The 31 Best Recipes to Cook This March

updated Mar 5, 2021

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Whole flourless lemon almond cake with slice cut out. Topped with powered sugar and strawberries — Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Brett Regot"
Flourless Lemon Almond Cake

The thing I love most about March cooking is that we’re sitting on the cusp of winter and spring. The days are getting longer, and by this time of year most of us are craving warmer weather (although even once spring officially arrives — March 20 this year — some of us in colder climates will still be bundling up with coats and hats). This means leaning on cozy meals that are warming, and also come with pops of bright, fresh flavor that hint at spring, like a pot of lemony tortellini soup and spanakopita-inspired stuffed shells.

The middle of the month greets us with Pi Day on the 14th, which happens to fall on a Sunday. If you’re game for some baking, a lush coconut cream pie is always fun, or for something a little quicker, try a no-bake chocolate-peanut butter pie. Or if you prefer something savory, how about a homemade pizza pie for dinner?

If you’re planning on corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day, go ahead and get out your slow cooker. It couldn’t be easier and the results are delicious. Or get in the spirit with a loaf of soda bread or a batch of minty brownies.

The end of the month (the 27th, to be exact) marks the start of Passover. Like last year, this year’s celebrations will be smaller than in years past. But from brisket and lamb chops to charoset and flourless lemon cake, celebratory recipes abound.

And as ever, this month we’re also leaning on quick and easy weeknight dinners (bonus points for the ones that leave us with lunch leftovers!) and fresh ideas for make-ahead WFH lunches. Here are 31 of our favorite recipes to inspire your cooking all month long.

1 / 31

Irish Soda Bread

Every March, Food Editor Kelli really looks forward to a raisin-studded loaf of Irish soda bread: "I love to eat it slathered with creamy salted butter."

2 / 31

Lemony Tortellini Spinach Soup

This soup has the satisfying heartiness you crave on those lingering chilly nights, but it also greets you with all the brightness of spring, thanks to a big squeeze of lemon.

3 / 31

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Whipped Cream

Don't forget that the 14th is Pi Day, and I suggest treating yourself to this chocolate peanut butter number. All three components of this pie — the crust, the filling, and the topping — are made in the food processor, meaning it's all prepped and assembled and ready to chill in the fridge in just 10 minutes.

4 / 31

Easy, Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Or, take advantage of Pi Day to make this dreamy classic.

5 / 31

A Very French Ham and Cheese Baguette

Contributing Editor Patty has picnic foods, like this French-ish baguette sandwich, on her mind: "It is perfect for that sliver of time in Atlanta where the weather warms and before the pollen hits. It’s simply magical."

6 / 31

Spaghetti Squash with Asparagus, Ricotta, Lemon, and Thyme

Keep this vegetarian dinner in your lineup for when you're craving something springy, but cold winter temps are still lingering. Anchored with spaghetti squash and tossed with asparagus and lemon, it's a must for March.

7 / 31

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

"I know that March Madness might be TBD, and to be honest I'm not even that into basketball," says Food Editor Meghan. "But I do like the opportunity to serve dip for dinner and I've been craving Buffalo chicken dip."

8 / 31

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

If you're planning to cook up some corned beef and cabbage this month, do it in your slow cooker. It's the best and easiest method. You get to set it and forget it, and it cooks the meat low and slow without scorching the cooking liquid.

9 / 31

A minty buttercream filling makes these impressive brownies the perfect treat for a festive St. Patrick's Day dessert.You'll need to cool the brownies before layering on the frosting and ganache, so it's helpful to bake them a day in advance.

10 / 31

Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup

With the arrival of warmer weather, switch from a heavier baked potato soup to a light and elegant potato leek soup.

11 / 31

Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Chicken

Slow cooker chicken dinners are always welcome year-round, but with a luxurious lemon broth, wisps of spinach, and forkfuls of tender, nutty artichokes, we'll be making this one to usher in spring.

12 / 31

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

This month Managing Editor, Lauren Kodiak, has her sights set on baking: "My birthday is on Pi Day, but instead of pie I have my sights set on this cookie cake. The only thing I'm changing is that I will be subbing in a gluten-free measure-for-measure flour."

13 / 31

Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Salad

You know that bag of carrots sitting in the corner of your fridge? In three simple steps this recipes takes carrots from standby side dish to the shining star of a dinner-worthy salad.

14 / 31

Falafel Scotch Eggs

After her success making heart-shaped arancini, Food Director, Nina, is trying her hand at these Scotch eggs. "This version that Christine hatched (pun VERY MUCH intended), that involves a falafel wrapping, seems like a fun project."

15 / 31

Radish and Turnip Hash with Green Garlic and Fried Eggs

Topped with runny-yolked eggs, this veggie-forward hash is a must for a weekend breakfast or dinner.

16 / 31

Lifestyle Editor Riddley plans to make these muesli snacking cookies — subbing in King Arthur's gluten-free flour for the whole-wheat flour. "They'll be our moving-day snack (we just bought our first house). They're heartier than cookie-cookies, with nut butter, honey, and, you guessed it, muesli."

17 / 31

Spanakopita Stuffed Shells

Come March, Studio Food Editor Amelia is ready to dip her toe into warmer temperatures but still wants comforting meals. Enter: these Greek-inspired stuffed shells. "Cozy while still being herby and green, this recipe feels like the perfect dish for the changing season."

18 / 31

Greek Egg and Lemon Soup (Avgolemono)

Senior Contributing Food Editor, Sheela, tells me that Meghan's avgolemono soup is one of her favorite things to make every March because it's full of bring spring flavor, thanks to all the lemon and fresh dill, but oh-so creamy, warm, and comforting. "It's the perfect dish for this in-between seasons month."

19 / 31

Marinated Chickpea and Feta Salad with Spring Veggies

Assistant Food Editor, Nicole, is willing spring to come as soon as possible, and is getting in a warm-weather mood with this crunchy salad, which she plans to eat on repeat all month long.

20 / 31

Classic Birthday Cake

It's birthday month for Lifestyle Director, Lisa! "I'm making myself my own birthday cake for a few reasons. 1.) I didn't celebrate AT ALL last year because it was the day before the lockdown in NYC. 2.) It's been a terrible year."

21 / 31

Rhubarb Dream Bars

If you're lucky enough to get your hands on some rhubarb this month, I suggest putting these sweet and tart bars at the top of your must-make list.

22 / 31

Easy Ground Beef Tacos

These easy ground beef tacos are a winning weeknight dinner loaded with moist, flavorful beef and your favorite toppings.

23 / 31

Spinach Quiche Recipe

Food Editor-at-Large, Christine, has had quiche on her mind lately, and she's bringing this springy version with baby spinach and smoked Gouda to the table this month.

24 / 31

Sheet Pan Crispy Salmon and Potatoes

This sheet pan supper will show you just how quick and simple it can be to get a salmon dinner on the table any night of the week.

25 / 31

Balsamic and Brown Sugar Brisket

Brisket is often the star of the table on Passover (which starts on the 27th). Even if you're having a tiny celebration, still consider serving this large cut of beef because the leftovers are amazing, and they even freeze well.

26 / 31

Lamb Chops with Pesto Croute

If your family is used to serving a large leg of lamb for Passover, try quick-cooking lamb chops, instead.

27 / 31

Medjool Date and Apple Charoset

No matter what your Seder looks like this year, charoset is always a good idea — and likely the quickest and easiest dish you'll make. Just be sure to scale your recipe down to make just what you need.

28 / 31

Flourless Lemon Almond Cake

Using almond flour rather than all-purpose flour makes this bright and sunny cake gluten-free, and perfect for Passover.

29 / 31

Features Director, Arie, is super excited to try Amelia'a picadillo: "It looks so comforting and cozy, because even though March is technically a 'warmer' month, it’s really more of a tease."

30 / 31

Turkey Ricotta Meatballs

This month is a great time to devote a prep session to making a batch of Julia Turshen's tender turkey ricotta meatballs. Then portion them into containers and stash in the freezer for future meals. Trust me — you'll thank yourself later.

31 / 31

Homemade Thin-Crust Pizza

This crispy-crusted pie is a great one to make when you're short on time. Try it for Pi Day or your regular pizza Friday night this month.

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St Patrick's Day