19 Super Satisfying Dinners for Lent

Posted: February 21, 2022 4:00 am

The 40 days leading up to Easter is called the season of Lent. During Lent, observers abstain from meat and sometimes dairy during mealtimes and instead fill their plates with fresh vegetables, fish and seafood. But this season of dietary sacrifice doesn’t have to mean boring food. To help you punch up your mealtimes with delicious food this Lent, we have gathered up some tasty new recipes that are so delicious you just might keep them in the rotation after Easter arrives!

Asparagus Ricotta Spring Pasta

Not many vegetables say “spring” quite like asparagus. And this quick recipe combines the distinctive, light flavors of spring’s signature vegetable with creamy ricotta and lemon to deliver a perfect Lent meal. Perfect for cool spring nights when you are craving a warm meal that is not too heavy.

Black Bean Chimichangas

Made with filling black beans, these delicious burritos could include shredded chicken when Lent is over making these a potential year-round favorite. Swap out canned beans for a quicker prep if you don’t have time to make the slow-cooker beans first. Since these are baked instead of fried, they are heart-healthier than traditional chimichangas but they are so tasty your crew won’t even notice the difference.

Crab Salad with Pear and Hazelnuts (non-dairy)

Sometimes a lighter dinner is just what you are craving. This filling but light crab salad can be made ahead and pulled out for a quick dinner. This salad can be served over butter lettuce or even on a crunchy, buttery toast for a more filling option.

Creamy Corn and Seafood Chowder

This traditional, filling soup is perfect for a chilly spring night when a hot bowl of creamy goodness is just what you want. Corn, shrimp and scallops are the stars in this dish, and the chowder can be pulled together in under an hour thanks to quick-cooking seafood ingredients. Serve this up with a piece of crusty bread or swap out the shrimp and scallops for lobster or another firm, flakey fish for a twist on this classic Lent dish.

Eggplant Rollatini

Similar in flavor to eggplant parmesan, this dish is made of thin slices of the purple veggie that are battered and fried then rolled up and stuffed. Once prepared, the bundles are then covered in sauce and baked to perfection. Eggplant Rollatini is full of big flavors from fresh herbs, fresh garlic, crushed red pepper and three kinds of cheeses. These little bundles can be made in batches and frozen for later meals, but it’s likely that once you taste one there won’t be any left for next time.

Halibut Soft Tacos (non-dairy)

You don’t have to ditch Taco Tuesday during Lent if you grill up some halibut tacos that are perfect for Tuesday or any other night of the week. Made with thick halibut steaks, tropical mango chunks and a sprinkling of feisty jalapeños, these tacos are destined to become a favorite hand-held dinner. Leave out the hot peppers if desired and serve up this south of the border dinner anytime you are craving a taco that works during the season of Lent.

Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges (non-dairy)

This quick-to-the-table meal is full of big flavors and fresh ingredients. The best part? It is roasted up in one pan in under 30 minutes. Salmon combines with sweet honey and soy alongside side veggies and the surprising inclusion of orange slices. Once roasted to perfection, the orange adds a citrus zing to this classic spring dish that is ideal for the Lenten season.

Mexican Avocado Toast “7 Layer Dip”

A serving of avocado is rich and filling, and avocado toast is having a culinary moment. While not traditionally considered a meal, this version of avocado toast is sure to fill even the hungriest of the bunch. The toast toppings in this unique meal are reminiscent of the delicious seven layers on its namesake dip: beans, two kinds of cheese, lettuce, olives, jalapeños and of course avocado. This recipe makes one overflowing serving but you can multiply it for as many dinners as you need to prepare.

Mushroom Shepard’s Pie

This filling, hearty pie substitutes three types of mushrooms for the traditional Shepard’s pie filling of minced meat. But you won’t miss the original ingredient at all with this recipe since the mushrooms are flavored with rich red wine (or sub vegetable stock) and garlic for a big punch of flavor. Topped with cheesy, fluffy mashed potatoes and baked until bubbly, this two-layered dinner dish is satisfying enough for even the hungriest of Lent observers.

Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing (non-dairy)

When you are craving shrimp, this orzo dish with lemony dressing will fill you up this Lenten season. Orzo pasta is surprisingly filling when paired with asparagus, sugar snap peas, green peas and shrimp. A one-dish wonder that exemplifies spring, this orzo meal tastes and looks like spring making it perfect for Lent.

Pinto Bean Zucchini Boats

Dinner in a fun little zucchini boat is not only adorable, but it’s also really tasty too! Scooped-out zucchini halves are the foundation for this meatless meal. Heaps of canned beans, Mexicorn, chopped onion, diced tomato and tomato sauce come together to fill the veggie boats for a fun and healthy Lenten dinner. Chili flakes can be increased or left out to taste. Omit the gouda on top for a dairy-free meal menu option as well.

Pizza Spaghetti Pie

Everyone loves pizza night, but this pizza spaghetti pie is a new twist on an old favorite that also happens to be perfect for Lent when the optional pepperonis are omitted or swapped out with firm seafood like scallops or shrimp. Cooked spaghetti noodles are baked together with cheese and tomato sauce to form a slice-able noodle pie that tastes like pizza. Spinach and parsley take this pie up a notch, but just about any pizza toppings you love can be thrown in to customize this unique and tasty Lenten dinner dish.

Shrimp Mozambique (non-dairy)

Packed with the unique tastes of saffron and paprika, this Portuguese favorite is delicious when served over rice. But pasta, riced cauliflower or even potatoes are a perfect complement to the main star of this dish: stewed shrimp. Quick to simmer and ready to eat in minutes, you will love to serve up this brightly-hued dish long after Lent is over.

Soba Noodle Bowls with Spinach and Poached Eggs (non-dairy)

A gorgeous bowl of soup with a satisfyingly rich broth, this Soba Noodle Bowl with Spinach and Poached Eggs is sure to be a new favorite. Thick, nutty buckwheat noodles and sesame oil are the basis for this rich broth-based dish. Spinach and poached eggs add in a protein punch so you will feel powered up after noshing on this dinner. Scallions and ginger deliver big flavors in this traditional Japanese dish that is perfect for dinner on chilly spring nights during the Lenten season.

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe

Instead of making a meal of boring mac and cheese, try this recipe for Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. The beauty of this dish is its simplicity of using only five quality ingredients. The flavors of cheese (Cacio) and pepper (Pepe) make this an Italian classic ideal for the Lenten season since it tastes so authentic. You won’t even miss the meat in this flavorful, gorgeous dish.

Spanakopita

This crunchy, savory sheet pan pie is sure to be a hit this Lent. Layered with flakey phyllo dough, spanakopita is a classic Greek dish that also features tangy feta cheese and onion flavors. The savory taste is amped up with the addition of spinach, a common ingredient in many versions. Baked with a sprinkle of olive oil, salt and dill leaves, this stunning all-in-one meal can be garnished with sour cream for a cool counter flavor to the rich flakey pie.

Tomato Herb Frittata

Similar to a crustless quiche or a flat omelet, this bright and fresh frittata leans into springy flavors with tomatoes and a medley of herbs. This version is made in the slow cooker instead of in a sauté pan for a simple version that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. Once thought of as only breakfast or brunch dish, this hearty and filling frittata is a great dinner option either alone or paired with a salad. A versatile dish, this frittata can also be made with any other diced-up fresh spring vegetables in addition to the sweet grape tomatoes to reflect the other flavors of spring that you crave.

Tuna Burgers (non-dairy)

When you are craving a burger during Lent, whip up these Tuna Burgers to satisfy your tastebuds without eating meat. Made with water-packed flakey tuna, this recipe is easy to scale up to feed a crowd. Additions of fresh onion and celery along with traditional burger seasonings are sure to make this meal a hit. They can be fried up inside without firing up the grill, and you can make a few extra to store for a day or two in the fridge as well. Canned, drained salmon is a good substitution in this recipe, too, if you want to try a different taste with your meatless burger meal. Pair these patties with your favorite burger toppings for a delicious Lenten meal that you will want to make again all year long.

Vegetarian Crockpot Lentil Soup

When you want to make your dinner in the crockpot and come home to the aroma of a finished, rich soup, try this vegetarian lentil recipe. Or use an instant pot for quicker cooking to make this hearty soup in just a few minutes. Lentils are filling and satisfying alone but paired with fresh veggies and herb seasonings they make an impressive soup that will fill you up without meat or dairy this Lenten season.