15 Quick Recipes for Easy Lenten Dinners

a cod fillet on a white plate with halved cherry tomatoes and wilted spinach
Photo: KGora

On any given Friday, you're likely not only tired from the workweek but also tired of cooking. But Fridays during Lent pose another dilemma: finding a simple supper with no meat. With busy families in mind, we've rounded up 15 fast, fasting-friendly meals you can have ready in less than 45 minutes.

01 of 15

Heavenly Halibut

halibut on a gray plate with rosemary garnish on the side
Nigel Tufnel

Parmesan, butter, mayonnaise, and lemon bring bring restaurant-worthy flavor to mild, flaky halibut. Not what you'd expect from a recipe that takes only 25 minutes to make!

02 of 15

Farmer's Market Vegetarian Quesadillas

quesadillas stuffed with vegetables
Alberta Rose

These 30-minute quesadillas pack in zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, mushrooms, and plenty of sharp Cheddar cheese. Serve them with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for a satisfying meatless meal.

03 of 15

Grandma's Famous Salmon Cakes

salmon cakes on a white plate with mixed vegetables
Rock_lobster

With just five ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time, salmon cakes are a cinch to make on a busy Friday.

04 of 15

Speckled Trout in Capers and White Wine

trout with capers and a side of zucchini
Allrecipes Magazine

Briny capers and a white wine and butter sauce jazz up speckled trout (or any favorite white fish) in a recipe that takes just 10 minutes to prepare.

05 of 15

Lasagna Flatbread

Lasagna Flatbread on a wooden board
lutzflcat

If your Lenten Fridays usually consist of popping a frozen cheese pizza in the oven, revive your routine with this rich, lasagna-like flatbread. "My family adores it," home cook Tamara says. "If you feel it's too rich, try using low-fat cottage cheese."

06 of 15

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

pasta with shrimp garnished with parsley on a white plate
naples34102

Several home cooks have made our Shrimp Scampi with Pasta for date nights; others make it at a kid's request. Keep this 40-minute meal in mind whenever you need to liven up your Lenten meals.

07 of 15

Delicious Meatless Baked Ziti

baked ziti in red sauce with cheese in a glass dish
Kim's Cooking Now

Mushrooms replace meat in this tomatoey baked ziti, which packs a punch of goat cheese (in addition to mozzarella and ricotta) for an unexpected tang.

08 of 15

Grilled Cod with Spinach and Tomatoes

a cod fillet on a white plate with halved cherry tomatoes and wilted spinach
KGora

Don't let the lack of a grill discourage you from making this recipe during Lent. "Since it is winter in Michigan... I decided to do this in the oven," Allrecipes Allstar KGora says. "The directions say to grill in foil so I didn't see a reason why oven would be much different."

09 of 15

Quick and Easy Stuffed Peppers

bell peppers stuffed with rice and beans topped with cheese

The secret to cooking stuffed bell peppers in 15 minutes: the microwave. And you don't need to look much further than your pantry to make its filling of fast-cooking brown rice, canned tomatoes, beans, and seasoning.

10 of 15

Honey-Garlic Shrimp

Chef John's honey-garlic shrimp over white rice in a white bowl
Allrecipes

A honey-garlic marinade enhances the natural sweetness of shrimp, which cook in just five minutes. Eat them over rice or noodles to sop up all the flavor.

11 of 15

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Fillets

crusted tilapia with rice pilaf and broccoli on a white plate
*Sherri*

If someone in the family is finicky about fish, try our Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Fillets. "This recipe is quick and easy with plenty of flavor! Even my husband (who doesn't like fish that much) went back for seconds," says Allstar France C.

12 of 15

Portobello Mushroom Stroganoff

mushroom stroganoff with sour cream on top
Violet

Meaty portobellos replace beef in a hearty vegetarian stroganoff. This 30-minute dish would appease even devout meat eaters on a Friday.

13 of 15

Pan Seared Salmon I

Pan-Seared Salmon on a white plate with asparagus
KGora

In a skillet, salmon fillets sear to perfection in just 10 minutes. What more could you want in a Lenten dinner?

14 of 15

Garlic-Parmesan Shrimp

Garlic Parmesan Shrimp with a salad on a white plate
Kim's Cooking Now

Shrimp to the rescue once again. Breading these garlicky, Parmesan-crusted shrimp takes just 10 minutes; bake them to a crisp for about 20 minutes.

15 of 15

Plant-Based Taco

Plant-Based Taco with cauliflower, corn, black beans, avocado on a tortilla in a blue and white bowl
Buckwheat Queen

You don't need ground beef, chicken, or even shrimp to make delicious tacos. This recipe will show you that well-seasoned cauliflower, and corn, black beans have what it takes.

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