Are you looking for some easy meatless meals for lent? Then you’ve come to the right place. Read on to check out 40 Easy Meatless Meals for Lent that will delight your family!
Easy Meatless Meals for Lent
Easy Meatless Meals for Lent
Lent is here which means for Catholics worldwide (and some Protestant denominations), it’s a time of abstinence from meat on Fridays. This tradition, known as Meatless Fridays, is a way to honor Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and suffering on the cross.
Why do we abstain from meat on Fridays?
Since it is believed that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross on a Friday, Christians from the very beginning have set aside this day to unite their sufferings with His. This led the Church to recognize every Friday as a sort of “Good Friday” where Christians remember Christ’s passion by offering up a specific type of penance. In fact, until the 1960s (following the Second Vatican Council), Catholics abstained from meat every Friday of the year.
Fun Fact: My family attends the Traditional Latin Rite Mass, so we follow the old laws of abstinence and avoid meat on Fridays year-round! However, since the changes made by the Church, Catholics today are only required to abstain from meat during Lent but should do some other penance.
Lent is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later on Holy Thursday, marking the memorial of the Lord’s Supper before Easter Sunday.
With the start of Lent, many people begin looking for delicious Lenten recipes to prepare meals that their whole family will love while still observing the rules of abstinence. To make meal planning easier, I’ve put together a collection of hearty Lent-friendly meals to help take away the guesswork involved in cooking on Fridays.
This list is packed with great ideas that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters! From scrumptious shrimp recipes to veggie-loaded dishes and Lent-approved vegetarian dinner recipes, there’s something for everyone. Whether you prefer seafood options, pasta dishes, or hearty soups, these meals are a great choice for Friday nights during Lent. You can also opt for smaller dishes like Cold Seafood dip or Cajun Crab Dip.
Meatless Meals the Whole Family Will Love
Whether you’re feeding a large family or just cooking for yourself, there are lots of vegetarian ideas and crowd-pleasing meat-free recipes to choose from. These recipes include a mix of seafood and vegetarian dishes, so you can find something that suits your taste and dietary preferences.
Some delicious Lenten meals include:
- Tuna Noodle Casserole – A great way to enjoy a classic comfort dish with fresh herbs and a creamy sauce.
- Crab Cakes – A crispy, flavorful option that pairs well with a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Tomato Sauce Pasta – A simple, delicious meal with cherry tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and medium heat spices.
- Seafood Recipes – Whether it’s grilled fish, shrimp stir-fry, or baked salmon, these dishes are perfect for Lenten fasting.
- Veggie-Loaded Dishes – Think stuffed bell peppers, roasted vegetable medleys, or meatless lasagna made with layers of pasta and creamy ricotta.
Easy Meatless Dinners for Busy Families
If you’re short on time, you’ll love these easy meal options. Many of these dishes can be prepped in advance and cooked quickly, making them perfect for busy families.
Some of the more common ways to prepare meatless meals include using a baking dish for casseroles, cooking on low heat for soups and stews, and incorporating fresh ingredients like herbs and vegetables.
A few easy recipes to try:
- Pasta Primavera – A fresh, veggie-packed dish made with tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Stuffed Peppers – Filled with rice, beans, and spices, these make a delicious and filling meatless main course.
- Baked Ziti – A comforting dish loaded with cheese and served with garlic bread.
- Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells – A classic Italian dish that’s always a hit!
Seafood and Vegetarian Options for Lent
If you’re looking for new ways to prepare meatless dinners, seafood is always a great option. Fish, shrimp, and other seafood dishes are not considered meat under Catholic fasting rules, so they make a great addition to your Lenten meals.
Here are some seafood favorites:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta – Quick, easy, and packed with flavor.
- Lemon Herb Grilled Salmon – Light, healthy, and delicious.
- Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms – A fun appetizer or main dish.
- Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw – A tasty twist on traditional tacos, perfect for Friday dinner.
For those who prefer vegetarian meals, there are lots of vegetarian ideas to explore. Some favorites include:
- Eggplant Parmesan – A classic Italian dish made with layers of breaded eggplant, marinara sauce, and cheese.
- Mushroom Stroganoff – A rich, creamy pasta dish that’s both comforting and satisfying.
- Zucchini Fritters – A crispy, tasty side dish that pairs well with sour cream.
- Vegetarian Stir-Fry – A quick, healthy meal made with fresh vegetables and tofu.
Now for some fanta
Easy Meatless Meals for Lent
This list of Easy Meatless Meals for Lent will be perfect for inspiring creativity during the Fridays in Lent.
There are nights that you need something delicious but quick. Here’s the perfect meal for those nights. This Delicious & Easy Shrimp Scampi Orzo will be a huge hit at any meal. Check out how tasty this recipe can be! This is the perfect Quick Dinner idea !
Baked chimichangas with fish is a recipe that is perfect for lunch or dinner. This meal features beer battered fish, beans, cheeses, & more.
Toasted Fish Stick Subs or Po Boys, are a tasty dinner recipe idea for days when you want a quick bite. These subs feature a homemade tartar sauce that is equally quick.
With cod, salmon and a cheesy mash top, this simple fish pie is comforting, delicious and always a family favourite!
These easy to make old fashioned salmon patties are the perfect addition to any meal. Add a side and you've got the perfect Friday dish.
Hearty, warming and delicious, this easy fish stew hits the spot!
With fresh tomatoes and eggplant, this meatless Pasta alla Norma will satisfy even the biggest of meat-eaters.
This salmon chowder is a light a bright soup lifted with chilli and lime and the slow cooker takes the strain making it super simple too!
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup Recipe (Olive Garden) - BellyRulesTheMind
Minestrone Soup is a perfect family-friendly meal hearty enough for even the biggest appetites. It’s the easiest, and best Instant-Pot Minestrone Soup recipe ever and full of protein-packed beans and loaded with veggies. This soup is filling comfort food in a bowl.
Need an easy & healthy fish recipe? Try this pan-seared mahi-mahi (a neutral-tasting white fish) topped with fresh pineapple salsa. Serve it with your favorite sides for a quick weeknight meal in less than 30 minutes.
A quick, easy, and budget-friendly recipe for tuna patties that are crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside and bursting with tons of flavor from simple ingredients like onion, mustard, spices, and fresh lemon. {gluten-free & grain-free options)
This easy Vegetarian Chili recipe is easy and delicious. You can use the Instant Pot or stovetop to have a quick meatless meal full of flavor ready in minutes. perfect!
Creamy Pesto and Goat Cheese Pasta is a quick vegetarian weeknight dinner recipe, done in less than 30 minutes. This is an easy and quick pantry pasta dinner recipe. A delicious creamy goat cheese and pesto sauce with no cream!Prep
Healthy meets delicious with these Baked Coconut Crusted Healthy Fish Tacos! A wonderful combination of flavors and ready from start to finish in just 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights and pleases both kids and adults.
Vegetarian Pasta Recipe -Penne, Artichokes, Sun Dried Tomatoes & Peas
Penne with Artichokes, Sun Dried Tomatoes & Peas is the perfect meatless dinner for lent or any other time you'd like a vegetarian meal!
Steamed Cod - make this steamed cod fish recipe with a tasty sauce vierge
Want to be healthy this Lent? You can't beat this Steamed Cod recipe, and its topping is tweakable!
Pan Roasted Swordfish with Cherry Tomatoes and Capers takes less than 30 minutes to be on your table. Make a dinner for lent that's easy but never boring!
Learn how to make a New Orleans style Shrimp Po-Boy. The po-boy sandwich is stuffed with light golden brown crispy fried shrimp dressed with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and lots of mayo
This recipe for pan-fried southern fried whiting fish is crispy and tender. The layers of seasoning are simple with a good depth of flavor.
This Cajun Spicy Shrimp with Rice is a spin off of Shrimp Etouffee. It's a simple and easy recipe that tastes delicious that anyone can make.
This quick and easy poached cod recipe is a perfect weeknight meal. The cod is poached in a delicious and homemade creamy pomodoro sauce. And the result is a succulent, tender, flaky fish with Italian flavors.
This recipe for Fried Soft Shell Crabs is a relatively easy recipe. The deep fried crabs come out of the fryer crispy and full of flavor.
This New England Baked Haddock Recipe is so comforting, delicious, and easy to make! This easy, family-friendly dinner uses only THREE ingredients and requires only FIVE MINUTES of hands on time.
Spicy and smoky chipotles bring the flavor in this veggie loaded Southwestern Chipotle Quiche. Full of roasted corn, black beans, green onions, cheddar cheese and a hashbrown potato crust, it’s the perfect one dish meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
The light, fresh tastes of this Mediterranean salmon sheet pan recipe will be one to add to the regular dinner rotation! In addition to the amazing flavors, it is simple to make. And can be ready to eat in under 30 minutes!
Honey chipotle salmon is the ultimate one pan weeknight recipe: four ingredients, twenty minutes, and a hot oven are all you need to whip up dinner tonight!
Under 20 mins this Honey Garlic Shrimp with broccoli is the perfect side you can enjoy with rice or noodles of your choice
This Easy Cheesy Tuna and Rice recipe is perfect on busy nights. Make dinner in one skillet and get it on the table in 30 minutes.
Replete with fresh, healthy ingredients, Healthy Mexican Seafood Soup features shrimp and fish, vegetables, and a savory broth flavored with lean Mexican chorizo and beer… This easy shrimp and fish soup recipe can be on your table in about 30 minutes!
Easy Broccoli Tomato Quiche Recipe is the perfect savory pie like quiche a simple dinner idea is the perfect or a busy night.
These super easy Egg Tacos are great for lunch or dinner. If you are a smoked salmon lover, these are for you!!
If you are looking for a healthy cod recipe that can be prepared and served within thirty minutes, this is the recipe for you.
The curry and grilled veggies add a whole extra layer of flavor to these healthy and delicious salmon kabobs.
Lovely lemon pesto is the perfect topping for salmon.
This Sheet Pan Salmon + Veggies is perfect for busy families! Simply season and bake in the same pan. This is a healthy family meal that's fast and full of flavor!
Under 30 mins best Fish tacos with Pineapple jalapeno salsa and best Honey Chili Sauce! Complete meal!
Parmesan baked cod is simple and easy to make. Tender cod fillets are coated with a parmesan and spice combination and baked to perfection. You can serve this dish with appetizing side dishes such as brown rice or a simple salad.
This super easy 25 minute weeknight dinner recipe for Almond Parmesan Crusted Low Carb Cod with garlicky spinach is also gluten free, keto friendly, and extra flavorful!
Quick and easy Instant Pot Salmon. Ready in just a few minutes!
Don’t forget to share and pin this post so you can come back to it again and again.
Meatless Meals for Everyone!
No matter your marital status—whether you’re cooking for married couples, families, or even just for yourself—these Lenten recipes are a great way to observe meatless Fridays while still enjoying delicious meals. This collection of hearty Lent-friendly meals makes meal planning easier, whether you’re preparing for a Friday of Lent or just looking for a great choice for dinner.
So, if you’re looking for great ideas for meatless main courses, seafood recipes, or vegetarian chili, you’ve come to the right place! Bookmark this post and share it with others who may be looking for inspiration this Lenten season.
Happy cooking, and may this Lent be a time of reflection, growth, and delicious food!
Finally, looking for some other delicious ideas? Here’s a fun round-up of Easter Brunch recipes that are perfect for celebrating the resurrection!
Leave A Reply!