20 Spring Recipes For Those Who Favor Heartier Meals

These three little words have enough power to overjoy an entire army (or dinner party): mac and cheese. This recipe uses not one but two Spring veggies — spinach and artichoke — both of which are much more comforting to eat when incorporated into a bubbling platter of mac and cheese.

Get the recipe: spinach and artichoke mac and cheese

This pizza is an excellent use of one of Spring's most bountiful vegetables: asparagus. Plus, it couldn't be easier to make. The most involved step is "shaving" the asparagus with a vegetable peeler (in other words, it's a cinch).

Get the recipe: shaved asparagus pizza

The vivid green hue of this pea soup is eye-catching, to say the least, but the true power of this vegan soup lies in its subtly sweet flavor and velvety texture.
Get the recipe: vegan green pea soup

It may not be an adage, but it should be: everything is better with bacon. For the pickiest of eaters, this cheddar, bacon, and leek frittata might be the best way to sneak a Spring produce into their diet. They'll never even know they just ate their veggies.

Get the recipe: cheddar, bacon, and leek frittata

This lemon herb socca pizza recipe is both fresh and filling with tangy lemon slices and creamy mozzarella. Fresh herbs and arugula make this an easy springtime favorite.

Get the recipe: lemon herb socca pizza recipe

Who would have ever thought to put peas, spinach, and asparagus into enchiladas? Surprisingly, it really works, especially when all those veggies are balanced out with copious amounts of Mexican cheese and spices, plus enchilada sauce, naturally.

Get the recipe: Spring veggie enchiladas

The fava bean is a lesser-known Spring vegetable, and even lesser-known still are its greens, which are great for sautéeing and adding to pasta dishes. All you need to do is blanch them in the same boiling pot as the pasta and then strain both together. The dish comes together with some olive oil, grated cheese, salt, and fresh ground pepper. What could be simpler and more elegant?

Get the recipe: fava bean pasta

As far as vegetarian lasagnas go, this one is wonderfully classic. It has all the familiar flavors of traditional lasagna, but instead of ground beef and pork, spinach and artichoke give it flavor and body.

Get the recipe: spinach artichoke lasagna

There are plenty of Spring vegetables that are perfect for roasting with a whole chicken, like carrots, potatoes, onions, and radishes. Not only will your bird taste savory and citrusy from the Dijon mustard and lemon pepper, but it'll also be the prettiest belle at the ball dressed in colorful veggies.

Get the recipe: whole roasted chicken with Spring vegetables

If you've ever been "bitten" by a leaf while walking in the woods, then chances are you were stung by a nettle plant. Though this vengeful plant is a nuisance while hiking, it can be a friendly green vegetable in the kitchen. More and more chefs are braving the nettle's brutal stingers to incorporate them into dishes and sauces, and for good reason. When handled correctly — with gloves — the stinging nettle can add a fresh, peppery bite (or sting, perhaps?) to any dish, like this pasta with almonds and feta.

Get the recipe: pasta and nettles, almonds, and feta

This recipe takes fresh, bright green peas and cooks them into a thick, warming, homey soup. When it comes to roasting the peas for the crouton garnish, sometimes you just want to cook the Spring right out of a vegetable, you know?

Get the recipe: cheesy pea soup with pea croutons

This skillet recipe is the definition of hearty, with sweet potato, chicken sausage, and melted mozzarella cheese. Brussels sprouts give the dish a springtime balance that will have you feeling both filled and fresh.

Get the recipe: chicken sausage, brussels sprouts, and spiralized sweet potato skillet recipe