In a Dinner Rut? 5 Fresh Weeknight Menus for Spring

Anjali Prasertong
Anjali Prasertong
Anjali Prasertong is a writer and public health dietitian focused on food systems, racial equity, and nutrition. Originally from Los Angeles, she has taught English in rural Japan, worked as a private chef in Malibu, and led an innovative city-funded corner store program in New Orleans that increased fresh food access in low-income neighborhoods. She was previously a contributing editor for The Kitchn, and currently lives in Denver with her husband and two kids.
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updated May 2, 2019
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

If you’re feeling a little uninspired lately, you aren’t alone — we call it the springtime slump. It seems to peak around dinnertime, when the contents of our fridges and pantries just look so…boring. Injecting a new recipe or two into the repertoire just doesn’t seem to cut it. Instead, we’re here with a whole week of weeknight-friendly dinner menus, with options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free eaters, too. Ready to shake up your weekly dinner rotation?

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A Light Spring Pasta Meal: Spaghetti with Mascarpone, Meyer Lemon, Spinach, and Hazelnuts (Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Menu 1: A Light Spring Pasta Meal

This creamy-yet-light spaghetti recipe is simultaneously sophisticated and absurdly fast and easy, and the crunchy, dill-flecked salad keeps well, so you can eat the leftovers for lunch the next day.
(Image credit: Emily Ho)

Socca Flatbread with Spring Pesto and Salad

Menu 2: A Fresh Take on Soup & Flatbread (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Socca, a chewy, crispy, gluten-free flatbread made from chickpea flour, is a quick and satisfying accompaniment to a warm, lemon-bright soup.

Menu 3: Roasted Chicken & Potatoes for a New Season

This isn’t a heavy winter roast. Instead, tender, lemony fennel and thin-skinned new potatoes accompany quick-cooking boneless skinless chicken thighs for a comforting weeknight meal.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Roasted Chicken Thighs with Fennel & Lemon

Menu 4: A Simple, Spiced Indian Supper (Vegetarian)

This unfussy bean and tomato stew will fill the whole house with the scent of onion, ginger and spices bubbling on the stove. While it simmers, make a turmeric-spiced yellow rice and cool yogurt raita to serve alongside.

Menu 5: A Fish Dinner with Asian Flavors

With the pungent, aromatic flavors of cilantro, ginger, and sesame, this fish recipe is fast and foolproof. Pair it with plain rice and a crunchy carrot and cabbage slaw.

Have you discovered any new favorite weeknight meals lately?

This post was requested by stefica01 for Reader Request Week 2013.

(Images: See linked posts for full image credits)

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dinner
easy
Gluten-Free
quick
vegan
vegetarian