These Spring Dinner Ideas Are Like a Breath of Fresh Air (2024)

Bring something new to the table.

By Kara Zauberman
These Spring Dinner Ideas Are Like a Breath of Fresh Air (1)

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As the flowers begin to bloom and spring vegetables start to pop up at the farmers' market, you might be looking for ways to hit reset on your family dinner ideas, too! After all, springtime is a chance to start fresh and introduce some lighter, brighter recipes into the kitchen. Luckily, we have tons of inspiration for new spring dinner ideas! We're talking lemony chicken recipes, pasta primavera, and creative recipes for asparagus or peas. Looking to break out the grill for the first time in a long time? There are even some BBQ recipes and cookout-friendly pasta salads on the list ahead.

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.

1

Chicken Piccata

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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.

2

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

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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.

3

Air Fryer Hot Dog

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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.

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4

Ham Tetrazzini

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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.

5

Lamb Meatballs

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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.

SHOP PLATTERS

6

Salmon Rice Bowls

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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.

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7

Pasta with Peas

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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.

8

Candied Carrots

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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.

9

Rack of Lamb

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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.

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10

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.

SHOP PLATES

11

Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry

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Hearty chicken and fresh spring veggies come together in one pan for this easy stir fry dish. There's also a homemade sauce that's full of savory soy flavor.

Get Ree's Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry recipe.

12

Ham Casserole

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This comforting casserole is a great way to use up extra ham from your Sunday feast. You can also use half pound of any ham from the deli counter to pair with the rice, peas, and cheese.

Get the Ham Casserole recipe.

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13

Enchiladas Verdes

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If spring were a color, it would have be green—just like your freshly cut grass! So, why not celebrate the season (and the hue) by making this easy recipe for enchiladas.

Get the Enchiladas Verdes recipe.

14

Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas

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When sugar snap peas are in season, they're delightfully sweet and crisp. This recipe showcases the veggie by simply sautéing them with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

Get the Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas recipe.

15

Lamb Burgers

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Spiced lamb patties are a fun way to switch up your burger night. They're lean and flavorful, and piled high with a Greek-inspired feta sauce.

Get the Lamb Burgers recipe.

SHOP GRILL TOOLS

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16

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

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Ranch seasoning mix might just be our favorite ingredient! It'll transform this chicken pasta casserole into a zesty sensation!

Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole recipe.

17

Upside-Down Puff Pastry Radish Tarts

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Spring radishes look so pretty on these puff pastry tarts. It would make a perfect accompaniment to your favorite spring soup or serve it up as a tasty appetizer.

Get the Upside-Down Puff Pastry Radish Tarts recipe.

18

Honey Mustard Chicken

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We can't get enough of the sweet and tangy combination of honey and mustard. It's perfect for marinating chicken thighs that can either be cooked in the oven or on the grill.

Get the Honey Mustard Chicken recipe.

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19

Chile-Lime Steak Salad

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The best way to get Ladd Drummond to eat a salad is to add a juicy steak right on top! Here, the spicy-sweet dressing brings the whole thing together.

Get Ree's Chile-Lime Steak Salad recipe.

20

Shrimp Pesto Pasta

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If you're growing basil in your garden this spring, then you'll definitely want to use it to make a batch of fresh pesto! Add some seasonal asparagus and juicy shrimp for a quick and tasty pasta recipe.

Get Ree's Shrimp Pesto Pasta recipe.

SHOP PASTA BOWLS

These Spring Dinner Ideas Are Like a Breath of Fresh Air (2024)

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