15 Meatless Pasta Recipes for Lent

By Mary Claire Lagroue
February 01, 2021
Credit: Allrecipes

When you're fasting from meat (beef, pork, and poultry) on Fridays, pasta may be your best bet for an easy, substantial meal. Plus, with a well-rounded recipe, you won't need to think about sides. Our favorite Lent-friendly pastas include meatless stroganoff with mushrooms, mac and cheese with shrimp, Cajun Seafood Pasta, and delicious noodle dishes. Choose your favorite, and dinner is done.

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Easy Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna

Credit: Noel
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Though you'll need to start on this recipe an hour and a half before dinner, it takes much less time than the average lasagna — including just 20 minutes of prep work.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Last-Minute Lemon Spaghetti and Shrimp

Credit: Happyschmoopies
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

When you wait till the last minute to plan your Lenten dinner, you can pull this light, lemony pasta together in a half an hour or less.

3 of 15

Roasted Veggie Pasta

Credit: Conie
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Going meatless gives you a reason to pack all the veggies you can into pasta. It calls for asparagus, red bell pepper, tomato, and crimini mushrooms, but home cooks recommend adding zucchini, yellow squash, and even baby carrots.

Advertisement

4 of 15

Soba with Toasted Sesame Seed Sauce

Credit: naples34102
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You won't miss meat when you're noshing on this pasta thanks to the robust flavors of roasted sesame seeds and soy sauce. For a more filling meal, follow the lead of other home cooks and add mushrooms.

5 of 15

Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta

Credit: chibi chef
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"This is a lighter version of pasta carbonara," recipe submitter DEBNJAMES says. "For people who want the flavor but not the bacon, smoked salmon is the perfect substitute!"

6 of 15

Shrimp Mac and Cheese

Credit: thedailygourmet
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

No one, not even finicky kids, can resist Shrimp Mac and Cheese. Allrecipes Allstar thedailygourmet chose cooked salad shrimp as they're near the size of elbow macaroni, which may be just what you need to get kids to eat seafood.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Manicotti

Credit: Dennis Salvati
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Taking the time to stuff manicotti pasta tubes with a cheesy filling (ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan!) will be well worth it. Not convinced? Recipe submitter Anny tells us, "The kids like to help stuff the noodles too!"

8 of 15

Portobello Mushroom Stroganoff

Credit: Violet
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Recreate the heartiness of beef stroganoff sans beef with this mushroom-based recipe. Plus, it takes just 30 minutes to make.

9 of 15

Spicy Shrimp Pad Thai

Credit: Teresa Crowe
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You're fasting from meat, not flavor! "It was devoured by my family," home cook Mary Beth Means says. "Everyone said it was better than in the restaurants."

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Lentil Bolognese

Credit: Buckwheat Queen
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Lentils and mushrooms bulk up tomato sauce for a hearty vegetarian dinner. "This was excellent. It tastes just like ragù alla Bolognese is supposed to taste," Allstar Buckwheat Queen says. "At first, the kids didn’t even notice there were lentils instead of meat."

11 of 15

Clam Sauce with Linguine

Credit: JustBeachy07
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Elevate Friday night dinners with a recipe that tastes like it takes more effort than it actually does. "This is a super fast and easy recipe," recipe submitter Silvia Granger says. "One of my favorites. Even my kids love it."

12 of 15

Shrimp Lo Mein with Broccoli

Credit: naples34102
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Reviewers say you can add just about any vegetable in your fridge to our Shrimp Lo Mein with Broccoli, making it an excellent dinner for emptying the fridge. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Mediterranean-Style Eggplant Pasta

Credit: Deb C
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Meaty eggplant and buttery-soft buffalo mozzarella (aka burrata) make this dish almost too delicious to be vegetarian.

14 of 15

Cajun Seafood Pasta

Credit: betsy
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cajun-spicy and creamy all at once, this top-rated pasta will give you something to look forward to all Friday. You can also bake it in a casserole dish until the top of it turns golden brown, recipe submitter Star Pooley says.

15 of 15

Tuna Zucchini Elbow Pasta

Credit: Allrecipes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You'll love this pantry-friendly pasta, which combines two pouches of tuna with elbow macaroni and a jar of marinara sauce. Zucchini and a sprinkle of Parmesan keep it tasting fresh.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Mary Claire Lagroue