Following the traditional Lenten meal plan doesn’t seem so hard at first, especially if you’re a vegetarian. But as the days roll by, it can get more challenging. So, these 25 Lent recipes and dinner ideas should help. They’re tasty, easy, and ideal for anyone trying to resist the temptation of a burger!
1. Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas
With these quesadillas, you can have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes. If you enjoy toasted tortillas, ooey-gooey cheese, and hearty veggies, you’ll love them. They have a rich, comforting taste that’s flavorful but light on the stomach and are an excellent option for people who love Mexican food but don’t like a lot of spice. While you will add pepper to them, they aren’t spicy. Instead, they’re garlicky, earthy, and delicious.
2. Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet
Seafood lovers have it easier during Lent than some people. Since shrimp, fish, and other seafood aren’t “meat,” they’re 100% Lent-approved. And you can do a lot with seafood. Take this Cajun shrimp and rice skillet, for example. It’s a delectable one-pot meal filled with Cajun seasonings and buttery jumbo shrimp. It takes only 30 minutes to make and will have your tastebuds jumping for joy.
3. Mexican Buddha Bowl with Cilantro Lime Sauce
If pure veggies are more your style, give this Buddha bowl a try. The zesty, garlicky sauce gives it a bright, tangy flavor. Additionally, the veggies are fresh, filling, and full of goodness. This bowl has a Tex-Mex vibe with black beans, corn, taco seasoning, peppers, onions, and more. Of course, the fresh cilantro is just icing on the cake.
4. 30-Minute Summer Vegetable Tostadas
If you’ve ever tried a vegetarian meal at your favorite Mexican restaurant, chances are it came with a bean tostada topped with veggies. This is that tostada. The crunchy base is delightful against the creaminess of the beans and guacamole. The fresh salsa and veggies taste fantastic, too. Best of all, the whole thing takes less than 30 minutes to whip up. Talk about a fast, veggie-packed dinner!
5. Pittsburgh Lent Fish Sandwich
This fish sandwich is unlike any fish sandwich you’ve ever had. But despite its uniqueness and impressive height, it’s super simple to make. It combines only five ingredients: fish filets, mac & cheese, coleslaw, buns, and pepper. But wait… mac and cheese on a fish sandwich?! I know it seems crazy, but it’s incredible. It’s rich and cheesy and complements the fish perfectly, while the zingy coleslaw adds a pleasant kick to the mix. The only tricky thing about this one is figuring out how to eat something so tall!
6. Vegan Lentil Stew
Vegan lentil stew is dense, hearty, and full of chunky goodness. It’s also gluten and dairy-free and takes just 15 minutes of prep work before it’s ready to cook. It may be meat-free, but it doesn’t taste like anything’s missing because all the spices and herbs give it a full-bodied, delicious flavor. Serve it with some crusty bread if gluten isn’t a problem for you. It’s a great stew for dipping.
7. Cheesy Zucchini Enchiladas
These cheesy enchiladas are high in protein and healthy fats. They also come with a full complement of veggies and fresh cilantro. They have a rich, bold flavor that’s full of tomatoey goodness. If the red sauce is too much for you, use salsa verde instead. It makes it just a bit lighter.
8. Easy Tuna Casserole
Tuna casserole is cheesy, creamy, and decadent. In fact, it’s hard to imagine that such a dish could be Lent-appropriate. It’s full of tasty cheese and veggies, and the buttery breadcrumb topping will make you weak in the knees. It certainly isn’t something you should be eating every night. However, it’s high in calcium and potassium and tastes like a million bucks.
9. Vegetable Lasagna
Okay, unpopular opinion time: veggie lasagna tastes better than regular lasagna. There. I said it. I’m sure plenty of people out there would disagree vehemently with that statement. Nevertheless, I stand by it. You get all the cheese, garlic, and tomato flavors of “real” lasagna with veggie lasagna. However, it isn’t as greasy and heavy. Plus, it has a garden-fresh taste that’s simply delightful. You might not think it’s better than meat-filled lasagna but try it anyway. I guarantee you’ll like it, just maybe not as much as I do.
10. Long John Silver’s Fish Batter
It’s hard to beat Long John Silver’s battered fish. So why beat them when you copy them? Use this simple, 20-minute recipe to make your own version at home. It’s crunchy and flaky on the outside and tender and white inside. So scrumptious!
11. Baked Lemon Butter Tilapia
This zesty dish is juicy, buttery, and exploding with garlic and lemony goodness. It takes only 20 minutes to make and uses just seven simple ingredients. I’m not a mathematician, but I have to say the output on this one is excellent. You get the maximum amount of flavor for the minimum amount of effort. It’s hard to argue with that kind of math.
12. Roasted Veggie Enchilada Casserole
Roasted veggies are always a tasty, easy-to-make dish. When you put them in a casserole, though, they’re even better. This recipe does precisely that – it throws all your favorite roasted veggies in a casserole with cheese, salsa, cilantro, and more. If you’re in the mood for something with lots of Mexican flavors, give it a try.
13. Vegetarian Chili Tater Tot Hotdish
Unless you’re from the Midwest, you may not know what hotdish is. Allow me to explain. Hotdish is a one-pan casserole that combines meat (usually), starches, veggies, and canned soup. You serve it, as the name implies, hot. This is the vegetarian version of that. It uses vegetarian chili, hash browns, and lots of veggies. It’s filling and full of flavor.
14. Crab Cakes
It’s hard to believe something made with seven ingredients could be so good. But these crab cakes are awesome. They’re crunchy, zesty, and exceptionally herby. Serve them with lemon slices, cocktail sauce, or tartar sauce. Your guests will love them. (Just don’t expect to have any leftovers.)
15. Broiled Halibut with White Wine Lemon-Caper Sauce
Some people avoid broiled fish because of its mild flavor. However, that’s not the case with this broiled halibut. The fish itself is tasty enough, but when you add the white wine lemon-caper sauce though, it’s even better. The bright, chunky sauce transforms this fish into something divine. Every bite is zesty, salty, and herby all at once. It tastes phenomenal with a dry white wine, assuming you aren’t abstaining for Lent, of course.
16. Cauliflower Fried Rice
This stir fry isn’t just Lent-appropriate: it’s also low-carb and keto-friendly. It has all the soy and ginger flavor of stir fry, but there’s no rice in sight. So, if you’re craving Chinese takeout, this is an excellent backup plan. It’s effortless to make, too.
17. Baked Cajun Garlic Butter Cod
Any recipe with the words “Cajun,” “garlic,” and “butter” in the name must be good. And this Cajun garlic butter cod is gooooood. In fact, it’s more than good; it’s completely addictive! It’s succulent and filling without being too fishy. It’s so tender and flaky that it practically falls apart at a touch. Additionally, you’ll need just seven ingredients to make it. Serve it with a side salad or on a bed of cauliflower rice, and you won’t be disappointed.
18. Vegan Lentil Tacos
Believe it or not, you can still enjoy vibrant and delicious Mexican food during Lent. All you need are some lentils! Lentils don’t have the same texture as meat, of course, but they’re just as filling, and if you season them right, they taste similar, too. Cook these with some onions, garlic, and spices, and you’ll never know the difference. That’s especially true after you top them with your favorite taco toppings.
19. Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
Missing your favorite Italian meals during Lent? Try this yummy spaghetti squash recipe. This dish is like fettuccine alfredo; only it’s thinner and has far fewer carbs. It’s also totally Lent-compliant, keto-friendly, and low-carb to boot. Still, it’s impossibly creamy, cheesy, and delicious. It’s just much, much healthier for you.
20. Creamy Lemon Basil and Asparagus Ricotta Pasta with Spicy Breadcrumbs
This dish is a bit more carb and calorie-heavy than the one above, so you won’t want to eat it every night. However, for a decadent pasta treat, it’s ideal. It’s earthy and herby, and the creamy sauce is just short of divine. There’s plenty of cheese, too, both parmesan and ricotta. Serve it with some extra buttery garlic bread for a super-indulgent family dinner.
21. Air Fryer Salmon
Air Fryer salmon is sooo good. The garlic and butter make it juicy and flavorful, while the paprika adds a smoky kick. It’s a bit zesty, and adding capers will give it a pleasant briny taste, as well. Overall, this is a simple meal that you can pull together in under 20 minutes. And because you’ll make it in the Air Fryer, it’s relatively healthy, too.
22. Chickpea Kale Soup
Making fresh, from-scratch vegetarian soup in 15 minutes seems like an impossibility. But with this nine-ingredient recipe, it’s a reality. Furthermore, this soup is fantastic. It has a warm, comforting and earthy flavor that is outrageously good. It won’t leave you feeling hungry after eating it, either. It’s a thin broth soup, but it’s full of chunky goodness.
23. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Lent or not, these shrimp fajitas are insanely scrumptious. Just remember to leave off the steak! The shrimp is juicy and well-seasoned, and finished fajitas are spicy and full of peppers and onions. You can easily make them on a single sheet pan with minimal effort. Then, serve them with warm tortillas and your favorite fajita toppings. If you have time, whip up some homemade guac and salsa, as well.
24. Air Fryer Salmon Patties
These crispy Air-Fried salmon patties are tasty enough on their own. But whip up some homemade aioli sauce to go with them, and they’re out of this world. These patties give you the same satisfying crunchiness as deep-fried patties. However, since you’ll Air Fry them instead, they’re much healthier. Note: I like to add a dash of Cajun seasoning to the patties as well as the sauce. After all, can you ever have too much Cajun seasoning? (The answer is NO.)
25. Broiled Fish Matecumbe
I’ll be honest: by itself, broiled white fish doesn’t do much for me. It’s light and slightly fishy and just kind of bland. However, adding the tomato-heavy sauce to the top changes everything. It makes the dish extraordinary, and when it’s also full of garden-fresh, herby flavor, it’s simply delightful. It will almost remind you of bruschetta, but it’s zestier and has a bit more salt. The fish also adds a different taste than a toasted baguette would. Click on a star to rate it!
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