Our 24 Best 30-Minute Dinners for Spring

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Published on April 10, 2024

a recipe photo of the Creamy Feta & Tomato Pasta — Photo:
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Prop stylist: Shell Royster, Food stylist: Emily Hall

Make one of these healthy dinner recipes for spring. These four- and five-star rated recipes feature seasonal produce like tender asparagus, sweet peas and crunchy cauliflower, ensuring a burst of freshness in each bite. Recipes like our Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Green Beans and our Creamy Feta & Tomato Pasta are on the table in just 30 minutes or less, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time soaking up the season.

01 of 24

Skillet Bruschetta Chicken

a recipe photo of the Skillet Bruschetta Chicken — Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This flavorful skillet chicken bruschetta puts a tasty spin on a traditional dish. Drawing inspiration from the Italian appetizer, we replace the usual toasted bread with protein-packed chicken cutlets. The vibrant and juicy chopped tomato topping remains a constant, complemented by a drizzle of sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. For an added layer of flavor, serve topped with shaved Parmesan cheese or add some chopped olives to the tomato mixture for a briny kick.

02 of 24

Tajín Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

a recipe photo of the TajÃn Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw — Greg DuPree

Tajín, a Mexican chile-lime seasoning, adds a spicy and acidic punch to sweet and mild shrimp. Opt for a low-sodium chile-lime seasoning, or improvise by combining chili powder, a little lime zest and a healthy squeeze of lime juice. Look for pineapple that’s already been peeled and cored for speedier prep.

03 of 24

Collards & Portobello Grilled Cheese

Collards & Portobello Grilled Cheese

Meaty portobello mushrooms and sautéed collards turn this easy grilled cheese recipe into a healthy meal. If you don't have Dijonnaise on hand, make your own by stirring 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard into 3 tablespoons mayonnaise.

04 of 24

Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Green Beans

a recipe photo of the Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Green Beans — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

Think of this sheet-pan teriyaki salmon as a stir-fry without the stirring! Instead, rice and veggies are baked on a hot sheet pan alongside green beans and salmon coated in a sweet teriyaki glaze. Microwaveable precooked rice or leftover brown rice works well here. Just be sure to break up any clumps of rice that are stuck together so it cooks evenly.

05 of 24

Creamy Feta & Tomato Pasta

a recipe photo of the Creamy Feta & Tomato Pasta — Photographer: Greg DuPree, Prop stylist: Shell Royster, Food stylist: Emily Hall

This creamy feta-and-tomato pasta puts a satisfying vegetarian dinner on the table using only 5 simple ingredients. Cherry tomatoes are a go-to when tomato season is not at its peak. Grape tomatoes provide a sweet and juicy alternative, ensuring a satisfying and flavorful meal.

06 of 24

Cheesy Asparagus Chicken Cutlets

a recipe photo of the Cheesy Asparagus Chicken Cutlets — Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist: Emily Hall

A creamy cheese sauce spiked with tender-crisp asparagus blankets chicken cutlets in this early-spring-inspired weeknight dinner. The asparagus can be swapped with other tender, snappy steamed veggies, like snap peas or green beans. Serve with fingerling or new potatoes for a starchy side to complement the sauce.

07 of 24

Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccoli

a recipe photo of the Teriyaki Chicken Casserole with Broccoli — Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Whip up this quick and easy teriyaki chicken casserole in just one skillet—it’s the perfect go-to recipe for hectic weeknights that’s sure to satisfy a crowd. It’s ideal for making use of any leftover chicken and rice you have on hand. If you’re short on leftovers, a rotisserie chicken paired with a package of microwaveable brown rice is a good substitute.

08 of 24

Vegetarian Lo Mein with Shiitakes, Carrots & Bean Sprouts

A hit of Sriracha gives a sweet and spicy edge to this healthy vegetarian recipe. Traditional lo mein is made with fresh lo mein noodles, which can be found in Asian markets. You can also use fresh or dried linguine noodles--fresh linguine is in the refrigerated section of some grocery stores. This easy dinner comes together in just 30 minutes, so it's perfect for weeknights.

09 of 24

Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas

a recipe photo of Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas — Photographer: Greg DuPree, Prop stylist: Shell Royster, Food stylist: Emily Hall

This speedy dinner recipe combines shrimp with pillowy gnocchi, pesto and peas in a creamy sauce. Feel free to substitute the peas with other veggies such as broccoli or asparagus. For a bit of heat, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper, or garnish with grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the savory flavor.

10 of 24

Sheet-Pan Gnocchi with Broccoli & White Beans

a recipe photo of the Sheet-Pan Gnocchi with Broccoli & White Beans — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This effortless dish comes together on two baking sheets for easy preparation and a fast cleanup. A blend of lemon and broccoli mixes with tender gnocchi and rich cannellini beans, all brought together with a generous drizzle of olive oil. For an added protein boost, toss in some shrimp or flaked cooked salmon.

11 of 24

Tofu, Snow Pea & Carrot Wild Rice Salad

Tofu, Snow Pea & Carrot Wild Rice Salad

Sesame oil and nori (dried seaweed) give this healthy grain-salad recipe Asian flair. Serve as a vegetarian main dish or as a side for grilled shrimp or baked chicken.

12 of 24

Lentil Burgers

Walnuts and fresh marjoram accent these vegan lentil burgers. Substitute oregano for marjoram if you like. Serve with a smear of whole-grain mustard and roasted sweet potato wedges.

13 of 24

Spinach-Artichoke-Sausage Cauliflower Gnocchi

Spinach-Artichoke-Sausage Caulifloweer Gnocchi

Hearty and piquant, this quick cauliflower gnocchi dinner incorporates several healthy convenience ingredients, including turkey sausage and tender artichoke hearts, so dinner is on your table fast.

14 of 24

Salmon & Creamy Orzo with Spinach & Mushrooms

15-Minute Salmon & Creamy Orzo with Spinach & Mushrooms — Brie Passano

In this quick salmon dinner, salmon fillets are paired with creamy orzo, wilted spinach and earthy mushrooms. Cooking the salmon at a high temperature helps speed up the cooking in this healthy dinner recipe. Look for pre-sliced mushrooms to speed it up even more.

15 of 24

Vegetarian Reubens with Russian Dressing

a recipe photo of the Vegetarian Reubens with Russian Dressing — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst

The spinach, mushroom and onion filling is so satisfying, you won't even miss the corned beef in this vegetarian take on a Reuben sandwich. This exceptional sandwich was inspired by a dish at the now-closed Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, Vermont.

16 of 24

Sheet-Pan Salmon with Crispy Quinoa

a recipe photo of the Sheet-Pan Salmon with Crispy Quinoa — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

Enjoy a complete protein-rich dinner cooked on just two baking sheets for easy cleanup with this salmon, roasted tomato and quinoa recipe. Baked quinoa adds texture and crunch to the dish. After the quinoa finishes cooking, fluff it with a fork to release steam and encourage it to crisp up as it sits. Packages of precooked quinoa streamline the prep, but if you have leftover quinoa, it works just as well.

17 of 24

Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan

Overhead view of a cast iron skillet of Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan recipe — Photographer: Jen Causey

This one-pan chicken pasta combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a one-bowl meal that's garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it "Mom's Skillet Pasta," and she called it "Devon's Favorite Pasta." Either way, it's a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It's a simple dinner the whole family will love.

18 of 24

Tarragon Scallops on Asparagus Spears

Tarragon Scallops on Asparagus Spears

In this 15-minute recipe, crisp and tender asparagus spears serve as a vibrant base for lemon- and tarragon-flavored sea scallops.

19 of 24

Chickpea Pasta with Mushrooms & Kale

Chickpea Pasta with Mushrooms & Kale — Greg DuPree

Loading up your pasta with vegetables like the kale and mushrooms here is not only delicious, it also makes the meal more satisfying.

20 of 24

Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta

spinach-artichoke-dip-pasta

If you've ever wanted to make a meal out of warm spinach and artichoke dip, this creamy pasta is for you. And here's what's almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

21 of 24

Buttermilk Fried Tofu with Smoky Collard Greens

Buttermilk Fried Tofu with Smoky Collard Greens

Dipping tofu in buttermilk makes the coating stick for a crispy pan-fried tofu, reminiscent of fried chicken. Spicing up the collards with paprika coats them with smoky flavor while keeping this dish vegetarian. And this quick, easy and healthy dinner comes together in just 25 minutes, so it's great for busy weeknights.

22 of 24

Edamame Lettuce Wrap Burgers with Peanut Sauce

Edamame Lettuce Wrap Burgers with Peanut Sauce

Edamame make these homemade veggie burgers mean, green protein machines. Peanut sauce, curry paste and quick-pickled carrots give them Thai-inspired flair.

23 of 24

Green Goddess Grain Bowl

This healthy grain bowl packs in the greens with peas, asparagus and a creamy yogurt dressing. Tofu adds protein while keeping it vegetarian, but you could also swap in cooked shrimp or chicken for a satisfying dinner or packable lunch ready in just 15 minutes.

24 of 24

Creamy Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Creamy Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes — Victor Protasio

In this creamy salmon pasta recipe, sun-dried tomatoes are used in two ways. The flavorful oil is used to sauté shallots, while the tomatoes get added to the cream sauce.

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