These Lent Dinner Ideas are flavorful, satisfying, made without meat and will please everyone around the table. They are mega delicious and will help your family observe the 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter without giving up flavor.
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What is Lent?
Lent season is the 40 days (not including Sundays) beginning on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday.
It is one of the most significant times of the year for many Christians around the world, to prepare the minds and hearts for glorifying Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
It is regarded as a period of fasting, repentance, reflection and abstinence. During Lent, Christians seek the Lord in prayer by reading the Bible, giving alms and practice self-control through fasting.
What are rules of lent?
Lent is observed in a number of ways, typically involving three traditions - prayer, fasting and charity or almsgiving. Catholics believe that makes Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter even more meaningful and offer them forgiveness.
Prayer focuses on repenting on one's sins, asking for God’s forgiveness and receiving His mercy and love.
Fasting is the idea of doing with less. It is giving up something that’s a regular part of life and practicing self control as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. It can be staying away from eating sweets, social media or abstain from luxuries. You can refer more in this detailed article in US conference of Archibishops
Giving alms is doing something good for others or giving charity to respond to God’s generosity and love. Some people choose to spend time volunteering or donating money they would normally use to buy something of luxury.
Why make these?
Roman Catholics choose not to eat meat on Fridays during Lent, because Jesus died on a Friday, and abstaining from meat reminds them of that sacrifice. These Lent dinner ideas are not only flavorful but also meatless.
Those looking to give something up for Lent may choose meat as their luxury, either on Fridays or throughout all 40 days. There are several clever ways to skip meat and still end up with an amazing dish.
If you're going meatless this year or abstaining on Fridays and in need of some good vegetarian meals and seafood dishes, then these meatless lent dinner ideas will keep even the biggest meat lovers feeling full, satisfied, will ensure that you aren't missing your steak or chicken and satisfy your cravings.
Our meat free lent dinner ideas like chickpea lettuce wraps or potato sandwich are simple, affordable, mouthwatering and guaranteed to become part of your dinner rotation all through the year.
Meatless main course
Whether you’re giving up meat on Lenten Fridays or a lifelong vegetarian and want to mix up your usual rotation of vegetarian dinner recipes, we’re betting that you’ll find these Lent dinner ideas exciting!
It’s always a great idea to have a few meat free dishes on stand-by anytime you're craving for something flavorful and satisfying.
Teriyaki Tofu
This Teriyaki Tofu Recipe is panfried for crispy outside yet soft on the inside and is smothered in a sticky sauce. It is made in about 30 minute since they don't need to be pressed. Better than take out!
Mushroom Sandwich
This Mushroom Sandwich is made with sautéed garlic mushrooms along with sliced tomato and then topped with mozzarella for a tasty vegetarian grilled cheese that you'll love.
Firecracker Shrimp
This Firecracker Shrimp is made with tender juicy shrimp tossed in the most amazing sweet and spicy sriracha sauce that tastes so much better than take out. Serve with rice for a quick weeknight dinner.
Eggplant Stir Fry
This Eggplant Stir Fry with an irresistible ginger garlic sauce, is hands down the most delicious eggplant recipe I know. Ready in about 30 minutes, it's guaranteed to convert any eggplant hater!
Pasta dishes
Homemade pasta dishes are always satisfying with or without meat. They are incredibly versatile, budget friendly and the possibilities are endless.
Whether you’re looking for something quick and easy or a filling dish for the family on Lenten Friday night, these mouthwatering vegetarian pasta recipes are full of bold flavors and are perfect Lent dinner ideas!
One Pot Mac and Cheese
This One Pot Mac and Cheese is outrageously creamy, smooth and cheesy! Made in the stovetop using 5 main ingredients, it is the easiest and comforting weeknight dinner that is ready in under 20 minutes.
Spicy Thai Noodles
Irresistible Thai Spicy Noodles is made with super market ingredients and makes a delicious weeknight dinner or lunch. It is quick, simple, loaded with fresh veggies, eggs and addictive!
Instant Pot Penne alla Vodka
This Instant Pot Penne alla Vodka is easy, creamy and ready in under 30 minutes. Toss in some cubed chicken or shrimp along with pasta for added protein or fresh spinach to keep it vegetarian. One of the best instant pot penne pasta recipes ever!
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Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
One of the simplest of all pasta recipes that is a perfect for weeknights and is ready in under 15 minutes with just a handful of basic ingredients. Loaded with garlic, this Instant Pot Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a family favorite and is a great lent dinner ideas. It is simple yet satisfying!!
Vegetarian curries
Meatless meals don't have to be bland and leave you unfulfilled. These Indian vegetarian curries are deeply nourishing, authentic and incredibly delicious.
Piping hot curry with a bowl of steamed rice or pillowy soft naan is always close to my heart. Whether you are looking for something to be made in a jiffy or healthy and satisfying, you are sure to find something that is going to be a family favorite Lent dinner ideas.
Butter Chickpeas
Butter Chickpeas is a vegetarian version of the classic Butter Chicken. An easy, loaded with flavor, butter chickpea curry will rival any butter chicken that you have ever tasted!!! A must try recipe!
Instant pot daal
Thick and Creamy Indian dal is healthy, nutritious, packed with flavor and naturally gluten free. It is perfect for busy weeknights served with rice/rotis/parathas/naan or meal prepped for the week.
Chickpea and Spinach Curry
Indian Chickpea and Spinach Curry is healthy, flavorful, tastes authentic but made with shortcuts for a quick weeknight meal.
Beet Curry
Healthy Beet Curry is vegan, nutritious, naturally pink and is a great weeknight dinner idea. This flavorful Indian beetroot curry is the perfect balance of spicy with a touch of sweetness and is delicious served with chappathi, roti or naan.
Air fryer
You'll love these air fryer dinner ideas to try during this holy season. If you're using the Air Fryer like us, then you are always looking for something new and easy to make for dinner.
Air Fryer Salmon
This Air Fryer Salmon recipe is a quick and easy way to cook salmon every time. Ready in under 10 minutes, it makes a crisp and moist fillet with a flavorful blend of spices.
Naan Pizza
This Air Fryer Naan Pizza is a quick and easy way to make a homemade pizza in minutes. With a crispy crust, these personal pizzas are customizable so it is the perfect way to ensure everyone gets to choose their toppings.
Air Fryer Shrimp
This Air fryer Shrimp Recipe is tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned with simple Mexican spices, ready in under 10 minutes and delicious made into tacos, salad, burrito bowls and more.
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
This Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan has a crunchy crumb with soft and tender inside. Your family is going to fall in love with this tasty and healthier meatless dish or snack. A must try recipe!
Air Fryer Breaded Tilapia
Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Tilapia recipe has a crunchy Panko crumb with perfectly cooked juicy fish fillets! It is healthy, easy and absolutely delicious with a quick homemade tartar sauce for dipping, made into easy fish tacos or sandwich for dinner.
Rice dishes
Rice is endlessly versatile and is the perfect vehicle for soaking saucy curries or stir fries. Quick to prepare and easy to make rice dishes can be filling and satisfying Lent dinner ideas.
Whether in the form of quick air fryer fried rice or instant pot cilantro lime rice, rice dishes are nourishing and delicious.
Garlic Butter Mushroom Fried Rice
This Mushroom Fried Rice is garlicky, buttery, packed with caramelized mushrooms and ready in 20 minutes - So Good!
Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Deconstructed Shrimp Sushi Bowl is a simplified alternative to get your sushi fix without the hassle of making rolls. Sushi rice made in instant pot is layered with crispy shrimp along with so many delicious flavors and textures and topped with a spicy sriracha mayo!
Garlic Shrimp and Rice in Instant Pot
Looking for a simple yet delicious shrimp and rice recipe? This Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice in Instant Pot is super easy to make for weeknight dinner with a side of veggies or meal prepped for the week!
Hope you found a meatless dinner recipe to try this Lent season. If you are looking for more Lent dinner ideas then please check out weeknight dinner recipes, vegetarian dinner ideas or vegetarian taco recipes for inspiration.
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