As spring blooms into view, we’re often left wondering what culinary delights to serve during this vibrant season. The answer lies in embracing the fresh flavors and ingredients that spring has to offer. From budding gardens to warmer weather, it’s the perfect time to reflect these changes in your cooking. But who says you need to break out the complicated recipe books?
We’ve got 35 easy and delicious spring recipes that are sure to please, featuring a diverse range of options including appetizers, mains, and sweet treats. And for our vegan and vegetarian friends, don’t worry – we’ve got plenty of options tailored just for you! Let’s dive in and explore these seasonal delights, all carefully listed in alphabetical order for your convenience.
Easy Buddha Bowls
We’re big fans of bowls because they offer a perfect blend of convenience and customization. With minimal cooking required, you can whip up a delicious meal in no time. Plus, the flexibility to swap out ingredients or add more of your favorites means you’ll never get bored with the same old recipe. Take this Buddha bowl, for example – it’s not only a nutritious treat but also a masterclass in layering flavors and textures.
Brown rice, roasted sweet potato, wilted spinach, and juicy chicken all come together to create a truly satisfying meal.
Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta
This spring-inspired pasta recipe boasts a bright and airy flavor profile that’s perfectly suited to the season’s milder evenings. While bucatini is the ideal choice, feel free to substitute it with other long pasta varieties like spaghetti or linguine. The sauce is crafted using a blend of creamy ricotta, tangy Pecorino cheese, citrusy lemon zest, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
To add a pop of color and freshness, top your dish off with a sprinkle of basil leaves and a crumbly sprinkle of Pecorino.
Easy Stuffed Poblanos
A flavorful start to any gathering, these stuffed poblano peppers are a crowd-pleaser. A combination of turkey sausage and ground beef, along with savory Spanish rice, fills each pepper to perfection. After filling, the peppers can be elevated by a rich enchilada sauce and melted cheese. Simply cook until the cheese is fully melted for a delightful and satisfying appetizer.
Extra Egg And Bacon Fried Rice
Inspired by the eclectic dishes found in Chinese restaurants, this recipe takes creative liberties to elevate its versatility. Whether you’re craving a satisfying dinner or looking to repurpose leftover rice for a nutritious morning meal, this dish is sure to impress. The addition of eggs and bacon lends a breakfast-inspired twist, while peas, onions, and avocado add a pop of freshness and flavor. With its endless possibilities, this recipe is the perfect canvas for your culinary imagination.
Garlic Parmesan Salmon
Salmon’s adaptability in the kitchen makes it a staple for many home cooks. With its lightning-fast cooking time, this versatile fish is perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous meals. Our appreciation for salmon knows no bounds, particularly during spring when its delicate flavors shine. In this recipe, we deviate from traditional grilling methods and opt for a more straightforward approach: baking in the oven.
This effortless technique allows the salmon to soak up the aromatic goodness of Parmesan, lemon zest, garlic, and an assortment of seasonings, resulting in a dish that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
Japanese Chicken Scallion Yakitori
In Japan, yakitori is a beloved culinary staple that can be enjoyed as a main course, appetizer, or even as a casual street snack. This delectable dish typically consists of grilled chicken served on a skewer, with this recipe taking it to the next level by marinating the chicken in a harmonious blend of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sherry vinegar.
The process begins with chunks of chicken being carefully threaded onto a skewer alongside scallions, which are then grilled to perfection until a rich brown color is achieved.
Mandarin Pork Stir Fry
While stir-fry is an excellent option for a speedy meal any time of year, it truly shines during spring when incorporating seasonal flavors and ingredients. The harmonious blend of pork, mandarin oranges, and crisp snap peas, accompanied by a medley of seasonings, creates a culinary delight that’s sure to satisfy. Try out this recipe today!
Mango Curry Chickpeas
Mango’s sweet flavor is a perfect addition to many spring and summer recipes, and this vegan curry is no exception. This rich and creamy dish is made with the goodness of mango pulp, chickpeas, and coconut milk, making it a delightful treat for anyone looking for a plant-based option. With its thick and velvety texture, this curry is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Mediterranean Roasted Artichokes
While artichokes may not be the first choice for many when it comes to side dishes, they truly deserve more attention. Not only are they incredibly nutritious, but they can also be surprisingly easy to prepare and cook with the right recipe. One of the best times to enjoy artichokes is during the spring season, when their flavor and texture are at their peak.
In this recipe, we’ve taken a few simple yet flavorful ingredients like vinaigrette, shallots, garlic, and capers to bring out the natural sweetness of the artichokes. With these ingredients, you can create a delicious and healthy side dish that’s sure to impress.
Morel Mushroom Pasta In Parmesan Cream Sauce
Blending the rich flavors of pasta, mushrooms, and a decadent cream-based sauce, this recipe has quickly become a favorite among our team. While dried morel mushrooms are specified, fresh varieties can be substituted with proper preparation. The crowning glory of this dish is a velvety sauce crafted from heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, infused with the subtle nuances of chives and tarragon.
With its harmonious balance of flavors and textures, it’s no wonder this recipe has earned a spot in our culinary repertoire.
Pasta Primavera
This versatile pasta dish is a celebration of spring’s freshest flavors, incorporating a medley of vibrant vegetables. While the recipe is designed to showcase the unique qualities of asparagus, shallots, sugar snap peas, and carrots, don’t be afraid to customize it to your taste by omitting any of these ingredients if they’re not readily available or simply aren’t your cup of tea.
The result is a dish that’s equally delightful with all the veggies or without – a true testament to its adaptability.
Peanut, Cilantro, Ground Chicken, And Waffles
Looking for a creative twist on the classic waffle? This unique recipe combines flavors from around the world to create a mouthwatering spring-inspired dish. The best part? You can use either store-bought or homemade waffles as the base, topped with an intriguing mix of peanut butter, sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, spicy chili sauce, refreshing coleslaw, juicy chicken, and crunchy green onions.
Rhubarb Ginger Yogurt
As the last wisps of winter’s chill dissipate, this spring-inspired breakfast recipe is the perfect way to greet the morning. A harmonious blend of seasonal ingredients creates a delightful dish that can be prepared ahead of time for busy mornings. The combination of creamy yogurt and crunchy granola provides a satisfying start to your day, setting you up for success.
Salmon Burger
Burgers are a convenient meal option to enjoy year-round. When spring rolls around, however, it’s the perfect opportunity to get creative with a salmon patty-based burger. The combination of flavors in this dish is truly stunning, thanks to the star attraction – the salmon patties. But that’s not all; this recipe also provides a simple and refreshing yogurt sauce, expertly crafted with lemon, dill, and parsley, which beautifully complements the salmon.
Shrimp Tacos With Mango Salsa
While burgers may be a staple, another dish that never goes out of style is tacos – and with good reason. This particular recipe takes a fresh spin on traditional tacos by incorporating succulent shrimp. The real star of the show, however, is the mango salsa that harmoniously complements both the shrimp and cilantro lime sauce, making for a truly unique and tantalizing culinary experience.
Spaghetti With Morels And Miso Brown Butter Sauce
For our second installment of showcasing the versatility of morel mushrooms, we’ve crafted a recipe that highlights their unique nutty flavor. While these wild-harvested gems might not be a staple in every kitchen, we’re big fans of what they can bring to spring-inspired dishes. The crowning glory of this pasta dish is its sauce, expertly blended with white miso and the subtle sweetness of cooking alcohol – think mirin or cooking sherry – to create a truly memorable culinary experience.
Spring Minestrone Soup with Spring Veggies and Chickpeas
Minestrone soup is a versatile and delicious addition to any recipe collection. This Italian-inspired soup is particularly well-suited for showcasing seasonal spring vegetables, which can be substituted in place of traditional minestrone ingredients like tomatoes and bell peppers. The dish’s foundation remains the same, however – a hearty base of pasta cooked in a flavorful broth made with either chicken or vegetable stock.
Spring Orecchiette Pasta With Burrata
This delightful vegetarian dish features Orecchiette pasta as its star ingredient. To get started, cook the pasta first and simultaneously prep the remaining components. Once the pasta is cooked, it’s served alongside a medley of flavorful vegetables – mushrooms, onion, sugar peas, and asparagus – making for a satisfying and nutritious meal.
Spring Panzanella
Indulge in this delectable salad, crafted from a harmonious blend of scallions, Persian cucumbers, peas, fragrant herbs, and a medley of mixed greens. The addition of crispy sourdough croutons adds a satisfying textural element, while the dressing is expertly balanced by a tangy combination of white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and rich olive oil.
Strawberry Cheesecake
There’s nothing quite like indulging in a slice of creamy, sweet goodness during the spring season. Our beloved cheesecake recipe checks all the boxes – its crumbly Graham cracker crust provides a delightful contrast to the silky smoothness of the filling. And let’s not forget the crowning glory: a drizzle of luscious strawberry syrup and a sprinkle of fresh strawberries, adding a pop of color and flavor to this already irresistible dessert.
It’s no wonder it’s a crowd-pleaser – after all, who can resist the allure of a light and airy cheesecake that’s as refreshing as a spring breeze?
Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Kickstarting your spring cooking, we’re revisiting a timeless classic – chicken Parmesan. However, this beloved recipe gets a contemporary spin by harnessing the power of an air fryer. This game-changing cooking method not only slashes the oil content but also yields a satisfying crunch that’s both healthier and more tantalizing.
To give it a finishing touch, simply coat your chicken with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, and feel free to add extra grated Parmesan on top for an added layer of flavor.
Asparagus Risotto
Asparagus shines as a star in spring’s culinary repertoire, offering an impressive array of dishes perfect for a seasonal table or celebration. When it comes to preparing the asparagus, blanching and blending with basil leaves is the key. Meanwhile, risotto takes center stage, featuring leeks, garlic, Arborio rice, and vegetable broth as its core components.
This adaptable recipe serves as a foundation, allowing you to add your choice of mushrooms, fish, or chicken for added complexity and flavor.
Avocado Crab Boats
This 20-minute recipe is perfect for a quick appetizer or main course when paired with some tasty side dishes. The combination of creamy avocado and succulent crab meat is elevated by the bold flavors of serrano peppers, paprika, cilantro, and chives in the filling, creating a delightful harmony of fresh spring-inspired notes.
Best-Ever Avgolemono Soup
Avgolemono soup, a quintessential Greek dish, embodies the essence of spring with its harmonious blend of flavors and ingredients. The symphony of fresh herbs and citrusy notes is sure to evoke feelings of renewal as you sip this revitalizing brew. The recipe’s foundation lies in rich chicken broth, which is elevated by the addition of carrots, celery, chicken, and white rice. To complete the experience, serve with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
Chicken And Asparagus Salad With Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
Indulging in a refreshing spring lunch has never been more delightful than with this delectable salad recipe. Not only does it serve as the perfect meal for a lighter spring day, but its satisfying nature also makes it an excellent dinner option for those seeking a lighter alternative to a traditional main course. The combination of tender asparagus, rich pecorino cheese, crisp mixed greens, and juicy chicken breasts is elevated by the tangy zip of Dijon mustard.
To take it to the next level, add a squeeze of lemon and some crunchy roasted almonds for an added layer of texture and flavor.
Chicken With Couscous
Couscous stands out as a protein-rich ingredient that can be effortlessly substituted for white rice in many dishes. Its versatility shines particularly when paired with chicken, as this recipe demonstrates. The combination of couscous, juicy chicken, and a medley of vegetables – including broccoli florets and tomato – is further elevated by the bright, citrusy flavor of lemon juice, the pungency of garlic, and the earthy undertones of oregano.
Classic Key Lime Pie
Spring’s arrival brings with it the perfect excuse to indulge in light-tasting desserts, none more so than the iconic key lime pie. This timeless treat is sure to delight both children and adults alike, making it an ideal dessert for family gatherings. The foundation of this classic pie is its crust, crafted from a simple combination of graham crackers, granulated sugar, and butter that requires a brief stint in the oven before the filling can be prepared.
Speaking of which, the filling itself relies on a harmonious balance of key lime juice, lime zest, heavy cream, condensed milk, and powdered sugar to achieve its signature tanginess. While assembling the pie is a relatively quick process, it’s essential to allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. With this recipe, you’ll be able to create a delectable key lime pie that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Creamy Asparagus Soup
Our second featured soup is an excellent choice for both starters and light main courses. Its velvety texture belies a surprisingly lightweight flavor profile. The star of the show is fresh asparagus, expertly blended with onion, fennel, potatoes, and vegetable stock to create a rich yet refined soup. Interestingly, while the original recipe relies on sour cream to thicken the mixture, you can easily substitute this with cashews to adapt the dish for vegan diets.
Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne
Indulge in the flavors of spring with this delectable creamy pasta recipe, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal on a warm day. With its 25-minute preparation time, you can enjoy a rich and indulgent dish without sacrificing speed. The star of the show is the velvety sauce, crafted from butter, garlic, heavy cream, flour, and Parmesan, which coats your pasta in a luxurious layer. Finish it off with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs for a truly satisfying culinary experience.
Crispy Dill Tilapia
Tilapia may not be the first fish that comes to mind when thinking of an effortless culinary experience, but it’s definitely a hidden gem. Its versatility in cooking is often overlooked, making way for other popular seafood options. However, this underrated fish deserves a second glance. In fact, our recipe takes tilapia filets and elevates them with a zesty lemon juice brush followed by a crunchy coating of dill, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
The result is a dish that’s not only quick to prepare but also packed with flavor. And the best part? It’s ready in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a light lunch option. Serve it up with some fresh lemon wedges on the side and you’ve got yourself a simple yet satisfying meal.
Crunchy Chili Lime Shrimp
This mouthwatering spring recipe is a symphony of flavors, with each ingredient complementing the others in perfect harmony. At its core is succulent shrimp, which pairs exquisitely with both the brightness of citrus and the spiciness of chili peppers. The addition of creamy avocado, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fresh cilantro adds depth and variety to the dish.
A clever twist comes from a cup of crushed tortilla chips, which provides a satisfying crunch that complements the tender shrimp perfectly.
Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake
While our first dessert was a refreshing key lime pie, our second sweet treat still captures the essence of spring with its lighter-than-air texture and subtle flavors. This sponge cake is more substantial than its predecessors, making it perfect for serving as both a decadent dessert and a satisfying snack. The best part? It’s incredibly quick to prepare and cook – just 40 minutes from start to finish!
To create this delightful treat, we’re using a pineapple supreme cake mix as the base, then adding some sweet and tangy elements with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries.
Easy Apricot Chicken
This versatile recipe offers multiple cooking methods to cater to your preferences. You can opt for slow cooker, Instant Pot, grilling, or oven baking, giving you the flexibility to choose the best approach for your needs. To prepare this dish, you’ll need chicken breasts, apricot preserves, salad dressing, Dijon mustard, and onion soup mix.
Final Thoughts
With our comprehensive collection of 35 easy spring recipes, we’ve got you covered from start to finish. Whether you’re in the mood for a savory appetizer, a hearty main course, or a sweet dessert, there’s something on this list that’s sure to please. And because we know not everyone follows the same diet, we’ve made sure to include a range of vegan and vegetarian options as well. Our goal is to provide you with a culinary experience that’s both delicious and inclusive.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.