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  1. Midwest Living
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  4. Fast and Fresh Spring Dinners

Fast and Fresh Spring Dinners

By Midwest Living editors Updated January 14, 2023
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Green Veggie Pasta
Credit: Brie Passano

Our spring recipes highlight the flavors of vegetables, citrus, fresh herbs and more.

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Green Veggie Pasta

Green Veggie Pasta
Credit: Brie Passano
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Go green with three superfood veggies—collard greens, asparagus, and peas. It's delicious as a meat-free meal, but if you like, add some ham for extra flavor and protein.

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Halibut en Papillote with Fennel, Olives and Leeks

halibut en papillote with fennel olives and leeks
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Baking halibut with lemon, thyme and fennel in a parchment parcel yields effortlessly perfect texture and flavor. And as a fringe benefit, you get to open dinner like a present.

Related: Fish Recipes for Dinner Tonight

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Roasted Asparagus and Gnocchi

Roasted Asparagus and Gnocchi
Credit: Brie Passano
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Keep it simple. Roast your entire dinner in one pan, then clear a little space in the corner of the pan to mix up a simple dressing.

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Risotto with Asparagus and Shiitakes

risotto with asparagus and shiitakes
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Brothy rice with mushrooms, tender asparagus, chives and Parmesan make this risotto truly luxurious. Be sure to sop up leftover sauce with a chunk of crusty bread.

Related: Asparagus Recipes to Brighten Your Meals

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Carrot Soup with Tarragon and Cream

Carrot Soup with Tarragon and Cream
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Thickened with a little potato and flavored with leeks, shallot, white wine and the faintly anise-y herb tarragon, this sleeper hit of a soup is subtle, springy and unexpectedly special.

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Spring Veggie Wedges

Spring Veggie Wedges
Credit: Brie Passano
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Made with a tube of crescent roll dough, herby cream cheese and fresh vegetables, this is a fancied-up version of a classic Midwest party app. Cut it into slim wedges for a crowd, or try it as an easy dinner that won't weigh you down.

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Fig and Pig Quiche

Fig and Pig Quiche
Credit: Carson Downing
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Satisfy sweet and salty lovers alike with this kicky bacon-topped quiche. It's one of the signature recipes at Maya-Camille Broussard's Chicago bakery, Justice of the Pies.

Related: Quiche Recipes For Any Meal

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Herb-Roasted Chicken with Bread Salad

herb-roasted chicken with bread salad
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In addition to slathering the bird in butter, herbs, shallots and lemon zest, you'll stuff a lemon and a bunch of thyme in the cavity. The result? Bronzed skin and huge flavor.

Related: Favorite Chicken Recipes

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Salmon Grain Bowl with Carrot-Miso Dressing

Salmon Grain Bowl with Carrot-Miso Dressing
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Sit down on a weeknight to a bowl of hearty whole-grain farro, seared salmon, and fresh spinach, cucumber and radish. The carrot-flecked dressing riffs off one that's a standby at Japanese restaurants.

Related: 20 Great Salmon Recipes

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Zucchini and Feta Frittata

zucchini and feta frittata with parsley and arugula salad
Credit: Carson Downing
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This simple, fresh frittata recipe is ideal for a make-ahead brunch, though it can also be served as a healthy lunch or dinner. Serve it at room temperature so the salad on top won't wilt (and the cooking is complete before the guests come knocking).

Related: Easy Frittata Recipes 

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Mango Toast with Proscuitto

Mango Toast with Prosciutto
Credit: Brie Passano
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Cream cheese, mango, prosciutto and honey star in this easy toast recipe. Whip it up for a quick work-from-home lunch or light dinner. 

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Chicken Katsu with Mango Sauce

Chicken Katsu Mango Sauce
Credit: Brie Passano
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Trade flavorful boneless thighs for breasts in this twist on a beloved Japanese comfort food, and you'll have super crispy, juicy chicken to serve over a bed of rice with sweet-and-savory mango sauce. 

Related: Fresh Recipe Ideas for Chicken

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Chorizo-Potato Tacos with Collards

Chorizo-Potato Tacos with Collards
Credit: Brie Passano
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Classic chorizo-potato tacos get a nutrition boost from hearty chopped collard greens in this weeknight-easy recipe.

Related: Easy Taco Recipes

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Roasted Tomato Chilaquiles

Roasted Tomato Chilaquiles
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
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Our shortcut chilaquiles use corn chips to avoid frying tortillas. The sauce is a quick puree of canned fire-roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic and chipotle peppers. Serve with fried eggs, quick-pickled radishes, and an appetite for adventure.

Related: Sizzling Mexican and Tex-Mex Recipes

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Vietnamese-Style Noodle Soup

vietnamese-style noodle soup
Credit: Carson Downing
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This comforting, spiced soup will warm you up on those chilly spring evenings. Our recipe echoes pho (pronounced "fuh") but has a shorter simmer time thanks to boxed broth and flank steak.

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Cauliflower Parmesan

Cauliflower Parmesan
Credit: Brie Passano
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Wisconsin blogger Erin Clarke gives cauliflower "steaks" the chicken Parm treatment in her book, The Well Plated Cookbook.

Related: Creative Cauliflower Recipes

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Carrot Tart with Goat Cheese, Lemon and Mint

Carrot Tart with Goat Cheese, Lemon and Mint
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Since no one wants the soggy middle piece of a square tart, we cut a sheet of puff pastry in half to make two small ones: crisp edges for everyone! Eat as a meal with a salad or slice into petite wedges for a grab-and-go party app.

Related: Try Our Carrot Fritters with Tahini-Lemon Yogurt

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Meat-and-Veg Hand Pies with Cheddar Pastry

Meat-and-Veg Hand Pies with Cheddar Pastry
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
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Inspired by Nebraska's Runzas and Michigan's pasties, these pocket pies hold beef, sausage, onion, and shredded greens. The crust is like a buttery, flaky Cheez-It, but pastry-phobes can use purchased pie crust and add cheddar to the filling.

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Thai Chicken Wraps

Thai Chicken Wraps
Credit: Brie Passano
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Collard greens take the place of rice paper wraps for heartier and more nutritious spring rolls.

Related: 17 Delicious Sandwich Wrap Recipes for Super-Easy Meals

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Flank Steak with Carrot Top Salsa Verde

Flank Steak with Carrot Top Salsa Verde
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Italian salsa verde—no relation to the Mexican one—is a classic herb sauce made with parsley, garlic and capers. Our version includes carrot tops, too. The bold, tangy flavor is a perfect match for steak (or any protein or roasted vegetable).

Related: Good-For-You Carrot Recipes

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Spring Potato Salad

Spring Potato Salad
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This lightly sweet potato salad is a great way to use up leftover Easter ham.

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Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi Fried Rice
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Wisconsin blogger Alice Choi (Hip Foodie Mom) says this weeknight-easy recipe is the perfect gateway into cooking Korean at home. All the ingredients can be found at a large urban supermarket, or at Asian grocery stores.

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Spring Scampi with Chives

Spring Scampi with Chives
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These garlicky, lemony shrimp come together in just 15 minutes for a speedy weeknight dinner. Serve with crusty bread for mopping up the luscious butter sauce. 

Related: Easy Shrimp Recipes

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Pork Chops with Curried Plum Glaze and Grilled Plums

Pork Chops with Curried Plum Glaze and Grilled Plums

This fruity spin on barbecued pork chops is special enough for company but ready in less than 45 minutes. For a complete meal, pair the recipe with a rice salad or simple steamed green beans or broccoli.

Related: Our Best Pork Recipes

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Spring Pasta with Morels, Ramps and Peas

Spring Pasta with Morels, Ramps and Peas
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Toss linguini with a rich sauce of morels, ramps (or leeks), peas, ham and cream. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese, if you like. Can't find morels? Substitute the same amount of stemmed shiitake, cremini and/or button mushrooms in the recipe. Or check online for dried morels.

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Herb-Crusted Lamp Chops

Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops
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Brushed with mustard and coated with garlicky breadcrumbs, these petite chops are a quick alternative to a classic leg of lamb. The recipe comes from Michigan chef Andy Schudlich.

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Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara
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This recipe for a classic pasta carbonara comes from the cookbook Michael Symon's 5 in 5 ($19.99), a fantastic source for weeknight dinner ideas. Plan to prep the ingredients (grate cheese, chop parsley) before you begin.

Related: Pasta Recipes with Pizzazz

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Spring Revival Couscous Salad with Filet Mignon

Spring Revival Couscous Salad with Filet Mignon
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Lean and tender steaks crown a bright, lemony salad made with asparagus, peas and couscous. The recipe comes from chef Michael Ollier of Certified Angus Beef in Wooster, Ohio. He calls for generous 8-ounce steaks; for budget or dietary reasons, you may want to use a more modest 4-ounce steak. Just reduce the grilling time accordingly.

Related: Sensational Salad Recipes

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The Stone Barn's The Modena

The Stone Barn's The Modena
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Marinated chicken, sweet onion, mushrooms, snap peas and feta top an oiled crust in this recipe from the Stone Barn in Nelson, Wisconsin. 

Related: 20 Recipes for Mushroom Lovers

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Tender-Crisp Spring Braise

Tender-Crisp Spring Braise
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Chicken, potatoes and veggies cook together for a nutritious dinner that's missing only one ingredient—a bottle of white wine.

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Lemon-Basil Pasta

Lemon-Basil Pasta
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Lemon, basil and olive oil form a pestolike sauce to complement the linguine and kidney beans. From start to finish, this five-ingredient dinner takes only 25 minutes.

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    1 of 31 Green Veggie Pasta
    2 of 31 Halibut en Papillote with Fennel, Olives and Leeks
    3 of 31 Roasted Asparagus and Gnocchi
    4 of 31 Risotto with Asparagus and Shiitakes
    5 of 31 Carrot Soup with Tarragon and Cream
    6 of 31 Spring Veggie Wedges
    7 of 31 Fig and Pig Quiche
    8 of 31 Herb-Roasted Chicken with Bread Salad
    9 of 31 Salmon Grain Bowl with Carrot-Miso Dressing
    10 of 31 Zucchini and Feta Frittata
    11 of 31 Mango Toast with Proscuitto
    12 of 31 Chicken Katsu with Mango Sauce
    13 of 31 Chorizo-Potato Tacos with Collards
    14 of 31 Roasted Tomato Chilaquiles
    15 of 31 Vietnamese-Style Noodle Soup
    16 of 31 Cauliflower Parmesan
    17 of 31 Carrot Tart with Goat Cheese, Lemon and Mint
    18 of 31 Meat-and-Veg Hand Pies with Cheddar Pastry
    19 of 31 Thai Chicken Wraps
    20 of 31 Flank Steak with Carrot Top Salsa Verde
    21 of 31 Spring Potato Salad
    22 of 31 Kimchi Fried Rice
    23 of 31 Spring Scampi with Chives
    24 of 31 Pork Chops with Curried Plum Glaze and Grilled Plums
    25 of 31 Spring Pasta with Morels, Ramps and Peas
    26 of 31 Herb-Crusted Lamp Chops
    27 of 31 Spaghetti Carbonara
    28 of 31 Spring Revival Couscous Salad with Filet Mignon
    29 of 31 The Stone Barn's The Modena
    30 of 31 Tender-Crisp Spring Braise
    31 of 31 Lemon-Basil Pasta

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