom Steaks

Marinate, roast, and top with balsamic glaze — simple, hearty, and always a crowd-pleaser.

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

Filled with rice, lentils, and herbs, these rolls bake in a savory tomato sauce. They’re easier than they look and make the coziest holiday dish.

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, paprika.
3. Spoon filling into each cabbage leaf, roll up.
4. Place in baking dish, cover with tomato sauce, and bake 30 minutes.

Pro Tips for Stress-Free Vegan Holiday Mains

• Lean on sauces. A quick gravy or glaze takes your dish from good to unforgettable.
• Prep ahead. Most of these dishes can be made the day before — perfect for busy holidays.
• Keep it colorful. A sprinkle of pomegranate seeds or fresh parsley adds instant “wow” factor.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Vegan Recipes

The best part about these recipes? They’re festive, satisfying, and actually doable. No twelve-hour prep, no obscure ingredients, no stress. Whether you’re cooking for a vegan crowd or just want a plant-based option at the table, these mains are guaranteed to impress.

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FAQs About Easy Vegan Holiday Roasts

1. What’s the easiest vegan roast to make?
A lentil loaf or whole roasted cauliflower are the simplest options. Both require minimal prep and basic ingredients.

2. Can I prep vegan holiday mains ahead of time?
Yes! Lentil loaves, nut roasts, and stuffed squash all reheat beautifully the next day.

3. What’s the best sauce for a vegan roast?
Mushroom gravy, cranberry glaze, or a simple BBQ sauce all work well.

4. Will non-vegans enjoy these recipes?
Definitely. These dishes are hearty, flavorful, and festive — perfect for mixed holiday tables.

5. What sides pair best with vegan roasts?
Mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, vegan stuffing, and dinner rolls are classics that never fail.

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Hungry for more? Check out these related posts:

• 25 Best Vegan Side Dishes for Thanksgiving Everyone Will Love
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• 60+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes That Won’t Make You Miss The Turkey!