60 Bright and Fresh Spring Dinner Ideas to Welcome the Season
New season, new dinners.
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A spring refresh isn't just about cleaning—it's also about switching up your weeknight dinner menu! With spring vegetables back in season and warmer temperatures rising, it's the perfect time to bring lighter, brighter dishes to your table. Use the fresh spring dinner ideas on this list as a starting point. They include seasonal suppers of all calibers, including zesty lemon chicken dinners and plenty of pasta dishes spotlighting asparagus and peas. Plus, there are plenty of BBQ recipes to kick off the start of grilling season!
If you want to keep things easy and breezy, you'll find plenty of quick dinner ideas, 30-minute meals, and spring salads made with the season's finest produce. For instance, there's a pesto pizza with arugula, chicken and asparagus stir fry, and a grilled pork salad with fresh strawberries. Of course, spending more time outdoors is one of the best parts about spring. That's why we've made sure to include a few spring grilling recipes and picnic ideas that will make it easy to enjoy the change of seasons including tuna pasta salad, turkey burgers, and grilled chicken marinade. All that’s left to do is whip up a fresh new spring dessert, and you'll be celebrating sunny days in no time.
Chicken Tetrazzini
This classic casserole has everything you want in a meal: chicken, pasta, veggies, a creamy cheese sauce, and a crisp topping. Ree's time-saving trick? Store-bought, shredded rotisserie chicken!
Get Ree's Chicken Tetrazzini recipe.
Steak Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
For a lighter take on a steak dinner, make these fresh lettuce wraps! Each crunchy butter lettuce cup features flank steak, matchstick-cut carrots, cucumber, and a drizzle of creamy peanut sauce.
Get Ree's Steak Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Crab Cakes with Arugula Salad
If the warmer weather is causing you to crave seafood, whip up these easy crab cakes! Serve them with a homemade rémoulade sauce and an arugula side salad to showcase seasonal greens.
Get Ree's Crab Cakes with Arugula Salad recipe.
Orecchiette with Italian Sausage and Asparagus
This spring pasta dish stars tender asparagus and sweet or spicy Italian sausage for a burst of flavor. In just 15 minutes, you'll have a heaping plate of pasta ready to be topped with parm!
Get Ree's Orecchiette with Italian Sausage and Asparagus recipe.
Ranch Chicken
This crispy chicken dinner was made for ranch fanatics. The recipe calls for ranch seasoning mix for both the golden-brown breading and creamy herb sauce that gets drizzled over the top!
Get Ree's Ranch Chicken recipe.
Beef Burrito Bowls
This beef burrito bowl recipe will make it so easy to skip the weekly trip to your favorite chain restaurant. The best part is that they're customizable: just set the components out—like black beans, seasoned ground beef, white rice, and pico de gallo—and let everyone build their own bowls.
Get Ree's Beef Burrito Bowls recipe.
Skillet Curry Roast Chicken
This hearty one-pot meal is a winner (winner, chicken dinner). The curry-infused chicken is roasted right on top of the carrot and red onion chunks to make the dish even easier.
Get Ree's Skillet Curry Roast Chicken recipe.
Salmon Tacos with Creamy Dill Slaw
Taco Tuesday just got a whole lot tastier! These simple salmon tacos are packed with protein and texture, thanks to creamy avocado slices and a crunchy dill slaw.
Get Ree's Salmon Tacos with Slaw recipe.
Roast Leg of Lamb
This juicy leg of lamb isn't just for Easter dinner. Make it a Sunday supper to remember with this ravishing roast, complete with a garlicky rub that turns into a golden crust in the oven.
Get the Roast Leg of Lamb recipe.
Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad
Highlight seasonal produce by adding gloriously green pesto and spring peas to your pasta salad. They pair perfectly with crispy prosciutto, peppery arugula, fresh mozzarella, and crunchy lemon-parmesan breadcrumbs.
Get Ree's Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.
Chicken Piccata
This classic lemony chicken dish is both comforting and fresh at the same time. The decadent cream sauce has a pop of citrus flavor that's so good, you'll want to pour it over both the chicken and the pasta!
Get Ree's Chicken Piccata recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Not only does this creamy pasta salad have bits of hearty ham and cheese, but it's also packed with crunchy veggies like bell peppers and spring peas. It's great for your next picnic!
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Air Fryer Hot Dog
If springtime reminds you of baseball season, these juicy and crisp hot dogs will become your new favorite. They're just like the kind you might find at the ballpark, only better!
Get the Air Fryer Hot Dog recipe.
Ham Tetrazzini
This creamy baked spaghetti dish is packed with ham, mushrooms, and green peas, but it's the crispy breadcrumb topping that'll have you coming back for more.
Get the Ham Tetrazzini recipe.
Lamb Meatballs
Plan a Mediterranean-inspired dinner with these tasty lamb meatballs. They're leaner and lighter than your typical beef meatballs, and they're delicious served up with tzatziki sauce and pita!
Get the Lamb Meatballs recipe.
Salmon Rice Bowls
Healthy, quick, and flavorful—these bowls are a no-brainer on busy weeknights. The sweet-and-spicy sauce and baked salmon comes together in just 25 minutes.
Get Ree's Salmon Rice Bowls recipe.
Pasta with Peas
Say hello to salty pancetta (aka bacon’s Italian cousin)! It gives this creamy, cheesy pasta dish a ton of flavor. And it just so happens to pair well with the fresh flavor of spring peas.
Get the Pasta with Peas recipe.
Candied Carrots
These sweet and tangy carrots are the perfect side dish for spring! They're elegant enough for a dinner party but easy enough for weeknights, too. You can pair them with chicken, steak, pork, or even lamb.
Get the Candied Carrots recipe.
Rack of Lamb
Rack of lamb might look fancy, but it's surprisingly easy. The key is rubbing the lamb with a flavorful mixture of garlic, rosemary, mustard, and honey. It helps create that beautiful crust!
Get the Rack of Lamb recipe.
Lemon Pasta
This quick pasta is always a hit, but come springtime, it'll be a fresh reminder of the warm, sunny days. For an extra pop of flavor, give each plate a few grinds of black pepper on top.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
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