---
title: "Meatless Friday: Lentils and Orzo with Veggies"
description: For Meatless Friday, Barb Szyszkiewicz shares a one-pot recipe you can make using the vegetables your family enjoys. Download our printable recipe card.
image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20260424%20BSzyszkiewicz%201.png
---

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[MEATLESS FRIDAY](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/meatless-friday)

# Meatless Friday: Lentils and Orzo with Veggies

Apr 24, 2026 6:00:00 AM  |  by [Barb Szyszkiewicz](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/barb-szyszkiewicz-ofs)

![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20260424%20BSzyszkiewicz%201.png)

*For Meatless Friday, Barb Szyszkiewicz shares a one-pot recipe you can make using the vegetables your family enjoys. Download our printable recipe card.*

---

I love a recipe that offers the flexibility to use ingredients you like and use up the ones you have on hand. (I frequently go searching for new ways to use up the half-pack of spinach in the fridge before it goes bad, for example.) Use the vegetables you have on hand when you make this dish; it will be different, but just as delicious, every time you make it. Lentils are a frugal protein source and they're so easy to cook with!

 

![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20260424%20BSzyszkiewicz%202.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=20260424%20BSzyszkiewicz%202.png)

 

## Lentils and Orzo with Veggies

Makes 4 servings

### Ingredients:

2 TBSP olive oil for the pan  
2/3 cup carrots, sliced  
1/2 onion, diced  
1 clove garlic, grated  
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half  
1/4 tsp dried thyme  
1/4 tsp dried oregano  
1/4 tsp dried rosemary  
1/4 tsp black pepper  
dash of crushed red pepper  
salt to taste  
1 TBSP tomato paste  
1 cup dry green lentils  
3 cups vegetable broth  
1/2 cup orzo  
3 cups spinach  
1/2 fresh lemon

### Directions:

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add carrots and onion. Sauté until caramelized slightly. Add garlic, tomatoes, spices, and tomato paste. Stir.  
Add in lentils and 2 cups of the broth. Cook until lentils begin to be tender, then add in orzo and up to 1 cup additional broth. Stir often as the orzo cooks.  
When orzo is nearly done, add in spinach and cook until wilted.  
Top with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

[![Download printable recipe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/interactive-210699743368.png) ](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJZeLn4YwLbhUdeBhBTEl8ygNyr0FPd6NITDYaD%2BQjaZlz8DpswXjX%2FZitMrDY5NADnUQgxsKD5uSCb%2FMX2j0TatMm1lKr8J8BRAECEMCmQ0La%2FuINIyrcpH9l0a7sc4CMVlh%2BDSglpK0IX3E39q%2FWmO%2BWMugewE4jycLHp4q8gpgJRXddGVlZLOaAk0owA%2FiDVkGsjAkN%2BIGL3McaNZ76S1g4ZR%2FI7qaAJRPfhrJXARNlIq61R4QVlXA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=210699743368&portalId=275132)

 

[![See our full list of Meatless Friday recipes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/interactive-188493254954.png) ](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIqtAb2bkKHwVnGiXzYpqqUYUcY9fk75qqCqdGp1VGHTz31ibr5yXOF6haZzwjPqCNB5baH5EtFiWXqWIzrXDl86H5q6FZS1MGtH3dCT26SKG9S4lwTXgoitfy6cQ8jfdPAM4q5lUTdoQD3%2FMiJr06UzoPznQBA0%2FepqPizwhJJvrSLeE%2BuuQdhWw5fG7IMXcK4QVtzQelQl4rd&webInteractiveContentId=188493254954&portalId=275132)

 

Did you try this recipe? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

---

Copyright 2026 Barb Szyszkiewicz  
Images: copyright 2026 Barb Szyszkiewicz, all rights reserved.

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#### About the Author

![Barb Szyszkiewicz](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/BSzyszkiewicz%202022.jpg)

### [Barb Szyszkiewicz](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/barb-szyszkiewicz-ofs)

Barb Szyszkiewicz, senior editor at [CatholicMom.com](http://catholicmom.com), is a wife, mom of 3 young adults, and a Secular Franciscan. Barb enjoys writing, cooking, and reading, and is a music minister at her parish. Find her blog at [FranciscanMom](http://franciscanmom.com) and her family’s favorite recipes with nutrition information at [Cook and Count](http://cookandcount.wordpress.com). Barb is the author of *[The Handy Little Guide to Prayer](https://amzn.to/2LQB2oL)* and * [The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours](https://amzn.to/3wbDB8k)*, available from Our Sunday Visitor.

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