Give vegetarian friends something to look forward to for Thanksgiving with a specially-prepared entree. Some of the suggestions below may have other guests bypassing a second helping of turkey to sample these hearty flavors.

Creamy Eggplant Casserole

Slice eggplants and roast them with a little garlic and pepper, then layer them in a casserole dish and smother in cream of mushroom soup — for non-dairy or “all natural” guests, use a herb and tomato paste combination instead. Top with herb bread crumbs and (if desired) grated Parmesan cheese, then bake until the bread crumbs are a toasty brown.

Savory Stuffed Peppers

Skip the usual rice and tomato stuffing for roasted bell peppers and substitute a few new ingredients. Saute diced mushrooms and onions with olive oil and garlic until caramelized; then mix with wilted spinach and dried herbs before filling the empty peppers. Top with bread crumbs or a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese and bake until golden on top.

Zucchini Herb Dressing

Sliced zucchini and other prepared squash varieties are perfect for the Thanksgiving menu. Roast the slices for extra flavor or rub with olive oil and your choices of seasonings, then layer in a casserole dish with bread crumbs, herbs, sliced red pepper, and caramelized onions. Add a little cream or wine sauce for extra moisture or drizzle a sweet herbal butter sauce over the top before baking.

Whether you’re a turkey fan or not, the dishes above are savory options for any meal, including the Thanksgiving banquet table.