Every year, many people look forward to indulging in a big Easter dinner with glazed ham, mashed potatoes, and spring desserts. First though, you'll need to decide what to give up for Lent during the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter. If you're anything like Ladd Drummond, that could mean giving up your favorite soda (Dr Pepper!) or cutting back on sweets, but many others will opt for giving up meat.
In fact, going meatless for Lent is one of the more common ways to observe the holy season. Depending on your faith, you may give up red and white meat only on Fridays (like Roman Catholics) or abstain from all kinds of meat including dairy and eggs, for the entire 40 days (like those who are Orthodox). So, what can you eat during the period of Lent? Look no further than this list of satisfying Lenten recipes, which all follow the base rule of going meatless.
Here, you'll find vegetarian and seafood dishes that the whole family can enjoy all the way up to Good Friday. There's no need to miss out on a tasty family dinner when you have scrumptious shrimp recipes, new ways to cook salmon, meatless main courses, and veggie-loaded dishes like pastas and soups. So, as you use this time to fast, reflect, and exercise self-restraint, these recipes will help you stay on track and satisfied.
Pesto Salmon
A weeknight dinner that feels a little fancy with almost no effort: bake tender salmon fillets quickly under a bright, homemade basil pesto. Save a little extra pesto for serving, then finish with lemon wedges for a fresh pop that balances the rich, flaky fish.
Get Ree's Pesto Salmon recipe.
White Bean Soup
Soup always hits the spot—especially this hearty bowl packed with beans and vegetables in a savory, herb-scented broth. It turns naturally creamy as it simmers, then gets a fresh lift from lemon and greens. Top each bowl with a sprinkle of crispy, cheesy breadcrumbs.
Get Ree's White Bean Soup recipe.
Farro Salad
Brighten up your menu with a fresh, make-ahead salad! Nutty, chewy farro is tossed with roasted red peppers, crisp apple, crunchy almonds, and tender baby kale, then finished with a zesty lemon dressing. It's satisfying without feeling heavy, and the flavors only get better after a night in the fridge.
Get the Farro Salad recipe.
Lentil Sloppy Joes
Here's a meatless spin on the classic sandwich—but it's just as saucy, sweet-savory, and satisfying. Tender brown lentils simmer in a tangy ketchup-based sauce for that familiar sloppy Joe flavor. Spoon it onto toasted buns (chips on the side!) for an easy dinner that even meat lovers will happily devour.
Get Ree's Lentil Sloppy Joes recipe.
Creamy Mushrooms with Goat Cheese Polenta
One bite of this wholesome dish and you won't want to save it just for Lent. It's vegetarian comfort food at its best—tangy goat cheese polenta topped with creamy mushrooms, a rich sauce, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme.
Linguine with Clam Sauce
As far as seafood pasta goes, this recipe is one of the best! It's lemony, garlicky, and extra decadent thanks to the addition of heavy cream and parmesan in the clam sauce. Better yet, it will be on the table in just 20 minutes!
Get Ree's Linguine with Clam Sauce recipe.
Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup
Count yourself in on this veggie soup that's still plenty filling and comforting! Leeks, celery, garlic, and potatoes combine with flavorful herbs and seasonings to make it happen. Just be sure to pair it with those goat cheese crostini.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup recipe.
Crab Cakes with Arugula Salad
Crispy, golden crab cakes are loaded with lump crabmeat and the perfect touch of Old Bay seasoning for this delectable dinner! To complete it, serve the crab cakes alongside a bright, lemony arugula salad with parmesan.
Get Ree's Crab Cakes with Arugula Salad recipe.
Cracker-Crusted Cod with Green Beans
Prepare to impress with this seafood meal that can actually be made on sheet pans in the oven! To do it, tender cod fillets are topped with a buttery cracker crust and baked to golden perfection. Serve them with garlicky green beans and a squeeze of lemon.
Get Ree's Cracker-Crusted Cod with Green Beans recipe.
Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Take everything you love about the popular party dip and transform it into a flavorful pasta with the addition of noodles and a crunchy panko breadcrumb topping. It's blissfully buttery and cheesy!
Get Ree's Spinach Artichoke Pasta recipe.
Salmon Tacos with Creamy Dill Slaw
Your favorite fish taco dish gets a dill-ightful enhancement with this easy weeknight dinner recipe that takes flaky roasted salmon and combines it with crunchy slaw atop flour tortillas. Finish with avocado and radishes, then serve with lime wedges.
Get Ree's Salmon Tacos with Creamy Dill Slaw recipe.
Lentil Soup
A big pot of lentil soup is sure to please everyone on any night of the week! This healthy recipe is filled to the brim with protein-packed lentils, plenty of veggies, and savory spices.
Get Ree's Lentil Soup recipe.
Pasta with Shrimp and Pistachio Pesto
Make a homemade pesto sauce using spinach, parsley, and pistachios, then use it as a delicious marinade for fresh shrimp. Serve it over linguine pasta for an easy yet exciting dinner.
Get Ree's Pasta with Shrimp and Pistachio Pesto recipe.
White Lasagna
This lasagna will be love at first bite for lenten season and beyond! It has layer upon layer of pasta, béchamel sauce filled with pesto and artichoke hearts, several types of cheese, and veggies such as spinach and yellow squash. Bake until it's bubbling!
Get Ree's White Lasagna recipe.
Veggie Fajitas
Vegetarian-friendly fajitas? Yes, please! Vegetables like zucchini, squash, and peppers, get topped with homemade pico de gallo, cheese, crema, and a dash of hot sauce to satisfy all your Tex-Mex cravings.
Get Ree's Veggie Fajitas recipe.
Asparagus Quiche
Just as delicious for dinner as it is for brunch, this veggie quiche is packed with seasonal asparagus, fresh herbs, and feta. You can even make it using a store-bought crust for extra ease!
Get the Asparagus Quiche recipe.
Cabbage Steaks
These big slabs of cabbage are perfectly tender in the center with crispy edges and a garlicky, almond breadcrumb topping that makes them a total crowd-pleaser. Serve them up with mashed potatoes for a fun twist on a steak dinner.
Get the Cabbage Steaks recipe.
Black Bean Burger
A meatless burger might just surprise you—take Ree's word for it! "I gosh darn love a good meatless burger," she says. It's especially good when loaded with hearty beans and flavorful chili powder.
Get Ree's Black Bean Burger recipe.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi
A rainbow of veggies accompanies pillowy soft gnocchi on this sheet pan dinner. Serve it up with peppery arugula and fresh basil for even more green color.
Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi recipe.
Shrimp Scampi
The combination of butter, garlic, lemon, and shrimp is absolutely irresistible! Serve it over angel hair pasta and you'll have dinner ready in no time.
Get Ree's Shrimp Scampi recipe.
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