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We're celebrating the end of winter and the dawn of a new, vibrant season. Our spring dinner ideas are inspired by seasonal produce, like artichokes, asparagus, peas, and leeks. As much as we love hearty casseroles, chili, and rich stews, we're not sorry to see them go—we've been making those on repeat since last fall and are ready for something lighter and fresher.
The bright and delicious dishes in this recipe collection coax out the delicate flavors of spring, pairing them with chicken, salmon, pork, white beans, and other proteins. These dinner recipes lean healthy, but they're also hearty and sometimes indulgent. Give them a spin to feel instantly nourished—and to celebrate the season. Spring doesn't last long, so make these terrific dishes while you can!
Creamy Asparagus Chicken
A splash of cream adds just the right amount of richness to this gorgeous spring dinner of braised chicken with leeks, asparagus, and baby red potatoes.
Lemony Pesto Chicken Soup
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You can use store-bought or homemade pesto in this chicken soup. It is reminiscent of the winter classic but tastes brighter and more herby thanks to the pesto, as well as lemon and pea shoots (or other delicate greens).
Steak and Asparagus Stir-Fry
Yes, you could use a variety of vegetables in this quick dinner (broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers all come to mind), but asparagus feels just right for this time of year. Finish it off with a squeeze of lime juice and some dry-roasted peanuts for crunch and brightness.
White-Fish Stew With Dumplings
For those days where it's technically spring but the temperature is still chilly, here's a transitional dinner—it's cozy, but lighter. Enjoy the comforting biscuit dumplings with cod, halibut, or your favorite white fish in a light, creamy broth.
Spinach Lasagna
This green lasagna requires a whopping two pounds of spinach. It may look like an absurd amount raw, but trust us: it cooks down to far less, and the quantity is just right, considering there's no meat here. Along with zucchini and three cheeses, this vegetarian version of the classic is wonderfully satisfying.
Spaghettini With Charred Scallions and Peas
Here's a 20-minute pasta that showcases the bounty of spring produce with charred scallions, asparagus, and sweet green peas.
Parmesan Pork With Polenta and Asparagus
In this 35-minute dinner, asparagus plays a supporting role to pork cutlets with an irresistible golden, umami-packed Parmesan crust. Oh, and there's fast but delicious polenta, too—precooked from a tube.
Asparagus-and-Lemon Risotto
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This risotto is spring in a shallow bowl and a must-make dinner this time of the year. Arborio rice is fresh, creamy, and comforting, but really, this dish is all about the asparagus.
Salmon, Asparagus, and Leek in Parchment
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Did we mention that cooking in parchment paper packets, like this salmon recipe, is easy, healthy, and delicious? Make this spring dinner, and then try our other stellar en papillote recipes.
Cashew Shrimp
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This spring dinner is ready in 20 minutes. It’s fresh, light, and fast—with big flavor. Oyster sauce, garlic, and ginger add punch to sautéed shrimp. Celery and roasted cashews add crunch.
White Fish With Braised Leeks and Saffron
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A stove-top braise that has all the savory depth of bouillabaisse sans all the classic stew's steps: You don't have to make your own seafood broth or rouille or source a variety of rockfish. Just simmer leeks with cherry tomatoes, chicken broth, and vermouth until they turn sweet and tender. Then, tuck in the fish to cook in minutes.
Gnocchi With Peas and Eggs
This one-pot pasta is just a little different (gnocchi!) and so right for spring. If the peas and arugula tossed with cream and parmesan aren’t enough, then the jammy soft-cooked egg will seal the deal—it brings protein and color.
Herby Spinach-and-Rice Soup With Turmeric
Inspired by the Persian herbed rice dish sabzi polo, our verdant, turmeric-tinted soup is bursting with spinach, parsley, potatoes, and dill. The final touches make an exponential difference: Yogurt adds creaminess, cumin-infused oil tastes earthy (plus, the seeds crunch pleasantly as you bite into them), and a squeeze of lemon juice is essential.
Asparagus-and-Potato Gratin
Serve this cozy, indulgent entrée with béchamel sauce and ribbons of salty prosciutto, crunchy breadcrumbs, and blanched asparagus spears for a spectacular spring supper.
Wild Salmon With English Peas and Mustard Beurre Blanc
This may be the perfect spring dinner party dish: It's elegant, delicious, and, best of all, easy. It's also so vibrant and beautiful that it's sure to elicit rave reviews before anyone even takes a bite. Blanched English peas are scattered around a simple roasted side of wild salmon. Beurre blanc, served on the side, is essentially a warm vinaigrette made with butter instead of oil. Finish with a sprinkling of chives and—if you have them—a few flowering pea shoots.
Pasta With Favas, Shrimp, and Fresh Chile
This speedy main is simple to make and really lets fresh fava beans shine. Cooking the blanched beans in pancetta fat wakes up their flavor. Then, you set them aside and throw in shrimp for a fast sizzle before adding the beans (and a sliced Fresno chile) back in with the drained noodles.
Shrimp With Spicy Green Rice
For a decidedly different take on spring produce, this dish takes a cue from the Venetian risi e bisi, a soupy rice-and-peas meal. Our take highlights sweet, crunchy sugar snap peas with Southeast Asian ingredients: the heat of chiles and ginger, the freshness of basil and cilantro, and the salty depth of fish sauce.
Chicken With Herbed Pea Puree and Spinach
Spinach shows up twice (as a salad and a purée) in this winner of a chicken dinner. Browning the chicken thighs on the stovetop and finishing them in the oven ensures that they have super juicy meat and crisp golden skin.
Egg Noodles With Asparagus and Grated Egg Yolks
Hard-cooked yolks take a bold springtime pasta over the top. Wide egg noodles are tossed with creamy mascarpone, salty pecorino, crisp-tender asparagus, and lots of lemon zest. Grate the yolks directly over the top—a basic box grater will do the trick.
Orange Pork With Watercress Rice
Another spring ingredient, though one that gets less attention, is watercress. It's assertive and pleasantly peppery (a little like arugula). Here, it punches up a rice dish that's topped with marmalade-glazed pork tenderloin and crispy ginger.
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