Our March meal plan serves up fresh dinners that ward off any cooking ruts. We celebrate long-awaited spring produce as well as cozy favorites for rainy nights. Happy cooking!
Your March Meal Plan
Updated on Feb. 14, 2025
1/31
Day 1: Tuna Noodle Casserole
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When you need supper fast, this tuna casserole with peas, peppers and onions makes a super one-dish meal. Cooked chicken breast works well in place of the tuna. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 340 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 699mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
Canned soup and tuna are convenient shortcuts that help this homemade casserole come together easily. It’s a creamy, cheesy and hearty dish that you’ll find yourself coming back to when you need something quick.
2/31
Day 2: Lemon Broccoli Chicken
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom used to make super succulent chicken with broccoli for our family in Montana. The few lucky guests invited for supper could not stop raving. —Jessy Drummond, Springfield, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked chicken with 3/4 cup broccoli (calculated without rice): 304 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 716mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein.
This one skillet dinner makes for an easy meal with little to no clean up. One of the tricks to this recipe is slicing boneless skinless chicken breasts for faster cooking.
3/31
Day 3: Turkish Pasta
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This ground beef pasta recipe deconstructs Turkish manti into a quick, easy and flavorful dish for weeknights. —Susan Bronson, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 611 calories, 32g fat (16g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 847mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 31g protein.
This Turkish pasta is TikTok famous for a reason. The dish is a tasty combination of pasta, seasoned ground beef and tangy yogurt, all drizzled with a flavorful paprika butter sauce.
4/31
Day 4: Shrimp and Grits
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A southern specialty sometimes called breakfast shrimp, this shrimp and grits recipe tastes fantastic for brunch or dinner, or any time company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup grits with 1/2 cup shrimp mixture: 699 calories, 44g fat (22g saturated fat), 240mg cholesterol, 1835mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 41g protein.
You don’t have to be from the South to enjoy a bowl of creamy shrimp and grits. This down-home recipe tastes best when freshly made and served hot.
5/31
Day 5: Baked Chicken Fajitas
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I can't remember when or where I found this oven-baked fajitas recipe, but I've used it nearly every week since. We like it with hot sauce for added spice. —Amy Trinkle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 fajitas: 375 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 838mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein.
This chicken fajitas recipe ditches the need to juggle chicken and vegetables in a skillet and instead relies on a sheet pan. The flavors meld as they cook together, and there’s only one dish to wash in the end!
6/31
Day 6: Easy Orange Chicken
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We enjoy these tangy nuggets so many ways—over noodles or rice, in sandwiches, even on top of lettuce and cabbage. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without rice): 450 calories, 20g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 1294mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein.
This 30-minute orange chicken rivals your favorite takeout restaurant. You’ll want to make extra orange sauce!
7/31
Day 7: Chicken Cordon Bleu
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chicken cordon bleu is a great, fast dinner for two. It's easy to fix and makes an elegant entree. — Betty Palmesino, Phoenix, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 441 calories, 23g fat (13g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 792mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 46g protein.
Layers of rolled ham and gooey cheese give this chicken cordon bleu an elegant appearance. It’s easier than it looks, too—it’s ready in under an hour.
8/31
Day 8: Salt-Encrusted Prime Rib
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Restaurants have nothing on this salt-crusted prime rib recipe. For a true meat lover, it's very easy and the results are beyond belief. —Roger Bowlds, Bakersfield, California
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked beef: 325 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 900mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 37g protein.
For a special occasion dinner, this prime rib is sure to impress. The salt crust seals in moisture and flavor, keeping the meat tender without over-seasoning it.
9/31
Day 9: Chicken Paella
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Turmeric lends flavor and a pretty golden color to this Spanish-style entree. Haven’t tried arborio rice? You’ll love its creamy texture.
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 516 calories, 17g fat (4g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 1242mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 36g protein.
This Spanish dish can be made a number of ways, but it always remains a comfort staple. Loaded with chicken, ham, veggies and rice, this recipe is the ideal one-pot meal.
10/31
Day 10: French Dip Sandwich
Skill Level
Advanced
Total Time
7 hours 30 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I want to impress company, these satisfying sandwiches are my first pick for the menu. I serve them au jus, with the cooking juices in individual bowls for dipping. —Florence Robinson, Lenox, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 399 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1099mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein.
This slow cooker recipe simmer all day long. The tender, thinly sliced beef is served with a delectable au jus dipping sauce.
11/31
Day 11: Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I try to make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 389 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 565mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
This pasta, modeled after two comfort food classics, is filled with melty cheese and crispy bacon. It’s smothered in a savory barbecue sauce that perfectly captures the essence of a bacon cheeseburger.
12/31
Day 12: Honey Garlic Ribs
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When you want a more “meaty” appetizer for your holiday buffet, reach for these finger-licking-good ribs!
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 244 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 209mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 13g protein.
These oven-baked ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender. The sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce perfectly complements the salty pork.
13/31
Day 13: Philly Cheesesteak
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cheesesteak, an iconic sandwich in Philly, is a bestseller at Pat's King of Steaks restaurant. Patrons praise its thinly cut beef and crusty Italian rolls. —Frank Olivieri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich (calculated without optional ingredeints or cheese): 714 calories, 49g fat (12g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 299mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 36g protein.
This recipe for a classic Philly cheesesteak was contributed by Frank Oliveri, owner of Pat’s King of Steaks in Philadelphia and great-nephew of Pat Oliveri, the inventor of the first Philly cheesesteak. If you’re craving a proper Philly cheesesteak, you’ve come to the right place.
14/31
Day 14: Creamy Lemon Pasta
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been making this lemony pasta for the family for years. It's both simple and indulgent enough to make it a go-to recipe. —Anne Miller, Glenfield, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 518 calories, 34g fat (21g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein.
This creamy lemon pasta is similar to an Alfredo. But unlike Alfredo, it has pops of fresh tomato and lemon.
15/31
Day 15: Cioppino
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic fish stew is just the ticket. It's brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp, and it is fancy enough to be an elegant meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 205 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable.
This cioppino recipe contains a combination of fish and shellfish. Crabmeat, clams, shrimp and haddock swim in a warm and savory tomato broth.
16/31
Day 16: Chicken with Spinach and Mushrooms
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chicken breasts stay nice and moist tucked under a blanket of melted cheese. It's extra special to serve but is not tricky to make. —Katrina Wagner, Grain Valley, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 203 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 210mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
This easy and cheesy dinner is as colorful as it is nutritious. Enjoy it over rice or pasta for a complete meal.
17/31
Day 17: Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
8 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This corned beef and cabbage slow-cooker recipe is a fuss-free way to cook the traditional dish. I tried it for St. Patrick's Day a few years ago. Now it's a regular in my menu planning. —Karen Waters, Laurel, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 414 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 1191mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 6g fiber), 23g protein.
Slow-cooker corned beef is packed with cabbage and other hearty vegetables. It’s easy to pull together for St. Patrick’s Day, but you can enjoy it any time of year.
18/31
Day 18: Soy Sauce Chicken
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom was an artist in cooking, and she streamlined this recipe to make it as simple as possible. Chicken thighs marinate in soy sauce, ginger and cooking wine to create a beautiful depth of flavor. —Tria Wen, San Francisco, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 278 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 946mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 22g protein.
Soy sauce chicken, or see yao gai, is a beloved Chinese dish. This 30-minute recipe is a quick-cooking version that uses boneless chicken thighs.
19/31
Day 19: Tilapia with Jasmine Rice
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tender, full-flavored tilapia with fragrant jasmine rice is absolutely to die for. Your family will love this healthy and delicious dish! —Shirl Parsons, Cape Carteret, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 3/4 cup rice: 412 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 615mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 3 starch, 1/2 fat.
With store-bought Italian dressing as a quick marinade, you can have this fish on the table in under half an hour. It’s so simple and budget-friendly that it can easily be incorporated into your dinner rotation.
20/31
Day 20: Traditional Italian Wedding Soup
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
9 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
You don’t have to be Italian to love this easy-to-make soup with tiny round pasta! Homemade meatballs pair beautifully with ready-made stock and rotisserie chicken. —Mary Sheetz, Carmel, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 253 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 797mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
Fun fact: Italian wedding soup is named after the marriage of flavors in the dish. Homemade meatballs, rotisserie chicken, greens and pasta are simmered in a rich, well-seasoned broth and topped with Parmesan cheese for a decadent meal.
21/31
Day 21: Carbonara
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Spaghetti carbonara is a classic Italian recipe. The key is to use the hot pasta water to make the dish creamy. If made properly, there is no need to add cream or milk. The dish is luxurious, satisfying, comforting, and easy to make. If you like, you can add peas after you have cooked the pancetta and garlic. Use any pasta you like, but the consistency is usually best with a thicker spaghetti. —Luisa Webb, Fort Collins, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup : 337 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 539mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.
The smooth and creamy sauce in this carbonara is made with a simple yet indulgent sauce of eggs, cheese and cured pork. You can use bacon in place of pancetta if you don’t have any on hand.
22/31
Day 22: Irish Bangers and Mash
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This traditional meal is hearty and warming right to the core. Mashed potatoes and Irish bangers (sausages) are coated in a thick gravy made from butter, onions and beef stock. —Camille Berry, Glasgow
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 439 calories, 33g fat (13g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 841mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
While all the ingredients are essential, homemade gravy is the secret to the best-tasting bangers and mash. This recipe calls for a simple onion gravy made with beef stock.
23/31
Day 23: Arroz con Pollo
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My children really look forward to dinner when they know I'm serving this. Plus, it's easy to make. —Debbie Harris, Tucson, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 334 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 1055mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein.
Arroz con pollo translates to “rice with chicken.” In this version, instant rice and boneless chicken breasts are baked in the oven with a robust tomato sauce.
24/31
Day 24: Honey Balsamic Salmon
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Look no further—you’ve just found the first, last and only way you’ll ever want to fix salmon again. The sweet and tangy flavors blend beautifully in this easy-to-remember honey balsamic salmon recipe. —Mary Lou Timpson, Centennial Park, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 319 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 323mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
The syrup-like marinade in this recipe is made with simple, on-hand ingredients. Honey helps thicken the sauce while Dijon mustard adds a tangy kick.
25/31
Day 25: Brats and Potatoes
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband's grandmother came from Germany, so I was inspired to keep the German cooking traditions going in our family. This skillet dinner is one of the dishes she made. —Lucy Bradshaw, New Bern, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 492 calories, 36g fat (10g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 1697mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.
If you’re in the mood for a classic meat-and-potatoes dinner, you’ve come to the right place. The simple one-skillet meal is foolproof.
26/31
Day 26: Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My partner adores these saucy stuffed peppers—and I love how quickly they come together. Top with low-fat sour cream and your favorite salsa. —Jean Erhardt, Portland, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
2 stuffed pepper halves: 312 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1039mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
These stuffed poblanos are packed with Italian turkey sausage, ground beef and spicy Spanish rice. They’re a weeknight hero and perfect for meal prepping.
27/31
Day 27: Lemon Baked Cod
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 232 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 477mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 fat, 1/2 starch.
This low-effort dish is light and lemony. To keep the meal light, serve with veggies. To add some heartiness, pair it with mashed potatoes to lap up any leftover sauce.
28/31
Day 28: Bow Tie Pasta
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Add a little zip to your meal with this saucy pasta dish. It's an excellent accompaniment for almost any meat or seafood. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 196 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 252mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
This is an easy dinner to dress up or down depending on the occasion. The rich and velvety sauce is made with butter, garlic, herbs and Parmesan cheese.
29/31
Day 29: Sheet-Pan Kielbasa and Veggies
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like this dish featuring kielbasa and veggies for two reasons: It's so hearty, and it’s a one-pan meal. That’s a win-win dinner! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1-2/3 cups: 378 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 954mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
Sheet-pan kielbasa and veggies is a colorful dinner that’s best served with a mustard dipping sauce. The key is cutting the ingredients into roughly equal pieces so everything cooks evenly.
30/31
Day 30: Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 163 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 284mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
These lemony shrimp are great on their own but even better alongside pasta. We recommend using fresh lemon juice instead of bottled for a brighter taste.
31/31
Day 31: Hamburger and Rice Hot Dish
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What could be simpler than this supper? Not much! I round out this meal with steamed mixed vegetables and whatever fresh fruit is handy.—Jan Franks, Oelwein, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 223 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 436mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 16g protein.
Hot dish is a creamy casserole, usually containing condensed soup. This dish uses cream of chicken soup to balance the hearty ground beef.
