Introduction
A New Year buffet feels even more inviting when the table is filled with colorful, satisfying vegetarian dishes everyone can enjoy. This collection brings together warm bakes, bright salads, hearty mains, and fresh bites that hold up wonderfully on a serve-yourself spread. Each recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for feeding a full room of guests with ease and comfort.
1. Roasted Vegetable Couscous Bowl
A warm, colorful dish with cozy textures.
Ingredients
- Couscous — 2 cups
- Boiling water — 2 cups
- Olive oil — 3 tbsp
- Zucchini, sliced — 1 cup
- Bell peppers, chopped — 1 cup
- Cherry tomatoes — 1 cup
- Carrots, diced — 1 cup
- Salt — 1 tsp
- Black pepper — ½ tsp
- Paprika — 1 tsp
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss vegetables with oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Roast for 25–30 minutes.
- Add boiling water to couscous, cover for 5 minutes, then fluff.
- Mix in roasted vegetables.
How to Serve It
Add parsley or almonds on top.
2. Spinach Artichoke Bake
A creamy crowd favorite that stays warm and smooth.
Ingredients
- Spinach — 4 cups
- Chopped artichokes — 1 cup
- Cream cheese — 8 oz
- Sour cream — 1 cup
- Mozzarella — 1 cup
- Garlic powder — 1 tsp
- Salt — ½ tsp
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix all ingredients.
- Spread into baking dish.
- Bake 20–25 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with baguette slices.
3. Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers
A bright finger-food option.
Ingredients
- Mini bell peppers — 20
- Cooked quinoa — 1 ½ cups
- Feta — ½ cup
- Parsley — ¼ cup
- Olive oil — 1 tbsp
- Lemon juice — 1 tbsp
- Salt — ½ tsp
Instructions
- Slice peppers.
- Mix filling.
- Stuff peppers.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add parsley for color.
4. Turmeric Pea Rice
A warm, fragrant rice dish that pairs well with everything.
Ingredients
- Basmati rice — 2 cups
- Water — 3 cups
- Turmeric — 1 tsp
- Salt — 1 tsp
- Frozen peas — 1 cup
- Butter — 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Add rice, water, turmeric, and salt to pot.
- Bring to boil, then simmer 15 minutes.
- Stir in peas and butter.
How to Serve It
Add cilantro on top.
5. Garlic Mushroom Skillet
Rich, savory, and perfect as a warm buffet side.
Ingredients
- Mushrooms — 4 cups
- Butter — 3 tbsp
- Garlic — 1 tbsp
- Salt — ½ tsp
- Thyme — 1 tsp
Instructions
- Melt butter.
- Add mushrooms and cook 6–8 minutes.
- Add garlic and thyme.
- Cook 2 minutes.
How to Serve It
Great in a shallow serving bowl.
6. Honey-Lime Fruit Mix
A refreshing sweet counterbalance to heavy dishes.
Ingredients
- Mixed fruit — 6 cups
- Honey — 2 tbsp
- Lime juice — 1 tbsp
Instructions
- Mix honey and lime.
- Toss with fruit.
How to Serve It
Add mint leaves.
7. Spinach Feta Puff Squares
A flaky party-friendly bite.
Ingredients
- Puff pastry — 2 sheets
- Spinach — 2 cups
- Feta — ¾ cup
- Egg — 1
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix filling.
- Cut pastry into squares.
- Add filling and seal with egg wash.
- Bake 12–15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve warm or room temperature.
8. Baked Sweet Potato Discs
Sweet, tender bites perfect for toppings.
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes — 3
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp
- Salt — 1 tsp
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Slice potatoes.
- Toss with oil and salt.
- Bake 25 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add yogurt or hummus on top.
9. Caprese Pasta Bowl
Fresh, cool, and great for large bowls.
Ingredients
- Cooked pasta — 4 cups
- Tomatoes — 2 cups
- Mozzarella balls — 1 cup
- Basil — ½ cup
- Olive oil — 3 tbsp
- Salt — ½ tsp
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients.
- Chill before serving.
How to Serve It
Top with cracked pepper.
10. Chickpea Coconut Curry
Hearty and satisfying for guests who want something warm.
Ingredients
- Chickpeas — 2 cans
- Diced tomatoes — 1 can
- Coconut milk — 1 cup
- Curry powder — 2 tsp
- Onion — 1
- Salt — ½ tsp
- Oil — 1 tbsp
Instructions
- Sauté onion.
- Add tomatoes, curry, chickpeas, and salt.
- Add coconut milk.
- Simmer 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add cilantro.
11. Greek Chickpea Salad
A cool, protein-rich option.
Ingredients
- Chickpeas — 2 cups
- Tomatoes — 1 cup
- Cucumbers — 1 cup
- Olives — ½ cup
- Feta — ½ cup
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp
- Lemon juice — 1 tbsp
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- Chill before serving.
How to Serve It
Garnish with oregano.
12. Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
A hearty vegetable entrée for the buffet table.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower — 1 head
- Olive oil — 3 tbsp
- Paprika — 1 tsp
- Salt — 1 tsp
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Slice cauliflower into “steaks.”
- Brush with oil and season.
- Roast 25 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add lemon wedges nearby.
13. Marinated Tomato Platter
A fresh dish that looks gorgeous on a long table.
Ingredients
- Tomatoes — 4 large
- Olive oil — 3 tbsp
- Basil — ¼ cup
- Salt — ½ tsp
Instructions
- Slice tomatoes.
- Drizzle with oil and salt.
- Add basil.
How to Serve It
Serve chilled.
14. Herb-Roasted Baby Potatoes
A classic buffet-friendly side.
Ingredients
- Baby potatoes — 2 lbs
- Olive oil — 3 tbsp
- Rosemary — 1 tbsp
- Salt — 1 tsp
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss potatoes with oil, rosemary, and salt.
- Roast 30–35 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with chives.
15. Vegetable Noodle Stir-Fry
A great warm option that feeds many.
Ingredients
- Noodles — 1 lb
- Carrots — 1 cup
- Bell peppers — 1 cup
- Snow peas — 1 cup
- Soy sauce — 3 tbsp
- Sesame oil — 1 tbsp
Instructions
- Cook noodles.
- Stir-fry vegetables.
- Add noodles, soy, and sesame oil.
- Toss until coated.
How to Serve It
Sprinkle sesame seeds.
16. Lentil Veggie Bake
A hearty baked dish for cold nights.
Ingredients
- Cooked lentils — 3 cups
- Diced tomatoes — 1 can
- Carrots — 1 cup
- Onions — 1 cup
- Garlic — 1 tbsp
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sauté onions and carrots with garlic.
- Add lentils and tomatoes.
- Bake 20–25 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with herbs.
17. Fresh Cucumber Mint Salad
A light, crisp dish that balances warm buffet foods.
Ingredients
- Cucumbers — 3
- Mint — ¼ cup
- Lemon juice — 2 tbsp
- Olive oil — 1 tbsp
- Salt — ½ tsp
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers.
- Toss with mint, lemon, oil, and salt.
How to Serve It
Serve chilled.
18. Tomato Basil Tortellini Bake
A comforting pasta dish that feeds a large group.
Ingredients
- Cheese tortellini — 1 lb
- Tomato sauce — 2 cups
- Mozzarella — 1 cup
- Basil — ¼ cup
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix tortellini with sauce.
- Place in baking dish and top with cheese.
- Bake 20 minutes.
- Add basil.
How to Serve It
Keep warm on the buffet.
19. Grilled Halloumi Platter
A salty, chewy favorite that pairs with salads.
Ingredients
- Halloumi — 2 blocks
- Olive oil — 1 tbsp
- Lemon wedges — for serving
Instructions
- Slice halloumi.
- Brush with oil.
- Grill 2–3 minutes per side.
How to Serve It
Serve with lemon.
20. Rainbow Veggie Wrap Bites
A perfect finger-food option.
Ingredients
- Large tortillas — 4
- Hummus — 1 cup
- Shredded carrots — 1 cup
- Spinach — 2 cups
- Bell peppers — 1 cup
Instructions
- Spread hummus.
- Add vegetables.
- Roll tightly and slice.
How to Serve It
Arrange upright for color variety.
21. Broccoli Cheddar Mini Cups
Easy to serve and kid-friendly.
Ingredients
- Chopped broccoli — 2 cups
- Shredded cheddar — 1 cup
- Eggs — 3
- Salt — ½ tsp
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix ingredients.
- Spoon into muffin tin.
- Bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve warm.
22. Mixed Bean Taco Salad
A hearty cold dish that fills a big bowl.
Ingredients
- Mixed beans — 2 cups
- Corn — 1 cup
- Lettuce — 3 cups
- Tomatoes — 1 cup
- Cheese — ½ cup
- Dressing — ½ cup
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- Toss with dressing.
How to Serve It
Top with crushed tortilla chips.
23. Baked Eggplant Slices
A savory, tender tray-baked dish.
Ingredients
- Eggplants — 2
- Olive oil — 3 tbsp
- Salt — 1 tsp
- Paprika — 1 tsp
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice eggplants.
- Brush with oil and season.
- Bake 20–25 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with parsley or tahini drizzle.
24. Green Goddess Pasta
Creamy, herb-packed, and great served chilled.
Ingredients
- Pasta — 1 lb
- Spinach — 1 cup
- Basil — 1 cup
- Greek yogurt — 1 cup
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp
- Lemon — 1
Instructions
- Blend sauce ingredients.
- Toss with cooked pasta.
- Chill before serving.
How to Serve It
Garnish with basil.
25. Roasted Butternut Squash Tray
A warm and cozy buffet option.
Ingredients
- Butternut squash, cubed — 4 cups
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp
- Salt — 1 tsp
- Cinnamon — ½ tsp
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss squash with oil, salt, and cinnamon.
- Roast 25–30 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with pumpkin seeds.
Conclusion
A vegetarian buffet can feel lively, colorful, and completely satisfying when the table is filled with dishes that bring texture, warmth, and bright flavor. Save these recipes for your New Year celebrations, mix and match them for your menu, and enjoy the easy prep that keeps the gathering fun and relaxed.
