What to Cook Right Now: Our 23 Best March Recipes
March is many things, but it’s not exactly spring yet. And our most popular March recipes reflect that in-between season. We’re craving snappy fresh vegetables, but also require a big bowl of warming soup. It’s still the right time for shepherd’s pie—but the one we make lightens things up with spiced ground chicken. We’re still finding comfort in mugs of hot cocoa, but we’re keeping our eye out for the first slender asparagus too. Below you’ll find the best March recipes on Epicurious, including easy weeknight dinners and festive fare for Purim, Nowruz, and St. Patrick’s Day.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou1/23Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars
Even if you've never made cheesecake before, these cheesecake bars should absolutely be on your baking agenda. Think of them as a cross between a classic banana pudding and a tangy, creamy cheesecake, with a fluffy sour cream whip on top. There's a reason this is one of our most popular March recipes—you'll find yourself going back for slice after slice.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Dana Bonagura4/23Oven Risotto With Crispy Roasted Mushrooms
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Pearl Jones6/23Smoky Spanish Potatoes and Eggs
The flavors in this dish are a combination of two tapas favorites: patatas bravas and huevos rotos. You get the best of both worlds with the runny yolks, crisped potatoes, chile-based sauce, and creamy mayo. Serve it for dinner, serve it for brunch—either way, you've got a winner.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou7/23Cocoa Brioche Morning Buns
These chocolaty pastries combine the attributes of a gloriously flaky croissant on the top, a sticky bun on the bottom, and a rich chocolate-studded brioche in the middle. Click here for more on the technique.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Pearl Jones8/23Young Carrots With Spring Onions, Sumac, and Anchovies
Pot roasts are the stuff of Sunday dinner nostalgia. But have you tried pot-roasting your vegetables?
Photo by Travis Rainey, Styling by Joseph De Leo9/23Simple Hot Cocoa for One
This reader favorite never goes out of style—have you tried adding a bit of Chartreuse yet?
Photo by Deborah Jones10/23My Favorite Simple Roast Chicken
This top-rated chicken dinner it's complicated to make: all you need is a small chicken, salt and pepper, unsalted butter, and Dijon mustard.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews11/23Cream of Asparagus Soup (Crème d'asperges)
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell13/23Pistachio and Pomegranate Meatballs (Kufteh-Ye Pesteh-o Anar)
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton14/23Crispy Chicken Over Turmeric-Lemon Cabbage and Peas
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton15/23Doubles
Trinidad's Carnival wraps up at the beginning of March—but this iconic snack will be delicious whenever you make it.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce16/23Qaliyeh-e Khorma (Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Salmon With Dates)
Photo by Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Laura Rege20/23Shawarma-Spiced Tofu Pita Wraps
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell21/23Persian Celery Stew With Mushrooms (Khoresh-e Karafs)
This vegetarian version of khoresh is made with cremini mushrooms, which keep their shape and offer earthy flavor. Enjoy it over rice at Nowruz or any time.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell23/23All-The-Seeds Hamantaschen
These hamantaschen are filled with a celebration of seeds set in chewy-soft caramelized honey. While a poppy seed filling is traditional at Purim, we threw in sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin as well for variety and crunch. It's one of our favorite March recipes. The cookies can be stored at room temperature for a few days, but you'll probably eat them more quickly than that.