21 Quick Spring Dinner Ideas Celebrating Warm Weather
Spring recipes are full of color and flavor and should always embrace casual elegance. Peas! Asparagus! Lemon! From cozy vegetarian meals like vegetable pot pie to fresh and zesty cucumber salads, here are 21 quick spring dinner ideas celebrating warm weather, fresh produce, and all the beautiful ingredients that come with this perfect time of year.
Ah, spring! What a glorious time of year when we start thawing out and begin to crave crunchy green vegetables like garlic broccoli, vibrant color like my sautéed veggies with cheesy polenta, and juicy spring fruits again. The warmer weather tickles our senses and refreshes our need for eating lighter, fresher, and perhaps a little healthier.
It’s the return of spring, and with it comes an abundance of fresh herbs, crisp radishes, snap peas, new potatoes, creamy avocado, and fresh greens—some of my favorite spring veggies.
Spring dinner recipes aren’t all salad and grilled asparagus. There are rainy days in spring and, depending on where you live, sometimes snowy days too. The nights are still chilly and so comforting meals like casseroles, hearty stews, and soups are also welcome—as long as they are filled with fresh spring ingredients and seasonal produce. For me, the best part of this time of year is making good use of healthy spring recipes that highlight the arrival of spring at the farmers market.
Have you tried this chicken fricassee with pearl onions and mushrooms?
A new season always reinvigorates my need to get into the kitchen and cook something delicious, and maybe you feel that way too. Here are 21 recipes that make the most of March, April, May, and late spring—perfect inspiration for your dinner plates, special occasions, or easy weeknight meals with minimal effort.
21 Quick Spring Dinner Ideas Celebrating Warm Weather
1. Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole
This recipe features one of our favorite spring ingredients: peas! Here we call for frozen English peas but if you have access to fresh, even better. Combined with whole wheat pasta, rotisserie chicken, kale, and a decadent cream sauce (try adding a splash of chicken broth or white wine for extra flavor), this is the ultimate baked pasta dish and a comforting meal for the whole family.
2. Tofu and Asparagus Stir-Fry
You are going to adore this easy recipe even if you don’t love tofu. It’s fresh, vibrant, and the lightly-fried salt and pepper tofu is the perfect pairing to tender asparagus—one of the season’s best spring vegetables. Serve with a side salad for a healthy spring dinner.
3. The Best Lemon-Broiled Cod
A great way to make even the most basic piece of cod shine! This recipe relies on a quick lemon sauce with fresh lemon juice and zest that coats every piece of fish before being broiled, soaking it with tremendous flavor. Serve with fresh veggies and a drizzle of olive oil for a simple, healthy recipe.
4. Wild Rice Salad with Kale and Chile-Fried Cashews
This is a true celebration salad and one of my favorite things for spring salads. Whether you’re hosting a spring dinner party or prepping a healthy lunch, this dish combines roasted carrots, kale, wild rice, fresh herbs, and chile-fried cashews. A perfect side salad or main that’s bursting with seasonal ingredients.
5. Dill and Mustard Seed Salmon
Easy, fancy food that comes together in minimal effort—just 10 minutes! Dill and mustard seed elevate a salmon fillet, and a squeeze of lemon juice brings out the fresh flavors. Serve with fresh greens or a spring salad recipe for the ultimate spring dinner.
6. Lentil Barley Salad
This beautiful spring salad uses tender barley, fragrant lemons, and punchy red onions—perfect for a farmers market haul. Add feta cheese, fresh mint, and a splash of rice vinegar for extra zing. It’s the simplest way to celebrate the arrival of spring.
7. Easy Hot & Spicy Vegetarian Indian Curry
What better way to dive into spring’s fresh veggies than with this healthy spring recipe for Indian-style curry? It’s creamy, spicy, and makes for an easy weeknight meal packed with fresh vegetables and vibrant color.
8. Crock Pot Chicken Fricassee
This is quick to prep and then just wait for the crockpot to do its thing! It is made with tender chicken in a creamy white wine sauce. It’s an easy, comfort food that’s healthy too with pearl onions and spring mushrooms! Throw everything in the crock pot so the veggies soften and the meat falls apart.
9. Pesto Artichoke and Asparagus Pasta
Artichokes and asparagus are classic spring vegetables. Toss with pesto, olive oil, and your favorite pasta for an easy peasy meal. Add a sprinkle of lemon zest and serve with crusty bread for a special occasion or quick weeknight dinner.
10. Pistachio Apricot Grilled Pork Loin
If you can find spring green garlic, use it! This grilled pork loin is a great way to kick off grilling season in spring. Serve with lemon wedges and a glass of white wine for a dinner party or Mother’s Day brunch.
11. Homemade Egg Noodle Soup
Pillowy homemade egg noodles, peas, asparagus, carrots, and a hefty handful of fresh dill and scallions make for a comforting meal. Add chicken broth for depth and serve with fresh salads on the side.
12. Cucumber Tomato Salad
This refreshing salad is a favorite for spring lunches and picnics. Toss cucumbers, tomatoes, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs with olive oil and lemon juice. It’s a healthy lunch or side salad you’ll want on repeat.
13. Lemon Garlic Basil Stir Fry
A veggie stir-fry for warmer spring nights. Fresh lemon juice, basil, and snap peas add spring flair. Serve with steamed rice and a side of broad beans or fresh greens.
14. Mediterranean Sautéed Vegetables with Cheesy Polenta
Fresh zucchini and new potatoes, served with a herb sauce and creamy fontina polenta—this is a spring dinner party favorite. Try with puff pastry tartlets for a special touch.
15. Slow Cooker Moroccan Chick Pea Stew
Quick spring dinner ideas celebrating warm evenings are all about minimal effort and maximum flavor. This stew comes together quickly with fresh spring carrots and golden beets then you just need to wait for the slow cooker to do its thing.
16. Vegetable Pot Pie with Herb Drop Biscuits
A comforting meal for late spring nights. The filling is rich with leeks, potatoes, peas, and carrots, topped with fluffy, herby biscuits. Serve with a fresh salad for the whole family.
17. Vinegar and Spice Baby Back Ribs
These tender ribs are rubbed with lemon zest and baked—perfect for spring when grilling isn’t always an option. Serve with a spring salad recipe or easy weeknight meal sides.
18. Easy Spanish Pork Meatballs with Saffron Tomato Sauce
Celebrate the season’s first tomatoes with this vibrant dish. Pork meatballs and saffron add bold flavor—pair with a side of fresh greens.
19. Easy Grilled Thai-Style Steak Salad
This salad is loaded with crispy vegetables and juicy grilled steak—healthy, vibrant, and perfect for a spring dinner party.
20. Pan-Seared Fish with Asparagus
This seared fish dish uses crisp asparagus and is topped with a fragrant yet simple, orange-balsamic dressing. Quick, healthy, and bursting with flavor—serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
21. Jamaican Curried Cabbage with Coconut Milk
An easy, healthy side or main dish. Toss toothsome cabbage with creamy curry, spring carrots, and scallions. Add broad beans or fresh spinach for extra spring flair.
More Recipe Collections To Browse
Looking for even more quick spring dinner ideas celebrating warm days and the freshest spring produce? Browse these collections for inspiration:
- 13 Healthy Crockpot Chicken Recipes
- 10 Quick & Easy Vegan Tofu Recipes
- 11 Delicious and Cheap Crock Pot Recipes
- 18 Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes
- 42 Breakfast & Brunch Casserole Recipes
- 28 Easy 8-ingredient Weeknight Recipes
Which Of These Spring Recipes Will You Try First?
When you try one, let me know how it went! Drop a comment below, share a photo, and tag me on Instagram @katesbestrecipes so I can see your creations. And don’t forget to sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter for more quick spring dinner ideas, healthy recipes, and seasonal favorites—delivered right to your inbox.
