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Easy Lent Recipes for the Lenten Season

ByStephanie Wilson Updated on
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Lent is a season that gently invites simplicity - at the table and beyond. Beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing through Easter, it's a time when many of us look for meatless meals that feel nourishing, satisfying, and doable on busy weeknights.

Three image collage of a pot of vegetarian chili, plated fish Florentine, and a sheet pan cod with vegetables.

This collection of easy Lent recipes is designed to make that rhythm simpler. You'll find approachable fish dinners, vegetarian comfort foods, and pantry-friendly soups and pastas that work especially well for Meatless Fridays, Ash Wednesday, and everyday meals throughout the Lenten season. Nothing fussy - just good food you can feel good about making.

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What Is Lent?

Lent is the 40-day season leading up to Easter, traditionally observed as a time of reflection, prayer, and simplicity. In many Christian traditions, this includes abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent.

At the table, that often means choosing meals centered around fish, eggs, vegetables, grains, and simple pantry ingredients - meals that are humble, nourishing, and intentionally uncomplicated.

What Do You Eat During Lent?

While traditions vary, Lenten meals often include:

  • Meatless meals on Fridays and Ash Wednesday
  • Fish and seafood dishes
  • Vegetarian recipes with beans, eggs, grains, and vegetables
  • Simple soups, pastas, and comforting meat-free favorites

This post focuses on easy, home-cooked options that fit naturally into everyday life while honoring the season.

For more seafood recipes, we have 20 Easy Fish Recipes for Lent you might also enjoy.

Why Does Lent Last for 40 Days?

The number 40 appears often in Scripture and is traditionally associated with periods of preparation, testing, and renewal. Lent's 40 days echo several moments in the Bible where time set apart led to spiritual transformation:

  • In Genesis, rain fell for 40 days and nights during the flood.
  • The Hebrews spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the Promised Land.
  • Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
  • Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness in preparation for His ministry.

In this way, the 40 days of Lent are understood as a season of intentional pause - a time to simplify, reflect, and prepare for Easter.

How to Use These Easy Lent Recipes

These recipes are meant to be flexible and practical. Use them to:

  • Plan simple Meatless Friday dinners
  • Find quick, satisfying weeknight meals during Lent
  • Add variety to your rotation with fish, vegetarian, and pantry-based dishes

Whether you're observing Lent closely or simply looking for lighter, meatless meals, this list is designed to meet you where you are.

1
Fish Florentine - The BEST Fish Recipe!
Fish Florentine - The BEST Fish Recipe!
This easy Fish Florentine recipe, made with firm white fish served over creamy spinach. My most popular fish recipes, a must try!
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2
Baked Fish and Vegetables on a baking tray, sitting on a wooden surface, ready for serving.
Oven Baked Fish and Vegetables
This easy recipe for Sheet Pan Baked Fish with Vegetables is a perfect quick and healthy dinner served with snow peas, potatoes & zucchini.
Oven Baked Fish Recipe
3
Seafood Paella - What's Gaby Cooking
Seafood Paella - What's Gaby Cooking
Grab the recipe for this Seafood Paella loaded with shrimp and clams and the most delicious rice you'll ever taste! Best way to feed a crowd!
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4
Top view of cooked Black Bean Soup in a Dutch oven with a wooden serving spoon
Healthy Black Bean Soup Recipe
This healthy Black Bean Soup recipe is a quick-to-make soup I've fallen in love with. Made with canned black beans, wholesome veggies, and delightfully savory flavors.
Black Bean Soup
5
Top view of Mushroom Barley Soup with sliced baguette
Easy Mushroom Barley Soup
This simple Mushroom Barley Soup is packed with healthy ingredients like barley, vegetables, mushrooms, and fresh herbs. Easy to make from scratch and incredibly delicious.
Mushroom Barley Soup
6
A blue bowl filled with vegetable and barley soup sits on a napkin, reminiscent of a classic lentil soup recipe, with slices of bread and a glass jar in the background.
Barley Lentil Soup
This Barley Lentil Soup is a hearty, comforting, meatless soup made with lentils, pearl barley, vegetables, and gently warming spices. A simple, one-pot recipe that's perfect for cool-weather lunches or easy dinners.
Barley Lentil Soup
7
Side view of Vegetarian Chili in Staub Dutch Oven with Cast Iron Cornbread in the background
Healthy Vegetarian Chili Recipe
This Vegetarian Chili recipe is utterly delicious, super healthy, and packed with vegetables, pantry staples, like beans and tomatoes-- and is filled with smokey flavor!
Vegetarian Chili Recipe
8
Bowl of curry lentil soup with coconut milk swirls and fresh herbs as garnish.
Curry Lentil Soup Recipe
Curry Lentil Soup is naturally vegan, packed with curry flavors, turmeric, and ginger, and is utterly delicious. Simple to make in 30 minutes or less, it's a must cook for soup season!
Curry Lentil Soup
9
Baked Flounder with Lemon Pepper and Parsley on a platter
8 Minute Baked Flounder Recipe with Fresh Lemon Pepper
This baked Flounder recipe is a quick sheet pan, healthy baked fish recipe, packed with simple delicious flavor, and ready in under 15 minutes. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Easy Founder Recipe
10
A fresh salad with grilled chicken or salmon salad, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, shredded cheese, and red onion in a white bowl, with a fork and dressing jar beside it. Basil and an oil dispenser are in the background.
Salmon Salad Recipe
This quick and wholesome Salmon Salad with Citrus Dressing is packed with fresh veggies, flaky roasted salmon, and bright Mediterranean flavors-ready in 20 minutes!
Salmon Salad
11
Honey glazed salmon fillet garnished with parsley and served with lemon slices, black olives, and a side salad of lettuce, tomato, and cucumber on a white plate.
Quick Honey Glazed Salmon
This simple Honey Glazed Salmon is a quick and easy healthy weeknight dinner that's smothered in a 4 ingredient glaze and is ready in 30 minutes or less!
Honey Glazed Salmon
12
Top view of steamed fish on a white scalloped platter.
Easy Steamed Fish en Papillote Recipe
This is an easy and delicious way to cook fish perfectly. It's a twist on classic steamed fish en papillote, ready in minutes!
Steamed Fish
13
Top view of baked cod with roasted asparagus, potatoes and cherry tomatoes on the vine with a silver fork resting on a white scalloped plate.
Baked Cod with Garlic Butter Lemon Sauce Recipe
Try this simple baked cod recipe for a delightful seafood dinner ready in under twenty minutes. You will love the taste!
Baked Cod Recipe
14
Closeup view of Spanish Baked Cod recipe with salad and boiled potatoes on a blue and white plate.
15 Minute Spanish Baked Cod Recipe
An easy 15-minute Spanish baked cod made with paprika, lemon, and garlic. Simple ingredients, tender fish, and bold flavor make this a perfect weeknight dinner.
Spanish Baked Cod
15
Side view of air fryer salmon fillet on a white plate with arugula salad and lemon wedges
10 Minute Air Fryer Salmon
This Air Fryer Salmon is a healthy, quick and easy meal in about 10 minutes. Seared, crispy edges and tender, flaky center!
Air Fryer Salmon
16
Whole cooked rainbow trout on a layer of foil with fresh dill and lemon wedges.
Rainbow Trout in Sage-Butter Foil Packets
Melt-in-your-mouth rainbow trout baked in sage butter and herbs. These foil packets make dinner easy, aromatic, and utterly delicious.
Rainbow Trout
17
Bowl of Fish Chowder with broth base in a white bowl garnished with parsley and a salad in the background.
Easy Fish Chowder Recipe
This quick and easy Fish Chowder is a no-recipe recipe. It's delicious, extremely adaptable, light, and creamy. Made with cod, a handful of vegetables, and seasoning.
Fish Chowder Recipe
18
Brazilian-Inspired Salmon Stew Is an Easy Yet Unforgettable Meal
Brazilian-Inspired Salmon Stew Is an Easy Yet Unforgettable Meal
Here's an irresistible spin on moqueca, the classic Brazilian fish stew. Marinate salmon is layered with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, and coconut milk and simmered on the stove.
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19
Oval white dish filled with spaghetti, shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley on a white wooden table, with a floral napkin, plate, and parsley garnish nearby.
Shrimp Pasta with Tomatoes and Spinach
This shrimp pasta dish is ready in 20 minutes or less. Tender shrimp sautéed with garlic and olive oil, then tossed with sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and pasta. It's Mediterranean-inspired comfort food-light, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Easy Shrimp Pasta
20
Side view of Garden Pasta in a white pasta bowl with angel hair pasta, vegetables, and fresh herbs
Easy Garden Vegetable Pasta
This ratatouille-inspired incredibly easy Garden Pasta recipe is a quick, healthy, and utterly delicious meatless meal packed with in-season vegetables like zucchini, squash, eggplant and tomatoes, along with fresh herbs, that's ready in minutes!
Garden Vegetable Pasta
21
Whip Up Quick and Easy Fettuccine with Tuna and Arugula in 25 Minutes
Whip Up Quick and Easy Fettuccine with Tuna and Arugula in 25 Minutes
Quick, easy, and surprisingly delicious, pasta with wilted arugula and a sauce made of olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes and canned tuna.
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22
Easy Instant Pot Spring Risotto | 31Daily.com
Quick Spring Risotto
This Instant Pot Spring Risotto combines fresh, green asparagus, sweet peas, earthy mushrooms, and creamy arborio rice in this easy-to-make dish Instant Pot dish. Filling, incredibly delicious… and perfect for spring.
Spring Risotto Recipe
23
Orzo Primavera with Lemon, Asparagus, Broccoli, and Cherry Tomatoes | 31Daily.com
Orzo Primavera with Lemon, Asparagus, Broccoli, and Cherry Tomatoes
Orzo Primavera with Lemon, Asparagus, Broccoli, and Cherry Tomatoes is like a bite of spring... in a pot. Every taste is filled with fresh vegetables and spring flavors. It's a pasta primavera recipe that's ready in 20 minutes or less.
Orzo Primavera
24
A black bean veggie burger with lettuce, a thick slice of red onion, and cheese, served on a bun. The burger sits on a wooden board with fresh basil and sliced red onion beside it.
Black Bean Burger Recipe
These easy black bean burgers are smoky, hearty, and full of flavor. Made with black beans, mushrooms, chipotle, and spices, they're delicious baked or pan-fried and perfect for a weeknight dinner or weekend cookout.
Black Bean Burgers
25
A fresh salad on a white plate showcases chopped cucumbers, red cabbage, shredded lettuce, radish slices, and herbs topped with seasoned minced chicken. Reminiscent of vibrant salmon bowls, a gold fork rests nearby on a pink napkin.
5 Minute Salmon Bowl Recipe
This quick and easy salmon bowl recipe features canned salmon salad over rice with fresh cucumbers, shredded cabbage, and spicy mayo.
Salmon Bowl Recipe
26
A colorful salad on a white plate features roasted vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes atop a bed of wild rice pilaf, garnished with rosemary and nuts. In the background, bowls of cranberries and nuts add to the vibrant scene.
Wild Rice Pilaf with Maple Glazed Carrots and Pecans
This Wild Rice Pilaf with Maple Glazed Carrots is a delicious and versatile side dish or vegetarian main dish for any occasion, but it is especially delightful during the holidays! Simple to make in 3 easy steps, it's a wonderful and healthy recipe you'll love to serve your guests!
Wild Rice Pilaf
27
Spaghetti Squash with Simple Marinara Sauce: Easy, Healthy and Meatless | 31Daily.com
Spaghetti Squash with Simple Marinara Sauce
If you're looking for an easy and healthy meatless dinner, it's hard to beat Spaghetti Squash with Simple Marinara Sauce. Truly. 
Spaghetti Squash
28
A white bowl filled with orzo salad-similar to a farro salad-containing spinach, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and parsley, with two wooden serving spoons.
Farro Salad with Orzo Recipe
Try this easy-to-make Mediterranean Farro Salad with orzo pasta, fresh veggies, and tangy feta. A delicious and healthy alternative to traditional pasta salads.
Farro Salad
29
Top view of Roasted Chickpeas on pattern linen and marble
Crispy Curry Roasted Chickpeas
These Crispy Curry Roasted Chickpeas are a favorite. They're easy, and make nutritious snacks or additions to salads and more. And... they're really, really good!
Roasted Chickpeas

Lent FAQs

Do Catholics eat fish during Lent?

Yes. Fish and seafood are traditionally permitted on Fridays during Lent, which is why many Lenten meals feature fish-based dishes.

Is meat avoided every day during Lent?

No. In most traditions, meat is avoided on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Fridays during Lent. Other days typically allow meat.

Are these recipes only for Lent?

Not at all. These easy meatless and fish recipes work well year-round and are especially helpful anytime you're looking for lighter, simple meals.

You May Also Enjoy

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Stephanie Wilson

Cookbook Author, Food Writer, and Chef

Stephanie Wilson is the founder of 31Daily.com, where she shares seasonal recipes, weekly meal plans, and teatime favorites to help readers gather around the table with joy. A certified private chef, cookbook author, and longtime event planner, she brings over 20 years of experience in catering, food writing, and media production—including network television work as a producer, director, and writer. Her work has been featured by Today.com, The Kitchn, Parade, and more.

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2 Comments

  1. You are rhe sweetest doll!! Thank you so much for all your hints and for our wonderful Lenten meal plan. We are all set!! Thank you for your dear and generous heart!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Sharon! You made my day! I'm so glad you found this helpful. I use it as a guide every year.

      Reply