11 Elegant Gourmet Vegetarian Recipes

Written by
Jolinda Hackett
Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes.
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Jolinda Hackett
Updated 09/26/20
Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington

The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

A vegan or vegetarian meal can include luscious gourmet dishes that are nevertheless easy to prepare. Use these recipes that are suitable for a dinner party or romantic meal for two. Enjoy appetizers, soup, salad, entree, side dishes, and dessert.

  • 01 of 11

    Herbed Vegan Mushroom Pate

    Herbed vegetarian mushroom pate

    The Spruce Eats / Anastasiia Tretiak

    Serve this Herbed vegan mushroom pate as an appetizer at your cocktail party or with drinks before your gourmet dinner. You can use it to top toasted slices of baguette or your favorite vegan crackers.

  • 02 of 11

    Spicy Mango Ginger Soup

    Raw vegan mango soup

     The Spruce

    You can serve this spicy mango ginger soup in a shot glass as an appetizer or in a bowl as your first course. It's a raw food recipe packed with flavor that will delight your guests. It's perfect for a summer dinner party on the patio.

  • 03 of 11

    Vegetarian Avocado Caprese Salad

    Avocado, tomato, and mozzarella salad recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

    The classic vegetarian avocado caprese salad gets an update with the addition of avocado. It's the perfect summer salad when you can get garden-ripe tomatoes and fresh basil. Dress it with olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a bit of sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper, or drizzle it with a bit of honey as a variation. For a vegan version, substitute vegan mozzarella.

  • 04 of 11

    Vegetarian Mushroom Risotto With Truffle Oil

    Mushroom Risotto

    Luis Alvarenga / Getty Images

    Make a show-stopping dinner with this vegetarian gourmet vegetarian mushroom risotto with truffle oil using truffle oil. It pulls no punches with luxury ingredients including whole milk, butter, white wine, cheese, and truffle oil. It's perfect for a romantic dinner.

    Continue to 5 of 11 below.
  • 05 of 11

    Mushroom Wellington

    Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington

    The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

    Even the meat-eaters will be clamoring for a taste of this gorgeous vegetarian version of the elegant beef wellington. Puff pastry surrounds a hearty mixture of butternut squash, sweet potato, portobello mushrooms, kale, and faro. Once it is baked until golden brown it served with a light tarragon cream sauce.

  • 06 of 11

    Vegetarian Tabbouleh With Edamame and Feta

    Tabbouleh Salad With Edamame and Feta Cheese

    Getty Images 

    You can make this gourmet vegetarian tabbouleh salad as your main course, especially for a summer meal. It is packed with protein and served chilled. At other times, it makes a hearty starter or side dish.

  • 07 of 11

    Vegetarian Tofu Gnocchi

    Gnocchi

    Imagerie / Getty Images

    Traditional gnocchi is made with potatoes and is usually a starch course. Turn it into a protein-packed main course by making vegetarian tofu gnocchi. Then choose the gourmet sauce to use with it, such as vegan pistou sauce, vegan mushroom cream sauce, or vegan artichoke and walnut pesto.

  • 08 of 11

    Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto

    Vegan Risotto With Sun Dried Tomatoes

     Svariophoto/Getty Images

    This vegan and vegetarian sun-dried tomato risotto looks lovely on the plate and bursts with fresh basil and parsley as well as sun-dried tomatoes. It uses vegan Parmesan cheese.

    Continue to 9 of 11 below.
  • 09 of 11

    Vegan Oven-Roasted Sunchokes

    roasted sunchokes

    bhofack2 / Getty Images

    These vegan oven-roasted sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes) are an excellent side dish to replace typical potato dishes. Sunchokes are a seasonal winter vegetable and can grace your table for the holidays or that romantic Valentine's Day dinner.

  • 10 of 11

    Vegan Ratatouille

    Ratatouille

    The Spruce / Allyson Kramer

    A beautiful vegan ratatouille will look great on the table and pack lots of flavor. It's a great summer dish when zucchini, eggplant, and bell pepper are in season in your garden or from the farmers market.

  • 11 of 11

    Vegan Tofu Peanut Butter Pie

    Vegan peanut butter pie with chocolate and crushed peanut topping

    Steven Gorgos / Getty Images

    End your gourmet meal with a decadent dessert such as this vegan tofu peanut butter pie. Not only does it have just a handful of ingredients, but it also is a no-bake dessert. You combine the ingredients in the food processor, pour into a prepared vegan pie crust, and chill it. You can make it more elegant with a topping of vegan chocolate swirl and chopped nuts.