If you're in the mood to freshen up your cooking routine with a new batch of Spring recipes, look no further than Giada De Laurentiis [1]'s recommendations. On her lifestyle and entertaining site, Giadzy [2], Giada shares her best recipes that you'd be crazy not to try. We're bookmarking the following eight recipes that you'll surely want to work into your rotation, whether you're in the mood for cheesy pasta [3] or a fruity breakfast. Read on to discover Giada's foolproof recipes for baked lemon ziti, roasted chicken with potatoes and leeks, and more.
Lemon and Pea Alfredo
Give traditional alfredo pasta [5] a bright and fresh upgrade with lemon juice and zest, peas, and pink peppercorns.
Get the recipe: lemon and pea alfredo [6]
Sweet Pea and Avocado Toast
No matter your thoughts on adding peas to guacamole [7], you're sure to love this fresh take on avocado toast. Petite peas, fresh mint, lime juice, and olive oil take this toast from basic to elevated, and topping it with a runny poached egg makes it even more satisfying.
Get the recipe: sweet pea and avocado toast [8]
Whole Roasted Chicken With Potatoes and Leeks
It's not really Spring until you've filled your home with the aroma of roasted chicken [9] and vegetables. Try this hearty version with potatoes, leeks, garlic, and fresh herbs.
Get the recipe: whole roasted chicken with potatoes and leeks [10]
Baked Lemon Ziti
You wouldn't typically find lemon in baked ziti [11], which is what makes this cheesy dinner so desirable. Instead of red sauce, this creamy ziti has a lemony bechamel base with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
Get the recipe: baked lemon ziti [12]
Green Strata
Perfect for a relaxing weekend brunch at home, this veggie-packed strata is an easy way to get your greens. The savory baked breakfast is made with asparagus, baby spinach, pecorino cheese, and semolina bread.
Get the recipe: green strata [13]
Oatmeal With Olive Oil and Oranges
One of Giada's favorite breakfast foods [14] is not what you'd expect: savory oatmeal with olive oil. Once you try it, you might never go back to the sweet stuff. Take advantage of fresh springtime oranges and try Giada's oatmeal with lemon, olive oil, thyme, and oranges for yourself.
Get the recipe: oatmeal with olive oil and oranges [15]
Ricotta Toast
Forget everything you know about ricotta cheese (like the fact that it only goes with pasta) and dollop it on top of your morning toast. Giada takes it in a sweeter direction with a little sugar, cinnamon, orange zest, and fresh strawberries [16].
Get the recipe: ricotta toast [17]
Herb Salad With Yogurt Dressing
If you're one of those people who believes lettuce is the worst part about a salad [18], you'll love this idea from Giada: omit the lettuce entirely and instead load up the fresh herbs. That's right — this salad is made entirely of fresh herbs like basil, parsley, mint, tarragon, and dill, and when tossed with a lemony Greek yogurt dressing, it's enough to convince you to ditch the greens for good.
Get the recipe: herb salad with yogurt dressing [19]