Lenten Recipes: 30+ Great Dinner Ideas

Find more than 30 great Lenten recipes to keep your tummy happy and your heart without guilt. What do you make for Lent dinners?

It’s officially – once again – Lent. And though I didn’t realize it was Friday earlier today (thanks to our unexpected day off school yesterday) and ate meat without thinking about it, I do my best to avoid eating meat on Fridays in Lent.

While typically that means that fish is on the menu, there are plenty of meatless meals that also suffice perfectly well when I’m thinking about Lenten recipes.

I’ve gathered a collection of more than 30 of my favorite Lenten recipes, once I know I’ll be making this year and in years to come. All of them have been tested and approved by my family.

Many of them are also dairy-free, gluten-free, or otherwise allergen-friendly, and I’ve noted that where applicable. This means they’re great for any Meatless Monday meal, as well.

Just because it’s Lent and you aren’t eating meat on Fridays doesn’t mean you can’t create a delicious meal that you’ll enjoy.

Best Lenten Dinner Recipes

You’re bound to find a perfect dinner idea in this list of delicious Lent dinner ideas. And many are also allergy friendly, too, so you can find something delicious that’s gluten-free, vegan, and more.

Tuna Recipes

Canned tuna is a simple staple, and you can make so much more with it than just traditional tuna salad. Get creative and enjoy your meals!

1

Tuna And Tomato Pasta

Pasta is an obvious go-to for Lent. Simple spaghetti with marinara sauce and a little cheese is something that we eat on a regular basis.

The tomatoes and capers and tuna combine perfectly, and we never have leftovers of this simple recipe. This is one of my dairy free Lenten recipes.

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2

Simple Spicy Tuna Rolls

While this is not traditional sushi, it's so much easier (and cheaper) to make! It uses canned tuna, and the spicy mayo makes this a perfect treat when you can't get take out.

The only gluten comes from any soy sauce you choose to use, but it does not need soy sauce to enjoy the flavors, and it is dairy free.

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3

Nicoise Dinner Omelet

Salad nicoise is one of my favorite entree salads. Those flavors work just as well in an omelet. This hearty baked omelet is absolutely delicious, and yes, it's gluten free and dairy free.

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4

Pesto Tuna Salad

Canned tuna CAN taste amazing when you prepare it well. This unique tuna salad tastes absolutely amazing, and it's a fun twist on a classic. The Italian flavors work perfectly in this naturally gluten free recipe.

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Salmon Recipes

Salmon is a delicious fish, and these recipes include salmon filets, canned salmon, and smoked salmon. You don't have to just do fish and chips!

5

Sous Vide Miso Glazed Salmon

If you don't have a sous vide machine, you can marinate this as directed in the recipe and then grill it. Either way, this is my favorite way to enjoy salmon.

It does have gluten in the marinade, but this salmon recipe is dairy free.

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6

Salmon Patties

Crab cakes are one of my favorite foods. But oh my word is crab expensive when I'm trying to feed two growing children.

Instead, I started making salmon patties that my kids devour – but in a good way. This is one of my Lenten recipes that uses canned salmon, which means they're on the table in 20 or fewer minutes from the time you open that first can.

They are dairy free, but with breadcrumbs as the binder, they do contain gluten (unless you're using gluten free breadcrumbs).

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7

Soy Ginger Salmon

Asian flavors are amongst my favorite tastes. And I find that they are a great pairing for salmon especially.

Soy and ginger go together well, and they are delicious with this salmon that you marinate for just a couple hours before cooking for less than 15 minutes.

The first time I made this, I cooked more than two pounds of salmon for my 7 and 9 year old children. They ate all but a tiny bit after having seconds and thirds.

They adored it. It's been a perennial favorite ever since, and I know you'll love it, too. This is also dairy free.

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8

Orange Salmon

You've probably had orange chicken at a Chinese restaurant, but this is nothing like that dish. This is not fried and is incredibly healthy with just orange, honey, and a bit of olive oil in addition to the salmon.

Obviously, this is one of the my Lenten recipes that it dairy free and gluten free.

Steamed fish is easy to make. Using aluminum foil to create a tent that you use to cook the fish in requires no special tools or expertise.

This is a great weeknight meal since it requires no prep ahead of time and cooks in less than 20 minutes.

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9

Asian Glazed Salmon

This is one of my most pinned recipes. It's a great weeknight dinner, as it comes together quickly.

Serve it with some sauteed spinach, and you're good to go. This recipe is dairy free.

Miso is one of my favorite flavors, and it the perfect complement to this fish. Cooking it on the stove to create a crust then finishing the salmon in the oven makes for an incredibly moist and flavorful Lenten dinner.

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10

Smoked Salmon Pizza Recipe

While salmon isn't the first ingredient you might think of to add to your pizza, this is one of those "Wow, why didn't I think of this before" type flavor combinations.

Combine it with red onion, sundried tomatoes, and artichokes, and your taste buds will be singing.

This could easily be an appetizer for a party, but in Lent, I do pizzas all the time, and it's nice to change it up with different flavors from time to time.

Make your own dough or buy some premade, but regardless, go for it!

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Pasta Recipes

Of course you can have spaghetti with marinara sauce, but there are plenty of other delicious pasta recipes you can and should enjoy, too!

11

Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e pepe may be the simplest pasta recipe out there. It's quite simply cheese and pepper pasta that forms and absolutely amazing dinner.

It takes just 15 minutes to make, start to finish, and you'll want to make it again and again. The hardest part is being patient enough to wait until it's done.

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12

Cheesy Stuffed Shells

When I don't have time for lasagna but want something simple and delicious, these easy cheesy stuffed shells fit the bill.

Who doesn't love pasta and cheese? The fact that you bake this means you can prep it in advance and then bake it up for an easy dinner everyone will enjoy.

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13

3 Cheese Lasagna Roll Ups

If I really want the taste of lasagna but don't have the patience to make lasagna, these lasagna roll ups are perfect. They also mean you can make as much or as little lasagna as you want, so you don't have a ton of leftovers.

They also make cute individual servings, and they bake up much faster and more easily than a full pan of lasagna.

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Vegetarian Ideas

Friday night dinners during Lent don't have to focus on fish. There are plenty of delicious vegetarian (and vegan) recipes you'll love from pasta to souffles and more.

14

Homemade Calzones

Rather than ordering out for pizza or making pasta, why not enjoy calzones? Sometimes you want something that still has that Italian flair but is just a little different from what you've been eating over and over.

This is something that many people don't think to make at home, but it's easy, especially if you use store bought dough as part of your Lenten recipes repertoire. Calzones are delicious and easy – and forgiving in shape and flavor to match what you enjoy.

While I typically make a simple cheese calzone with a variety of cheeses, you can add your favorite (non-meat) ingredients from tomatoes to mushrooms, spinach to artichokes.

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15

Cheese Souffle and Herb Salad

When I make a souffle for myself for lunch, you know a recipe is good. Souffle. For myself. For lunch.

Just because I can.

While souffles may sound scary, they really aren't that hard. This is a savory version, and it's amazing. Serve it with a little salad on the side, and you're set.

This is something you can put together in less than an hour, including the half hour it takes to bake. The crust is so beautifully crunchy while the inside is so soft and moist and fluffy and mmm I could go for one right now.

If you're ever going to make a souffle, this is the one to start with.

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16

Instant Pot Risotto With Peas And Lemon

Risotto is such a delicious and even decadent recipe. The stovetop version requires constant stirring and adding of liquid. Somehow the Instant Pot version works as a dump and go recipe.

The peas and lemon add a bright, fresh flavor to this gluten free Lent dinner idea. It's unique and surprisingly easy!

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17

Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Quinoa is a great protein that requires no meat. It's incredibly versatile and can be used for so many different flavor profiles.

This Mexican skillet quinoa is a fun version that includes a bunch of vegetables and can be as spicy or not as you like, depending on what salsa you add.

No matter what, it's delicious and simple.

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18

Spinach And Parmesan Quinoa

Quinoa has protein, but sometimes it feels more like a side dish than an entree. This recipe uses spinach and parmesan to kick up the flavor and make it more filling.

You can never have too much cheese in my book, so feel free to grate more on top to really enjoy that cheesy goodness. This is another gluten free dinner idea.

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19

Caprese Panini

A caprese salad tastes amazing, but that isn't dinner. Take those flavors and make them into a panini, and now you're talking.

This is one of the best grilled cheese type sandwiches I've ever had. The balsamic reduction and fresh mozzarella always work well together, and this is a great meal to make at the last minute.

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20

Peanut Butter And Jelly Pockets

While maybe you can't justify Uncrustables as dinner, if you make these homemade peanut butter and jelly pockets and feel good about it.

These are so much better than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and they make enough that you can enjoy them the next day or freeze them for later.

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21

Tomato Tart

If you can get some good, flavorful tomatoes, a tomato tart is such an amazing way to enjoy them. And yes, you can use store bought pie crust if you prefer.

The cheese adds a nice sharp flavor to the sweetness of tomatoes, and the herbs are the final complement. This is a delicious and unique Lent dinner recipe that's well worth the effort to bake up.

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22

Sweet Protein Sandwich

Sometimes you're looking for something quick and easy. And maybe a little different.

Tell me you've never had peanut butter and jelly just because it was easy. This? This steps up the game, and it has plenty of fresh fruit so is … sorta healthy.

My son invented this sandwich, and I could enjoy it all the time. A little Nutella and strawberry and apple, combined with the crunch of flax seeds?

No wonder he was a hit of the cooking competition he entered using this recipe.

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23

Homemade Pizza

Making pizza at home is fun. I enjoy making my own dough, and I've shared my recipe for how you can do it, too. You can just as easily pick up premade dough from the store, too.

If you live somewhere that's warm – or hey, if you're brave in the great cold north – you can grill pizza. It's fun and easy and so incredibly fast.

Whether you go traditional and bake your pizza in the oven or get creative with toppings on the grill, this is one that everyone in the family can get behind.

Who doesn't love pizza? And pizza toppings may be a great way to get your picky eaters to try some new foods.

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24

Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza

An asparagus goat cheese pizza is a more unique set of toppings, but let me tell you, it is absolutely delicious.

Feel free to use a store bought dough or my recipe for the base. Asparagus is in season in late winter and early spring, which makes this perfect for a Lenten dinner idea.

But honestly, once you make it, this will end up in your year round repertoire.

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Soup Recipes

A big bowl of soup with a crusty bread is one of my favorite things to make. These soup recipes are all meat free, and where they may ask for chicken stock, you can substitute vegetable stock to keep them truly meat free for your Lenten dinner!

25

Creamy Tuscan Bean Soup

The Italians know how to bring amazing flavor to simple recipes, and this Tuscan bean soup is no different.

It's easy to make, and like so many soups, it taste even better the second day. So go ahead and make it the day before to save yourself time Friday night.

This is a gluten free and dairy free, so yes, it's vegan when you make it with the vegetable stock (in place of chicken stock) for Lent.

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26

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Lentils are another great protein option when you go meatless. This lentil soup may not be the prettiest recipe, but it tastes amazing.

Making it in the Instant Pot makes this a super quick meal, but if you don't have a pressure cooker, you can definitely simmer this on the stove instead.

It is gluten free, dairy free, and yup, vegan. It's perfect for those with food constraints, and the spices give it a boost of flavor to keep it interesting.

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27

Carrot Ginger Soup

If you have never made a carrot ginger soup before, stop right now and make this recipe. It's that good.

The ginger adds such a bright note, and the base of carrots adds a ton of nutrition, and the dill you add at the very end is that finishing touch that really finishes it off.

You can make this in advance, as well, but hold off on adding the dill until you serve it in that case.

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28

Chickpea Tomato Soup

Chickpeas provide another great way to add protein to your meals. Combined with tomatoes, this creates a delicious and filling soup.

You can use either dried or canned chickpeas, though I prefer using dried for this recipe. If you use canned, make sure you drain and rinse them.

This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten free, so no dairy obviously.

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29

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Broccoli cheddar is one of those super comforting soups that you often forget to make at home. Change that with this recipe you'll love for your meatless meal.

This is another recipe that gets made in the Instant Pot but can just as easily on the stovetop. It is also gluten free, though obviously the cheese (and other ingredients) have dairy.

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