11 Untraditional Thanksgiving Dinner Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey

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Roasted Vegetable Lasagna with Sage Ricotta

Roasted vegetable lasagna with golden melted cheese and layers of squash, zucchini, and sage ricotta, served in a rustic baking dish for Thanksgiving.

Lasagna is pure comfort food, and this version leans into fall flavors with roasted vegetables, creamy sage ricotta, and plenty of gooey cheese. It’s a hearty vegetarian main dish that feels right at home on a Thanksgiving table.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Cozy, cheesy, and filling enough to be the centerpiece.
  • Packed with seasonal veggies and fall herbs.
  • Make-ahead friendly for stress-free hosting.

Equipment You’ll Need

  • 9×13 baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Foil

Serving Suggestions
Pair with a crisp green salad and garlic bread, or serve alongside traditional Thanksgiving sides for a vegetarian-friendly main.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Bake straight from the fridge (adding 10–15 minutes to cook time). Freezes beautifully — just thaw before baking.

Ingredients

  • 9 lasagna noodles (no-boil or regular, cooked)
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 2 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp dried sage (or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss squash, zucchini, bell pepper, and onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20–25 minutes until tender.
  2. Lower oven to 375°F. Mix ricotta, egg, sage, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  3. In a 9×13 dish, spread a thin layer of marinara. Add noodles, ricotta mixture, roasted veggies, mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with marinara and mozzarella on top.
  4. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  5. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Yield: 6–8 servings

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11 Untraditional Thanksgiving Dinner Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna with Sage Ricotta

Roasted vegetable lasagna with golden melted cheese and layers of squash, zucchini, and sage ricotta, served in a rustic baking dish for Thanksgiving.

Lasagna is pure comfort food, and this version leans into fall flavors with roasted vegetables, creamy sage ricotta, and plenty of gooey cheese. It’s a hearty vegetarian main dish that feels right at home on a Thanksgiving table.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Cozy, cheesy, and filling enough to be the centerpiece.
  • Packed with seasonal veggies and fall herbs.
  • Make-ahead friendly for stress-free hosting.

Equipment You’ll Need

  • 9×13 baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Foil

Serving Suggestions
Pair with a crisp green salad and garlic bread, or serve alongside traditional Thanksgiving sides for a vegetarian-friendly main.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Bake straight from the fridge (adding 10–15 minutes to cook time). Freezes beautifully — just thaw before baking.

Ingredients

  • 9 lasagna noodles (no-boil or regular, cooked)
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 2 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp dried sage (or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss squash, zucchini, bell pepper, and onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20–25 minutes until tender.
  2. Lower oven to 375°F. Mix ricotta, egg, sage, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  3. In a 9×13 dish, spread a thin layer of marinara. Add noodles, ricotta mixture, roasted veggies, mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with marinara and mozzarella on top.
  4. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  5. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Yield: 6–8 servings