30 Easy Spring Dinner Ideas (GF + DF)

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Photos of sandwiches, salads, and more recipes for our round-up of easy spring dinner ideas that come together fast

Ah, spring! We made it, friends! Longer, sunnier days are ahead, and that means more time for fun + more fresh produce available. To help you make the most of the season, we’ve gathered easy, delicious spring dinner ideas that come together fast. You’ll find a mix of vibrant pastas, satisfying salads, flavorful stir-fries, seasonal tacos, simple sheet pan meals, and more!

(Note: All of these recipes are gluten-free and dairy-free! Additional dietary symbols are listed throughout for easy navigation.)

Pasta

Big bowl of Gluten-Free Vegan Pea Pesto Pasta made with sun-dried tomatoes and arugula
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Pea Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Arugula (Vegan + GF)
Amazing, 30-minute pea pesto pasta that's vegan, gluten-free, and tossed with arugula and sun-dried tomatoes. A hearty, flavorful plant-based meal or side.
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Wooden spoon in a skillet of Creamy Vegan Mushroom Asparagus Pasta
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Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Pasta (GF)
Creamy mushroom and asparagus pasta that’s entirely gluten-free and requires just 30 minutes to prepare! A hearty, quick, and flavorful plant-based meal.
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Vintage fork in a bowl of our avocado pesto pasta salad recipe
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Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad
A quick, light, and flavorful pasta made with an herby avocado pesto! Just 10 simple ingredients required and seasonally adaptable!
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Sprinkling vegan parmesan cheese over a bowl of pasta al limone
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Vegan Pasta Al Limone
A pasta that screams spring: Pasta Al Limone! Our vegan take doesn’t skimp on lemony, cheesy flavor or mega creamy texture. Just 10 ingredients and simple methods required!
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Salads

Using wooden salad spoons to grab a serving of our colorful Mango Salad with Peanut Dressing
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Vibrant Mango Salad with Peanut Dressing
A quick and easy Thai-inspired salad with fresh vegetables and mango! Drizzle on a simple peanut dressing for a delicious side, or add a protein of choice to make it an entrée.
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Plate of our delicious Roasted Fennel Salad with edges of the salad platter and bowl of dressing in the corners
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Curry Roasted Fennel Salad with Rosemary Tahini Dressing
Insanely delicious 30-minute salad with crispy, tender curry-roasted fennel. Topped with red bell pepper and a creamy tahini rosemary dressing. Add crispy chickpeas for an optional boost of protein, fiber, and crunch!
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Overhead shot of two spoons in a bowl of French style green bean potato salad
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French-Inspired Green Bean Potato Salad
French-inspired green bean potato salad with kalamata olives, fresh herbs, and a zippy mustard vinaigrette. An easy, super satisfying vegetarian side with just 9 ingredients required! Optional jammy eggs make it a light meal.
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Close up shot of a bowl of white bean quinoa salad
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Lemony White Bean Quinoa Salad
Easy, nourishing white bean quinoa salad with fresh parsley, garlic, lemon, and a subtle kick from red pepper flakes. Just 10 ingredients, 1 bowl, and 30 minutes required for this fiber-packed, plant-based side!
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Big bowl of our Blissed Out Thai Salad with tofu
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Blissed-Out Thai Salad with Peanut Tempeh
30-minute Thai- and Indonesian-inspired salad with rainbow veggies, noodles, and marinated peanut tempeh! Dress with peanut sauce for a flavorful, nourishing, plant-based meal!
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Platter filled with our healthy Loaded Kale Salad recipe
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Loaded Kale Salad
Healthy and delicious loaded kale salad with quinoa, roasted and fresh vegetables, avocado, and a creamy tahini dressing! Just 10 ingredients required.
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Stir-Fries

Bowl of vegan noodle stir fry with tofu
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Tofu Noodle Stir-Fry with Spring Vegetables
A colorful, flavorful, veggie and noodle stir-fry perfect for spring and beyond! Gluten-free, plant-based, and protein-packed. Versatile and just 10 ingredients required!
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Pan of our amazing Easy Vegan Pad Thai with Tofu recipe
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Easy Tofu Pad Thai
Easy Tofu Pad Thai ready in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients. A hearty, versatile, plant-based dish with tons of texture and big flavor!
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Platter filled with our incredible Noodle-Free Pad Thai recipe
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Noodle-Free Pad Thai (30 Minutes!)
Amazing noodle-free Pad Thai with rainbow vegetables and a spicy-sweet almond butter sauce. Just 30 minutes required and SO versatile!
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Chopsticks resting on a bowl of our flavorful Portobello Mushroom Stir Fry
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30-minute Portobello Mushroom Stir-Fry
Flavorful, satisfying portobello mushroom stir-fry with red bell pepper and broccolini. Naturally sweetened and just 30 minutes to prepare!
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Two plates of our Almond Butter Tofu Stir Fry made with brown rice and green beans
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Almond Butter Tofu Stir-Fry
Easy, 9-ingredient tofu stir-fry with baked tofu marinated in an almond-tamari sauce. Serve with veggies and rice for a flavorful, plant-based meal!
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Tacos

Wood board filled with Roasted Cauliflower Tacos made with Adobo Romesco
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Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Chipotle Romesco
Smoky, roasted cauliflower tacos with a spicy chipotle romesco sauce! An easy (30 minutes!) and flavorful plant-based meal that’s versatile, healthy, and so satisfying!
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Plate with three Vegan Barbacoa Tacos topped with sliced cabbage, radishes, cilantro, and lime
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1-Pot Vegan “Barbacoa”
Amazing, rich, flavorful vegan “barbacoa” with spices, chipotle peppers, lentils, and shredded carrots! The perfect plant-based “meat” for taco night!
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Platter of Vegetable Tacos with Chimichurri
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Roasted Vegetable Tacos with Magic Green Sauce
An easy, 30-minute plant-based meal: roasted vegetable tacos seasoned with spices, wrapped inside warm tortillas, and topped with vibrant green sauce! Seasonally versatile, big flavor, so healthy!
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Platter of roasted jerk cauliflower tacos
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Jerk Cauliflower Tacos with Mango Hot Sauce
Sweet and spicy, Caribbean-inspired roasted cauliflower tacos with jerk seasoning and mango hot sauce. An easy, plant-based meal ready in just 30 minutes!
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Platter of Spicy Baked Fish Tacos with limes and guacamole
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Spicy Baked Fish Tacos (30 minutes!)
The easiest (most delicious!) way to make fish tacos: tossed in smoky spices and baked to perfection. Just 30 minutes required, and naturally dairy- and gluten-free.
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Spoonful of dairy-free chipotle aioli resting on a platter of Grilled Fish Tacos with Pineapple Cabbage Slaw
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Grilled Fish Tacos with Pineapple Cabbage Slaw
Quick & easy grilled fish tacos with pineapple-cabbage slaw and creamy chipotle aioli! Light flavors, perfect for grilling season and beyond! Just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes required.
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Sheet Pan Meals

Roasted sweet potatoes, tofu, and cauliflower topped with green chutney
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Tandoori Tofu Sheet Pan Dinner
Sheet pan meal with crumbled tofu, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and Indian-inspired tandoori masala! Just 1 pan and 7 ingredients required for this super satisfying and flavorful vegan meal!
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Using wooden spoons to toss a bowl of noodle stir-fry
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Vegan Ginger Sesame Noodles with Crispy Tofu
An easy sheet pan meal with flavorful seasoned tofu and crispy roasted vegetables tossed with saucy ginger sesame noodles. SO flavorful, gluten-free, plant-based, and just 10 ingredients!
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Close up shot of baked cod and spring vegetables on a baking sheet
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Easy Baked Cod with Spring Vegetables
Quick and satisfying baked cod with colorful spring vegetables! An herby and versatile sheet pan meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes!
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& More!

Bowl of vegan risotto with miso, spring vegetables, and vegan parmesan
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Vegan Risotto with Miso and Spring Vegetables
Easy, delicious risotto with asparagus, mushrooms, and peas. Vibrant umami flavor from miso paste and white wine. Just 8 ingredients required and perfect for spring (and beyond!).
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Bowls of Creamy Carrot Soup topped with fresh basil
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Creamy Thai Carrot Soup with Basil
Thai-inspired, 8-ingredient, 30-minute carrot soup that’s creamy, vegan + gluten-free, perfectly sweet and spicy, and so delicious.
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Gluten-Free vegan Crispy Miso Chickpea Bowl with fresh vegetables and brown rice
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Crispy Miso Chickpea Bowls with Garlic Sesame Dressing
Wholesome, satisfying bowls with warm cooked grains, crispy miso chickpeas, fresh veggies, and a tangy garlic sesame dressing! Just 10 ingredients and simple methods required.
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Tamari and a vegan sushi bowl with ginger marinated tofu
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Vegan Sushi Bowls with Ginger Marinated Tofu
Easy vegan sushi bowls with marinated tofu, fresh vegetables, rice, seaweed, and quick pickled carrots! All the fresh, delicious flavor of sushi in convenient, versatile bowl form. Just 10 ingredients required!
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Tray displaying two gluten-free vegan Cauliflower Banh Mi sandwiches with a jar of pickled veggies behind it
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Cauliflower Banh Mi
Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich made with savory, caramelized cauliflower, sriracha mayo, and quick-pickled vegetables. Just 30 minutes to make this hearty sandwich!
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Plate with two Portobello Steaks topped with Avocado Chimichurri
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Portobello Steaks with Avocado Chimichurri
Grilled, marinated portobello steaks with a spicy avocado chimichurri sauce! An incredibly hearty and flavorful 30-minute plant-based meal!
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If you try any of these recipes, let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Happy spring, friends!

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  1. Michael says

    Your recipes continue to amaze me! Absolutely, hands down, the best Vegan dishes on the internet. I have tried many as I work through your recipes, and without fail, they turn out as good or better than expected. Please, please, keep ’em coming!!

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Aw, we’re SO happy to hear this and appreciate your kind words and encouragement, Michael! Thank you!