The Ultimate Lenten Meal Plan

Day 1: Speedy Salmon Patties

I combine seven easy ingredients for this salmon patty recipe. When I was a girl growing up on the farm, my mom often fixed these when we were late in the field. These salmon cakes are also tasty with chopped green peppers added to the mixture. —Bonnie Evans, Cameron, North Carolina

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(Here are more of some of the best dinners for Lent.)

Day 2: Catfish Parmesan

Mississippi is the nation's largest producer of farm-raised catfish. My family loves this dish, and asks for it often. One reason I like it is it's so simple to prepare. —Mrs. W.D. Baker, Starkville, Mississippi

Day 3: Halibut Enchiladas

North meets south of the border in this dish. I roll our local Alaskan halibut into tortillas. It's one of my most requested recipes and a mainstay for potlucks and wedding buffets. —Carole Derifield, Valdez, Alaska

Day 4: Asparagus Tuna Noodle Casserole

I updated a traditional tuna casserole using fresh asparagus and asparagus soup. This is so different and so delicious. Use frozen asparagus when fresh is not in season. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Day 5: Seafood-Stuffed Salmon Fillets

Our stuffed salmon recipe is simple to make, but fancy enough to serve for special occasions The crab filling is loaded with creamy cheese, savory spices and buttery rice.

Day 6: Pretzel-Crusted Catfish

I'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my books. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with butter and honey. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey

Day 7: Veg Jambalaya

This flavorful entree won’t leave you hungry since it uses convenient canned beans in place of meat. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Day 8: Tasty Lentil Tacos

When my husband’s cholesterol numbers rose, I quickly lowered the fat in our family’s diet. Finding dishes that were healthy for him and yummy for our five children was a challenge, but this fun taco recipe was a huge hit with everyone. —Michelle Thomas, Bangor, Maine. Ash Wednesday is an obligatory day of fasting. Find out if you can eat meat on Ash Wednesday.

Day 9: Homemade Manicotti

These manicotti shells are actually crepes, made in a skillet, then filled with ricotta and herbs, smothered in savory tomato sauce and baked till crispy.  

Day 10: Pesto Halibut

The mildness of halibut contrasts perfectly with the robust flavor of pesto in this recipe. It takes only minutes to get the fish ready for the oven, leaving you plenty of time to get started on your side dishes. Nearly anything goes well with this entree. —April Showalter, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Day 11: Nutty Cheese Tortellini

I like to plant Italian flat-leaf parsley in a long terra-cotta planter, so I have it on hand. The Italian parsley really lends itself to this pasta dish. —Barb Kramer, Endwell, New York

Day 12: Lemon-Batter Fish

This fried lemon fish is savory, crispy, a little bit sweet and full of lemon flavor. If you're craving something fried for dinner, give this recipe a try.

Day 13: Spinach 'n' Broccoli Enchiladas

I like to top this wonderful meatless meal with lettuce and serve it with extra picante sauce. It's quick, easy, filled with fresh flavor and definitely satisfying! —Lesley Tragesser, Charleston, Missouri

Day 14: Garbanzo Bean Burgers

This chickpea burger recipe calls for just five ingredients plus seasonings. The patties store well in the fridge or freezer, making them great for a quick weeknight dinner.

Day 15: Maple-Glazed Salmon

I have a few good recipes for family-favorite, heart-healthy salmon, but this one is always a hit. I serve it this way at least once a week and sometimes more! —David Krisko of Becker, Minnesota

Day 16: Veggie Nicoise Salad

More and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish—and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois

Day 17: Tilapia with Cucumber Relish

I spotted this easy entree on a recipe card in my local fish market. Although my husband isn’t big on fish, he enjoys this mild-tasting tilapia. The relish adds garden-fresh flavor and pretty color to the lightly browned fillets. — Mary VanHollebeke, Wyandotte, Michigan

Day 18: Garlic Bread Tuna Melts

There's something extra comforting about a tuna melt on a chilly day. Take it up a few notches with garlic, cheese and tomatoes. —Aimee Bachmann, Bellevue, Washington

Day 19: Cauliflower & Tofu Curry

Cauliflower, garbanzo beans and tofu are each subtle on their own, but together they make an awesome base for curry. We have this recipe weekly because one of us is always craving it. —Patrick McGilvray, Cincinnati, Ohio

Day 20: Fish Tacos

A cool sauce with just a bit of zing tops these breaded fish tacos (that are actually healthy!). This recipe is a delicious guilt-free dish that doesn't break the bank. —Lena Lim, Seattle, Washington

Day 21: Mom's Macaroni and Cheese

The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

Day 22: Grilled Tilapia Piccata

We aren’t big fish eaters, but a friend made this for us, and we couldn’t believe how wonderful it was! Now we eat it regularly. I love making it for guests because it’s simple, looks lovely and tastes restaurant-worthy. —Beth Cooper, Columbus, Ohio

Day 23: Tuscan Portobello Stew

Here’s a healthy one-skillet meal that’s quick and easy to prepare yet elegant enough for company. I often take this stew to my school’s potlucks, where it is devoured by teachers and students alike. —Jane Siemon, Viroqua, Wisconsin

Day 24: Honey Walleye

My state is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so fishing is a favorite recreational activity here. This recipe is a quick way to prepare all the fresh walleye hooked by the anglers in my family. —Kitty McCue, St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Day 25: Tabouleh

Take a break from green leaf salads, and enjoy a bright, lively tabbouleh salad. This parsley-and-bulgur salad tastes great on its own, and it pairs well with foods from Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.

Day 26: Italian Style Pizzas

With prepared pesto and pizza crusts, this recipe comes together in a flash. It makes two, and we love that we each get our own Italian style pizza! I like to complete the meal with a salad and fresh fruit. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Day 27: Salmon with Root Vegetables

This cozy hash is loaded with protein and healthy fats that keep you going on busy days. We've been known to devour it at breakfast, lunch and dinner! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Day 28: Vegetable Lasagna

I cooked up this fresh lasagna for vegetarian customers at a local grocery store, where I work part-time. It’s absolutely packed with veggies. —Sam Hunsaker, Lawrence, Kansas

Day 29: Broiled Greek Fish Fillets

Combine olives, onion, dill and feta cheese in a tangy, Greek-inspired topping to boost the flavor of tilapia or your favorite whitefish. —Jennifer Maslowski, New York, New York

Day 30: Homemade Fish Sticks

This fun homemade fish stick recipe is super easy and healthy, too! Kids and adults will love them.

Day 31: Ziti Bake

My children have frowned upon many of my casserole recipes, but they give a cheer when they hear we’re having baked ziti for supper. I’ve tried to incorporate more meatless meals into our menus, which is how this recipe got started. No one misses the meat. They even like the leftovers! —Charity Burkholder, Pittsboro, Indiana

Day 32: Crumb-Topped Sole

Looking for a low-carb supper that’s ready in a pinch? These buttery sole fillets have just a dab of rich sauce topped with toasty bread crumbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Day 33: Italian Herb-Lentil Patties with Mozzarella

My family has requested this meatless recipe over and over again. It is simple to prepare and even meat lovers like it. —Geri Lucas, Oldsmar, Florida

Day 34: Spicy Sweet Potato Kale Cannellini Soup

This cross between a soup and a stew fits the meatless Monday bill quite nicely. It warms you right up, and satisfies without leaving you overstuffed.—Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas

Day 35: Parmesan-Broiled Tilapia

I love that simple Parmesan cheese brings such richness to an otherwise mild-tasting fish. It's one dish where leftovers are never a problem! —Tracy Locken, Gillette, Wyoming

Day 36: Seafood Casserole

This baked seafood casserole is simple to put together. Shrimp, crab, vegetables and rice are combined in a single dish, bathed in a rich sauce and topped with crunchy, golden bread crumbs.

Day 37: Tortellini with Tomato Spinach Cream Sauce

This recipe for tortellini with tomato cream sauce is exactly what you need if you're looking for a rich, satisfying meal that comes together quickly. At 25 minutes of prep, it's quick enough for a weeknight, but elegant enough for guests.

Day 38: Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

Dill sauce for salmon is a classic pairing. The easy baked salmon is full of lemon flavor, and the tangy, creamy sauce brings the whole dish together.

Day 39: Satisfying Tomato Soup

After craving tomato soup, I decided to make my own. My sister Joan likes it chunky-style, so she doesn't puree. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich. —Marian Brown, Mississauga, Ontario

Day 40: Southwestern Fish Tacos

The star of this recipe is the dollop of creamy sauce on top of these cod tacos. But we also love that you can have the entire meal ready in under 20 minutes.