You might find it hard to imagine Christmas without the traditional roast turkey. But with a potential turkey shortage on the cards due to an outbreak of avian flu – and with prices soaring due to inflation – your celebrations may look a little different this year. That doesn't mean you can't still have a delicious, show-stopping family feast. Check out this selection of tantalising alternative centrepiece dishes to serve up on the big day, from meat and fish options to veggie and vegan crowd-pleasers.

The idea of stuffing lamb with cheese might sound strange, but trust us – it really works. Flavourful and decadent, this is a perfect show-stopper for your festive feast and will complement all the side dishes you might serve with a turkey too.

Get the recipe for roast leg of lamb with pecorino and garlic here

A recipe perfect for a celebration and a stunning centerpiece for your feast, beef Wellington incorporates luxurious ingredients into one lip-smacking dish. It does take a bit of skill and quite a lot of patience to make this, but it'll all be worth it once it takes pride of place at the centre of your table.

Get the recipe for Mary Berry’s beef Wellington here

A definite crowd-pleaser, this traditional Greek dish takes a bit of time to make. But, as most of the cooking is done in the oven, you're free to get on with other things – like whipping up all those sides and pudding. Every Greek family has its own take on the recipe, though the most common versions include aubergine and minced meat. Whether you make it with lamb, beef, pork or a mix is up to you. You can also make a vegetarian version by substituting the meat for extra aubergine, potatoes and other veg.

Get our classic moussaka recipe here

Perfectly cooking pork loin can be tricky but this recipe yields perfectly crisp crackling and tender meat. It also happens to look fabulous as a centrepiece, and complements a range of side dishes from roasted vegetables and potatoes to Brussels sprouts and even cranberry sauce.

Get the recipe for roast pork loin here

Pork belly roast is one of the most comforting and delicious oven-cooked meats – when it's done right. Rolled up in the style of classic Italian porchetta, this pork belly main is filled with a nutty stuffing and cooked on top of garlicky roast potatoes. What more could you want for a proper feast?

Get the recipe for pork belly roast here

This joint of smoked ham is gently roasted in the oven with orange juice until tender. Once cooked, it's coated with a sticky orange glaze with whole slices of orange. The fruity, slightly spiced salsa goes perfectly with the meat. The glazed ham will keep for up to three days in the fridge, though it's so delicious it may not last that long.

Get the recipe for orange-glazed ham with mango and orange salsa here

If you're looking for something a little different, try cooking your ham in blueberry juice. The sweet tartness of the fruit contrasts so well with the saltiness of the ham, you'll wonder why it's not a more common combination. It's served with braised, spiced lentils and fresh blueberries, with cardamom and a kick of chilli. The lentils can be served hot or at room temperature.

Get the recipe for blueberry and mustard-glazed ham here

A brilliant alternative to any bird or beef roast, this delicious porchetta recipe comes complete with salty, sticky crackling and pleasantly sweet peach stuffing. It's wonderfully hearty and will pair well with any green vegetables or a warm winter salad. It also requires a lot less work than you might think, leaving you free to cook the rest of the meal.

Get the recipe for porchetta with dried peaches and thyme here

This vegetarian pithivier – a round, enclosed pie made with puff pastry and originating in France – is packed with some beautiful seasonal flavours, including chestnuts, clementines, dried fruits and aromatic herbs. It'll look particularly pretty on your table and works well with all the usual trimmings too. It takes time and attention to detail to prepare, but it's definitely worth it.

Get the recipe for nutty pithivier with watercress and pistachio pesto here

This twist on a classic beef Wellington makes for a showstopping veggie centerpiece. Sweet butternut squash is paired with nutty mushrooms and encased in a wonderfully buttery pastry. It does take a few hours to cook, but that's mostly to roast the squash – so you can get on with preparing the rest of your feast.

Get the recipe for butternut squash and mushroom Wellington here

A flavourful, warming dish that's sure to win over the most ardent turkey fans, this classic English-style cottage pie is given a twist with tasty, tender duck. It's equally great as a main or as a winter-warming meal served with plenty of vegetables. You could also use sweet potatoes as the topping for extra flavour.

Get the recipe for Rick Stein’s duck cottage pie here

This rich fish pie will fill your home with wonderful aromas, and looks lovely as a table centrepiece or alternative dish for those who don't eat meat. Packed with cod, smoked haddock, shrimp, leeks and peas, the pie is topped with filo pastry for a satisfying crisp texture. Our recipe also uses cooking spray and skimmed milk for a lighter (yet still wonderfully creamy) take on a classic that's usually packed with butter.

Get the recipe for this filo fish pie here

This colourful dish is as delicious as it looks. It's also surprisingly easy and quick to make, which is perfect if you have last-minute guests for your Christmas dinner. It tastes best if you make your own pesto from scratch, but you can use a store-bought version. To save time on the big day, the chicken can be prepared 12 hours in advance, up to the end of step 2.

Get the recipe for Mary Berry's chicken with pesto, taleggio and roasted tomatoes recipe here

Skirt, hanger or onglet steak is a cheaper cut of meat that's packed with flavour. For the best results, it should be served rare and cooked over a high heat on a barbecue or griddle pan. What makes it even tastier is the Argentine-inspired chimichurri sauce, an intense blend of fresh herbs, garlic, chili, oil and lemon. The sauce works well with chicken too.

Get the recipe for skirt steak with chimichurri here

This stunning vegetarian centerpiece is ready for the oven in just 30 minutes. Store-bought puff pastry encases a wonderful mixture of mushrooms, spinach and ricotta and Gruyère cheeses (use mature vegetarian Cheddar for strict veggies – Gruyère is made with animal rennet). The filling can be made in advance too.

Get the recipe for mushroom and spinach en croûte here

Vegetarian mains don't get much prettier than this dish, which takes the humble cauliflower to the next level, Middle Eastern–style. The whole cauliflower is coated in spiced butter and roasted, then it's topped with a garlicky tahini sauce, pomegranate seeds, chili, parsley and toasted pine nuts. It's best served hot from the oven, though you can make the sauces ahead of time.

Get the recipe for roasted shawarma cauliflower with pomegranate and tahini here

For something very different to your usual Christmas feast, an oozy fondue is a fun way to get guests talking. Put it in the middle of the table (or lay out more than one fondue pot if you have a house full) and get people dipping in anything from chunks of bread to roast potatoes and vegetables. This recipe uses Cheddar, though your could also use other cheeses or a mix – Gruyère, Emmental and Gouda all work well.

Get the recipe for homemade fondue with Cheddar and root vegetables here

Fish makes a wonderful alternative to turkey and is the ideal, serve at the table centrepiece – especially this whole roast salmon. This Norwegian-inspired recipe serves it with kale, roast butternut squash and pomegranate salad, though it will also work well with all your usual Christmas trimmings.

Get the recipe for whole baked salmon with kale, squash and pomegranate salad here

Creamy, filling and packed with warming seasonal flavours, this delicious baked pasta dish could be served as a side for your Christmas feast – though it also makes an impressive vegetarian centrepiece. You can also make it well in advance of serving, which is always a plus.

Get the recipe for Bill Granger's pumpkin cannelloni here

This lamb-stuffed aubergine recipe will have you forgetting all about turkey. Oiled and salted halved eggplants are baked until tender. Then, they're stuffed with a ragu made from minced lamb, red pepper, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg and the scooped-out, cooked aubergine flesh. Sprinkled with Manchego cheese and baked again, they're as scrumptious as it gets.

Get the recipe for Rick Stein's lamb-stuffed aubergine with Manchego cheese here

If you're looking for a real show-stopper that's a touch more luxurious than turkey, look no further than goose. This centrepiece is perfect for an extra-special dinner. Served with scrumptious pecan, bacon, and sage stuffing balls, and delicious red wine and blackberry gravy, this is a real festive feast.

Get the recipe for goose with pecan stuffing here