20 Spring Dinners You Can Make with Pantry Ingredients
In these tasty dinner recipes, we pair pantry staples like quinoa, pasta, canned beans and pita chips with fresh, seasonal ingredients to liven up the flavor. A little diced avocado, spinach, arugula or cauliflower make these dinners perfect for spring. Recipes like our Spinach-Artichoke Gnocchi with Feta and our Chickpea Chopped Salad with Pita Chips are easy, healthy meals to ring in the new season.
Spinach-Artichoke Gnocchi with Feta
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Christina Daley
Spinach and artichokes take center stage, while the gnocchi soaks up the flavors of the creamy sauce. Best of all, it comes together in just one skillet, saving you time on prep and cleanup.
Chickpea Chopped Salad with Pita Chips
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Packed with crunchy pita chips, creamy feta and briny olives, this salad delivers vibrant flavors in every bite. Enjoy it as a side dish or add grilled or roasted chicken or salmon to make it a main dish.
Creamy Lemon-Parmesan Broccoli & White Beans
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
This hearty dish combines tender broccoli and creamy white beans in a velvety lemon-Parmesan sauce with a bubbly, cheesy top. It’s perfect for cozy family dinners alongside a crisp green salad for a meal that feels like a warm hug on your plate.
Curried Butter Beans
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
Tender butter beans combine with red curry paste and aromatic spices in this hearty, plant-based dish. Enjoy it on its own or serve it over brown rice or whole-grain noodles for a more filling meal.
Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs with Red Cabbage & Sweet Potatoes
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity—everything cooks together on one sheet pan, making cleanup a breeze. As the ingredients roast together, the chicken juices meld with the vegetables, creating a savory dinner for when you want something comforting and healthy.
Brothy Lemon-Garlic Beans
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These brothy lemon-garlic beans offer a comforting dinner that comes together in minutes. The creamy beans soak up the garlicky, lemon-infused broth that is perfectly sopped up with a piece of toasted whole-wheat bread.
Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Bowls
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
These roasted veggie and black bean bowls featuring sweet potatoes, poblano peppers and red onion are bursting with bold flavors. Together, these ingredients deliver a hearty, fiber-packed meal that also offers a healthy dose of plant-based protein.
Broccoli, White Bean & Cheese Quiche
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This quiche skips the crust but keeps all the savory goodness in the filling, featuring protein-packed white beans and savory roasted broccoli. It’s light yet satisfying and simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight or as part of your meal-prep routine.
Creamy Caramelized Cauliflower Pasta
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This creamy cauliflower pasta is the ultimate comfort food—rich, velvety and flavorful. With simple ingredients and quick prep, it’s a satisfying dish that feels fancy without the fuss and is the ideal meal for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Baked Creamed Spinach Pasta
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This baked creamed spinach pasta is comfort in a bowl—creamy, cheesy and utterly delicious! This crowd-pleasing dish combines the velvety richness of creamed spinach with tender pasta, all baked to bubbly perfection.
Baked Tomato & Feta Rice
Robby Lozano
Juicy roasted tomatoes and creamy melted feta are the stars in this flavorful casserole. Made in just one baking dish, this hearty dinner is the perfect choice for weeknights when you want minimal cleanup.
Creamy Honey-Mustard Chicken Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
With tender chicken and rice baked in a creamy honey-mustard sauce, layered with vegetables and baked until bubbly, it’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out. Serve it with a green salad and some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
Sweet Potato-Black Bean Tostadas
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
These tostadas pack in plenty of plant-based protein, combining hearty black beans and nutrient-packed sweet potatoes for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
High-Protein Penne with Ground Turkey & Mushrooms
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Lean ground turkey teams up with cottage cheese, which not only boosts protein but also adds creaminess without relying on heavy cream. Mushrooms bring a savory depth of flavor while being low in calories, and whole-grain penne adds fiber for a hearty and balanced meal!
White Bean Enchilada Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This skillet recipe takes inspiration from classic enchiladas, featuring veggies, tortillas, white beans and a cheesy topping. Instead of rolling up the filling, the tortillas are baked right into the skillet for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Marry Me Chickpea Soup with Kale
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This creamy chickpea soup was inspired by Marry Me Chicken, a dish that features chicken and sun-dried tomatoes. We gave this dish a plant-based spin by swapping out the chicken for chickpeas and kale to create a cozy, warming meal perfect for cooler weather.
One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This comforting dish combines tender orzo, protein-packed white beans and tangy sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy garlic-and-herb cheese sauce. This one-pot meal is both quick and satisfying, perfect for those busy evenings when you want something hearty without the hassle.
Salmon Salad with Crispy White Beans
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This anti-inflammatory salad is a delicious meal that delivers big on flavor. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, while the beans provide a nice texture and are a great source of fiber. A quick soy-sesame-ginger dressing completes this salad, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Turmeric Chicken & Avocado Wraps
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
These chicken salad wraps are packed with ingredients that help reduce inflammation. Turmeric, with its bright golden hue, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, while chickpeas add fiber and plant-based protein.
Lemon-Roasted Salmon with Green Herb Sauce
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This roasted lemon salmon is a bright and easy dinner with plenty of fresh flavors. The star of the dish is the vibrant green herb sauce, made with fresh parsley and dill; it adds a burst of freshness that complements the fish beautifully.
