35 Lent Dinner Recipes—That Aren’t Fish

Read Time: 25 mins

35 Lent Dinner Recipes—That Aren’t Fish1/35 Black Bean Soup 28 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Contest-Winning Black Bean Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Black bean soup recipes are among my favorite because they’re light and it most of the time don’t contain meat. For this recipe, you could add lean beef or chicken for a variation. —Angee Owens, Lufkin, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 222 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 779mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (7g

sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein

sugars, 9g fiber), 11g protein. This filling soup is full of beans and veggies, making it a great Friday dinner during Lent. It’s ready in about an hour, so you won’t have to wait too long until you can eat. 2/35 Cauliflower Tikka Masala 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Intermediate Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m a vegetarian, and it can be challenging to find new recipes. This cauliflower tikka masala is my easy take on the original. —Garima Arora, Charlotte, North Carolina

Purchased pesto

Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 312 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 573mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 7g fiber), 8g protein. Creamy and vibrant masala sauce transforms pressure-cooker cauliflower into main dish material. Serve this richly spiced vegetarian entree with lots of basmati rice or freshly cooked naan. 3/35 Pesto Flatbread 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pesto Flatbread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 40 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We kneaded basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese into packaged bread dough for this full-flavored crust. Purchased pesto

sauce keeps the pesto flatbread big on taste and convenience

sauce keeps the pesto flatbread big on taste and convenience. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 259 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 513mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein. Whether you use any of these store-bought pesto brands or make your own, this no-fuss flatbread is plenty filling thanks to melty mozzarella cheese and umami-rich mushrooms. I always keep some frozen bread dough in my freezer for precisely this situation. 4/35 Meatless Chili Mac 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Vegetarian Chili Mac Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner

It’s fast and flavorful, and it appeals to all ages

Total Time 40 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I came across this recipe in a newspaper years ago and it’s been a hit at our house ever since. It’s fast and flavorful, and it appeals to all ages. —Cindy Ragan, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 206 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable,1 lean meat. Bean-filled vegetarian chili mixed with elbow macaroni is one of those comforting cold weather foods you’ll want to make again

Top the dish with sour cream and chopped green onions

and again. Plus, it keeps well in the freezer for up to three months, so you can heat up any leftovers on busy weeknights. Top the dish with sour cream and chopped green onions. 5/35 Vegan Burritos 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quick Bean and Rice Burritos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These hearty and zippy burritos can be whipped up in a jiffy. —Kimberly Hardison, Maitland, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 burrito: 345 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 544mg

sodium, 61g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 10g protein

sodium, 61g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 10g protein. Thanks to instant rice and canned black beans, these satisfying plant-based burritos are ready even quicker than fast-food. For even more richness, add guacamole and shredded vegan cheese. 6/35 Vegan Butter Cauliflower 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Intermediate Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this Indian butter cauliflower recipe for all the picky eaters in my family who love ethnic food. It’s also vegan-friendly. —Mihaela Metaxa-Albu, London, New York Nutrition Facts:

1-1/2 cups: 349 calories, 27g fat (22g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 584mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 7g fiber), 8g protein. Yes, it’s possible to make rich, melt-in-your-mouth Indian butter sauce with all vegan ingredients (namely, coconut oil and coconut milk.) Serve the dish with lime wedges; the acid helps cut the richness and bring out all the bright flavors in the sauce. 7/35 Spaghetti Squash Alfredo Test Kitchen Approved Easy Spaghetti Squash Alfredo Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Spaghetti

squash Alfredo has an indulgent and creamy Parmesan-garlic sauce served over healthy squash “noodles”! —Nancy Mock, Southbridge, Massachusetts With silky spaghetti squash instead of pasta, this decadent meat-free Alfredo dish cuts down on carbs without losing any of the sauce’s trademark richness. Make sure to pick a good spaghetti squash that’s bright yellow and ideally around three to four pounds. 8/35 Cabbage Steaks Test Kitchen Approved Cabbage Steaks Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These thick slices of cabbage are brushed with olive

oil, seasoned, and then roasted in the oven

oil, seasoned, and then roasted in the oven. The steaks are similar to roasted Brussels sprouts, but instead of trimming many individual little sprouts, you can just slice a single head of cabbage. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 99 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 348mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein. Cabbage “steak” becomes irresistibly sweet and tender when roasted, without the bitter notes you find in other cruciferous veggies, like Brussels sprouts. For a low-key pescatarian feast, pair the dish with any of these easy shrimp recipes. 9/35 Chickpea Burger

These chickpea burgers are totally awesome

19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chickpea Burger Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Intermediate Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These chickpea burgers are totally awesome. I think I’d rather have one than any cheeseburger at a restaurant. They really rock! —Berea Rider, East Point, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 447 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 807mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 9g fiber), 17g protein. These savory garbanzo bean patties offer all the fun—and burger topping possibilities—of beef burgers, without the meat. The bean burgers come

Top them with American cheese for nostalgia factor

together in the food processor with just beans, a bit of lemon juice, eggs, bread crumbs and seasoning. Top them with American cheese for nostalgia factor. 10/35 Ravioli with Creamy Squash Sauce 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Beginner Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Store-bought ravioli speeds assembly of this cozy, restaurant-quality dish that tastes so good your family won’t notice it’s meatless. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 671 calories, 51g fat (22g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 578mg sodium, 42g

carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 18g protein

carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 18g protein. Packaged cheese ravioli is the ultimate vegetarian meal starter when you don’t have much time (or energy) to cook dinner. Served in a creamy sauce with wilted spinach and sweet frozen squash, this veggie-filled pasta dish makes a well-rounded meal. 11/35 Pinto Bean Zucchini Boats 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Pinto Bean Zucchini Boats Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Zucchini shells take center stage when filled with vegetables, beans and sauce. —Taste of Home Test

If you’ve never stuffed a zucchini, get with the program!

Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2 zucchini halves: 377 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 1310mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 9g fiber), 17g protein. If you’ve never stuffed a zucchini, get with the program! The sturdy green vegetable makes a nutritious platter for saucy pinto beans and melty Gouda cheese. Feel free to use your favorite shredded cheese mix from the supermarket—Mexican blends work well too. 12/35 Veggie Enchiladas 4 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Farmers Market Enchiladas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Beginner Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 7 servings

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These vegetarian enchiladas use a lot of garden favorites in a quick weeknight meal. Feel free to substitute with whatever vegetables you have from your garden: yellow summer squash, eggplant and corn—all taste great! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah Nutrition Facts: 2 enchiladas: 346 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 780mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 18g protein. Roasting zucchini, poblano pepper, mushrooms and tomatoes brings out their sweetness before they’re stuffed into cheesy enchiladas. Add black beans to up the dish’s protein and fiber content. 13/35 Weeknight Skillet

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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