Spring is such a wonderful season, known to be a season of restoration and regeneration. You can find most people outdoors enjoying the beauty of flowers blooming and nice weather.
When we think of Spring we think of warm days quenched by deliciously sweet lemonade or iced tea. Even more, you may be thinking of all the tasty Spring meals to be made for dinner. During the winter and holiday season, families tend to prepare more hearty foods like mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, mac & cheese, and biscuits with gravy. While such foods are incredibly appetizing, they can take a lot of time to prepare.
Read More »The following 10 Spring dinner recipes will satisfy you and your family’s taste buds while leaving you with ample time to enjoy your evening. All recipes included here do not exceed an hour of prep time and cook time. So, you can create tasty new dinners this Spring super fast!
1. Chicken with Couscous
Couscous is an amazing source of plant-based protein and is also an excellent substitute for rice. Not only is this Chicken with Couscous meal packed with protein and flavor, but it is also incredibly quick to make. The chopped tomatoes and broccoli florets in this recipe make each bite even more nutritious and flavorful!
Recipe:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 5.8 oz roasted garlic and olive oil couscous
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp + 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (halves)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 large tomato, chopped
2. Garlic Lime Salmon
With only 6 ingredients, this Garlic Lime Salmon is a simple meal you can prepare as a side dish or main dish, coupled with an assortment of tasty veggies. This meal is also packed with protein. The garlic and lime combination sets the perfect tone for an amazing Spring dinner meal.
Recipe:
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp grated lime zest
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 salmon fillets
3. Avocado Crab Boats
This one’s a winner for those who absolutely love their seafood. Avocado Crab Boats require about 20 minutes of prep time. The crab meat and avocado compliment each other perfectly, giving you a soft bite that melts in your mouth.
Recipe:
- 5 medium ripe avocados
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 12 oz lump crab meat, drained
- 4 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp minced chives
- 1 serrano pepper, minced
- 1 tbsp capers, drained
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- lemon wedges
4. Twice-Baked Loaded Potatoes
No need to warm up that oven. This Twice-Baked Loaded Potato can be prepared in the microwave. With only 15 minutes of your precious time, you can have a main dish or a preferred side dish for your Spring dinner. This baked potato can easily become a main dish depending on how many toppings you choose to load it with. For a more solid meal, you can add a meat of your choice, whether it be delicious ground beef or smoked ham. Ultimately, there is no strict rules on toppings. But, if you’d like a little guideline, the recipe is as follows.
Recipe:
- 1 russet potato, washed and scrubbed
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 slices bacon
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- sour cream, to serve
- fresh chive, to serve
5. Peanut Butter Cookie and Chocolate Trifle
Well, what is a dinner without a dessert? If you’re looking to sweeten up those Spring nights, try a Peanut Butter Cookie and Chocolate Trifle. Trifles are typically made with a custard or tasty pudding. In this dessert, you’ll be using a sweet chocolaty pudding amidst savory peanut butter cookies and a decorative chocolate syrup. Enjoy this cool dessert at the very end of a warm Spring day.
Recipe:
- 1- 1.4 oz box Chocolate Instant Sugar Free Jello pudding
- 2 cups fat free milk, cold
- 6 oz peanut butter cookies
- 2 cups Fat Free Cool Whip Whipped Topping
- 1/2 cup Honey Roasted Peanut Butter
- sugar free chocolate syrup, for drizzle
6. Ground Chicken Tacos and Creamy Salsa
Spruce up your taco Tuesday with these Ground Chicken Tacos with Creamy Salsa! These tacos are crunchy and flavorful, perfect for Spring dinner as well as a Spring get-together. Feel free to replace the ground chicken in this recipe with a meat of your choice if you’d like to personalize this recipe a bit.
Recipe:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp sazon seasoning
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 tsp flour
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 12 taco shells
- shredded lettuce
Creamy Salsa
- 4 Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp fresh lime juice
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
7. Hummus Veggie Wrap
Have little time to prepare a full-course meal? Wraps come in handy for any busy day. Whether cold or warm, there are infinite combinations you can try when it comes to wraps. This Hummus Veggie Wrap is completely vegan based and filled with healthy veggies. Due to the versatility of wraps, you can eat these for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Recipe:
- 2 tbsp hummus
- 1 whole wheat tortilla
- 1/4 cup torn mixed salad greens
- 2 tbsp sweet onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp cucumber, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp alfalfa sprouts
- 2 tbsp shredded carrot
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
8. Spring Lettuce Wrap
The Spring Lettuce Wrap is another great wrap to try for Spring. Of course, this dinner will be made using a cold fresh lettuce leaf. In this leaf, you’ll essentially load it with a bunch of delicious items like fresh chiles, ground chicken, rice, tasty sauces, and more. A cold lettuce leaf gives each bite a nice crunch.
Recipe:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 2 green or red fresh chiles, chopped
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1-2 tsp Sriracha chili sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, minced
- hot cooked sticky rice
9. Lemon Pasta Pronto
Lemon Pasta Pronto is a filling dish, mostly due to the fact that it’s pasta. Not only that, but this dish is refreshing for Spring as you can distinctly taste the lemon zest and fresh thyme. Moreover, the breadcrumbs give this meal a nice subtle crunch and texture.
Recipe:
- kosher salt
- 1 lb orecchiette
- 8 tbsp salted butter
- 3/4 cup pancetta cubes
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Pecorino, grated
10. Lemon and Blueberry Bread
Lastly, but certainly not least is another incredible, delicious, mouthwatering dessert to indulge in after your Spring dinner. Ironically, this meal takes the longest out of all of the dishes mentioned. However, with the end result, you’ll find that it’s completely worth the extra time and effort. In accordance with the Spring, it’s important to add in more lemony goodness with this Lemon and Blueberry Bread. Feel free to create your own icing to top this dish off. Or, you can make this recipe into little lemon and blueberry muffins.
Recipe:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries