Looking for delicious Lenten dinner ideas that’ll satisfy your family’s cravings without red meat? This collection features a variety of mouthwatering recipes perfect for Lenten dinners. From flavorful pesto salmon to creamy Tuscan bean soup, these dishes are sure to become staples in your Lenten menu rotation.
All too often, we rely on tuna salad or head to a fish fry. Change up your routine and have some fun with Lent’s meat restrictions by trying one of these 23 quick recipes. Just watch your family’s faces as they see what you made for them. And then watch them come back for seconds!
Cozy up with a bowl of velvety Tuscan bean soup, or savor the savory flavors of cheesy stuffed shells. With options like Asian glazed salmon and weeknight lasagna roll-ups, you’ll never run out of tasty Lenten dinner inspiration. Whether you’re skipping red meat for religious reasons or simply looking to try something new, these recipes offer delicious alternatives that the whole family will love.
Lasagna Pizzas
Satisfy Lenten cravings with this fusion of two classics: pizza topped with layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, offering comforting flavors in every bite. This simple recipe is ready in no time and is a delicous mashup of two classics.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Pizzas
Poached Orange Salmon
Impress your guests or enjoy a special Lenten treat with this flaky and elegant salmon poached in a citrusy orange broth, providing a light and refreshing dining option that’s both flavorful and elegant. It’s ready in under a half hour, so you can eat your dinner quickly.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Indulge in Lenten comfort with this Instant Pot soup featuring creamy cheese and tender broccoli florets, providing a hearty and filling meal option. This is perfect for satisfying your cravings in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Creamy Tuscan Bean Soup
Cozy up with velvety Tuscan bean soup during Lent, as cannellini beans simmer in flavorful broth before being pureed for a comforting, nutritious dining experience perfect for Lenten dinners. This is perfect served with bread or a side of pasta.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Bean Soup
Potato Gnocchi
Treat yourself to a quick and satisfying Lenten dinner with these light and fluffy potato dumplings tossed in your favorite sauce, providing a cozy Italian-inspired option for spring evenings or cooler nights. Gnocchi is easier to make than you think and is a fun dinner to make with your kids’ help.
Get the Recipe: Potato Gnocchi
Carrot Ginger Soup
Warm up during Lent with this wholesome soup featuring sweet carrots and zesty ginger, using everyday ingredients for a comforting and flavorful dining experience perfect for Lenten dinners. This is a deliciously healthy option that satisfies with its bright flavors.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Enjoy a flavorful and wholesome Lenten dinner with this protein-rich quinoa skillet dish featuring Mexican-inspired ingredients like black beans, corn, and spices, offering a customizable option for busy weeknights. This is a quick and easy one pot meal that’s completely meat free.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Creamy Pea Pasta
Whip up a light and flavorful Lenten dinner in under 30 minutes with this creamy pasta featuring tender peas and a light cream sauce finished with dill, offering a bright and satisfying meal option. This is a wonderful change from your usual spaghetti and jarred sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Elevate your Lenten dining with creamy risotto studded with sweet peas and kissed with zesty lemon, offering a sophisticated yet simple dish perfect for special occasions or everyday enjoyment. Use arborio rice to make it authentic but this recipe has a cheat so you don’t have to stand stirring over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Pesto Salmon
Enjoy Lenten dinners with this flaky baked salmon coated in vibrant pesto, bursting with fresh herbs for an easy and healthy meal option packed with omega-3s. With just a few ingredients, this is one of the simplest and tastiest fish dishes you can make.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Apple Puff Pancake
Delight in a Lenten breakfast for dinner with this fluffy pancake baked with tender apples throughout, offering a fun and festive twist to that’s perfect for Lenten indulgence. And no one will know if you choose to top it with a scoop of ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Apple Puff Pancake
Caprese Panini
Add warmth to Lenten meals with this cozy panini featuring mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil, offering a classic comfort food option that’s easy to make and satisfyingly delicious. This is so much better than the grilled cheese you grew up eating.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Asian Glazed Salmon
Add variety to Lenten dinners with this impressive yet easy baked salmon, glazed with a vibrant mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, bringing Asian flavors to your table in just 30 minutes. Lent does not mean you’re stuck with boring or flavorless meals.
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Salmon
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Skip the red meat during Lent with this quick and satisfying pasta dish featuring flaky tuna and juicy tomatoes tossed in a flavorful sauce, providing a healthy and protein-packed option for busy families. This is an incredibly easy recipe with flavors you might not think to pair but that work so well together.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Complement Lenten dinners with this nutritious side dish that can be filling enough for a full meal combining nutty quinoa with earthy spinach and creamy Parmesan cheese. This has a satisfying balance of taste and texture that is perect for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Calzones
Perfect for Lenten dinners, these golden pockets filled with savory ricotta, mozzarella, and your favorite vegetables offer a hearty and customizable meal for the whole family, ideal for Lenten indulgence. This is a fun way to switch up your weekly pizza night.
Get the Recipe: Calzones
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Experience the familiar flavors of lasagna in this easy and delicious Lenten meal featuring layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara sauce rolled up in pasta sheets and baked to perfection. It’s so much easier and faster to make than traditional lasagna, and they taste amazing.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Nicoise Omelet
Enjoy a balanced Lenten meal with this protein-packed omelet featuring eggs, tuna, olives, and vegetables, providing a quick and satisfying option for lunch or dinner that’s both tasty and nutritious. It’s heartier than a salad and a perfect warm dinner for these still chilly days and nights.
Get the Recipe: Nicoise Omelet
Cacio e Pepe
Dive into Lenten dinners with this simple yet bold pasta dish, showcasing the magic of Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper for a flavorful experience perfect for any occasion. This simple but elegant pasta is ready in 15 minutes from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Comforting Lenten dinners await with creamy ricotta and spinach filling baked inside giant pasta shells, pleasing both kids and adults with its simplicity and deliciousness. This is a classic for a reason, and you’re sure to come back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Miso Glazed Salmon
Elevate your Lenten dinner with this savory-sweet miso-glazed salmon, offering a unique flavor twist perfect for those seeking a sophisticated addition to their meal during the Lenten season. This silky-smooth salmon can’t disappoint.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon
Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Enjoy Lenten dinners with this unique pizza featuring savory asparagus and creamy goat cheese instead of the traditional red sauce, providing a surprisingly delicious alternative for a meatless meal. We all love pizza, and this is an elegant and simple homemade pizza everyone is sure to love.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Soy Ginger Salmon
Skip the red meat with this simple yet flavorful salmon marinated in a zesty blend of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, making it a healthy and easy Lenten dinner option that won’t disappoint. Even kids enjoy this savory salmon.
Get the Recipe: Soy Ginger Salmon