30 Spring-In-A-Recipe Meal Ideas For April That We Personally Can't Wait To Cook
We did it, friends. It's officially spring. I don't know about you, but our sun-warmed kitchens are begging us to start whipping up all the vibrant dishes we've been waiting all winter to cook. After combing through all the recipes we've been bookmarking lately, these are the best of the best to try this April — and rest assured, the springtime vibes are palpable (and very, very necessary). 🌷
Bev Cooks / Via bevcooks.com
Prep your buffalo chicken at the beginning of the week and eat it for lunch in these delicious rice bowls. And if you're really short on time, take a shortcut: defrost some frozen, breaded chicken (or even chicken nuggets) and toss them in buffalo sauce.
Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls
2.Spring Frittata with Leeks, Asparagus, and Sweet Potato
Frittatas are a no-brainer for low-effort breakfasts and brunches that just so happen to make a mean heat-and-eat lunch the next day, too. This spring-ified version layers in seasonal ingredients for maximum flavor, like savory leeks and crisp asparagus.
Recipe: Spring Frittata with Leeks, Asparagus, and Sweet Potato
Ross Yoder
"I first tried Assassin's Spaghetti when it went viral last month, and let me tell you, I've already made it twice since. This "better-than-marinara" pasta comes together in less than 30 minutes, is majorly clean-up friendly, and it's just as perfect for a weeknight family dinner as it is for effortless entertaining — especially as the weather starts to warm up and we emerge from our gloomy winter cocoons."
—Ross Yoder
Recipe: Assassin's Spaghetti
4.Beet And Citrus Salad with Toasted Sesame Seeds
This springtime salad marries juicy citrus, earthy beets, tender spinach, and quick pickled onions for a dish that's as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. Serve it as-is for a starter, or add a protein like pan-seared salmon or baked tofu to transform it into a main course.
"I'm an absolute sucker for these cookies and probably make them weekly at this point. The combo of rum, espresso grounds, and chocolate gives you all those classicly delicious tiramisu flavors, while the mascarpone keeps the center soft and creamy. They'll seem under-baked when you pull them out of the oven, but don't fret! The residual heat will keep cooking them as they cool."
—Claudia Santos
Recipe: Tiramisu Cookies
6. Veggie Packed Sweet Potato Boats
Grace Elkus
Sweet potatoes and black beans are seriously a match made in veggie-dinner heaven. This recipe is so simple to make — just cut sweet potatoes in half, roast them in the oven (add cheese if you please), and top it all off with a mixture of black beans, red cabbage, bell peppers, avocado, scallions, and spices.
Recipe: Veggie Packed Sweet Potato Boats
"Start with any firm white fish like halibut or snapper. The fish simmers in a quick and easy tomato sauce with olives, onion, and garlic. I added capers and roasted red peppers to my skillet for even more flavor."
–Hannah Loewentheil
Recipe: Mediterranean Fish Skillet
The beauty of bibimbap? You can customize it with whatever veggies you have on hand. Use this recipe as a template, but work with whatever early spring vegetables you've got on hand.
Recipe: Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap
9.Almond Cake with Roasted Strawberries and Rhubarb
Cookie and Kate / Via cookieandkate.com
Nothing screams spring quite like strawberries and rhubarb. This easy, gluten-free cake takes minimal effort but is guaranteed to be a showstopper on any table.
Recipe: Almond Cake with Roasted Strawberries and Rhubarb
These refreshing Mexican drinks are made really simply with just fresh fruit, sugar, and water. Grab whatever seasonal produce you can find, blend it up, and adjust sugar levels to your preference for a drink that will have you thinking it's already summer.
Recipe: Aguas Frescas
11.Baked Salmon With Dill Sauce
This sheet pan meal comes together quickly, making it the perfect weeknight meal. Just be sure to make some extra dill sauce — because you're going to want to put it on absolutely everything.
Recipe: Baked Salmon With Dill Sauce
12.Vegan Reubens with Portobello
There's nothing like a hearty and saucy sandwich for a satisfying meal, and this vegan take on a classic Reuben is packed with flavor. Bake your portobello slices ahead of time for a quick workday lunch that you can assemble in a flash.
Recipe: Vegan Reubens with Portobello
13.Orange Turmeric Crush Smoothies
This vibrant smoothie packs in a whole lot of vitamin C thanks to the addition of good ol' OJ, but if you'd like to make the most of all the gorgeous late winter citrus out there, feel free to swap in fresh orange slices for even more fiber (and flavor).
Recipe: Orange Turmeric Crush Smoothies
14.Papaya Bars
If you've begun spotting giant papayas at the grocery store (or even frozen chunks), this is your sign to make these bars. Fresh yet decadent, this is the perfect dessert as we start to see warmer weather roll in.
Recipe: Papaya Bars
15.One-Pan Roast Chicken With Shallots
Alexandra Cooks / Via alexandracooks.com
It doesn't get much more comforting (or simple) than this one-pot shallot chicken. Toss everything into an oven-proof skillet and let it roast for 45 minutes until the shallots are caramelized and the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender.
Recipe: One-Pan Roast Chicken With Shallots
So Vegan / Via tiktok.com
Baked tofu soaks up a flavorful hoisin sauce marinade to form the backbone of this oh-so-satisfying sandwich. It cooks up pretty quickly for a fun lunch at home or a laid-back dinner. You can marinate the tofu a bit in advance or simply cook it in the sauce.
Recipe: Hoisin Tofu Baguettes
Galettes are a must for giving you all the benefits of a pie without all the effort of crimping and shaping. Don't be scared off by the homemade pie crust — it comes together super quickly and is easier than you think (but, of course, store-bought is totally fine, too).
Recipe: Spring Asparagus Galette
18.Rhubarb Mint Margarita with Jalapeño Tequila
The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com
Spicy, sweet, tart — this cocktail will probably be your go-to all spring. Want to skip the tequila? Infuse the rhubarb mint syrup with jalapeño and top with seltzer for a satisfying mocktail.
Recipe: Rhubarb Mint Margarita with Jalapeño Tequila
19.Deviled Eggs
Yeah, sure, maybe Easter is technically over, but there's no bad time to enjoy a deviled egg in the springy month of April. This version uses tangy Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise to lighten things up, but if you're feeling "mayo or bust," you do you!
Recipe: Deviled Eggs
Recipe Tin Eats / Via recipetineats.com
Use your favorite canned or jarred tuna fish to make this easy take on a French classic, which is just as good for lunch as it is a quick weeknight meal.
Recipe: Tuna Niçoise Salad
21.Greek-Marinated Shrimp Skewers
Serve these juicy shrimp skewers over rice or a simple Greek salad made with tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, and onion.
Recipe: Greek-Marinated Shrimp Skewers
22.Cauliflower Salad With Dates And Pistachios
Charry roasted cauliflower makes a delicious base for this easy yet fancy-feeling salad. Serve it warm as soon as it's ready, or eat it cold the next day (if you somehow don't scarf it all on night one).
23.Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail
Using Moro blood oranges gives this cocktail its signature red hue and citrusy tart flavor that pairs wonderfully with a floral gin and elderflower liqueur.
24.Spring Pea And Asparagus Pasta
Tender asparagus, shallots, and peas add springy goodness to this breezy pasta dish. It's garlicky, buttery, and lemony, and it's a perfect weeknight dinner for enjoying that extra daylight in the evenings and using up some super-fresh produce.
Recipe: Spring Pea And Asparagus Pasta
25.Crockpot Chipotle Pot Roast Tacos
You can make a big batch of this crockpot beef, which is seasoned with zingy chipotle and braised with citrus. Toss it into tacos, burritos, rice bowls, or whatever else floats your boat.
Full of toothsome, filling farro, this is one seasonal side dish that plays really nicely with others to become the wholesome main of your dreams. To make it a meal, just top it with your protein of choice, like flaky salmon or even crispy spiced chickpeas.
Recipe: Spring Pea Farro Salad
27.Citrus Ricotta Breakfast Bowls with Honey
Creamy ricotta adds just the right amount of savoriness and tang to this wholesome (and very juicy) breakfast bowl, but if ricotta isn't your thing, you can swap in your favorite yogurt...or even, dare I say, cottage cheese. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.
28.No-Cook Mediterranean Tostadas
"For those nights when you're just not in the mood to turn on the oven (or for a lovely lunch), try a quick and easy no-cook meal like these Mediterranean tostadas. Hummus and chickpeas add protein, and fresh tomato and cucumber provide a tasty crunch. I like to add some sliced kalamata olives on top for an extra kick."
—Megan Liscomb
Recipe: No-Cook Mediterranean Tostadas
Two Peas and Their Pod / Via twopeasandtheirpod.com
Sure, you can take the time to make and decorate a three-layer carrot cake, but this version made all in a loaf pan makes things a whole lot easier. Perfectly spiced and moist, this would make an ideal snacking cake, breakfast cake, or any time of day cake.
Recipe: Carrot Cake Loaf
30.Emergency Oreo Fridge Pudding
Ross Yoder
"I'm a sucker for this minimal-ingredient 'pudding' from Ella Quittner when I need to whip up a quick-but-elegant dessert for company — or when I just need a sweet treat myself. To make things extra festive, top with a swoop of whipped cream, a drizzle of olive oil, a few flecks of flaky sea salt, and some fresh mint. As shown above, they're very cute in Nick and Nora or coupe glasses, but in a pinch, any vessel will do...also shown above."
—Ross Yoder
Recipe: Emergency Oreo Fridge Pudding
If you bookmark any of these recipes for your April cooking, tell us which one(s) you picked in the comments below. Be sure to let us know if you have anything else on your "to cook" list this month that we should try!
