45 Classic Spring Recipes to Make All Season Long

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
April 02, 2019
Jen Causey
With spring officially in full swing, it’s time to turn in those winter soups and heavy casseroles and bring back our favorite cold salads, fruit desserts, and fresh vegetable sides. Every spring party or shower needs a spring classic or two, like our best-ever egg salad or crowd-pleasing tomato tea sandwiches. No backyard barbecue or picnic is complete without a big bowl of pasta salad and an icebox pie, and every Easter celebration can use a pineapple-glazed ham and platter of deviled eggs. Plus, there’s no spring occasion that our citrus pound cakes, fruit cobblers, and old-fashioned banana pudding won’t make a whole lot sweeter. Southerners love to ring in spring with a freshened-up menu, and these 45 spring recipes are the best of the season.
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Here's Why Pineapple Casserole Deserves A Spot On Your Easter Table

Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

We celebrate Easter with our finest china, starched tablecloths, gorgeous flower arrangements, and heirloom crystal glasses. So, it's only natural that we bring out our most prized recipes to match our beautiful tablescapes. This spring holiday is one of our absolute favorites to appreciate the new life of spring and to spend time together as a family. Easter dinner wouldn't be complete without this nostalgic Southern dish gracing the table. Made with chunks of juicy pineapple, crushed Ritz crackers, and shredded Cheddar cheese, Pineapple Casserole is a rich side dish recipe with an unlikely flavor combination. Although strangers may turn up their noses at the combination of pineapple and Cheddar cheese, we implore you to take a bite of this Easter side and be transported back to your Grandmama's house on Easter weekend. We don't need many variations on this iconic casserole, as there are few ways to make this Pineapple Casserole better than our six-ingredient recipe. Plus, if you need any other reason to try out this oh-so-Southern dish for Easter dinner, the recipe takes less than 40 minutes from start to finish.

Start your Pineapple Casserole by combining the sugar, flour, and pineapple juice in a medium bowl. This will create the thickened sauce for your casserole. Add in the pineapple chunks, and toss them thoroughly in the mixture. Spoon your pineapple into a casserole dish, and add a layer of shredded cheese. Next, you'll want to make the crispy Ritz Cracker crust. Similar to the topping of Poppy Seed Chicken, this crisp coating gives your casserole a buttery, rich texture that makes it all the more worthwhile. Pop the dish into the oven until bubbly around the edges (about 30 minutes), and be sure to serve it up with a large spoon – guests will want seconds. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it!

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Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a springtime staple in the South, and this refreshing recipe features a whole parade of tasty ingredients.

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Fried Green Tomatoes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

We'll have these crispy 'maters any way you'll serve them—layered on a sandwich, thrown on top of a salad, or (our personal preference) dipped into a tangy sauce.

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Egg Salad Sandwiches

Jen Causey

Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwiches

Egg salad looks as ready for spring as we are. This nostalgic recipe never disappoints.

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Strawberry-Lemonade Cake

Jen Causey

Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Cake

We like to say that this fresh strawberry cake tastes just like spring in a slice. Why not decide for yourself, hm?

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Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

Your senses will feel transported to citrus groves far, far away when served this classic pound cake.

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Tomato Sandwiches

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Tomato Tea Sandwiches

Because we're too busy enjoying the spring weather to make anything complicated. A classic tomato sandwich is all we need.

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West Indies Crab Salad

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: West Indies Crab Salad

This little-known Southern salad hails from Mobile, Alabama. Made with fresh crabmeat and a citrusy vinaigrette, this recipe says hello to warmer weather.

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Pineapple Glazed Ham

Jen Causey

Recipe: Pineapple-Glazed Ham

Pineapple and ham go together like bees and honey. This vintage recipe is perfect for Easter brunch—and leftover ham sandwiches!

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No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie

From the creamy filling to the crunchy crust, this no-bake peanut butter pie is mile-high and ready to be served.

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Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

This classic fruit pie dresses up in its prettiest pink for all of your spring parties.

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Ham Salad

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Ham Salad

This old-school spread never goes out of style. (And it's a great use of leftover Easter ham.)

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Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw

We wouldn't deem these cakes the "best-ever" lightly. Spring means Maryland crabbing season is officially underway.

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Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

We'll happily turn to this big-batch brunch casserole all season long.

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Fresh Peach Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Fresh Peach Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel

Say hello to the most perfect crumbly coffee cake, complete with sweet, juicy peaches.

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Hummingbird Cake

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Hummingbird Cake

Spring is the perfect time to whip out this classic cake with its ultra-moist layers featuring pineapple, pecans, cinnamon, and bananas.

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Watermelon Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Watermelon Salad

Dip your toes into the pre-summer pool with this easy salad. Tomatoes and watermelon work in perfect harmony with peppery arugula, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy pecans.

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Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

Pot pie gets a spring-ready makeover with seasonal veggies and a user-friendly skillet recipe.

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Orange-Glazed Ham

Southern Living

Recipe: Orange-Glazed Ham

Nothing will make your Easter ham feel more festive for spring than this bright orange glaze.

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Classic Banana Pudding

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Banana Pudding

This classic Southern treat always makes an appearance at the spring cookout or Sunday lunch.

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Peach-Raspberry Buckle

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Recipe: Peach-Raspberry Buckle

This homey streusel-topped cake is filled with jammy pockets of fruit—it's like a scavenger hunt for your taste buds.

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Fried Catfish

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Classic Fried Catfish

Nothing gets a Southerner more tickled than crispy fried catfish. Stone-ground cornmeal makes for the crispiest crust you've ever tasted.

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Ham Biscuits

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Ham Biscuits

We've never met a snack more suited for a spring brunch or shower than these ham biscuits. The recipe comes with several delicious homemade spread options like Creole Mayonnaise, Chive-Radish Compound Butter, Spicy Orange-Peach Butter, and Pecan Cheese Spread.

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Chilled Sweet Corn Soup

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chilled Sweet Corn Soup

Ah, a soup so sweet you'll share it with everyone. This chilled corn soup is the perfect spring-summer soup.

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Peach-and-Blackberry Crisp

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Peach-and-Blackberry Crisp

A fresh fruit crisp complements any breezy spring night, if you ask us. Feel free to substitute your favorite berries or stone fruits.

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Key Lime Pound Cake

Jen Causey

Recipe: Key Lime Pound Cake

Don't pick between your favorite pound cake and cool Key lime pie—this heavenly recipe gives the best of both worlds.

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Classic Baked Beans

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Baked Beans

This classic side belongs at any backyard barbecue, cookout, or picnic.

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Classic Deviled Eggs

Southern Living

Recipe: Basic Deviled Eggs

From Easter lunch to a backyard barbecue, there's no spring event that wouldn't do well with a platter of deviled eggs.

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Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

Jen Causey

Recipe: Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

You'll recognize this old-school cold salad. It might be one of our most nostalgic rifts on pasta salad to date.

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Cherry-Nectarine Pandowdy

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Recipe: Cherry-Nectarine Pandowdy

This cobbler-like dish likes it a little messy. The crust absorbs the sweet juices from the cooked fruit.

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Potato Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

There's always room for potato salad on the spring cookout sideboard.