12 Unique Lent Recipes for Meatless Meals

Posted: March 8, 2023 1:30 pm

It is Lent season which means that Catholics around the world are looking for great non-meat meal ideas to enjoy during this season. Even if you do not practice Lent, you will surely enjoy these vegetarian dishes. Here are 12 great meatless, Lent recipes to try during the Lent season this year.

Pierogi Casserole

This creamy and delicious pierogi casserole is so hearty and filling that you will not even miss the meat. Layering lasagna noodles with a mixture of onion, butter, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and mashed potatoes creates the classic taste of pierogies in casserole form. Top the cheesy casserole with sour cream and chives for an additional infusion of flavor. This is also one of the great Lent recipes to bring for a potluck or to prepare ahead of time.

Easy Bean Burritos

These easy bean burritos are as simple as they are delicious. You can get these traditional Mexican burritos to the table in about 15 minutes flat. Or you can prepare a big batch of them in advance and freeze for later consumption. While the recipe calls for homemade refried beans, you can also take a shortcut and use your favorite canned version. Adding a bit of pure pumpkin puree or carrot puree increases the nutritional profile of these burritos by providing extra fiber and vitamin A. Your kids will not even notice that you snuck some veggies into their bean burrito. This Mexican Lent food is quick, easy, and perfect for any time of day.

Moroccan Vegetable Stew

You will not believe the flavor explosion in this Moroccan vegetable stew recipe. The spices in this recipe include a unique mix of cinnamon, ground ginger, cumin, allspice, turmeric, and coriander. A tomato paste carries the spices to the vegetables in the dish. While this recipe calls for cauliflower, zucchini, sweet potatoes, squash, parsnips, and Japanese eggplant, you can use a variety of different vegetables based on your personal tastes and what you have on hand. Serve this stew over rice, quinoa, or couscous. Fun topping ideas for this stew include dried cranberries, cilantro, raisins, toasted almonds, dates, apricots, and pistachios.

Dump-and-Bake Ravioli Casserole

Craving Italian Lent recipes? Dinner does not get any easier than this popular dump-and-bake ravioli casserole. You only need four ingredients to pull off this meal: frozen cheese ravioli, jarred marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan cheese. Serve this ravioli dish with a green salad and a loaf of garlic bread for the perfect Friday night dinner that the whole family will love. Sprinkle a bit of fresh basil over the top to add some color and more flavor.

Potatoes of the Caribbean Soup

Add a taste of the islands to your dinner rotation this Lent season with this flavorful potatoes of the Caribbean soup recipe. This bright and colorful soup boasts kale, okra, black-eyed peas, and diced tomatoes. The addition of coconut milk and lime juice adds a bit of sweetness to balance out the spice of the thyme, coriander, turmeric, and allspice. You will want to make a big batch of this soup so that you have enough for leftovers the next day.

Salmon Florentine

Salmon Florentine is a wonderful choice for the Lent season. This mouth-watering main entree features baked salmon that is topped with spinach and mushrooms. The salmon pairs wonderfully with rice pilaf, mashed potatoes, pasta, and more. Best of all, you can get this dish on the table in less than 30 minutes. This is one of the best fish Lent recipes that you will want to keep in your meal rotation.

Zucchini Corn Fritters

These zucchini corn fritters are extremely versatile. Serve them as a tasty side dish at dinner, add to your menu of Lent lunch ideas, or even include as a fun brunch item. These fritters are light and nutritious, baking up in the oven and brimming with veggies. You can use fresh, canned, or frozen corn in this recipe. Top the fritters with a spoonful of herbed yogurt for the perfect finishing touch.

Quick Shrimp Puttanesca

Liven up your Friday dinner table with this quick shrimp puttanesca recipe. The puttanesca is made with tomato sauce, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, and capers. While you can certainly use dry pasta in this dish, the recipe calls for the fresh version. This is a recipe that comes together quickly and easily, despite it looking as if you spent hours preparing it. The dish is also just one of the Lent recipes elegant enough to serve to your Friday night dinner guests.

Vegetarian Mushroom Meatloaf

When you are tired of eating seafood on Lent Friday, be sure to try this vegetarian mushroom meatloaf. This version is made with mushrooms, caramelized onions, oats, walnuts, and sourdough bread. All of this is brought together with ketchup, garlic, lemon, sage, thyme, and oregano. You can use any type of mushrooms for this recipe, giving you options so that you are able to find the freshest produce. Serve this meatloaf with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans for a classic comfort food meal.

Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich

You will not even miss the meat when you sink your teeth into this tofu banh mi sandwich. The baguette is filled with smoky tofu, pickled vegetables, and a traditional banh mi sauce. Top your sandwich with cilantro and jalapeños for an additional kick. You will want to use extra-firm tofu so that the bread does not get soggy. The zesty marinade is made with soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, and fresh ginger. Because this recipe is vegan, it will suit a variety of dietary needs and is one of the tastiest Lent sandwich ideas.

Paneer Tikka Masala

Ethnic foods make great choices for meatless Fridays. This paneer tikka masala certainly fits the bill. The colorful dish features a curry gravy made with tomatoes, onions, and a variety of spices and herbs. Paneer is a firm cheese that has a similar consistency to tofu. While this recipe takes a lot of prep work, the effort will be well worth it when you try a bite of this intensely flavorful dish. This dish goes well with basmati rice and naan bread.

Vegetarian Goulash

This healthy vegetarian goulash is a nutritional powerhouse. The goulash calls for carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and beans. All of this is balanced with tomato sauce and spices. The soup is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free. You will want to serve this dish alongside some bread so that you can sop up all of the brothy goodness. This is one of the Lent recipes that also freezes well, making it a good choice for a meal to prepare in advance.

You do not have to settle for fish every Friday night during Lent. These 12 meatless meals for Lent will add plenty of spice and pizzaz to your meal rotation during this special time of the year.

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