10 dishes celebrating spring vegetables
Make seasonal spring produce the star with these vegetarian crowd-pleasers, from a spring greens spanakopita to our best ever asparagus risotto.
There's so much produce to choose from in spring, from the tender stems of asparagus to leafy spring greens, spring onions and spinach. It's not just about eating your greens, though – crunchy radishes and vibrant beetroot bring welcome pops of colour to your mealtimes at this time of year too. Find out more about what's in season in March, April and May.
These sensational spring dishes put our seasonal superstars front and centre – keep it green with a pea and asparagus risotto or leafy shakshuka, or make a picnic-friendly veggie centrepiece in the form of an easy frittata or crisp spanakopita.
Now discover our bright and beautiful spring pasta recipes, spring one-pots recipes and spring dinner ideas. For more vegetarian inspiration, try our vegetarian Easter ideas and vegetarian Italian recipes.
10 dishes celebrating spring vegetables
1. Quinoa with roast asparagus, eggs & capers
A bold and beautiful salad that stands up as a full meal on its own, this seasonal veg-packed version also ticks off all of your five-a-day. Keep it chilled and covered and you can enjoy any leftovers for a packed lunch the next day. Try more spring salads for the new season.
2. Broad bean, pea & ricotta frittata
Combine seasonal new potatoes and broad beans to make this frittata which is surprisingly low in calories. Another surprise? The prep only takes five minutes. Try more frittata recipes.
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3. Braised spring onions
Give spring onions their time to shine by braising them in butter and olive oil. Feta, peas and mint are cast in supporting roles to make an easy dish that tastes and looks rather impressive. You could serve it alongside our baked falafel & cauliflower tabbouleh and our herb salad with pomegranate for a mezze-inspired veggie feast.
4. Spring greens spanakopita
If the sun does decide to show its face, this spring greens spanakopita is picnic-ready. The savoury filling also brings in fresh parsley, mint and dill along with creamy ricotta – it doesn't get much better than this. For another seasonal variation, try our nettle spanakopita.
5. Lentils with spring greens & watercress walnut pesto
Combining spring greens with lentils to make a more substantial meal, the homemade watercress and walnut pesto lifts the dish to make an easy seasonal dinner. Now try more spring greens recipes.
6. Green shakshuka with harissa & crispy shallots
The beauty of this dish is that you can use whatever greens you have lying around in your fridge. Spring greens lend themselves well to this shakshuka – combine them with fresh basil and coriander to keep it light and refreshing. Now try more shakshuka recipes.
7. Goat's curd & spring greens salad with popped buckwheat
This vibrant salad brings the crunch-factor thanks to sliced radishes, griddled long-stemmed broccoli and toasted buckwheat. With the goat's curd it makes a filling and nutritious meal all on its own. Discover more ways with buckwheat.
8. Best ever asparagus & pea risotto
Although a little more effort, the extra work pays dividends when it comes to this spring risotto. Half of the cooked veg is blended to make the vibrant green colour of the risotto, while the remainder is left as a finishing flourish to garnish at the end. Serving two, why not make it for that special someone? Try more vegetarian risotto recipes.
9. Three bean spring minestrone
Packed with protein from cannellini and borlotti beans plus a good source of vitamins from green beans, this healthy minestrone keeps you full without weighing you down. It's on the table in under 30 minutes as well, making an easy work from home lunch or speedy dinner. Make more budget-friendly meals with our kidney bean recipes.
10. Pasta primavera
This pasta dish is creamy, comforting and it has the added bonus of being low in calories and fat. Adding a bit of starchy pasta water helps to create a shiny sauce to coat the tagliatelle along with the fromage frais or creme fraîche. It's sure to become a firm springtime favourite. Discover more tagliatelle dishes.
Enjoyed these vegetarian spring dishes? Find more inspiration:
Vegetarian sandwich recipes
Vegetarian air-fryer recipes
High-protein vegetarian foods
Top vegetarian fakeaway recipes
How to eat a balanced diet if you're vegetarian