15 quick and easy spring recipes to brighten up your plate

With March just around the corner and the days beginning to feel warmer, now is the perfect time to brighten up your kitchen. Spring produce brings colour, freshness, and a welcome sense of renewal to everyday meals – think sweet peas, nutty purple-sprouting broccoli, and punchy spring onions. The best part? You don't need to spend hours cooking to whip up tasty dishes.

These quick and easy spring recipes are designed for effortless seasonal cooking. Think speedy noodle bowls, herby salads, flaky fish, vibrant veg-packed pastas and satisfying meat-free mains — all big on flavour and low on fuss. Whether you’re refreshing your midweek dinner rotation or planning relaxed, sun-filled lunches, these dishes will brighten up your plate and ease you into the new season.

1. Sea bass with sizzled ginger, chilli & spring onions

Light, fragrant and ready in less than 30 minutes, this sea bass is the perfect way to elevate a typical weeknight dinner. Sizzling ginger, chilli and spring onions bring freshness and gentle heat, transforming this delicate fish into a vibrant, high-protein meal.

Discover more easy fish recipes.

2. Parmesan spring chicken

A golden parmesan crust and tender seasonal veg make this one-pan chicken a true spring staple. It’s hearty enough for cooler evenings but fresh enough for sunny days. An easy, crowd-pleasing dinner that brings colour and flavour back to your plate.

Also try these spring chicken recipes for a seasonal reset.

3. Sesame & spring onion stir-fried udon with crispy tofu

Spring onions shine in this speedy noodle dish, adding punch and freshness to chewy udon and crisp-edged tofu. It’s quick, satisfying and packed with nutrients, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something light.

Check out more of our vegetarian dinner recipes.

4. Spring green salad with parsley & blue cheese

When spring greens are in season, salads are the best way to let them shine on your plate. Fresh herbs and creamy blue cheese add a sharp contrast and depth, making this dish perfect as both a light main and a punchy side.

Curious what else you can do with blue cheese? See our collection for more.

5. Crispy pork & broccoli noodles

This vibrant noodle bowl balances rich, crispy pork with bright greens for a dish that feels equally comforting and seasonal. It's low cal, packed with fibre, and quick to pull together for a nourishing meal.

Discover more easy noodle recipes.

6. Spring salmon with minty veg

Flaky salmon paired with mint-laced greens makes for a fresh, feel-good dinner that’s ready in no time. It’s colourful, nourishing and exactly the sort of lighter meal we crave as the days grow warmer.

Try more healthy summer recipes next.

7. Green goddess avocado salad

Packed with herbs, creamy avocado, and the best fruit and veg of the season, this vivid green salad celebrates spring’s bounty. It’s bold yet refreshing, bringing brightness and a welcome lift to lunches and lighter suppers.

Scroll 200+ more salad recipes for inspiration.

8. Sticky tempeh stir-fry

For a plant-based option that doesn’t skimp on flavour, this sticky vegan stir-fry delivers a sweet-savoury balance using tempeh, a great source of protein made from soy beans. High-fibre, easy, and ready in 30 minutes, it’s a brilliant way to keep spring dinners hearty and healthy.

Wondering what else you can make with tempeh? Consider these recipes next.

9. Fragrant chilli crab fried rice with crispy leeks

This speedy fried rice is full of punchy flavours, with sweet crab, gentle chilli heat and golden crispy leeks for an extra crunch. Light enough for spring yet satisfyingly savoury, it’s an easy way to bring brightness to your midweek rotation.

Check out more leek recipes.

10. Mackerel & new potato salad

Few combinations say spring in the UK like new potatoes and fresh fish. Rich in omega-3 and fatty acids, adding mackerel is a terrific way to shake up every day salads that are easy to put together for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

Discover more mackerel recipes.

11. Lamb meatballs with green tahini tabbouleh

With Easter around the corner, consider making these warmly spiced lamb meatballs. Earthy grains and an herby green tahini bring freshness to this dish which balance indulgence with plenty of seasonal colour.

Here are more ways to use mince lamb.

12. Creamy spring greens rigatoni with lemon, bacon & chilli

Packed with leafy greens and lifted with lemon, this pasta screams comfort without being heavy. Bacon, cheese, and cream create a velvety, rich sauce while spring greens, peas and a pinch of chilli flakes freshen the dish.

Try more spring green recipes while they're in season.

13. Creamy garlic, lemon & spinach salmon

This zesty, vibrant spinach salmon dish can be prepared in 20 minutes and is the perfect choice for a spring date night. It requires just a handful of ingredients to make and delivers two of your 5-a-day.

See more dishes you can make in under 20 minutes.

14. Spring greens filo traybake pie

With its crisp, flaky layers and generous filling of seasonal greens, this pie is a loud celebration of spring produce. Don't let the picture fool you – the oven does all the work in this impressive but easy traybake. It's ideal for a sharing dinner, or portioning up for office lunches.

It's never too late to check out our other pie recipes.

15. Purple sprouting broccoli orecchiette with almond crumb

Purple sprouting broccoli is at its best from February to April and the star of this speedy pasta dish. Tossed with orecchiette and finished with a crunchy almond crumb, it’s fresh, textured and perfectly suited to brighter, lighter days.

Here are other ways to make the most out of purple sprouting broccoli this month.