Easy Spring Dinner Ideas - The Short Order Cook

Here are my most popular meal recipes to make when the weather starts to warm up. These Easy Spring Dinner Ideas showcase seasonal produce, lighter entrees, & family favorites.

4 photos of easy recipes for pasta salads and main dishes with spring produces.

After months of cozy Winter Dinner Ideas, it's time for sun & yum. Each one includes a tasty spring fruit or vegetable. Similar to my list of recipes even picky kids will eat, these are family friendly.

Many are quick 30-minute or One-Pan Meals which is great for busy work & school days. Plus Crock-Pot meals so dinner is done when you get home from little league, school sports, or swim meets.

6 photos of recipes to make for dinner or lunch in spring

Below is a list of categories so you can easily find a new recipe to make. So whether you want a hearty salad, a light pasta, or a protein-packed meal, this collection has something for you. What will you try first?

Jump to:

Soups & Salads
Chicken Recipes
Beef and Pork Recipes
Pastas
Final Notes
More Dinner Recipe Ideas

Soups & Salads

Spring is a great time to enjoy fresh salads & soups celebrating the produce that is at their peak. Whether you want a hearty salad or a light soup, these are sure to please.

COLD ITALIAN RICE SOUP

Rice and Fava Beans Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

STRAWBERRY ARUGULA SALAD

SPINACH BLUEBERRY SALAD

Platter of spinach salad with blueberries, nuts, & cheese.

SLOW COOKER NAVY BEAN & HAM SOUP

Bowl of homemade slow cooker navy bean and leftover ham soup.

Chicken Recipes

This collection of poultry dishes are great on a warm spring night. Enjoy something from the grill or out of the oven. Plus slow cooker & skillet recipes, something for even a beginner to cook easily.

CREAMY LEMON BUTTER DILL CHICKEN

Chicken thighs in a creamy lemon sauce with fresh sprigs of dill.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN THIGHS

SHEETPAN CHICKEN & BROCCOLI

Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken & Broccoli ready to eat.

GRILLED BBQ CHICKEN BREASTS

4 photos of steak, pasta, pulled pork and dill chicken recipes for spring meal ideas.

Beef and Pork Recipes

For those that love a good steak or tender pork, these are your kind of recipes. All winter long I cannot wait to make these recipes when the days start to get longer & the sun is shining.

TERIYAKI FLANK STEAK

GRILLED WAGYU BEEF BURGERS

Wagyu hamburger on a bun with cheese, lettuce, tomato, & onion.

SLOW COOKER PEPPER STEAK

Pepper steak served over white rice in a bowl next to chopsticks.

GROUND PORK STIR FRY

Minced pork and broccoli stir fry in the wok.

CREAMY DIJON PORK CHOPS

Pork chops in the pan with a creamy dijon sauce and spinach.

PULLED PORK BURGER

Burger Bun piled with pulled pork and barbecue sauce.

Pastas

These recipes include filling pasta and a variety of spring ingredients. Enjoy for dinner and make extra because leftovers are great for lunch the next day too.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE & BROCCOLI PASTA

Al dente penne with fresh broccoli & sausage.

CREAMY PESTO & FAVA BEAN PASTA

White pasta bowl filled with cavatappi pasta in a creamy pesto sauce topped with fava beans & parmesan cheese.

Final Notes

I hope you enjoyed this list of both new and old recipes from the blog. After many years, seasonal cooking is still fun and exciting to me. Please let me know if you tried a recipe, saved on to Pinterest, or just drooled as your scrolled - I love hearing from all my readers. Happy Spring!!

More Dinner Recipe Ideas

Here are a few more collections of main dish recipes that you and your family will love:

EASY TUBE PASTA RECIPES
SLOW COOKER MAIN DISHES
30-MINUTE LOW-CARB CHICKEN RECIPES