These simple fresh spring dinner recipes are our absolute favorite way to eat this season, from comforting pastas and risottos, to uber healthy sheet pan salmon and roasted shrimp.
spring dinner recipes to make now
Some recipes are just meant for spring. The best combine a cozy factor leftover from winter, with a light bright nod to the new season. A comforting pasta bowl can be ‘spring-i-fied‘ with just a squeeze of lemon and some tender stalks of asparagus or fresh peas. Buttery roasted salmon can rise to spring holiday status by surrounding it with those tiny baby veggies you can only find right now. Let’s dig in to the best of spring dinners!
creamy lemon pasta with asparagus
My spring version of comfort food is creamy (check,) involves pasta (check,) and features a spring veg (check.) It’s ready in 30 minutes, of course.
more simple pasta meals
- Spaghetti Peperonata with Tuna and Olives
- Pasta with Radicchio, Bacon, and Walnuts
- Pasta with Sun Dried Tomato and Almond Pesto
sheet pan salmon primavera
“Primavera” means spring in Italian, and this salmon recipe celebrates all the tiny baby veggies of the season. It’s a delicious, fresh, and super healthy meal that comes together quickly and easily on one sheet pan.
more salmon for dinner
chimichurri shrimp
This is the perfect spring dinner recipe for those first nights you’re ready to dine al fresco in the back yard with a glass of wine and some good crusty bread. It’s light, and bursting with bright herbaceous flavor. And for bonus points it’s SUPER fast to cook, too!
more easy seafood meals
herby falafel
Meatless meals are always welcome in spring, and this fluffy falafel recipe is crispy on the outside, a moist emerald green on the inside, and garlicky, with lots of warm spices like cumin and coriander. We eat it in pita, or piled on a crunchy falafel salad.
more vegetarian meal ideas
classic quiche
Quiche is the ultimate laid back meal ~ serve it hot, cold, room temp, or reheated, it’s always delicious…food doesn’t get any more accommodating. Even when I don’t have the time or energy to roll out homemade pastry, a frozen crust works just fine.
more spring quiches and tarts
saffron risotto with roasted asparagus
This was a memorable dish for me, and so simple. The wonderful saffron flavor really makes this dish special, and who can argue with that golden color! Since I’ve discovered how easy it is to make risotto in the Instant Pot, I make all the time.
more risotto recipes for spring
- Instant Pot Cheddar Risotto with Fresh Sage
- Tomato and Parmesan Risotto
- 6 Minute Instant Pot Lobster Risotto
chopped chef’s salad
Nothing says ‘spring dinner’ like a chef’s salad. It’s probably the original main course salad, and it gets even better when you chop everything into bite sized little bits. Yum! Any salad can be transformed into a main course salad by adding a little bit of protein ~ think hard boiled eggs, shrimp, flaked salmon, sliced steak, or shredded chicken.
more spring main course salads
lemon garlic shrimp with orzo
A company worthy meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Serve with some crisp white wine, a little salad, a store-bought baguette and you’re done.
more ways to eat shrimp for dinner
fried rice with asparagus and peas
For me, spring dinners need to be quick and easy, light, and nourishing. Leftover rice and fresh eggs are the base for a variety of bowl dinners.
simple bowl dinners
