It’s almost Lent, and that means it’s a great time to fill your meal plan with fresh fruits and vegetables.
At The Produce Moms, we love this season because it’s the perfect opportunity to try new ingredients or reinvent family favorites. Whether you’re aiming for a more balanced diet or simply want easy vegetarian recipes that appeal to kids, you’re in the right place. Moms know vegetables aren’t always the top pick from little ones, but these Lent-friendly recipes are kid-approved and easy to prepare.
We’ve collected fifteen simple vegetarian recipes—five each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—to help you add more color, flavor, and nutrition to family meals. They’re practical, mostly quick to make, and many are great for make-ahead planning.
Easy Breakfast Ideas
Mornings should be smooth and stress-free. A solid breakfast gets everyone started on the right foot, and several of these vegetarian breakfast ideas can be prepared ahead of time or grabbed straight from the fridge.
Waffle Pops
Waffle pops are a playful twist on traditional waffles. Make waffles as usual, cut them into quarters, insert sticks, and let everyone top their waffle pops with favorites like blueberries, strawberries, chocolate, peanut butter, whipped cream, or Nutella. They’re portable, customizable, and fun for kids.
Easy Breakfast Tacos
Breakfast tacos are quick, flavorful, and ready in about 10 minutes. Pile warm tortillas with fluffy eggs, juicy tomatoes, mild green onions, and fresh salsa. The filling can be prepared ahead if you need to streamline a busy morning.
Apple and Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl
This five-minute breakfast bowl requires no cooking and is packed with protein. Mix cottage cheese with diced apples, golden raisins, and a touch of maple syrup, then top with apple slices, cinnamon, and another drizzle of maple. It’s as easy as cereal but more nutrient-dense, and kids can help assemble it.
Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes
Ricotta makes pancake batter extra fluffy with a subtle cheesecake-like flavor. Add blueberries and lemon zest for brightness. For the fluffiest texture, separate eggs and use yolks and milk as part of the batter. These pancakes are a family favorite that kids will request again and again.
Swiss Chard Quiche
This quiche combines a crispy potato crust with a custardy egg filling, herbs, and tender swiss chard. Eggs provide satisfying protein while keeping the dish vegetarian. It takes about an hour to make and reheats well for breakfasts throughout the week.
Lent Lunches
Giving up meat doesn’t mean skipping protein. Many vegetables and plant foods are good sources of protein and help keep kids fuller between meals. Here are easy, filling vegetarian lunch options.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Replace chicken or tuna salad with mashed chickpeas for a creamy, protein-rich sandwich filling. Mix chickpeas with mayo, crunchy celery, and your favorite seasonings. Using canned beans that don’t require draining simplifies prep—just mash, mix, and serve on toasted bread.
Asian Grain Bowl with Veggies
Colorful bowls are an easy way to combine grains, veggies, and bright flavors. Swap animal protein for shrimp, beans, or nuts to keep the dish vegetarian. Grain bowls are ideal for using leftovers and letting kids choose their preferred veggie toppings.
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
This hearty minestrone is full of vegetables, beans, and comforting flavor. With about 15 minutes of prep, everything goes into the slow cooker for a warm, filling meal. Serve with freshly grated parmesan to elevate this classic vegetarian soup.
Jennifer Aniston Salad
This hearty salad features bulgur, herbs, chickpeas, and feta for a satisfying, light lunch. It’s filling and simple to prep—make it the night before for quick grab-and-go bowls or pack it in an airtight container for school lunches. Ready in about 15 minutes.
Jacket Potatoes
Jacket potatoes are like twice-baked potatoes topped with a medley of sautéed vegetables. Use onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and squash, then finish with fresh herbs like dill. Prep takes only a few minutes; most of the time is oven-baking for a crispy skin and tender interior.
Meatless Dinners
Dinner should be quick, affordable, and flavorful. After a busy day, you want meals that are simple to prepare, nutritious, and satisfying. These vegetarian dinners check those boxes.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Rich and creamy broccoli cheddar soup is comfort food that kids love. Packed with broccoli and two cups of cheddar for protein and flavor, this soup is ready in about 30 minutes and reheats easily, making it a dependable weeknight favorite.
Black Bean Burgers
The secret to great black bean burgers is seasoning and the right add-ins. Jalapeño, onions, garlic, and warming spices give these patties a robust flavor and a satisfying, meaty texture. Cook them in the air fryer, then top with guacamole and lettuce for a quick dinner in about 15 minutes.
Tik Tok Feta Pasta
This viral baked feta pasta transforms roasted tomatoes and melted feta into a luxuriously creamy tomato sauce. Toss with cooked pasta and fresh basil for a simple, restaurant-quality vegetarian meal that comes together faster than takeout.
Red Cabbage and Lentil Sloppy Joes
These sloppy joes mimic the texture and flavor of the classic sandwich using lentils instead of ground meat. Lentils provide a hearty texture while seasonings recreate that familiar taste. Add ribbons of red cabbage for fiber and a colorful, piled-high filling. They’re even better made a day ahead and reheated to 165°F before serving.
Fish Piccata with Lemon Caper Sauce
Flaky, lightly coated fish served with a bright lemon-caper sauce is quick and flavorful. Lightly dusted in flour for a crisp edge, the fish soaks up the tangy sauce and pairs well with rice or vegetables for a balanced weeknight meal ready in about 20 minutes.
Need More Vegetarian Recipes?
We enjoy sharing veggie-forward recipes that bring color, texture, and natural nutrition to your family’s meals. If you’re looking to try a new vegetable or learn more about selecting and storing produce, check our produce guides for tips on how to select, store, and serve fresh ingredients. These tools can help you expand your vegetarian recipe repertoire and keep mealtime interesting.
