Home » Catholic
ByTiffany Dahle Published: Last Modified:
This post contains links to affiliate websites, such as Amazon, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you using these links. We appreciate your support!
Eating meatless meals for Lent doesn't have to be a struggle with your kids.
Check out these delicious and EASY Lenten recipes for busy families.
When I was a kid, eating meatless meals for Lent usually meant a fish sandwich from the school cafeteria.
If I was lucky, we'd be observing an even stricterfast and have just a simple bowl of plain white rice which I found significantly more palatable.
Now that I'm an adult who has learned to appreciate seafood, it's a whole lot easier for me to observe the meatless Fridays duringLent.
I love the challenge of finding new Lent recipes each year that my kids will still enjoy.
If you've struggled to get your kids to eat fish, you'll find plenty of kid-friendly meatless dinner ideas here!
P.S. Don't miss the other wonderful Catholic feast days for families to celebrate with kids.
Meatless Recipes in Your Inbox
Hey friends, if you'd like me to send you meatless recipe ideas straight to your inbox just in time for your Lent cooking, I have a special newsletter that starts just in time for Ash Wednesday.
Every Thursday during Lent, I'll send you a few ideas to inspire you for Friday night. You can get on the list right here (it's all completely FREE):
What is Lent?
Lent is the 40-day season of preparation before Easter. Catholics observe a weekly fasting from meat during three important times during Lent:
- Ash Wednesday
- Good Friday
- Every Friday during Lent
A rare exception: When St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday, often there will be a dispensation for Catholics to enjoy corned beef for their celebrations.
What Counts as a Meatless Recipe for Lent?
A meatless recipe for Lent can actually include seafood. The "meatless" term refers specifically to avoiding chicken, beef, pork, turkey, etc. However, fish and shellfish are acceptable.
Most Catholics choose to eat fish on the Fridays during Lent. In fact, Fish Fry Fridays are a beloved tradition throughout the midwest.
However, it is also possible to choose a recipe with no animal proteins, like cheese pizza or macaroni and cheese, as well.
NOTE: Several of the recipes below do involve chicken stock. I did some research and it appears that ingredient is allowed but if you want to be extra safe, you can easily swap out vegetable or fish stock in any of the recipes you need.
Curious about more rules for what you can eat during Lent? This article has really great in-depth descriptions of what is allowed and what is not.
EasySeafood Recipes
This is usually the first thought for Friday night. If you want to introduce your kids to fish, now is a great time!
Shrimp is a top favorite for the Peanut and myself but Handyman Tim and Little Pea aren't as big of fans. Our family also loves salmon and tilapia.
Many of these recipes are interchangeable with your fish of choice, whatever your kids love will work.
Baked Fish with Breadcrumbs
The perfect beginner fish recipes for home cooks. My delicious baked fish with breadcrumbs has a delicious golden brown coating with hints of lemon and cayenne.
Baked Fish with Breadcrumbs
Crispy baked fish with breadcrumbs takes just 5 minutes to prep and cooks in 15 minutes or less. This light seafood dinner recipe tastes great when served with rice pilaf and an easy green veggie.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Easy Salmon Dinner
The perfect go-to fish recipe for a busy night is a simple oven baked salmon or air fryer salmon. You can season it with any one of my five favorite spices for salmon.
Pair it with your favorite green veggies like these easy air fryer green beans and a delicious side of herb butter rice.
Oven Baked Salmon
This simple oven baked salmon is perfect for beginner cooks or for a busy weeknight. Just 3 ingredients and 15 minutes to a delicious and healthy dinner.
5 from 39 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Air Fryer Salmon
Learn how to cook salmon in an air fryer for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner. Add fresh green beans and you'll have a one pot recipe you turn to again and again.
5 from 2 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Spicy Shrimp with Orzo
Make a batch of this easy spicy shrimp and serve it over a plate of this orzo pasta recipe. The spice level can be adjusted to your kids' tastes.
5-Minute Spicy Shrimp
These easy spicy shrimp are a delicious simple appetizer or perfect on top of pasta or a simple salad.
5 from 2 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
This delicious garlic butter shrimp skillet has a rich sauce that's perfect for dunking crispy bread in and is cooked in under 15 minutes.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
This super quick recipe for garlic butter shrimp is made in a skillet on the stovetop in just 3 minutes. There's plenty of flavorful lemon butter sauce to dunk fresh bread or stir in cooked pasta or rice.
Inspired by Lucy Buffet's recipe from her Lulu's Kitchen cookbook.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Slowcooker Shrimp Stew
A great dinner for a busy evening is this slowcooker spicy shrimp stew because you can prep it ahead and just enjoy dinner later.
Spicy Shrimp Stew with Corn and Peppers
Mix things up in your crockpot with this easy, spicy shrimp stew loaded with peppers and corn. Serve with a biscuit or fresh cornbread for a comforting winter meal.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Mustard Glazed Salmon
Our very favorite way to enjoy salmon is this mustard glazed salmon with couscous and oranges. It has the best texture!
Broiled Mustard Glazed Salmon
Brush the mustard glaze over the salmon and broil it for a fast and easy fish dinner for your family even on a busy weeknight.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Macadamia Crusted Halibut
If you have a special occasion that falls on a Friday and you still want to observe the fast, this macadamia crusted halibut is the perfect solution. It is so good we've even made it for Christmas!
Easy Macadamia Crusted Halibut with Quick Lemon Butter Cream Sauce
Macadamia crusted halibut is one of the best easy halibut recipes for a special occasion. Prep it earlier in the day and this oven-baked halibut will be ready to go in just minutes at dinner time leaving you with almost no cleanup. Serve it with a drizzle of rich lemon-butter cream sauce for a quick but decadent treat.
4.46 from 157 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Shrimp Scampi
You could make my sheetpan shrimp scampi recipe and eat it as a healthy salad over a bed of greens or toss it into the copycat Olive Garden scampi recipe in place of the chicken.
Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables
This easy entree salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner. Lemon garlic shrimp is served with roasted veggies over crisp lettuce and drizzled with an olive oil & butter sauce.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Garlic Butter Scampi Pasta
The original recipe is a Copycat Olive Garden chicken scampi but you could skip the meat and just use the pasta and pair it with roasted shrimp for Lent.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Flexible Shrimp Dinner Idea
Shrimp is a perfect Lent recipe for kids. Mix and match it with any sides you have in your pantry or freezer and a bag of frozen veggies or a salad.
You'll just want to follow a few tricks:
- Start by thawing frozen shrimp so they don't get soggy.
- Learn how to cook frozen shrimp so it keeps its texture.
- Serve it with one of our favorite dipping sauces for shrimp.
How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
How to Cook Frozen Shrimp
Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer: Cooking Tips
12 Easy Dipping Sauce Recipes for Shrimp
Or you can try my favorite 3-minute boiled shrimp recipe here:
Boiled Shrimp
Caraway seeds and bay leaves season the boiling water for the most delicious boiled shrimp. This method makes easy peel and eat shrimp for serving with shrimp co*cktail.
5 from 43 votes
GET THE RECIPE
You can actually find 35+ easy shrimp recipes here along with tips on how to cook it well.
Cheesy Crab Melts
These delicious and easy crab melts make an amazing light dinner when paired with a simple salad like this Caesar salad or simple citrus salad.
Easy Crab Melts
This rich and delicious crab melt recipe makes a perfect party appetizer or simple dinner entree. Sweet lump crab meat is mixed together with savory cheeses and melted on fresh ciabatta bread.
4.99 from 55 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce
Grab your favorite crab cakes from the seafood department or freezer section and serve them on a bed of salad greens with this easy remoulade sauce for the dressing.
Remoulade Sauce for Crab Cakes
This spicy cajun remoulade sauce for crab cakes is a great dipping sauce for shrimp or po'boy sandwich spread, too! Made from easy things you have in your pantry mixed with a few classic creole ingredients for a creamy sauce you'll want to use again and again.
4.97 from 52 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Meatless Soup Recipes
I love a simple soup for dinner. Just serve these with your favorite homemade bread or easy refrigerator biscuits or a classic grilled cheese!
When your kids are just DONE with fish, these are great meatless alternatives.
Cheese Tortellini Soup
This cheese tortellini soup is lighter and healthier than it sounds. You can mix and match the veggies as you wish.
Weight Watchers Tortellini Soup
This light and healthy tortellini soup features plenty of fresh veggies and is only 4 WW points per serving.
4.43 from 14 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Gnocchi Soup
One of my favorite soup recipes of all time is this gnocchi soup with lemon and dill. So perfect for spring.
Gnocchi Soup with Lemon and Dill
This light and healthy springtime soup is the perfect quick dinner or light lunch. Serve with warm baguettes and butter.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Tuscan Vegetable Soup
Leave out the chicken in this Tuscan chicken soup recipe, there are so many veggies that compensate.
Tuscan Vegetable Soup
The original recipe for this Tuscan soup has chicken but for Lent you can easily skip it and make it a completely meatless soup recipe.
4.49 from 31 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Homemade Tomato Bisque
This easy homemade tomato soup recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner. Just add a grilled cheese sandwich for dunking!
Tomato Bisque Soup
Creamy tomato bisque soup is filled with softened vegetables for extra flavor and pureed for an elegant but easy soup to serve as a dinner entree for 8 or appetizer for 16.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
This easy slow cooker corn chowder does originally have a bit of crumbled bacon in it, but for Lent you could easily leave that out to make it meatless.
Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
Sweet slow cooker corn chowder with savory bacon bits and fresh chives on top makes a delicious light dinner or cozy lunch at the start of soup season. Make it with fresh or frozen corn all year round.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Irish Potato Soup
This veggie-based Irish potato soup is a warm and cozy meatless dinner option during the late winter.
It's also a fun option if St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday and you don't have a dispensation from fasting.
Irish Potato Soup
Creamy Irish potato soup is loaded with farmhouse style vegetables and has all the classic flavors of a traditional Irish soup. Serve it as an elegant first course or cozy dinner with a sandwich.
5 from 46 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup
The beef broth that forms the base of this sweet and sour soup is not a problem for Lenten fasting, you just can't have the meat itself.
Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup
This easy sweet and sour cabbage soup is a delicious meatless soup made with tons of fresh veggies and a rich and unique beef and tomato based broth. Sweetened with brown sugar and maple syrup and balanced with lots of fresh lemon juice for a fantastic sweet and sour flavor you'll love. Serve with warm, fresh bread for a healthy dinner and freeze the leftovers for a quick meal another time.
5 from 45 votes
GET THE RECIPE
French Onion Soup
A hearty rich onion soup with cheesy toasts on top?? Yes, please. This French onion soup would definitely be a satisfying option.
French Onion Soup
This rich beefy French Onion Soup is a delicious cozy comfort dish for a family meal. Elegant enough to serve to company, too! Topped with a crispy baguette and ooey-gooey melted cheese.
3.75 from 4 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Meatless Pasta & Rice Recipes
My kids could LIVE on pastaalone. But, mama can only handle buttered noodles so often.
From spicy to creamy, there is sure to be something on this list that will please your family!
Fettuccini Alfredo
My kids beg for this Fettucini Alfredo recipe all year long. So quick and easy. Just add a bag of frozen peas.
Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce
This homemade Alfredo sauce is quick and easy to make on a busy weeknight. So much tastier and healthier than the jarred variety, it uses real ingredients you likely already have on hand!
5 from 43 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This baked macaroni and cheese is so much better than boxed, and is sure to be a hit. Best part? It only takes 15 minutes to bake and can be prepped ahead.
Make Ahead Mac and Cheese
This easy baked mac and cheese recipe is the perfect side dish or dinner fix. Topped with plenty of crunchy breadcrumbs and perfectly cooked pasta, it will be your go-to recipe at the holidays.
4.57 from 41 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Farfalle Primavera
Farfalle primavera is loaded with so many fresh vegetables you won't even miss the meat. I make a big batch and the leftovers heat up wonderfully.
Creamy Farfalle Primavera
This pasta primavera recipe is simply loaded with fresh vegetables and tossed in a delicate lemony cream sauce. Make this meatless meal that reheats well for easy lunches or leftovers. Double the pasta and sauce and you could easily make enough to share for a meal train dinner while keeping the other half for your family.
5 from 3 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Peanut Butter Noodles
This spicy Thai peanut noodles recipe is still tasty even without the sticky chicken!
Asian Peanut Butter Pasta
This savory peanut butter and soy pasta dish is an easy way to make your own take out at home.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Veggie Fried Rice
You can add extra egg to boost the protein in this delicious and easy meatless vegetable fried rice.
Vegetable Fried Rice
The original recipe does include chicken, but you can double up on the vegetables to make this a completely meatless entree.
5 from 3 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Fresh Tomato Pasta
This simple fresh tomato pasta recipe is easy to make in a pinch. You could pair it with shrimp if you needed more protein.
Fresh Tomato Pasta
When fresh tomatoes are at their peak, this is the perfect summery pasta recipe. The heat from the pasta just warms the chopped cherry tomatoes to make a simple dinner.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Roasted Veggie Pasta Toss
With enough variety, your tastebuds will be so busy they won't miss the meat in this roasted vegetables pasta.
Just be sure to leave out the meatballs from this recipe. You could always add shrimp if needed.
Pasta with Roasted Broccolini
This simple pasta dish is loaded with fresh vegetables and is easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Garden Lasagna Cupcakes
My kids love to help assemble these delicious garden lasagna cupcakes made with wonton wrappers. Filled with yummy veggies, they are always a hit.
Garden Lasagna Cups
Deliciously cheesy vegetable lasagna cups are a fun recipe to cook with kids. Set up all the fillings in an assembly line at the counter and let your young chefs prepare these homemade lasagana cups featuring fresh zucchini, spinach, corn, and tomato sauce with plenty of bubbling hot cheese.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Goat Cheese Pasta
This creamy goat cheese pasta with baby spinach is a fantastic meatless pasta recipe.
Goat Cheese Pasta
Rich and creamy goat cheese pasta with baby spinach is an easy pasta skillet recipe. This dish is elegant enough for a holiday meal but easy enough for a busy weeknight. Serve it as a meatless main dish or as a delicious side dish with spicy meatballs, grilled chicken, or fish or shrimp.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Cheese Tortelloni with Pesto
Just 3 ingredients, this cheese tortelloni with pesto is my favorite Costco dinner.
Cheese Tortelloni with Pesto
This super easy 3-ingredient dinner is perfect for making the night after a Costco run. Easy cheese tortelloni tossed with pesto and served with roasted tomatoes is a delicious and satisfying dinner in a pinch.
5 from 2 votes
GET THE RECIPE
No Boil Baked Spaghetti
This baked spaghetti is one of my newest favorite dinner tricks. Be sure to leave out the ground turkey, you could add extra bell peppers or even chopped zucchini.
Baked Spaghetti
The original recipe includes ground turkey but you can easily leave it out to make this a vegetarian pasta recipe.
5 from 44 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta
I could eat this creamy lemon garlic pasta every Friday in Lent and be a very happy lady. It is great all by itself but would taste even better with a few shrimp on top.
Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta
Rich and creamy lemon garlic pasta can be made with Meyer lemons or regular lemons any time of year. This makes a delicious meatless main dish or a decadent pasta side dish for baked chicken or fish.
5 from 1 vote
GET THE RECIPE
Meatless Pizza Recipes
If you want to have a little more fun on your Friday night, you could make homemade pizza with the kids.
Prep a batch of this easy pizza dough in your bread maker earlier in the afternoon and you'll be ready to top it with your favorite meatless toppings and bake the pizza for dinner.
My kids LOVE these meatless cheesy pokey sticks made with the pizza dough and of course there's always a classic cheese pizza.
Homemade Pokey Sticks
These copycat pokey sticks are inspired by the college delivery service Gumby's Pizza. Make your own cheesy garlic breadsticks for pizza night in just minutes using your bread machine. Don't forget to serve it with cups of ranch dressing!
4.95 from 40 votes
GET THE RECIPE
Cheese Pizza
The best cheese pizza ever starts with an easy pizza crust, fantastic pizza sauce, and the best cheese topping ever.
5 from 39 votes
GET THE RECIPE
You could also make my spinach alfredo pizza (just leave off the chicken!) or my easy bruschetta pizza.
Both this sweet corn pizza and this fresh peach pizza would also work if you skip the bacon.
Easy Bruschetta Pizza
Sweet Corn Pizza with Bacon
Fresh Peach Pizza with Pancetta
Chicken Spinach Alfredo Pizza
Dinner Ideas That Don't Require a Recipe
And for the craziest of busy evenings, sometimes you just need to rely on the shortcuts!
There is no shame in whipping together a dinner out of one of these meatless menus:
- Poached or scrambled eggs, toast, fresh fruit
- Frozen breaded tilapia cutlets with boxed mac and cheese & frozen veg
- Grilled cheese & store-bought tomato soup
- Cheese pizza--frozen or delivery!
- Breakfast for Dinner: pancakes, waffles, or french toast
Breakfast and Lunch Ideas for Lent
Don't get caught by surprise, have a plan for both breakfast and lunch during Lent, too! Our family finds lunches the most difficult because we are often away from home and with people who do not observe the Lenten fast.
Plan ahead and pack these breakfasts to go and easy lunches:
18 Easy Lent Breakfast Ideas
16 Simple Lent Lunch Ideas
