vegan Christmas recipes

Back when I was first teaching myself to cook, in my late teens, one of my favorite dishes to cook was a butternut squash casserole with goat cheese. It was simple, but delicious. Today, my version of butternut squash casserole has morphed into something a little more complex, and 100% vegan. But it's the most delicious version of it that I've ever made.

It's made with butternut squash, kale, leeks, and pecans, and tossed in a creamy sauce made of cashews. It could be described as comfort food, but it gets points for nutrition, too. This recipe has lots of vitamins A and C, plus 8 grams of protein per serving. To get to this masterpiece, I took some inspiration from this Epicurious (non-vegan) recipe, and this recipe from Oh She Glows.

You've planned your entire Thanksgiving feast. But now you're in need of the perfect appetizer for you and your family to snack on while Thanksgiving dinner's being prepared. Don't worry!

In years past, we've snacked on my delicious spinach & artichoke dip. This year, I'm adding a new menu item to the holiday appetizer list: vegan cranberry and cashew goat cheese crostini! (This recipe is also a great option for holiday parties.)

Crostini (an Italian word meaning "little toasts") share some traits with their better-known antipasto cousin, bruschetta. Both are finger foods made from toasted bread slices with various toppings. However, bruschetta traditionally uses larger slices of bread (from a loaf of Italian bread, for example). Crostini are made with smaller bread slices, typically from baguettes. Crostini are also toasted in the oven on a baking tray, while bruschetta is usually grilled over a fire.

Tender cinnamon-caramel apples paired with a sweet and crunchy oat streusel topping create the best apple crisp ever! It's 100% vegan, and can be made gluten-free with one substitution.

Apple crisp is the dessert I find myself making all fall and winter long. It has all the flavors I love in apple pie, but is so much easier to prepare! Plus, it's great for sharing and bringing along to holiday parties and gatherings.

I made eight versions of this apple crisp before I got it just right. I've tested it with multiple methods and ingredients, so I'm 100% sure that any apple crisp fan is going to absolutely love this recipe. No one will ever know it's vegan if you don't tell them!

This lentil loaf is my most requested holiday recipe, ever. It's tender, hearty, full of flavor, and keeps both vegans and meat eaters coming back for seconds. Although it makes a great Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner centerpiece, this vegan meatloaf is also a great meal any time of year!

This vegan green bean casserole is so rich and creamy, no one will guess it's vegan! But this version is even tastier than the classic, because it's made with fresh green beans and a from-scratch mushroom cashew sauce that packs a ton of flavor. It's also super easy to make and has a make-ahead option for busy holidays.

This recipe came about by accident after I found a vegan sour cream on sale at the grocery store and I was trying to figure out what to do with it. Many trials and variations later, I've arrived at the perfect vegan version of this classic favorite!

Personally, I really love the creaminess and flavor of Yukon gold potatoes for this side dish. However, if you want a more traditional texture, feel free to use regular baking (Russet) potatoes.