31 Easy March Dinner Ideas to Cook (and Devour) This Month
March is the bridge between winter gloom and the very beginning of spring sunshine. Food-wise, that means we're still craving cozy dishes while also dipping our forks into that freshness we’ve been craving since last fall. Behold, 31 March dinner ideas to tackle every night this month, from soul-warming soups to crisp salads.
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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 beef or chicken instead of turkey.
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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.
March 3: 30-Minute Cheater’s Beef Stroganoff
You don’t need an entire afternoon to whip up this stick-to-your-ribs meal. The thin strips of beef cook quickly and simmer in the sauce until the noodles are ready.
March 4: Turkey Sausage and Veggie Polenta Bowls
Polenta is filling, comforting and so simple to make. The turkey sausage on top adds tons of flavor, but it can easily be subbed for vegan sausage, if that’s your thing.
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 a total sucker for baked feta (thanks, TikTok), why not try this recipe on for size? Each serving boasts a whopping 21 grams of protein, but most importantly, it all cooks in one 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 amazing on its own, wrapped in tortillas or served over cauliflower rice.
March 9: Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup
How is this pressure-cooked gem so creamy without a drop of dairy, you ask? Canned coconut milk and a swirl of coconut yogurt, of course.
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, always. An equal ratio of kale to pasta makes this a pretty healthy dinner. (You know, in theory.)
March 12: 15-Minute Mediterranean Couscous with Tuna and Pepperoncini
Oil-packed tuna is more elegant than its water-soaked counterpart, plus it offers instant richness and flavor to this couscous salad.
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 making it yourself.
March 14: Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Our favorite thing to do on a Sunday? Set and forget something delicious in the Crock-Pot. Luckily, all this recipe calls for is chopping the ingredients, mixing the sauce and dumping it all in the slow cooker.
March 15: Potato-Chip ‘Fried’ Chicken
Tender, juicy meat? Check. Crispy, crunchy skin? Check. No frying required? Damn straight.
March 16: Bacon-Wrapped Black Cod with Spinach and Capers
Strips of crackly, savory bacon are just the match for this fresh, flaky fish. Not only does the recipe only call for nine ingredients, but it also only takes 40 minutes from start to finish.
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, obv.)
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 egg straight from the pan, pair a few with fresh veggies and roast them to perfection on a sheet pan.
March 20: Sticky Orange Chicken with Caramelized Onions and Fennel
Feel free to use whatever sad-looking veggies (bok choy! green beans! snap peas!) are crying for help in your fridge. The drool-worthy, Asian-inspired marinade also doubles as a sauce.
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 (no hulking pot of boiling water required), plus helps it soak up every drop of lemony goodness.
March 23: One-Pan Roasted Salmon with Potatoes and Romaine
Want to see a magic trick? Cook your protein, starch and vegetable on a single sheet pan in 40 minutes, then watch it *disappear*.
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. (In case you need more convincing, that's a store-bought pie crust.)
March 26: 20-Minute Shrimp Scampi Zoodles
Sure, it's low carb and a total breeze to prepare. But the garlic butter dashed with lemon juice and dry white wine steals the show.
March 27: 15-Minute Buffalo Chicken Sliders
There’s something about buffalo sauce that makes our mouth dance. These tangy sliders topped with crumbly blue cheese will make yours do the Macarena.
March 28: Seared Scallops with Green Peas, Mint and Shallots
Repeat after us: I can cook seafood at home. Seriously—this dish takes about 20 minutes and only requires six ingredients. Just make sure to thoroughly pat the scallops dry to ensure a gorgeous sear.
March 29: Fish Taco Salad
If you're as impatient for summer as we are, this Mexican-inspired main should hold you over. Think taco-seasoned tilapia atop a bed of pico de gallo, tortilla chips and fresh cabbage slaw.
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: Antoni Porowski’s Moroccan-Style Pasta Bolognese
March came in like a lion...and will go out with some lamb. Celebrate warmer days on the horizon with a special meal, starring a meticulously simmered lamb bolognese that you'll never forget.