MomSkoop
When you gather friends and family around the table, some dishes just steal the show. Everyone reaches for seconds, and the recipe requests start flying before dessert even arrives. Whether you’re cooking for a holiday feast or a weekend get-together, these seven recipes have proven themselves time and again as absolute crowd-pleasers that happen to be completely plant-based.
1. Maple-Mustard Glazed Roasted Cauliflower “Centerpiece”
A whole cauliflower head transformed into something spectacular—golden, glossy, and sliced just like a traditional roast. This showstopper combines the sweetness of maple syrup with tangy Dijon mustard, creating a glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Smoked paprika and garlic add depth, while the cauliflower itself becomes tender and slightly nutty.
Start by trimming the leaves but keeping the core intact so everything holds together. Brush your maple-mustard mixture generously over every surface, then roast covered for 35 minutes. Remove the foil, brush on more glaze, and let it roast uncovered until deeply golden.
When you bring this beauty to the table and slice through it, everyone will be impressed. The pan juices make a simple yet delicious sauce that ties everything together perfectly.
2. Mushroom, Chestnut & Lentil Wellington
Nothing says celebration quite like a Wellington, and this plant-based version delivers all the elegance without any compromise. Rich mushrooms get cooked down until they’re deeply browned and concentrated, then mixed with earthy lentils and sweet chestnuts. Fresh thyme and rosemary bring that classic holiday aroma.
The filling needs to cool completely before you wrap it in pastry—this prevents sogginess and helps everything hold its shape when you slice. Score the top in a pretty pattern and brush with plant milk for that gorgeous golden finish. Tomato paste and soy sauce add umami depth that makes this taste incredibly savory and satisfying.
Bake until the pastry puffs up and turns deep gold. Each slice reveals beautiful layers, and the leftovers (if there are any) taste even better the next day when the flavors have melded together.
3. Crispy Roast Potatoes with Garlic-Rosemary
These potatoes disappear faster than anything else on the table, guaranteed. The secret lies in a surprising ingredient—baking soda added to the boiling water roughens up the edges, creating maximum crunch when they hit the hot oil. Smashed garlic cloves and fresh rosemary infuse everything with incredible flavor.
After parboiling, give the pot a good shake to really fluff up those edges. Meanwhile, heat your oil in the oven until it’s practically shimmering. When you add the potatoes, they should sizzle immediately.
Roast them at high heat, turning once halfway through, until they’re deeply golden and impossibly crispy. The edges get almost lacy and crunchy, while the insides stay fluffy and soft. People will ask for your secret, and you can decide whether to share the baking soda trick or keep them guessing.
4. Creamy Garlic-Herb Mashed Potatoes
Comfort food at its finest, these mashed potatoes prove you don’t need dairy to achieve silky perfection. Roasted or sautéed garlic adds mellow sweetness without any harsh bite. Vegan butter and a splash of olive oil create richness, while warm plant milk makes everything incredibly smooth.
The key is adding your liquid gradually—too much at once makes them gluey, but the right amount creates that cloud-like texture everyone loves. Drain your boiled potatoes really well before mashing to avoid wateriness.
Season generously with salt and pepper, tasting as you go. Fresh chives scattered on top add a pop of color and a mild onion flavor that complements the garlic beautifully. These potatoes are so good that even dairy-lovers won’t miss a thing, and they pair perfectly with just about everything else on your table.
5. Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans & Cranberries
Even people who claim to hate Brussels sprouts change their minds after trying this dish. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness while eliminating any bitterness, and the maple-balsamic glaze adds beautiful caramelization. Each sprout half gets crispy edges and a tender center.
Toss everything together before roasting so the flavors can meld in the oven. After 20 minutes, add the pecans—they need less time than the sprouts, and adding them later prevents burning. The nuts toast perfectly and add wonderful crunch.
Wait until the very end to toss in the cranberries. They don’t need any heat, and keeping them off the hot pan preserves their chewy texture and bright tartness. The combination of sweet, savory, crunchy, and tangy makes this side dish absolutely irresistible, converting skeptics one Brussels sprout at a time.
6. Vegan Gravy (Deep Brown, Onion-Mushroom)
Great gravy can make or break a meal, and this version tastes just as rich and savory as any traditional recipe. Browning the onions and mushrooms well is crucial—don’t rush this step. That deep caramelization creates the foundation of flavor that makes people think this simmered for hours when it actually takes just 15 minutes.
Creating a roux with flour helps thicken everything and adds body. Whisk your vegetable stock in slowly to avoid lumps, then let it simmer until it coats the back of a spoon. Soy sauce adds that umami depth and helps deepen the color.
Fresh thyme and black pepper round out the flavor profile beautifully. This gravy works perfectly over mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or that gorgeous Wellington, bringing everything together in delicious harmony.
7. Gingerbread-Orange Trifle (Easy Showstopper Dessert)
After a big meal, you want something impressive but not too heavy, and this trifle checks all the boxes. Spiced gingerbread pairs beautifully with bright citrus and tart cranberries, while layers of creamy custard and fluffy coconut whipped cream make it feel indulgent. Assembling it in a glass bowl shows off all those gorgeous layers.
Cube your gingerbread and give it a light drizzle of orange juice or rum if you’re feeling festive. Build your layers generously—custard, fruit—and repeat if your bowl is deep enough.
The best part? This needs to chill for a few hours, so you can make it ahead and let it sit in the fridge while you focus on everything else. When dessert time arrives, just bring it out and watch everyone admire those beautiful layers before digging in eagerly.