PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Hey, did you hear that?! It’s the sound of the doldrums of winter blowing away on a March breeze. Sure, it might snow again, and there will certainly be lots of rainy days, but we’re convincing ourselves that every one could be the last, and that spring is truly right around the corner. With spring comes fairer weather and, our favorite, lots of fresh produce like asparagus and peas. To celebrate, we’re cutting our takeout and delivery habits (well, somewhat, we’re not monsters 😈), and getting back in the kitchen. We’ve got 40 recipes to help inspire you to make dinner this March—one for every day of the month, and then some!

While we’ve got a couple old standbys included here, we know that the best way to get out of a winter rut is to (sometimes literally) shake things up. How so, you ask? We like taking inspiration from a variety of our favorite comfort foods, like dips, sandwiches, and more, and turning them into springy dinners the whole family will love. Check out our one-pan creamy spinach-artichoke gnocchi, our everything bagel crusted salmon, our pizza stuffed peppers, or our creamy sausage & peppers shells to see what we mean. Try them, and you'll see that all it takes is cooking outside the box a bit to liven your meals up and get you ready for spring.

And hey, if you’re not big on going out and celebrating spring just yet (and we get it, it’s still wintery out in March!), stay home and bring the seasonal party to you. We’re taking inspiration from the season, and including recipes that are synonymous with March holidays like St. Patrick’s Day or Mardi Gras. Corned beef & cabbage (in the form of nachos) and seafood gumbo, we’ll be enjoying you all month long.

Feeling slow to come out of winter hibernation? We’ve got you too. Our mac & chili stew, our French onion gnocchi soup, our pesto rice & bean soup, or our shrimp stew will keep you feeling all warm and cozy. Serve them alongside a springy salad for the perfect stress-free weeknight meal this March.

This is less a traditional stew and more of an amazing beef chili mixed with some macaroni and (lots) of cheese. It's hearty comfort food at its finest.

Get the Mac & Chili Stew recipe.

Everything Bagel Crusted Salmon

A fluffy, chewy, everything bagel topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and all the fixin’s is our idea of the perfect brunch... now it's time to take that flavor combo to dinnertime. If you've never turned cream cheese into a salad dressing, you're in for a treat. 😋

Get the Everything Bagel Crusted Salmon recipe.

Garlic Butter Shrimp & Asparagus

Having a few quick, easy, and delicious recipes in your repertoire is the key to weeknight dinner success. Similar to our lemon garlic butter shrimp, but with an extra-springy vegetable addition, this garlic butter shrimp & asparagus is one of those recipes—get it down, and we bet you'll return to it again and again this March, and beyond.

Get the Garlic Butter Shrimp & Asparagus recipe.

Irish Beef Stew

Traditionally, an Irish stew (aka Guinness stew) is made with lamb. Our version includes beef chuck, which is cheaper and more easily found. It might be less traditional, but is certainly equal in deliciousness.

Get the Irish Beef Stew recipe.

Pizza-Stuffed Peppers

While we love a good homemade pizza crust, sometimes we're really just all about the toppings. If you're like us—or if you're looking for a low-carb version to your favorite pizza—these pizza stuffed peppers should be added to your March dinner rotation.

Get the Pizza-Stuffed Peppers recipe.

Corned Beef Sandwich

With corned beef, sauerkraut, and relish, what's not to love? We spread ours with a thick layer of mustard, but feel free to add or sub your favorite spread to make this your perfect sandwich.

Get the Classic Corned Beef Sandwich recipe.

Creamy Tuscan Orzo

If you love creamy risotto, but not the time it takes to make it, this Italian-inspired orzo recipe is for you. We took notes from our Tuscan chicken (and meatballs, and mac & cheese, and tortellini salad...) for the flavors here, so you know it's going to be good.

Get the Creamy Tuscan Orzo recipe.

Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie

Mashed potatoes, which normally adorn shepherd's pie, can feel a little heavy as the days get longer and the weather gets nicer in March. Replace the potatoes with still creamy and buttery-tasting cauliflower, though, and you're in business!

Get the Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie recipe.

Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole

We took everything you love about traditional stuffed cabbage and turned it into a crowd-friendly, no-fuss casserole. You don't even need to cook the rice beforehand—it cooks in the big and bubbly bake.

Get the Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole recipe.

Chicken Yakisoba

Yakisoba is an insanely popular dish that first started appearing in Japanese food stalls in the 1940s. The noodles are often cooked on big flat-top griddles, chock-full of all type of ingredients from pork belly to kimchi. We went with chicken for this recipe, but feel free to throw in whatever you like.

Get the Chicken Yakisoba recipe.

Creamy Garlic Chicken

Calling all garlic lovers! If you’re the type to use a whole head of garlic when a recipe only calls for one or two cloves, this is the dish for you. The best part? This chicken dinner recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, all in one pot.

Get the Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe.

Shrimp Stew

Both shrimp stew and seafood gumbo are staple dishes in Louisiana. Both normally include a roux (a thickener made with flour) or a traditional ingredient like filé powder, but this March weeknight rendition skips those for a lighter broth (and a faster cook time).

Get the Shrimp Stew recipe.

One-Pan Cajun Orzo With Sausage

This orzo recipe is creamy AND spicy, meaning it'll please anyone who comes to dinner at your house this March, whether for Mardi Gras festivities or just another Thursday. Oh, and did we mention it comes together in just about 30 minutes? Win win!

Get the One-Pan Cajun Orzo With Sausage recipe.

St. Patrick's Day Nachos

These take everything you love about nachos and make them perfect for celebrating St. Patrick's Day by adding corned beef and using crispy roasted potatoes instead of tortilla chips.

Get the St. Patrick's Day Nachos recipe.

Gorditas

Hot Pockets, pita, arepas... if you can stuff it, we've made it! Our new favorite is the gordita for two reasons—1) they're infinitely customizable, and 2) they’re super-simple to make at home, all thanks to masa harina.

Get the Gorditas recipe.

Whipped Ricotta Pasta

If you’ve ever had whipped ricotta toast, you know how the simple ingredient can elevate even something mundane to new heights. The same goes for pasta. In fact, whipped ricotta might just be one of the best pasta upgrades—in one bowl, you get all the enjoyment of a marinara with the creaminess of something like an Alfredo sauce. 😍

Get the Whipped Ricotta Pasta recipe.

Irish Sausages & Champ

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than cooking traditional pub fare? Think of this like British bangers & mash, but with distinctive Irish heritage and flair. Put these flavorful sausages and mashed potatoes together with a rich onion gravy, and you’ll have one seriously satisfying meal for St. Patrick’s Day and all March long.

Get the Irish Sausages & Champ recipe.

Feta & Herb Crusted Salmon

For this Mediterranean-inspired salmon, you just arrange your fish on a sheet tray (lined with aluminum foil for the easiest cleanup), sprinkle on the toppings, and bake it for 25 minutes. No flipping, no sticking, and no mess!

Get the Feta & Herb Crusted Salmon recipe.

Corned Beef & Cabbage Cheese Quesadillas

Enjoy the St. Paddy's fave meal all month long with this handheld snack version. These quesadillas feature Swiss cheese, corned beef, and cabbage wrapped up in flour tortillas. Sauerkraut and stone-ground mustard are also taking center stage in a creamy dipping sauce to serve alongside them. Taste buds, get ready!

Get the Corned Beef & Cabbage Cheese Quesadillas recipe.

Mediterranean Chicken

This one-pot recipe is the perfect way to spruce up chicken breasts with bright Mediterranean flavors without dirtying all the pots and pans in your kitchen. Serve it over some couscous for the perfect bright (and cozy!) March meal.

Get the Mediterranean Chicken recipe.

Grandma Pizza

Grandma pizza has a thin, crispy crust topped first with cheese, then dolloped with a garlicky tomato sauce. It's not the usual way of assembling pizza, but trust us—the cheese melting right into the crust really makes some magic happen.

Get the Grandma Pizza recipe.

Cajun Jambalaya

Jambalaya is a wildly popular dish that originated in New Orleans and was inspired by flavors from around the world—Spanish, West African, and French to name a few. It's spicy, hearty, and incredibly flavorful. And as with most things, the better ingredients, the better the end result will taste.

Get the Cajun Jambalaya recipe.

Pan-Fried Tilapia

It’s no secret: Tilapia can get a bad wrap. Compared to other varieties like salmon, this fish doesn’t get the attention it rightly deserves. Lean, inexpensive, and ready in under 30 minutes, this is a perfect choice for a quick and easy weeknight dinner this March.

Get the Pan-Fried Tilapia recipe.

Creamy Sausage & Peppers Shells

The trifecta of sausage, onion, and colorful bell peppers is an Italian classic, often eaten on its own or tucked into a bun or hoagie. It's also wonderful turned into a simple pasta dish. We know you’ll love this fun and simple comfort food twist on the classic combination.

Get the Creamy Sausage & Peppers Shells recipe.

Chicken Marbella

One of the most recognizable recipes from The Silver Palate Cookbook, it’s no surprise that this dish has remained a favorite since the 1970s. The real star of the show here is the marinade. Dotted with prunes, olives, capers, and herbs, this sweet and briny marinade results in tender, incredibly flavorful chicken that’s sure to impress at any dinner party or date night this March.

Get the Chicken Marbella recipe.

Coconut Chicken Curry

Coconut curry chicken has TONS of variations; from South India to Thailand, no two curries are exactly the same. Our Americanized version might be a bit untraditional, but trust us, it's delicious. Be sure to reach for full-fat coconut milk for an ultra-velvety sauce.

Get the Coconut Chicken Curry recipe.

One-Pan Coconut-Lime Chicken

If our creamy Tuscan chicken is a mainstay at your house, this recipe is going to be just the thing to shake up your weeknight dinner routine. We paired quick-cooking chicken cutlets with a spicy-sweet coconut milk sauce that’s out-of-this-world tasty. Tomatoes (and tomato paste) bring it back down to Earth, so you can make this over and over (and over!) again this March.

Get the One-Pan Coconut-Lime Chicken recipe.

One-Pan Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Gnocchi

Do you love spinach & artichoke dip? Us too! So much so we’ve been known to eat it all on its own in lieu of a meal. While we’re all for a chip and dip dinner, that’s not the most family-friendly weeknight meal, so we thought, What if we turned it into a pasta dish? 😍

Get the One-Pan Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Gnocchi recipe.

Tuscan Butter Gnocchi

Here at Delish, we can’t get enough of Tuscan butter. For this recipe, we decided to skip our usual protein and turn this creamy tomato-and-basil sauce into a pasta dinner by adding one of our favorite power ingredients: gnocchi. We won't stop you if you want to add some chicken or shrimp too!

Get the Tuscan Butter Gnocchi recipe.

Tamale Pie

Cornbread fans—if you’re looking for comfort food, let us introduce your new go-to: smothered tamale pie. Loaded with enchilada sauce, ground beef, and plenty of cheese, this casserole is the epitome of a coziness in a bowl. More of a chicken fan? Try our chicken tamale pie instead.

Get the Tamale Pie recipe.

French Onion Gnocchi Soup

Forget bread and croutons, we found an even more delicious way to enjoy French onion soup—by adding gnocchi! Marrying the French classic with the convenience of store-bought gnocchi means you can have the most comforting dinner on the table in just under an hour, perfect for a cold night this March.

Get the French Onion Gnocchi Soup recipe.

Red Beans & Rice

Red beans & rice is a traditional Creole dish made with red beans, veggies, and, often, leftover pork bones. It's traditionally made with soaked dried beans and simmered for hours, but this recipe uses some shortcuts (canned beans, sausage instead of ham hock...) so you can have it on the table in under an hour.

Get the Red Beans & Rice recipe.

One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Orzo

Having easy, one-pan dinners in your back pocket is the key to looking like a hero come mealtime, especially on busy days. This dish is the perfect example: Chicken, orzo, spinach, and feta come together into a complete meal that’s quick enough for a weeknight, but beautiful enough to serve to friends at a dinner party.

Get the One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Orzo recipe.

Cajun-Stuffed Chicken

Cajun seasoning is a top 5 go-to seasoning mix for our Test Kitchen chefs. We love the spicy, zesty flavors it can provide to everything it touches. That zestiness also makes this stuffed chicken dish a perfect leftover contender because the flavor lasts and lasts.

Get the Cajun-Stuffed Chicken recipe.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Potato Soup

Move over, regular chicken soup. This slow cooker version is just as comforting as the OG, thanks to creamy potatoes and fall-apart chicken, but also has a little kick from curry powder to keep things interesting. Try this, and you might never make plain chicken noodle again!

Get the Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Potato Soup recipe.

One-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus

Chicken, asparagus and cherry tomatoes are all cooked alongside a sharp, acidic, yet sweet homemade balsamic glaze in this recipe, so you can enjoy a springy dinner with maximum flavor and minimum cleanup this March.

Get the One-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus recipe.

Pesto Rice & Bean Soup

While we use chicken broth here to add a layer of savoriness without actually adding meat, feel free to substitute it with vegetable broth or water. Depending on personal taste, you can also use whatever type of canned beans you’d like (or make your own from scratch!).

Get the Pesto Rice & Bean Soup recipe.

Seafood Gumbo

Gumbo is a true melting pot dish. It's a top-notch comfort stew centered around a flavorful roux and the Holy Trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers.

Get the Seafood Gumbo recipe.

Braised Chicken Thighs

You only need ONE pan to make these!

Get the Braised Chicken Thighs recipe.

- Originally Published: https://www.delish.com/cooking/g26594408/march-dinners-recipes/