Vegetarian Catering Menu Ideas with Vegan Options

As someone who's been vegetarian for the past four years and leans towards a plant-forward diet, there are not always options to eat when you go to events. While catering places and restaurants have gotten more accommodating to different diets, vegetarian options are typically limited. If you're hosting an event, we've provided you a few ideas for how you can accommodate a vegetarian diet. And if you're in a crunch for time, here's an example vegetarian catering menu you can use to host your next event. 

 If you're a vegetarian, you might notice that vegetarian dishes are usually the first to go! Weddings, corporate events, business meetings, or any other special occasion, there are always bountiful menu options of well-prepared meat dishes. However, more people, including non-vegetarian guests, are beginning to recognize that meatless options that are typically healthier and better for the planet. 

You don't need to order exclusively vegetarian catering services, but here's an entirely vegetarian menu idea filled with delicious food and their recipes. You can accommodate all types of dietary restrictions like gluten-free options and a wide tasty range of vegan choices.

Tips to create the Best Culinary Experience for your guests

The first and obvious benefit of a having a fully vegetarian catering menu is that you can appeal to all types of specific dietary needs. Make sure your menu includes gluten-free options, vegan options, and nut-free options. Vegetarian cuisine really shines when you eat within the season, especially by using fresh, local ingredients.  Take sustainability into consideration to your event planning by choosing eco-friendly disposable utensils and these dinner party tips. 

Vegetarian Catering Menu: Appetizers & Hors d'Oeuvres

• Stuffed Mushrooms with lentils and walnuts – option to top with goat cheese
• Charcuterie Board – for a vegan option, try this vegan pimento cheese spread
• Potato Leek Soup for a warm and cozy vibe
• Vegetable Spring Rolls – use rice paper to wrap up fresh vegetables. serve with soy sauce, a peanut sauce, and top with sesame seeds and green onions for a healthy option

The Salad Course

All of these salads on this vegetarian catering menu are fit for a vegetarian diet, but can be made vegan if needed.

Garden Salad

Serve a light salad with garden vegetables like lettuce, red onion slices, carrots match sticks, tomato wedges, cucumber slices

Quinoa Salad

Cooked quinoa with radish, chickpeas, mandarin oranges, parsley, olive oil, and cracked black pepper. Optionally, add some feta on the side for a bit of tangy flavor.

Vegetarian Catering Menu: Sides

Vegetables are always the star of the show for me. And for a vegetarian, they're like home. Check out some of these ideas for vegetable-based side dishes.

Sweet potato and cauliflower mash

Making this side only takes a few minutes and a few ingredients. Start with your sweet potatoes and cauliflower and blend together for a healthy alternative to mashed potatoes. Your guests will love this side dish!

Green beans with caramelized onions

Use green beans with caramelized onions on your buffet table for a pop of color. They are a crowd pleaser! 

Roasted Carrots

Roasted carrots are a very affordable option for a vegetarian catering menu. They are perfect for a seasonal dish in the spring or fall.

BBQ Jackfruit

This BBQ jackfruit makes great sliders or tacos! Serve it as a side or as part of a build-your-own bar.

Entree and Main Course Ideas

There's typically plenty of vegetarian options like mac and cheese or eggplant parmesan, but there are limited healthy options. While these options are still great, we're providing plenty of meatless options that can appeal to all types of cuisines and palettes. 

Healthier Baked Ziti 

Healthier baked ziti is healthier because it's packed with spinach and other veggies. Top a full try with some mozzarella cheese and place it under the broiler for crowd appeal!

Spaghetti Meatless Bolognese

This spaghetti meatless bolognese is packed with flavor and veggies like cauliflower rice and mushrooms for a meat-like texture. Top with a bit of parmesan cheese, and it's a great vegetarian entree!

Rice with Mushrooms and Asparagus

If you're looking to deviate from pasta, this rice with mushrooms and asparagus is super simple to prepare, and is packed with veggies. 

Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

This vegan cauliflower alfredo sauce is perfect option to put over fettecini or as a sauce on a white pizza. You can also use the sauce as a garnish for steamed or grilled vegetables. 

Butternut squash risotto

Butternut squash risotto is a high end option to put on your vegetarian catering menu. It'll be perfect in the fall topped with some fresh basil!

Vegetarian Dessert Options

Desserts are easy to prepare vegetarian, but not so easy to provide vegan options. Most desserts contain animal products like cream, eggs, or butter.  Check out this variety of dessert options for the last course of your vegetarian catering menu.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies are a crowd-pleaser. They are perfectly portable and hold well in most temperatures. Plus, who doesn't love a chocolate chip cookie?

Sheet Cake for Dessert

Let them eat cake! If you're serving a larger event, a sheet cake is a great option to serve a crowd. 

Vegan Pumpkin Bread

Check out this vegan pumpkin bread recipe for a seasonal treat and a great vegan option.

Thanks for Check out our Vegetarian Catering Menu

We hope you enjoy our vegetarian catering menu ideas. Download our vegetarian menu PDF to use to cater your next event for family, friends, or even vegetarian weddings. This menu works for crowds of all sizes!