A Week of Easy Dinners to Get You Excited for Spring

Spring has sprung! My neighborhood is in bloom, the days are getting longer, the sun is shining brighter, and I’m craving vibrant and fresh dinners that fit the mood. Every week more and more seasonal produce is showing up at my farmers market, and I couldn’t be more excited about working it into my meals. That means I’m going heavy on asparagus, peas, radishes, lemon, and fresh herbs. Here’s what I’m making for my family this week.

Monday is usually pasta night in our house, and tonight is all about comfort, with a fresh and nourishing twist. This bright soup feels like the perfect transition from our cozy winter pasta nights to something a little lighter.

Get the recipe: Spring Tortellini Soup with Peas and Asparagus

I’ve been saving this fuss-free, slow-roasted salmon for a warm weeknight. There are just five minutes of prep involved (a huge bonus, in my book), and while it cooks in the oven for about a half-hour, I’ll make a pot of rice on the stovetop to round out the dinner.

Get the recipe: Cilantro-Lime Salmon

We love a good grain bowl in my house, and come spring, this one is a real favorite. I plan to pick up a rotisserie chicken to bulk up our bowls. I’ll use about half of the chicken and save the remainder for Thursday night (although if you have leftover salmon from Tuesday night this is a great place to use it up).

Get the recipe: Farro Salad with Arugula, Radishes & Goat Cheese

This pasta is a must for spring — especially if you love the combo of artichokes and lemon. I’ll use up the remainder of the rotisserie chicken tonight. Dinner comes together in a single skillet, which means easy cooking and easy cleanup.

Get the recipe: Baked Skillet Pasta with Chicken, Artichokes, and Lemon

Here’s my favorite way to end the way: dinner that feels a little fancy, but is dead simple to pull off. This shrimp and asparagus recipe comes together in just under 20 minutes, and I plan to round out dinner with a simple arugula salad and a glass of rosé.

Get the recipe: Lemony Roasted Shrimp and Asparagus

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Meal planning isn’t always easy — especially if you’re just getting started. But we’re firm believers that it’s the secret to stress-free weeknight dinners. We want to help you find inspiration and ease some of the pain points that come with getting dinner on the table night after night, whether you’re cooking one or a family of four or five. Every week we share a new meal plan solution specifically customized for you from reader requests or from a guest contributor, for Next Week’s Meal Plan!