My meatless meals roundup from years ago has continued getting lots of views every year, but we've added so much to our meal repertoire that I thought a second post was in order!

Whether you're trying to eat more meatless meals in order to observe Lent, or just as a personal choice, this list should help give you some tasty new recipe ideas. 

Most of these I've tried, or would try, with my family, and I'd consider my kids to be pretty middle-of-the-road in terms of how adventurous they are with their eating. If yours aren't very adventurous, there's no shame in sticking with macaroni and cheese or pizza! 

Meatless Meals: Instant Pot Black Bean Soup (a no-recipe recipe)

I have to admit, I'm generally a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants sort of cook. I love looking at recipes for inspiration, but when it comes down to it? I'll happily make all the substitutions I want, do my own thing, and I'm almost always happy with the result! So if you're a "must-have-exact-quantities-or-my-life-will-explode" sort of cook? This is probably not for you!!

BUT if you're comfortable (or want to get comfortable) improvising in the kitchen, this should be a good starting point for you!

It's not picturesque. Soup never is. But it's delicious!

This "recipe" was really borne of the conundrum, "I have too many random vegetables from my produce box, insatiable children who adore soup, and hey, dried beans are cheap!" And it has quickly become a staple in our house!

(No instant pot? Try these slow cooker black beans! Add extra broth and it'll be plenty for soup!)

Meatless Meal: Chickpea Burgers

Need a meatless meal idea that uses some of the beans you might have stocked up on? This is a Friday favorite at our house! Reminiscent of falafel, but with a texture that's a bit more kid-friendly, and no frying necessary. We love these chickpea burgers with feta cheese, bell peppers, homemade tzatziki sauce, and flatbread!

 I've got pictures to walk you through each step, and you can scroll down for the complete recipe.

25 Meatless Meals for Lent

Every year, among other things, we give up meat for Lent (always harder for Andrew than me - I don't eat that much meat to begin with!  But it DOES make it a lot easier to remember not to eat meat on Fridays if we aren't eating it at all...) and spend a long time coming up with creative options without cooking the same old pizza or stir fry every other night...  Are you in the same boat?  Do you just want some more variety to your meatless Fridays?  Here are 25 meatless ideas (and recipes!) to help you out:

Soups:

1. Lentil soup (my recipe's similar to Alton Brown's, but I add carrots and use half red lentils, half brown)

2. Baked potato soup (minus the bacon...)

3. Potato & corn chowder

4. Tomato soup & grilled cheese

5. Broccoli & cheese soup

6. Pioneer Woman's Potato Soup (bacon omitted, obviously)

7. Minestrone

And this crusty bread is the perfect simple recipe to accompany all those soups!

Pastas:

8. Baked ravioli

9. Gnocchi w/butter & sage sauce and caprese salad

10. Ricotta gnocchi with tomato cream sauce

11. Cheese & spinach stuffed shells

12. Cheese/veggie lasagna

13. Mac & cheese and green beans

Without the bacon, obviously...

14. Pesto polenta bake

15. Baked ziti

Eggs:

16. Frittatas (so many variations possible!  Leek & goat cheese is my personal favorite)

17. Tortilla Espanola

18. Breakfast for dinner - I usually make scrambled eggs, biscuits (garlic and cheese - the best!), and usually asparagus and/or tomatoes, because for some reason those seem like acceptable breakfast "vegetables" to me...

19. Quiche (again, tons of variations - try broccoli and cheese!)

Veggies:

20. Cheese fondue with broccoli, apples, bread, potatoes, etc. for dipping (1 bottle beer + 12 oz. TJ's grated swiss & gruyere + 2 tbsp flour = easiest cheese fondue recipe ever!)

21. Ratatouille

22. Homemade hummus, easy homemade pita, and veggies for dipping

Rice:

23. Roasted veggie quesadillas with these absolutely delicious black beans & rice - get fancy and add some guacamole on the side!

24. Risotto (I love it served with asparagus and caprese salad on the side)

25. Veggie fried rice with egg drop soup

Linking up with Sarah, Abbey, and Beth Anne for their meal plan link-up - check out more recipes here!