Enjoy the flavors of spring with seasonal ingredients like asparagus, beets, and mushrooms in just 30 minutes. Plus, they’re all consistent with the Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest eating patterns. Unlike many popular diets, this diet focuses on which foods you can add, rather than what you should avoid. And the best part is that it is flexible enough to accommodate any taste and type of cuisine. You can reap the benefits simply by focusing on incorporating more healthy fats, legumes, spices, vegetables, and whole grains into your daily diet. From easy salads like Superfood Chopped Salad with Salmon and Creamy Garlic Dressing to creamy skillet dishes like Marry Me Chickpeas, these delicious spring dinners are sure to become a staple in your weekly rotation.
Skillet salmon with orzo and green pea pesto
Photographer: Rachel Malek, Food Stylist: Holly Driesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
This fun one-pan dinner combines salmon fillets with fresh green pea pesto and orzo pasta. Green pea pesto is a unique twist on traditional pesto, bringing a touch of sweetness, richness, and a vibrant green color to your plate. If you prefer a more traditional pesto flavor, use chopped fresh basil in place of the dill, or use store-bought basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto instead.
marie me chickpeas
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar
Marie Mee Chicken, which typically consists of chicken coated in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce, has been given a vegetarian twist by replacing the main ingredient with chickpeas, which are rich in dietary fiber. From creamy chickpeas to delicious sun-dried tomatoes, you’ll want to slurp up every last bit of sauce. If you copy this recipe, you can also replace the chickpeas with white kidney beans, such as cannellini or navy beans.
Goat cheese sandwich with pickled beets, arugula and herbs
This pickled beet, arugula, and goat cheese sandwich is zesty with the creamy aroma of the goat cheese and the sweet and tangy flavor from the pickled beets. Chopped walnuts add nutty flavor and crunch to this easy sandwich.
Superfood chopped salad with salmon and creamy garlic dressing
The base of this salad is curly kale, but you could also use chard or spinach. For vegetables, add lots of chopped vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and carrots. Finish with some rich salmon for a protein boost and a drizzle of creamy yogurt dressing to bring it all together.
cheese asparagus chicken cutlets
Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster, Food Stylist: Emily Hall
A weeknight dinner inspired by early spring, wrapped in a creamy cheese sauce and tender, crunchy asparagus wrapped around a chicken cutlet. Asparagus can also be replaced with soft or crunchy steamed vegetables, such as snap peas or green beans. Serve with baby potatoes or new potatoes as a starchy side to complement the sauce.
Tagine shrimp tacos with cabbage slaw
Greg Dupree
Tajín, a Mexican chili-lime seasoning, adds a spicy and tart punch to the sweet and mellow shrimp. Choose a low-sodium chili-lime seasoning, or improvise a combination with chili powder, a little lime zest, and a healthy squeeze of lime juice. Look for pineapples that are already peeled and cored for faster preparation.
Creamy Pesto Shrimp Gnocchi with Peas
Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster, Food Stylist: Emily Hall
This speedy dinner recipe combines shrimp with pillowy gnocchi, pesto, and peas in a creamy sauce. You can also use other vegetables like broccoli or asparagus instead of peas. If you like it a little spicy, sprinkle with crushed red pepper or grate Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Mushroom miso pasta
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Holly Driesman, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
This miso pasta contains mushrooms, another umami ingredient that takes this easy vegetarian recipe to the next level. We use light and slightly sweet white miso. Mixing the miso with the reserved boiling water will make it easier to coat the pasta.
stir-fried chicken and broccoli
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This juicy chicken and broccoli stir-fry features tender, crunchy broccoli coated in a velvety, seafood-flavored sauce. Give this easy stir-fry a different twist by pairing it with chicken breasts, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or pork tenderloin.
One-pot lemon and broccoli pasta with parmesan cheese
Bright and fresh in flavor, this hearty pasta dish is perfect for busy weeknights. Parmesan cheese adds a pleasant saltiness and umami, while the broccoli and whole wheat noodles add texture with a slight crunch. For a protein boost, add shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp, or crunchy chickpeas.
Teriyaki chicken skillet casserole and broccoli
Photographer: Bree Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Quick and easy to make in one skillet, Teriyaki Chicken Casserole is perfect for busy weeknights and is sure to please a crowd. A great way to use up leftover chicken and rice. If you don’t have enough leftovers, pair rotisserie chicken with microwaveable packages of brown rice.
Mozzarella, basil and zucchini frittata
This vegetable-filled frittata recipe is one of the quickest dishes to make. Make it for breakfast, or serve it for lunch or dinner with a tossed salad or a crunchy baguette drizzled with olive oil.
lemon herb roast chicken
Greg Dupree
Add this super bright, citrusy Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken to your weeknight routine and you won’t be disappointed. The lemon slices at the bottom of the pan release their juices, forming a base for the buttery, tangy sauce you pour over them. Tarragon’s light anise flavor pairs well with chicken, but you can also replace it with another fresh herb, such as chives or parsley.
Sheet bread chicken thighs with sweet potato and broccolini
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Chicken thighs and sweet potatoes get crispy in the oven, and broccolini can be roasted together in a foil bag to ensure even cooking and easy cleanup. Pro tip: Place the chicken thighs in the corners of the baking sheet to allow for better air circulation and crispy skin.
chicken nachos
These chicken nachos are topped with spicy spiced shredded chicken, beans, and melted cheese on top of crunchy chips and served with cold chunks of avocado, red onion, and cilantro. If you like it spicier, add jalapeno slices at the end. These easy nachos go well with shredded chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken if you have leftovers.
Chef Michelle Bernstein’s Lemongrass and Coconut Poached Salmon
Photographer: Rachel Malek, Prop Stylist: Holly Driesman, Food Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Chef Michelle Bernstein has psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune disease that often manifests as joint pain. She created a Lemongrass and Coconut Poached Salmon recipe exclusively for Eating Well. Her three ingredients fight inflammation: turmeric, ginger, and salmon. For a more filling meal, eat it with whole grains like brown rice or on top of rice noodles.
Quinoa salad with feta cheese, olives and tomatoes
This quinoa salad is inspired by Greek salads and is flavorful and hearty. Roasting olives with other vegetables softens their flavor and adds a smoky aroma. Garnish with basil to brighten up your dishes.
Salmon and asparagus with lemon garlic butter sauce
Looking for recipes to help you eat more heart-healthy fish and vegetables? Add this salmon and asparagus dinner to your rotation. Not only is this sheet pan dinner healthy and delicious, it’s easy to make and easy to clean up.
Creamy chicken pasta with Brussels sprouts and artichokes
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
A creamy white wine garlic sauce blends artichokes and shaved Brussels sprouts with nutty whole grain pasta for this easy dinner. Using a mandolin or a very sharp knife, scrape the Brussels sprouts. If you choose pre-packaged shaved sprouts, keep in mind that they can be chunky and will require a few extra minutes of cooking time. Canned artichokes can be substituted, but be sure to rinse them thoroughly before adding them, as they tend to have more salt than frozen ones.
Cheese minced meat and cauliflower casserole
Photographer: Bree Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Driesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Combine ground beef and cauliflower for a hearty weeknight casserole that kids and adults will love. Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream.
EatingWell.com, April 2024
