44 Super-Quick Spring Dinner Ideas

Read Time: 20 mins

44 Super-Quick Spring Dinner Ideas2/44 Crunchy Chili Lime Shrimp 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Easy, quick and family-friendly, this spring dinner idea comes together in just 30 minutes. The secret is the flavor-packed sauce and crunchy tortilla chips. — Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 230 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 315mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch. 3/44 Asparagus Ham Dinner 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat

Asparagus Ham Dinner Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it’s a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 204 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 561mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 4/44 Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

Serving them over rice makes for a satisfying main dish

41 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tangy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A fabulous sauce, green pepper and pineapple chunks transform premade meatballs into something special. Serving them over rice makes for a satisfying main dish. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington Nutrition Facts: 5 meatballs: 389 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 682mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein. 5/44 Spring-Dinner Tilapia 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe

From the Recipe Creator: Every week I try to serve a new healthy fish

From the Recipe Creator: Every week I try to serve a new healthy fish. With its fresh dill and delicious panko bread crumb herb crust, this dish with mild tilapia is a winner. —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet: 256 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 251mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch. 6/44 Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the

It’s just as crispy as the classic, if not crispier!

Recipe Creator: Quick, simple and oh, so-tasty, this air-fryer chicken Parmesan recipe is the perfect weeknight dish to have on hand. It’s just as crispy as the classic, if not crispier! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half: 416 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 215mg cholesterol, 863mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 49g protein. 7/44 Tzatziki Chicken 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to make classic chicken recipes for my family but the real fun is trying a

fresh new twist

fresh new twist. —Krisen Heigl, Staten Island, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 1/3 cup sauce: 482 calories, 27g fat (7g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 737mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein. 8/44 Pepper Ricotta Primavera 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Garlic, peppers and herbs top creamy ricotta cheese in this meatless spring dinner idea you can make in just 20 minutes. —Janet Boulger, Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 229 calories, 7g fat (3g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat

saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 88mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat. 9/44 Greek Sausage Pita Pizzas 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I turned my favorite sandwich into a pizza. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner, but don’t forget it when you’re having a bunch of people over—it makes a fantastic appetizer, too. —Marion McNeill, Mayfield Heights, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 pizza: 632 calories, 40g fat (12g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 1336mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate

(3g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein

(3g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. 10/44 Spinach-Feta Chicken Penne 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I wanted a light sauce for pasta, so I cooked tomatoes with garlic, wine and olive oil. It’s a blockbuster combo for seafood, too. —Geralyn Sipos, Blandon, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 455 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 552mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 8g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 11/44 Chicken with Couscous 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

After working all day, I love that this dish is fast to prepare

Chicken with Couscous Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My sister shared this recipe, and it’s been a hit with me, my husband and our friends ever since. After working all day, I love that this dish is fast to prepare. Plus, it’s irresistibly bright and delicious. —Shari Ruffalo, Watertown, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 1 cup couscous: 357 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 711mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat,

2 starch, 2 fat

2 starch, 2 fat. 12/44 Garlic Lime Salmon 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This moist and tender fish is lightly seasoned, so leftovers work well in other recipes. —Gail Uchwat, Sand Springs, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (4 ounces) equals 380 calories, 30 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 67 mg cholesterol, 68 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 23 g protein. 13/44 Crab-Stuffed Avocado 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Avocado Crab Boats Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20

Straight from the oven or cold, they’re always delicious

min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they’re always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 filled avocado half: 325 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 427mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein. 14/44 Korean Salmon Skewers with Rice Slaw Test Kitchen Approved Korean Salmon Skewers with Rice Slaw Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time

It’s so impressive that I often serve it to guests

30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This easy dinner is light and lovely, with so many delicious flavors and textures all in one stunning dish. It’s so impressive that I often serve it to guests. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 533 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 310mg sodium, 74g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 6g fiber), 26g protein. 15/44 Spring Dinner Wraps 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Larb gai (Thai chicken salad) is a spring

dinner idea made with ground chicken, chiles, mint and basil

dinner idea made with ground chicken, chiles, mint and basil. Serve as a main dish or as an appetizer in lettuce cups. For a heartier version, serve with rice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 262 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1211mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein. 16/44 Caribbean Shrimp & Rice Bowl 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Caribbean Shrimp & Rice Bowl Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had a similar rice

bowl on vacation and re-created this lighter version at home

bowl on vacation and re-created this lighter version at home. It takes me back to the islands every time I make it. Try grilling the shrimp for more beachy flavor. —Lauren Katz, Ashburn, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 498 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 145mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 9g fiber), 29g protein. 17/44 Mandarin Pork Stir-Fry 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When my husband and I were dating, he told me he liked Asian food. I got a wok and discovered

The lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy dish together

the joy of dishes like this pork stir-fry. —Laurie Martignon, Niagara, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 473 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 5g fiber), 30g protein. 18/44 Cod and Asparagus Bake 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy dish together. You can use grated Parmesan cheese instead of Romano if you’d like. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 141 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 45mg

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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