“What do vegetarians eat on Thanksgiving?” … it’s the question vegetarians (or vegans) get over and over once the holidays roll around. Let’s all be honest: it’s not really about the turkey anyway.
It’s about flavorful, hearty sides, dinner rolls, and indulgent desserts.
Even more so, it’s really all about gathering with friends and family around the table and enjoying a homecooked meal with lots of laughter, lingering around after the plates have been cleared, anticipating dessert.
It’s simply the best, and these recipes will help make the experience elegant, delicious, and satisfying!
Here you’ll find a collection of over 50 meatless recipes that are flavorful, filling, and will be loved by everyone around the table!
These are all vegetarian recipes, and many are vegan recipes, or easily adapted to be vegan, dairy-free, or gluten-free.
Whether you’re vegetarian, flexitarian, or a meat eater, these recipes will find a favorite place on your holiday table.
This collection is full of easy recipes that are loaded with flavor, texture, and are approachable enough for even the busiest of Thanksgiving kitchens. Dig in, and enjoy!
Table of Contents
- Appetizer Recipes
- Salad Recipes
- Soup Recipes
- Main Dish Recipes
- Side Dish Recipes
- Bread and Roll Recipes
- Dessert Recipes
- Cocktail Recipes
Appetizer Recipes
Finger foods, dips, and lots of cheesy goodness for appetizer options on Thanksgiving!
Check out these warm and comforting apps that will be perfect for your get-togethers…big or small!
Mushroom Bruschetta with Gruyere and Thyme
Mushroom Bruschetta is a super easy, warm, and comforting appetizer. Not only is it perfect for the holidays, but you'll enjoy the caramelized onions and gruyere cheese for any occasion! It's rich, savory, and comes together in about 15 minutes!
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Pumpkin Spice Baked Brie
Pumpkin Spice Baked Brie – creamy, melted brie topped with a layer of pumpkin and spices, an apple chutney, wrapped in flaky puff pastry and drizzled with extra maple syrup.
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Sweet Potato and Whipped Goat Cheese Appetizer Bites
Quick and easy to make, these sweet potato rounds are an excellent bite-sized holiday appetizer, full of flavor from the tangy herb-filled goat cheese and a drizzle of honey!
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Whipped Ricotta with Herbs and Honey
In just 10 minutes, creamy ricotta cheese is whipped to perfection and served with honey, lemon and fresh herbs for an ultra flavorful combination. Store-bought whole milk ricotta, or homemade whole milk ricotta work wonderfully! Serve as dip, spread, or easy crostini appetizer.
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Butternut Squash and Pear Crostini
A fall appetizer full of warm, comforting flavors – white cheddar cheese is balanced with butternut squash, thyme, and pear all atop of crostini.
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Herby Roasted Garlic Olive Oil Dip
Olive oil bread dip brimming with flavor from multiple herbs and roasted garlic; you won't be able to stop dipping each and every last bit of crust bread in it! This elegant appetizer is not only delicious, but it's also super easy to make!
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Whipped Feta with Marinated Olives
Two words: elevated. appetizer. This Whipped Feta with Marinated Olives recipe is easy to make, yet stunning and impressive, with over-the-top flavors from fresh herbs, lemon, and tangy feta cheese.
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Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini (with bacon option)
Sweet and savory fig compote is easy to make using dried figs, and it gets slathered on top of a toasted buttery crostini slice with creamy, tangy goat cheese for a deliciously comforting appetizer! Everyone will love it as vegetarians will enjoy the pairing as is, and meat-eaters can add a slice of salty, crispy bacon.
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Baked Kale and Artichoke Dip with Leeks
Elevate your next gathering with this Baked Kale and Artichoke Dip. It's made with hearty kale, buttery artichokes, and sauteed leeks for maximum flavor. Paired with an indulgent cream cheese base, it's a creamy hot appetizer dip sure to please a crowd!
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Broccolini and White Bean Crostini
This healthy white bean crostini is a delicious appetizer for holiday parties, potlucks, or patio happy hours! Crispy crostini toasts are smeared with a white bean mixture of tangy lemon, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley. It's then topped with roasted baby broccolini and a sliver of parmesan cheese. You'll love the unique combination and balance of flavors, as well as all the texture!
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Vegetarian Fall Charcuterie Board
Celebrate the season with this festive, elevated vegetarian fall charcuterie board. It's the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving or holiday parties. Simple to put together, with a variety of flavors and textures, and gorgeous autumn colors.
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Homemade Cranberry Goat Cheese Log
Make your own cranberry goat cheese log at home with simple ingredients in just 10 minutes! Rolled in a mixture of dried cranberries, pecans, green onion, and cinnamon, the pairing with tangy goat cheese is the perfect combination! You'll love this easy, make-ahead appetizer!
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Salad Recipes
You’ll love these anything-but-boring salads to get some veggies in on your Thanksgiving table!
Many are not lettuce-based for a more interesting twist to the usual salad. Serve them on the side or as a hearty part of the main dish.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Pomegranate and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Forget the lettuce, this raw shaved Brussels sprout salad is fresh, crisp, and crunchy. Tossed with a tangy balsamic and mustard vinaigrette and topped with bright pomegranate seeds, pears, pecans, and shallot. It's quick and easy to make – perfect for holiday side dishes or weekday lunches!
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Wild Rice and Arugula Salad
An easy salad, perfect for a fall lunch, Thanksgiving, or when you need something healthy in the dead of winter – cranberries, roasted butternut squash, slivered almonds, arugula, and chewy wild rice create the best combination!
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Autumn Acorn Squash Salad
An easy and texture packed salad that is full of fall flavors. Excellent for a satisfying lunch or as a vegan Thanksgiving side!
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Winter Wheat Berry Salad
Winter Wheat Berry Salad –broccoli, dried cherries, and toasted walnuts tossed in a sweet and savory dressing.
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10-Minute Spinach Salad with Tangy Red Wine Vinaigrette
Spinach Salad with Tangy Red Wine Vinaigrette is loaded with texture and tang! Raw baby spinach paired with pecans, blue cheese, shallots, and sweet dates, then tossed with a tangy, red wine vinegar, and mustard dressing. It's ready in just 10 minutes – serve it as a side, lunch, or light dinner.
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Soup Recipes
Whether serving soup as an appetizer, starter, or part of the main course, these vegetarian soups are hearty, comforting, and will warm your soul!
Mushroom Gnocchi Soup with Wild Rice
Cozy up with a warm, comforting bowl of Mushroom Gnocchi Soup with Wild Rice. It's an easy-to-make recipe that's loaded with herbs, meaty mushrooms, pillowy gnocchi, and chewy wild rice all in a luxurious, creamy soup. Your family won't be able to get enough!
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Hearty Green Lentil & Vegetable Soup (Instant Pot Option)
This nourishing lentil vegetable soup is hearty, filling, and packed with good-for-you ingredients. Made with green lentils, kale, carrots, parsnips, celery, and more. You can easily make the soup stovetop (40 minutes) or in the Instant Pot (30 minutes). Either way, this chunky veggie-filled soup is ready in no time!
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Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Soup
Fall in love with this Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Soup recipe! It's ready in 30 minutes, made in one pot, and is naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free! It's creamy all on its own and totally cozy and comforting!
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Creamy Vegetable Soup with Dumplings
Cozy up with a warm bowl of Creamy Vegetable Soup with Dumplings; it's easy to make in just 30 minutes, full of hearty veggies, and so comforting. You'll love the soft, fluffy, herb-filled dumplings and creamy soup combination.
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Roasted Tomato Carrot Ginger Soup
Cozy up with a big bowl of Tomato Carrot Ginger Soup. Roasting the vegetables makes them sweetly caramelized, adding a ton of flavor to this soup. It's healthy and absolutely comforting! Even better? It's ready in under 25 minutes and is basically a hands-off recipe.
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Broccoli Butternut Squash Soup
Broccoli Butternut Squash Soup is an easy, healthy dinner option that will warm your soul! It's naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
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How to Make Homemade Vegetable Barley Soup
This comforting and hearty vegetable barley soup is a terrific soup for dinner or lunch. It’s made with pearled barley, mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen veggies work well), Yukon gold potatoes, and dried herbs. It cooks in just 30 minutes, all in one pot. You can’t go wrong with a big warm bowl of this veggie-packed soup!
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Main Dish Recipes
Make one of these for the star of the show on your Thanksgiving table!
Vegetarian Herb Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Vegetarian Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms are loaded with your favorite herb-infused stuffing, extra kale, and an indulgent dose of gruyere cheese. They're hearty and full of texture, making them a perfect dinner option!
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Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Fresh Herb Butter
If you're looking for a quick, efficient, elegant main dish, look no further than this oven-roasted Whole Roasted Cauliflower! It's bursting with flavor from a fresh herb butter sauce infused with garlic, fresh herbs, and as much parmesan as your heart desires.
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Cheesy Stuffed Shells with Butternut Squash Sauce and Crispy Sage
Cozy up with a plate full of Cheesy Stuffed Shells with Butternut Squash Sauce and Crispy Sage ASAP. This vegetarian dinner is filling and full of flavor, with a homemade butternut squash sauce and jumbo shells filled with a hearty ricotta and spinach mixture.
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Green Bean Wild Rice Casserole
Green Bean Wild Rice Casserole is a deliciously cozy main or side dish on cold winter nights. Made with a wild rice blend, fresh green beans, and homemade cream of mushroom soup. It's savory, comforting, and hearty.
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Creamy Mushroom Pea Risotto
Mushroom Pea Risotto makes a comforting winter vegetarian dinner or side dish! Creamy, rich parmesan risotto paired with earthy mushrooms and bright spring peas for an incredible combination.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Poppy Seed Sauce
Butternut Squash Ravioli is full of warm flavors, has a silky, creamy texture, and is an instant crowd-pleaser! No time for fresh pasta dough? Make the rich brown butter poppy seed sauce for store-bought ravioli, too – it's rich with a wonderfully unique texture thanks to those little poppy seeds.
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Side Dish Recipes
Let’s be honest, Thanksgiving is really all about the sides anyway, isn’t it?
Check out these naturally vegetarian sides that everyone will love!
The Best Vegetarian Herb Stuffing
This traditional version of "stuffing" (or dressing) will satisfy all appetites! Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will scarf down this savory herb-filled stuffing with its crispy bits and flavor throughout, it's truly the BEST vegetarian stuffing.
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Gruyere and Thyme Stacked Potatoes
Gruyere and Thyme Stacked Potatoes are so easy to make in a muffin tin. They have layers upon layers of thinly sliced potatoes, gruyere and parmesan cheese, fresh thyme, and of course garlic. Their edges are crispy while the inside melts in your mouth. A must make for the holidays, and easy enough for a side to a weeknight dinner.
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Perfect Pan-Roasted Broccolini
Cooking broccolini on a sheet pan in the oven couldn’t be easier! In just 15 minutes, this recipe produces roasted broccolini with crispy tops and tender stalks. Hands-down, roasting broccolini is my favorite way to enjoy it.
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Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes
Elevate your next meal with these cozy, comforting, cheesy Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes! They are luxurious and indulgent! The nuttiness of gruyere cheese, creamy buttery flavor of the Yukon Gold potatoes, and warm, fragrant fresh thyme make an irresistible combination! This is one side dish recipe you will be making over and over!
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Roasted Root Vegetables
Roasted Root Vegetables are easy to make and are an absolutely delicious way to enjoy all the winter veggies! You'll love the caramelized bits from roasting in the oven, and the versatility of spices you can add! An ultimate vegetable side dish winner!
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Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecan Maple Glaze
Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Pecan Glaze is a simple side dish that's the perfect sweet-and-savory addition to any family dinner, holiday, or weeknight meal. It's ready in under 20 minutes and highlights your favorite cozy fall flavors!
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Vegetarian Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms
Serve this wild rice pilaf as a hearty side dish or even a vegetarian main. It's savory and full of warming herbs, mushrooms, and carrots. Easy to make on the stovetop, it's ready in just 30 minutes!
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Smashed Fingerling Potatoes
These smashed fingerling potatoes are one of the best side dish recipes. With their creamy, buttery, interior and crispy, garlic-loaded exterior, it's a perfect combo. Plus, they're ready in under 30 minutes and are made with just 4 simple ingredients. Even better? You can really use any small waxy potato you have.
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Sautéed Green Beans with Red Pepper and Goat Cheese
An easy side dish that’s festive, ready in 10 minutes, and made with only 5 ingredients!
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Skillet Creamed Corn
Skillet Creamed Corn – fresh sweet corn, rich creaminess, and soul-comforting herbs. Your next family dinner favorite!
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Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These are the ultimate Garlic Mashed Potatoes, made with both whole garlic cloves and garlic powder in a rustic mash of red potatoes with their skin on – no peeling required! Rich, creamy, and absolutely irresistible, they are the perfect side dish for any meal.
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The Easiest Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
Making frozen brussels sprouts in the air fryer is so easy you won't even believe it! In under 20 minutes, you'll take frozen vegetables and turn them into the perfect side dish – crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Garnish with your favorite flavors and enjoy.
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Bread and Roll Recipes
Can’t get enough carbs! These ones are full of flavor and fresh herbs.
Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls
Homemade Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls are soft and fluffy. Brushed with garlic and fresh herb mixture hot out of the oven, they are completely irresistible! They're easier to make than you might think, and are perfect for special dinners or anytime you need a delicious bread roll as a side!
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Ultimate Garlic Cheese Biscuits
This is the ultimate recipe for Garlic Cheese Biscuits! Flaky layers of biscuit baked in garlic butter and topped with a mixture of melty cheddar cheese and parmesan. They're the perfect side dish for cheese and garlic lovers!
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Thyme Parmesan Drop Biscuits
These easy drop biscuits are filled with parmesan cheese and fresh thyme for an elevated yet cozy homemade biscuit. They come together so quickly and are ready from start to finish in under 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals.
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Honey Skillet Cornbread
Honey Cornbread is made in a cast-iron skillet for crispy, caramelized edges and a sweet, tender crumb bread with a bit of bite from coarse cornmeal and real corn pieces (use fresh or frozen!). It's topped off with an indulgent dose of honey butter, leaving it irresistibly sweet. Pair it with homemade chili, a cozy soup, or some saucy ribs.
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3-Ingredient Beer Bread
3-Ingredient Beer Bread is crunchy and rustic on the outside while remaining moist and slightly sweet inside. It’s perfect served with chili or a hearty soup!
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Dessert Recipes
You can’t forget dessert! Add one (or more!) of these to round out Thanksgiving…from pumpkin spice to caramel, to apple, you’ll love them!
Sheet Cake Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist, soft, and fluffy—these pumpkin dessert bars bake in a single-layer jellyroll pan or rimmed sheet pan. Made with canned pumpkin puree, these home-baked pumpkin bars are the perfect festive fall dessert. Top with a generous layer of homemade cream cheese frosting, and enjoy! Recipe yields 24 bars.
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15-Minute Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Indulge in this creamy, smooth Bourbon Caramel Sauce. Drizzle it over ice cream, pecan pie, or stir it in your coffee. There are endless ways to enjoy this sweet, slightly-salty, deep, rich caramel.
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Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse
Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse is light and airy, with a cheesecake tang, and all the warm and cozy pumpkin pie spices on top of a crisp graham cracker crust base! Topped with extra whipped cream, it's an indulgent yet incredibly easy no-bake dessert!
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Apple Cider Cupcakes with Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting
Bake these Apple Cider Cupcakes for a fun fall treat, with their moist, tender crumb and cream cheese frosting – you cannot go wrong! No bourbon? No problem, just use apple cider in the frosting, too.
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Apple Crisp Without Oats
This homemade apple crisp made without oats is a timeless old-fashioned recipe, just like Grandma made. It will warm your soul with juicy, tender cinnamon-sugar apples, and a crisp, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth no-oats topping. Make it for an easy, irresistible fall dessert!
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Cocktail Recipes
There’s nothing better than a signature cocktail at a holiday event. Make one of these crowd-pleasing drinks for your guests.
Easy Apple Cider Sangria with Prosecco
Nothing says fall quite like Apple Cider Sangria. This flavorful, easy-to-make cocktail is perfect for a holiday party or get-together with friends because it's made by the pitcher and only takes about 15 minutes! Bursting with warm fall flavors and bubbly prosecco, it's the perfect autumn drink!
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Cranberry Rosemary Prosecco Cocktail
Cheers to the holidays in style with a festive Cranberry Rosemary Prosecco cocktail! With rosemary simple syrup, cranberry juice, and your favorite prosecco, this cocktail is easy to make, light, and refreshing!
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Spiced Homemade Hot Buttered Rum
You've got to make this homemade cocktail as the weather cools, trust me! It starts with creating a hot buttered rum batter using butter, spices, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. Next, combine the mixed batter with hot water and dark rum to create the ultimate luxurious and satisfying cocktail (made without ice cream). It will keep you warm all winter long!
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Simple Mulled Wine
The easiest holiday cocktail you’ll make! It’s ready in 20 minutes and all the work is hands-off. Warm mugs of this spice-filled drink are the perfect way to jazz up a holiday party and serve to a crowd or cozy up at home with a movie and a roaring fire.
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Chocolate White Russian with Chocolate Syrup
Cozy up with a creamy, decadent Chocolate White Russian. Made with luxurious sweetened condensed milk for a take on the classic cream-based cocktail, as well as chocolate syrup, coffee liqueur, and vodka. It’s an indulgent dessert-worthy drink, ready in just 5 minutes.
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Get the Recipe 50 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes: Butternut Squash and Pear Crostini
These vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes include appetizers, side dishes, salads, soups, rolls, main dishes, desserts, and cocktails! Here you'll find everything for an indulgent, satisfying, flavorful meatless holiday!
Ingredients
- 2 cups butternut squash, small dice
- Olive oil, to drizzle
- 3-4 garlic cloves
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 6 – 8 oz. white cheddar cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
- Pinch nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1-2 Bartlett pears, sliced
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 425°F. On a large baking sheet, toss butternut squash with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway through cook time.
- Once the butternut squash is cooked, lower oven temperature to 375°. Lay baguette sliced in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil lightly on each side, salt, and pepper (I usually drizzle on one side, turn it over, and "push" the baguette slice around the olive oil to cover, then repeat with the other side). You don't want the slices drenched in olive oil. Cook the baguette for 5-6 minutes.
- Flip the baguette slices on the baking sheet, and place the slices of white cheddar cheese on each crostini. Return them to the oven to cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Meanwhile, use an immersion blender to blend together roasted butternut squash, parmesan cheese, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the butternut squash mixture across the cheese on the crostini. Top the squash mixture with slices of fresh pear. Garnish each crostini with additional thyme and black pepper as desired.
Notes
- Crispy Sage: these are also excellent with crispy sage on top! To make: melt 1 Tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add sage leaves and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until crispy.
Serving: 1crostini, Calories: 110kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 232mg, Potassium: 79mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1422IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 147mg, Iron: 1mg
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