71 Spring Weeknight Dinners Everyone Will Love

From satisfying mains (that are a little lighter and brighter) to easy sides made with the season’s best veggies, these quick and simple recipes are perfect for celebrating the change of season.

March 14, 2023

By: Food Network Kitchen

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New Season, New Dinners

Spring has sprung and, along with it, a bounty of fresh produce that’s perfect for family weeknight dinners. Tender spears of asparagus, flavorful artichokes, and stalks of oh-so-versatile rhubarb are all ready and waiting to supplement the cold-weather staples you still have stocked in your kitchen. We couldn’t be more excited about the new season (and new recipes for the rotation!) so we’ve rounded up all our best ideas, starting with this lighter, brighter take on a family favorite: golden-brown chicken cutlets. With a rich, creamy sauce and fresh spring peas, this dish is the perfect representation of the transition from winter to spring.

Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushrooms and Snap Peas

Asparagus Fettuccine Carbonara

Shaved asparagus adds a bright note to this fast and easy weeknight classic. The thin green ribbons give the creamy fettuccine a perfect pop of color and spring flavor.

Get the Recipe: Asparagus Fettuccine Carbonara

Pork Saltimbocca with Peas

Top juicy boneless pork chops with prosciutto, Parmesan and fontina, and broil until bubbly for a satisfying dinner that's just as quick as it is special.

Get the Recipe: Pork Saltimbocca with Peas

Shrimp Ramen

You’ve got to love a good shortcut – like this speedy dinner that uses quick-cooking ramen noodle packets to make a dish that’s just as good as your favorite takeout.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Ramen

Snapper with Kale-Orange Salad

Fish cooks quickly making it a great choice when you need a speedy weeknight dinner. In this recipe, we’ve dressed up snapper fillets with a simple, citrusy salad – which brightens things up and makes the meal feel perfect for the change of season.

Get the Recipe: Snapper with Kale-Orange Salad

Lemon Pasta Pronto

For a quick and easy dinner that hits all the right notes, whip up Ree’s lemony pasta dish. She incorporates pancetta, cheese and plenty of fresh lemon for a creamy, salty and tangy crowd-pleaser.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Pasta Pronto

Spring Vegetable Fettuccine Alfredo

Spring vegetables brighten up classic pasta Alfredo, while lemon zest and chives cut the rich creaminess.

Get the Recipe: Spring Vegetable Fettuccine Alfredo

Coconut Tofu with Snap Pea Salad

Whether you’re vegetarian or simply looking for more meatless meals to add to your weekly rotation, this coconut-crusted tofu is sure to please. It comes together in under an hour and has tons of sweet-and-savory flavor, making it perfect for feeding the family on a busy weeknight.

Get the Recipe: Coconut Tofu with Snap Pea Salad

Sausage Pizza With Spinach Salad

Enjoy a seasonal twist on your favorite comfort meal. Spinach, artichoke, fennel and roasted red pepper are a delicious stand-in for the classic pizza toppings.

Get the Recipe: Sausage Pizza With Spinach Salad

Chicken Piccata Pasta Toss

Rachael uses all the flavors of classic Italian chicken piccata in this pasta dish tossed with chunks of juicy chicken breast. It's an easy all-in-one meal.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata Pasta Toss

Tarragon Snap Peas

These crisp-tender snap peas are ready to go with a quick boil and a simple dressing of olive oil and freshly chopped tarragon.

Get the Recipe: Tarragon Snap Peas

Ground Chicken Tacos with Creamy Salsa

Switch up your taco night by spiking yours with Sunny's cool, creamy salsa.

Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Tacos with Creamy Salsa

Pork Chops with Cornbread Stuffing

Use leftover cornbread mixed with jalapenos and scallions as a simple stuffing for juicy bone-in pork chops.

Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Cornbread Stuffing

Shrimp Scampi with Linguini

This rich, lemony pasta dish is easy enough to make on a weekday but impressive enough for any special occasion.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi with Linguini

Cheesy Grits with Fried Eggs and Vegetables

Eggs might not be your first thought when you’re planning dinner but they’re a great source of protein and cook up quickly. Win-win!

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Grits with Fried Eggs and Vegetables

Parmesan Chicken

Ina's easy breaded chicken is dressed with tossed salad greens and a sprinkling of Parmesan.

Get the Recipe: Parmesan Chicken

Pasta Primavera with Peas, Asparagus and Kale

Next time you make this veggie-packed spring pasta dish, zero in on a single color: green. Seasonal snap peas, asparagus, chives and also kale round out this penne-based main.

Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera with Peas, Asparagus and Kale

Pork Chops with Peach Sauce

Fry juicy, boneless and breaded pork loin chops until crispy and golden brown, and use peach jam to make a super-easy, sweet sauce to go along with them.

Get the Recipe: Pork Chops With Peach Sauce

Gnocchi Primavera

Store-bought potato gnocchi make this dish a quick weeknight meal. Some Parmesan cheese and lemon zest make the perfect sauce for spring produce.

Get the Recipe: Gnocchi Primavera

Fish Fry

If spring has you eating fish on Fridays, you're in luck: This recipe comes together so quickly you won't mind making it one bit, even at the end of the workweek.

Get the Recipe: Fish Fry

Lemon Braised Artichokes

Don't worry about thawing frozen artichoke hearts for this recipe. You'll simmer them straight from the freezer in water, white wine, lemon and olive oil for 10 minutes until they're tender.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Braised Artichokes

Grilled Shrimp and Noodle Salad

Savor the first warm days of spring with a quick grilled meal: Grill sweet-and-spicy shrimp, asparagus and mushrooms, then serve with rice noodles and fresh cilantro. April showers? You can also cook the marinated shrimp and vegetables inside on a grill pan.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp and Noodle Salad

Baked Lemon Chicken

This easy chicken dinner requires just 15 minutes of prep.

Get the Recipe: Baked Lemon Chicken

Penne with Baby Artichokes, Black Olives and Peas

Tyler's penne recipe combines some of spring's freshest ingredients and still allows you to have dinner on the table in less than an hour.

Get the Recipe: Penne with Baby Artichokes, Black Olives and Peas

Broiled Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce

Dress up simple, crispy broiled salmon with a vibrant cream sauce and a bed of lima beans and peas — and do it all in 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Broiled Salmon With Tomato Cream Sauce

Pappardelle with Spring Vegetables

Toss the broad, flat pasta shape with ingredients that scream spring: petite green peas, radishes and mixed fresh herbs. Top the finished plate with creamy, lemon-zested ricotta.

Get the Recipe: Pappardelle with Spring Vegetables

Roasted Beets with Feta

Toss sweet roasted beets with tangy feta and crunchy scallions for a vibrant and flavor-packed side.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Beets With Feta

Steak Fried Rice

Slash cooking time by opting for a frozen grain-and-rice blend as the base.

Get the Recipe: Steak Fried Rice

Roast Chicken with Spring Vegetables

This one-pan meal is a true weeknight wonder. Let the chicken roast for 15 minutes while you chop potatoes, radishes and scallions. Then add the veggies and return the pan to the oven for 20 more minutes, and dinner is ready!

Get the Recipe: Roast Chicken With Spring Vegetables

Chili-Rubbed Pork Chops

New Mexico chili powder, cumin, cloves and oregano add spice to these boneless pork chops, while grilled onions add smoky sweetness. Fry them in about eight minutes, then serve with your favorite style of Mexican rice.

Get the Recipe: Chili-Rubbed Pork Chops

Cajun Veggie Pasta

Ree’s super flavorful pasta is the perfect pick when you need to use up all those delicious veggies from the farmer’s market. She combines bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes for a veggie-packed, family-friendly meal.

Get the Recipe: Cajun Veggie Pasta

Tacos de Carne Asada

Grill or broil juicy flank steak and serve with corn tortillas plus all the fixings, for a beef taco dinner that's ready in just 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Beef Tacos: Tacos de Carne Asada

Chicken Thighs with Minty Peas

Use frozen peas to make a bright and easy puree to serve alongside roasted chicken and cauliflower.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Thighs with Minty Peas

Blistered Green Beans with Spicy Chile Sauce

Valerie spices up green beans with a red chile paste and balances everything out with a touch of honey.

Get the Recipe: Blistered Green Beans with Spicy Chile Sauce

Carbonara with Crab

Rachael says, “Big lumps of crab are the secret to this twist on pasta carbonara. Crab, celery, lemon and sherry create a bright flavor that mixes with rich, creamy yolks, fatty pancetta and sharp cheese.”

Get the Recipe: Carbonara with Crab

Shrimp and Clam Pizza

Any night can be pizza night. This garlicky seafood pizza is on the table in 30 minutes with the help of refrigerated pizza dough.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Clam Pizza

Greek Shrimp and Couscous

Simmer fresh plum tomatoes, fennel and garlic together for a fresh, well-rounded shrimp meal.

Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp and Couscous

Mac and Cheese Primavera

Ree’s 30-minute pasta is packed with veggies, including asparagus, bell pepper, peas and broccoli.

Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese Primavera

Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

Greek yogurt gives this classic pesto recipe a creamy, tangy finish. Top your dish with toasted breadcrumbs for an added crunch.

Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

Lamb Chops with Carrot Puree and Cucumber Salad

Make the sides before browning the lamb chops in a cast iron skillet for a meal that's ready in less than an hour.

Get the Recipe: Lamb Chops with Carrot Puree and Cucumber Salad

Linguine with Asparagus

Don't have asparagus on hand? Nancy Fuller recommends adding fresh spinach or artichoke hearts instead.

Get the Recipe: Linguine with Asparagus

Pork Chop Piccata with Spaghetti

Use pork chops to prepare this updated take on your favorite chicken dish. To cut down on time, toss broccoli florets into boiling water for the last few minutes of the spaghetti cooking.

Get the Recipe: Pork Chop Piccata with Spaghetti

Spinach-Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Welcome spring to the table with spicy-sweet radishes, mint, parsley and broiled shrimp in this orzo-enhanced spinach salad.

Get the Recipe: Spinach-Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Soba Noodles with Smoked Trout

Instead of laboring over a broth, make this shortcut soup that reels in big flavor with toasted sesame oil, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce and the smoked trout.

Get the Recipe: Soba and Spinach Soup with Smoked Trout

Pea Soup with Lemon Mascarpone

One bite of Valerie’s pea soup and you’ll forget all about the canned version. She uses frozen peas to cut down on time, resulting in a soup that’s ready in just 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Pea Soup with Lemon Mascarpone

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Sausage and Swiss Chard

Keep your chard stems for this one. They add texture to the pasta sauce and have extra antioxidants.

Get the Recipe: Whole-Wheat Pasta with Sausage and Swiss Chard

Poppy Seed Chicken Pitas

Try these pita pockets stuffed with orange-scented shredded chicken in a yogurt sauce with nuts, celery, poppy seeds and chives.

Get the Recipe: Poppy Seed-Chicken Pitas

Creamy Farfalle with Cremini, Asparagus and Walnuts

Walnuts, asparagus and cremini mushrooms lend this quick and hearty dinner its rustic appeal.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Farfalle with Cremini, Asparagus, and Walnuts

Asparagus with Roasted Red Peppers

Give simply roasted asparagus a pop of color with a garnish of roasted red peppers, feta cheese and parsley.

Get the Recipe: Asparagus with Roasted Red Peppers

Tilapia and Green Beans

Tilapia is a versatile, inexpensive fish that's always popular with home cooks. Coat tilapia fillets in a flour-and-herb mixture, then fry them in butter until crispy. Serve the fish alongside lemony green beans and grape tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Tilapia with Green Beans

"Greek Salad" Penne

Spinach-flavored penne and fresh vegetables turn a classic Greek salad recipe into a weeknight pasta dish in less than 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: "Greek Salad" Penne

Angel Hair with Walnut-Carrot Sauce

In-season carrots pair with walnuts, cheese and herbs for a pesto-like sauce that tosses beautifully with thin spaghetti.

Get the Recipe: Angel Hair Pasta With Walnut-Carrot Sauce

Ginger-Scallion Lo Mein

The best way to eat your veggies this spring? Over tender, savory lo mein noodles! Serve as a vegetarian main or add some shredded, rotisserie chicken for a speedy (and delicious) weeknight dinner.

Get the Recipe: Lo Mein with Ginger-Scallion Sauce and Pickled Vegetables

Pasta Primavera

This dish is the ultimate tribute to the season with spring-y pasta and colorful fresh vegetables.

Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera

Potato-Egg Salad

Try a light, spring-inspired take on classic picnic salads by tossing fingerling potatoes and eggs with green peas and fresh mint.

Get the Recipe: Potato-Egg Salad

French Onions

Bake sweet onions with grated Gruyere and crunchy croutons for a super-easy gratin.

Get the Recipe: French Onions

Curried Egg Salad with Pickled Beets

Toast becomes dinner when you top it with fresh egg salad and a side of bright beets.

Get the Recipe: Curried Egg Salad with Pickled Beets

Grilled Salmon with Herbs and Meyer Lemon

As spring temperatures warm up, get the grill going and make Anne's citrusy grilled salmon.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Salmon with Herb and Meyer Lemon Compound Butter

Roasted Vegetable Pasta

Roast zucchini and asparagus in the oven until tender before tossing together with fresh linguine and an easy tomato sauce.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Pasta

Fried Chicken Sandwiches with Waffle Fries

Cooking homemade fried chicken for sandwiches is a whole lot easier (and quicker) than you might think. Skinless, boneless chicken thighs become extra juicy after being coated in hot-sauce-spiked buttermilk and dredged in cake flour before being fried until golden and crispy.

Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Sandwiches with Waffle Fries

Orecchiette with Truffle-Asparagus Pesto

You'll find an unexpected umami flavor in this pesto thanks to truffle pecorino cheese, plus a bit of texture from toasted hazelnuts.

Get the Recipe: Orecchiette with Truffle-Asparagus Pesto

Pasta with Turkey Meatballs

Cut down on prep time by making meatballs with a secret flavor-packed ingredient: sweet Italian turkey sausage.

Get the Recipe: Pasta With Turkey Meatballs

Risotto with Mascarpone and Prosciutto

Melt in creamy mascarpone cheese and delicate prosciutto for your most luxurious risotto yet.

Get the Recipe: Risotto With Mascarpone and Prosciutto

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

A bright and lemony one-pot soup that will cure the rainy-day blues in just about 40 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Pasta Primavera

From the fresh carrots and cherry tomatoes to the red and yellow bell peppers, Giada's primavera is a vibrant spring meal.

Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera

Vegetable Paella

A vegetarian riff on paella, this flavorful dish feels hearty and filling thanks to mushrooms and cauliflower.

Get the Recipe: Vegetable Paella

Cumin Beef Stir-Fry

Cumin-rubbed skirt steak cooks up fast, tender and flavorful in this simple stir-fry.

Get the Recipe: Cumin Beef Stir-Fry

Tortellini with Arugula and Prosciutto

Salty prosciutto and zesty arugula balance each other perfectly, especially when paired with creamy, cheesy pasta.

Get the Recipe: Tortellini with Arugula and Prosciutto

Citrus Arctic Char with Farro

Fresh orange, garlic and olive oil make a delicious marinade for flaky fish, which gets even better when served atop protein-packed farro.

Get the Recipe: Citrus Arctic Char with Farro

Pea-Mint Falafel with Bulgur

Say hello to your new go-to vegetarian dinner. Peas, chickpeas and mint combine to make a perfectly crunchy falafel that’s only improved by a delicious tahini dressing.

Get the Recipe: Pea-Mint Falafel with Bulgur

Spiced Chicken Breasts with Dates

Dates are the key to this fast and flavorful dinner — their natural sweetness is perfectly balanced by white wine vinegar and shallots, making a delectable sauce you’ll want to pour on everything.

Get the Recipe: Spiced Chicken Breasts with Dates

On Tonight

71 Spring Weeknight Dinners Everyone Will Love

Related To:

New Season, New Dinners

Asparagus Fettuccine Carbonara

Pork Saltimbocca with Peas

Shrimp Ramen

Snapper with Kale-Orange Salad

Lemon Pasta Pronto

Spring Vegetable Fettuccine Alfredo

Coconut Tofu with Snap Pea Salad

Sausage Pizza With Spinach Salad

Chicken Piccata Pasta Toss

Tarragon Snap Peas

Ground Chicken Tacos with Creamy Salsa

Pork Chops with Cornbread Stuffing

Shrimp Scampi with Linguini

Cheesy Grits with Fried Eggs and Vegetables

Parmesan Chicken

Pasta Primavera with Peas, Asparagus and Kale

Pork Chops with Peach Sauce

Gnocchi Primavera

Fish Fry

Lemon Braised Artichokes

Grilled Shrimp and Noodle Salad

Baked Lemon Chicken

Penne with Baby Artichokes, Black Olives and Peas

Broiled Salmon with Tomato Cream Sauce

Pappardelle with Spring Vegetables

Roasted Beets with Feta

Steak Fried Rice

Roast Chicken with Spring Vegetables

Chili-Rubbed Pork Chops

Cajun Veggie Pasta

Tacos de Carne Asada

Chicken Thighs with Minty Peas

Blistered Green Beans with Spicy Chile Sauce

Carbonara with Crab

Shrimp and Clam Pizza

Greek Shrimp and Couscous

Mac and Cheese Primavera

Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

Lamb Chops with Carrot Puree and Cucumber Salad

Linguine with Asparagus

Pork Chop Piccata with Spaghetti

Spinach-Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Soba Noodles with Smoked Trout

Pea Soup with Lemon Mascarpone

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Sausage and Swiss Chard

Poppy Seed Chicken Pitas

Creamy Farfalle with Cremini, Asparagus and Walnuts

Asparagus with Roasted Red Peppers

Tilapia and Green Beans

"Greek Salad" Penne

Angel Hair with Walnut-Carrot Sauce

Ginger-Scallion Lo Mein

Pasta Primavera

Potato-Egg Salad

French Onions

Curried Egg Salad with Pickled Beets

Grilled Salmon with Herbs and Meyer Lemon

Roasted Vegetable Pasta

Fried Chicken Sandwiches with Waffle Fries

Orecchiette with Truffle-Asparagus Pesto

Pasta with Turkey Meatballs

Risotto with Mascarpone and Prosciutto

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Pasta Primavera

Vegetable Paella

Cumin Beef Stir-Fry

Tortellini with Arugula and Prosciutto

Citrus Arctic Char with Farro

Pea-Mint Falafel with Bulgur

Spiced Chicken Breasts with Dates

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