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food

14 Easy Spring Dinner Ideas for Spending Less Time in the Kitchen & More Time Outside

By: Kelsey Paine
Published: April 14, 2022

Daylight Savings Time brings another hour of sunlight and the long-awaited unofficial start of spring. But it’s also the beginning of our family’s schedules getting a whole lot busier (yes, somehow it’s possible). So we’ve partnered with Kraft Heinz to show you how to start spending more time with friends and family. We’re calling it “Daylight Spendings Time.” You in?

The weather is warming up and it seems like everyone is spending more and more time outdoors. We happen to think you should join them. But if every weeknight seems to follow the same pattern—i.e. Thinking about what to make for dinner, spending an hour or more making said dinner, cleaning it all up and then moving right on to bedtime—we get it. Which is why we rounded up these easy, time-saving recipes the whole family will love. That way, you can get dinner on the table in a flash and head outside to show off those epic hopscotch skills you’ve been hiding.

 
Kraft Heinz

1. Mac & Cheese Hot Dog Skillet

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes

A convenient one-pan skillet meal that requires just two family favorites? Sign us up. Classic, great-tasting OSCAR MAYER® hot dogs and KRAFT® Mac & Cheese are all you need to make this creamy dish in less than half an hour.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. Chicken And Snap Pea Stir-fry

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes

If you have five ingredients, a few pantry staples and 20 minutes, make this chicken and snap pea stir-fry. It’s easy, tasty and way healthier than that greasy takeout you were about to order.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Vegetarian Pizza With Zucchini And Bell Peppers

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes

This quick vegetarian pizza with zucchini and bell peppers starts with store-bought seeded flatbread, which not only cooks up in a jiffy but remains crisp underneath a pile of thinly shaved spring vegetables.

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Kraft Heinz

4. Spinach Mac & Cheese With Bacon

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes

It’s easy (and delicious) to sneak some spinach into this crowd-pleasing, yet elevated recipe using KRAFT® Mac & Cheese. Your kids will love the cheese and bacon and you’ll love knowing they’re getting their veggies.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Shrimp Scampi Zoodles

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes

Just like the classic version, 20-minute shrimp scampi zoodles are buttery and bright—minus the carbs. Whip them up in a single skillet for a satisfying and fast weeknight dinner.

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Kraft Heinz

6. Mini Hot Dog ‘burgers’

  • Time Commitment: 19 minutes

Are they burgers, are they hot dogs? They’re both! These cute mini “burgers” use sliced OSCAR MAYER® hot dogs and classic burger fixings for an irresistible combination. Don’t forget to have the Heinz® Ketchup on hand.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Buffalo Chicken Wraps With Blue Cheese And Celery

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes

Thanks to rotisserie chicken and store-bought buffalo sauce, these wraps with blue cheese and celery come together in 20 minutes flat. Extra blue cheese on the side, please.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

8. Gazpacho With Cucumber, Red Pepper And Basil

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes

This spring, use some ripe produce and a blender or food processor to make this equally tasty gazpacho recipe—no heat (or effort) required.

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Kraft Heinz

9. Waffle Corn Dogs

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes

Filled with OSCAR MAYER® hot dogs and baked with a corn muffin mix, these aren’t only a fun, interactive meal (just pair with a side salad), they’d also make the perfect party appetizers.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Mezze Plate With Toasted Za’atar Pita Bread

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes

When you don’t even want to turn the stove on, look no further than this 15-minute mezze plate with toasted za’atar pita bread. It’s a medley of tasty hors d’oeuvres, creamy spreads and yummy herbed pitas. And yes, it’s basically a snack for dinner.

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Kraft Heinz

11. Cheesy Broccoli-bacon Mac And Cheese Bites

  • Time Commitment: 37 minutes

Bacon, cheese, yes, even broccoli…these bite-sized wonders contain a few of our favorite things. Plus, they’re ideal if you’re serving a crowd.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes

The lightened-up chicken salad still has all the tangy flavor you crave—minus the heaviness of mayo. Serving the salad in bell pepper boats makes it ultra kid-friendly, but it’s totally optional. (Hey, sandwiches are tasty too.)

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. Paleo Egg Roll Bowls

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes

While this recipe calls for ground pork, you could substitute ground turkey or chicken without issue. And to make the bowls gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Either way, it’s paleo-diet friendly and ready in just 20 minutes. Win-win.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

14. Baked Sesame-ginger Salmon In Parchment

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes

Another dream dinner: baked sesame-ginger salmon and zucchini in parchment. It’s a complete meal that’s ready quickly, no pots or pans required. So you can get out of the kitchen and outside with the family.

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