31 Easy March Dinner Ideas to Cook (and Devour) This Month
March is the bridge between winter gloom and spring sunshine. Food-wise, that means we’re still craving cozy dishes (meaning we’re not stashing the slow cooker away just yet) while also dipping our forks into the fresh seasonal produce we’ve been craving since last fall. Read on for 31 March dinner ideas to tackle every night this month, from soul-warming soups to crisp salads.
RELATED: The 36 Best Slow Cooker and Crockpot Recipes
March 1: Sweet Potato Chili with Turkey and Black Beans
This one-pot gem is hearty, nutritious and oh so cozy. Feel free to use kidney beans instead of black beans, or ground beef or chicken instead of turkey.
March 2: Pancetta-Wrapped Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Your favorite lazy dinner just got a major upgrade. Herbed, garlicky mozzarella is just the match for salty cured pork, and this sammy proves it.
March 3: Slow Cooker Korean Short Rib Tacos
Your Crockpot is the secret to fall-apart-tender beef. Gochujang adds oomph to the meat while cabbage and dill pickles cool things down.
March 4: Citrus, Shrimp and Quinoa Salad with Feta
Let's end citrus season with a bang, shall we? This seafood dish is equal parts nourishing, refreshing and tangy, but most importantly, it's ready in 20 minutes flat.
March 5: Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce
We've never met a tomato cream sauce that we didn't love. And TBH, this one rivals that of your favorite Italian bistro. Pass the Parm, please.
March 6: Baked Feta with Garlicky Kale and Chickpeas
Now that you're well-versed in baked feta (thanks, TikTok), why not try this pasta-free recipe on for size? Each serving boasts a whopping 21 grams of protein, and it's prepared in a single skillet for minimal cleanup.
March 7: Black Pepper Chicken
This stir fry has so much flavor that it’s kind of remarkable how quickly it comes together. The celery also adds a nice crunch.
March 8: 15-Minute Skillet Pepper Steak
Low-carb, keto-friendly and beyond easy to make, this protein-and-veg skillet is a guaranteed win on its own, wrapped in tortillas or served over cauliflower rice.
March 9: Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Did winter even happen if you never cooked this crowd-pleasing soup? Each bowl is finished with fresh baguette and a generous dose of Gruyère.
March 10: Quick Congee
Presoak the rice in advance and you’re in for a lightning-fast breakfast-for-dinner situation with this gorgeously garnished porridge.
March 11: Cheesy Kale Farfalle
Grown-up mac and cheese? Yes, please. A 50/50 ratio of fresh kale to pasta makes this a pretty healthy dinner. (You know, in theory.)
March 12: Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon
This pie starring marinated artichoke hearts is just the thing to hold you over while you wait for fresh artichokes to hit the farmers market.
March 13: Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Who needs old-school noodles when you can substitute doughy potato gnocchi instead? P.S.: Save time by shredding a precooked rotisserie chicken instead of cooking one yourself.
March 14: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Our favorite thing to do on a Sunday? Set and forget something delicious in the Crockpot. All this recipe calls for is chopping the ingredients, mixing the sauce and dumping it all in the slow cooker.
March 15: Salty, Spicy and Bright Brussels Sprouts Pasta
Bid adieu to Brussels sprout season with this 30-minute, ten-ingredient pasta that even your picky kids won't mind eating. (Thanks, Romano cheese.)
March 16: Bacon-Wrapped Black Cod with Spinach and Capers
It turns out that crackly, savory bacon and fresh, flaky fish are soulmates. Plus, the recipe only requires nine ingredients and 40 minutes of your time.
March 17: Shepherd's Pie Casserole
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Instead of cooking corned beef this year, give this dish of Guinness beef stew topped with goat cheese mashed potatoes a whirl. (Oh, and wash it down with your favorite Irish stout, obvi.)
March 18: 15-Minute Cheater’s Pad Thai
If you’re a habitual pad Thai orderer, it’s time to learn how to make your beloved noodle dish even faster than it can be delivered.
March 19: One-Pan Eggs with Asparagus and Tomatoes
Eggs have come to the rescue on countless weeknights in our kitchen. Instead of wolfing down a fried one straight from the pan, pair a few with fresh veggies (hi, spring asparagus) and roast it all to perfection on a sheet pan.
March 20: Salmon al Pastor
Because your go-to olive oil-lemon fillet gets boring after the millionth time. Opt for sweet-tart pineapple, smoky ancho chile powder and tangy pickled onions instead.
March 21: Thai Beef Bowls with Rice Noodles
Ah, rice noodles. They're gluten-free, addictively chewy and take on the flavor of whatever they're cooked in. So, they're the ultimate base for this savory, stir-fried beef dish.
March 22: One-Pot, 15-Minute Pasta Limone
Cooking the pasta in its own sauce gets dinner on the table even faster (see ya, hulking pot of boiling water), plus helps it soak up every drop of lemony goodness.
March 23: Radish Barbecue Bowls with Tangy Honey-Mustard Dressing
'Tis the season for bringing home a bunch of farm-fresh radishes and transforming them into something spectacular. These are brined in pickling solution, then splashed with honey-mustard vinaigrette.
March 24: Crispy Goat Cheese Salad
Fresh greens, briny olives and crisp radishes crowned with a pistachio-crusted goat cheese medallion—now, that's our kind of salad.
March 25: Joanna Gaines’s Asparagus and Fontina Quiche
You say breakfast, we say dinner. Sink your teeth into this eight-ingredient wonder that's oozing with fontina and Gruyère cheeses. (In case you need more convincing, that's a store-bought pie crust.)
March 26: Cheater’s Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Trust us: This eight-hour, low-and-slow masterpiece is well worth the wait. Might we suggest serving the French staple with 20-minute mashed potatoes?
March 27: Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells
When in doubt, pasta stuffed and smothered with cheese is a guaranteed home run. Nonna would be so proud (even if she has no clue what a Crockpot is.)
March 28: Seared Scallops with Green Peas, Mint and Shallots
Repeat after us: I can cook shellfish at home. Seriously—this dish takes about 20 minutes and only requires six ingredients, including in-season peas. Just make sure to thoroughly pat the scallops dry to ensure a gorgeous sear.
March 29: Joanna Gaines’s Spring Vegetable Risotto
Mushrooms, radishes, peas, spinach and chives will all be at peak deliciousness by the end of the month. Creamy white wine-Parm risotto can only make them tastier, no?
March 30: Spring Pea Soup with Mint
Hit the farmers market for fresh peas, celery, leeks and allllll the herbs to make this seasonal gem shine its brightest.
March 31: Lamb Shawarma Sandwich
March came in like a lion...and will go out with some lamb. Celebrate warmer days on the horizon with a special meal, starring Lebanese-inspired lamb shoulder and a tahini sauce you'll never forget.
RELATED: 70 Spring Dinner Ideas to Celebrate the Season
For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.
