21+ Easy Spring Recipes for Busy Families (that aren’t PB & J!)

When hints of warm weather arrive, my menu plans reflect it. Whether you need on-the-go- meals, recipes to break out the grill, or just something new, these ideas will inspire your dinner.

You know those little hints we get in February?

The ones that remind us that spring is around the corner?

The ones that urge us to keep pushing through the last dredges of winter?

I live for those.

The sun that sets just a little later.  The warm(ish) days with cool breezes.

The day we pack up our sweaters until next year.  The urge to spring clean.

All those hints start piling up and I cling to them.

And then, come March, they are spilling over into my menu plan.  We grill year-round but March is when it becomes more daily than weekly. I start craving berries, bright green lettuce, and all those other tastes of summer produce.  Add in spring sports season and our menu goes through a definite revamp every spring.

Here are some of our family favorites and new spring recipes.  Many of them can be prepped ahead of time and/or travel well if you need to eat on the run.  If it’s still cool-ish where you live, check out these ideas.

In the Slow-Cooker

• Zesty Slow-Cooker BBQ Chicken {A decade-long favorite in our home.}
• Slow-Cooker Parmesan Honey Pork Roast
• Mexican Shredded Beef {This is a fantastic dish that freezes well.  You can make it in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop, too.}

Pressure Cooker Recipes for Spring

• Instant Pot Chicken Lazone {served over pasta}
• Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
• Skinny Bolognese Sauce
• Instant Pot Beef Barbecue

Hot off the Grill & On-the-Go

• Chili-Lime Kabobs
• Hamburgers with copycat Fuddrucker’s seasoning
• Ranch Parmesan Chicken Tenders
• Latin Pork Kabobs

Into the Oven

• Easy Chicken Parmesan Bake {I can prep this, minus the breadcrumbs/croutons, up to 24 hours in advance. It freezes well, too, for a low-prep dinner.}
• Oven-roasted BBQ Chicken
• Spicy Roasted Sausage, Peppers and Potatoes sheet pan

Sandwich Recipes

Sandwiches get a bad rap. No one wants to eat PB & J every night, but a delicious sandwich can be a great option for an on-the-go meal or a night when everyone is eating at different times.

• King’s Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders {I love oven-baked sliders because I can make them in the morning or at lunch and let them sit until I’m ready to bake them.}
• BBQ Chicken Pizza Sliders {Using a rotisserie chicken helps this one to come together quickly. Again, it can be prepped early in the day.}
• Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches {I like to freeze leftover sandwiches to reheat in the oven.}

On the Stove Top

• Chicken Milano
• Spicy Italian Pork Chops {I use a can of fire-roasted tomatoes in place of the fresh tomato.}
• Blackened Fish Tacos w/Cilantro-Avocado Sauce
• Cajun Chicken Alfredo {Until recently, I didn’t realize how quickly Alfredo can be made.  I season the chicken in the morning or, if I’m on the ball, I cook it the night before while I’m making dinner, so the final dish can come together very quickly.}

What is your favorite springtime meal?