On The Menu 2nd Week Of April

Plan your week with 48 mix-and-match recipes, easy dinners, fresh sides, and delicious desserts perfect for spring meals your family will love.

spring table setting with woven placemat, neutral patterned napkin, and white soup bowl layered on a white plate

Spring is really popping here! Spring in Lancaster County is beautiful. And our farmers’ market is reflecting the same spring vibe. This week’s menu reflects some of the delicious homegrown produce we are getting at our favorite farmer’s market. Here’s what’s on the Easter week menu…

This is such a good way to start the week! Weโ€™re making Grilled Flat Iron Steak, and Iโ€™m already looking forward to it. Iโ€™ll get a flavorful marinade going, and Bobby will take over at the grill; he always does it best.

On the side, Iโ€™m serving Garlic Herb Muffin Pan Potato Galettes, which are crispy on the outside and tender inside, such a fun twist on potatoes. And to balance everything out, weโ€™ll have a fresh Ruthโ€™s Chris Chopped Salad, which adds just the right crunch and brightness to the plate.

Iโ€™m planning a little extra steak because those leftovers will turn into delicious quesadillas later in the week, always a smart move!

Grilled Flat Iron Steak

Garlic Herb Muffin Pan Potato Galettes

Ruth’s Chris Chopped Salad


After a big Easter meal, I always love finding a delicious way to use leftover ham, and this is it! Weโ€™re making a cozy Cheesy Ham Broccoli Casserole that is creamy, hearty, and perfect for a no-fuss dinner.

This is one of those meals that comes together in one pan, and if you have a little day-old bread on hand, you could easily turn it into a strata for a slightly different twist.

To keep things fresh and light, Iโ€™m adding a simple Caprese Salad on the side. The combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil is such a nice contrast to the rich casserole.

This is an easy, satisfying dinner that makes the most of leftovers and still feels like something special.

Cheesy Ham Broccoli Casserole

Caprese Salad


Itโ€™s officially asparagus season, and I always look forward to this time of year. Even though we donโ€™t have our own patch anymore, I love picking up fresh bundles at the market; they just taste like spring.

This week Iโ€™m making Cheesy Bacon Asparagus Soup, and itโ€™s every bit as good as it sounds. Itโ€™s creamy, full of flavor, and just the kind of comforting meal that feels right in the middle of the week.

Nothing goes better with soup than good bread, so Iโ€™m serving it with my Homemade No-Knead Bread. Itโ€™s simple to make and perfect for dipping into every last spoonful.

This is one of those quiet, cozy dinners thatโ€™s easy to pull together and always hits the spot.

Cheesy Bacon Asparagus Soup

Homemade No-Knead Bread


This is one of those dinners that comes together quickly but still feels like a treat. Iโ€™m using the leftover steak from Monday to make 30 Minute Loaded Steak Quesadillas, and they are packed with flavor and so satisfying.

I love a meal that uses what you already have and turns it into something completely different. It saves time and makes dinner feel effortless.

On the side, weโ€™re having Homemade Refried Beans, and if youโ€™ve never made them from scratch, youโ€™re in for a surprise. They are creamy, full of flavor, and so much better than anything from a can.

This is a simple, delicious Tex-Mex night that makes great use of leftovers and keeps dinner easy.

30 Minute Loaded Steak Quesadillas

Homemade Refried Beans


You know how much I love my air fryer, and tonight itโ€™s doing all the work! Weโ€™re having Air Fryer Cod Fish Sticks With Homemade Tartar Sauce, and they turn out perfectly crisp on the outside and tender inside every time.

I like to cook fish just until itโ€™s almost done and let carryover heat finish it, it keeps everything moist and flaky.

On the side, Iโ€™m making Naniโ€™s Sauteed Rice, a family favorite that goes with just about everything and always disappears fast. And to add something fresh and a little unexpected, weโ€™re having Honey Mustard Coleslaw, which has just the right balance of sweet and tangy.

This is one of those dinners that feels a little fun for the end of the week, easy, delicious, and full of flavor.

Air Fryer Cod Fish Sticks With Homemade Tartar Sauce

Nani’s Sauteed Rice

Honey Mustard Coleslaw


This is an easy, comforting dinner to wrap up the week. Weโ€™re having Crac Chicken Penne, and itโ€™s one of those creamy, flavorful pasta dishes that everyone loves. Itโ€™s simple to make and has just the right amount of richness with a little kick.

To go with it, Iโ€™m serving my Iconic Caesar Salad With Homemade Dressing. The dressing is what makes this salad so good, classic, bold, and absolutely worth making from scratch. I often double it and freeze the extra in small portions, so I always have some on hand.

This is such a relaxed, satisfying dinner, perfect for a Saturday night at home with a good movie.

Crac Chicken Penne

Iconic Caesar Salad With Homemade Dressing


This is one of those cozy, company-worthy meals thatโ€™s perfect for a relaxed Sunday dinner with friends. Weโ€™re serving Swedish Meatballs, and they are always such a hit, tender, flavorful, and so comforting.

Theyโ€™re paired with a creamy Mashed Potato Casserole, which is a scrumptious base for all that delicious sauce. Both of these dishes can be made ahead, which makes entertaining so much easier and more enjoyable.

For something green, weโ€™re adding Smashed Broccoli With Parmesan And Garlic Infused Olive Oil, along with a fresh Arugula Salad With Parmesan And Pepitas In A Lemon Vinaigrette. That salad is a family favorite and adds a bright, peppery bite to the meal.

And of course, we need a little something sweet! Dessert is a Chocolate Chip Copycat Nothing Bundt Cake Using A Box Mix, and itโ€™s as easy as it is good.

This is a warm, inviting dinner that’s not fussy, and the best way to end the week.

Sweding Meatballs

Creamiest Mashed Potato Casserole

Smashed Broccoli With Parmesan And Garlic-Infused Olive Oil

Arugula Salad With Parmesan And Pepitas In A Lemon Vinaigrette

Chocolate Chip Copycat Nothing Bundt Cakes Using A Box Mix


Two foodie things I remember from my school days are the incredible cheese enchiladas from my year at Del Rio Middle School (Texas) and CASH’s chocolate peanut butter bars (high school in Pa.)!

Those were the days when I was as skinny as a stick and could eat my weight in almost anything. Yes, those were the days!

All these years, I’ve strived to find cheese enchiladas and chocolate peanut butter bars as good as the ones those precious cafeteria ladies made!

I can’t wait to make this week’s sweet treat, wow, do they look like the real thing! Fingers crossed!

Lunch Ladies Peanut Butter Bars


More Recipes To Enjoy

clam chowder topped with bacon

Easy Clam Chowder is a delicious soup that eats like a meal.

This Down Home Dessert or Breakfast is the kind of cozy recipe that works any time of day.

If you love spring flavors, this Asparagus and Feta Quiche is fresh, savory, and so satisfying.

Fluffy and just a little special, Orange Ricotta Pancakes are a treat worth making soon.

I have my eye on this Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad, itโ€™s as pretty as it is delicious.

Dinner comes together fast with this creamy and flavorful Tuscan Salmon recipe.

This fun and easy Chili Cheese Crescent Dog Bake is perfect for a relaxed family night.

You canโ€™t go wrong with this Best Loaded Potato Soup; itโ€™s rich, hearty, and always a favorite.

If youโ€™re craving something sweet, these Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are hard to resist.

This Mixed Berry Puff Pastry Tart is a beautiful dessert that looks harder than it is.

I always come back to this Air Fryer Salmon Cake recipe; itโ€™s easy and full of flavor.

Flaky and full of flavor, these Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Sticks are perfect for a quick snack or light meal.

This Crustless Zucchini Tomato Quiche is fresh, simple, and a great way to use seasonal vegetables.

Make mornings easier with Easy Hashbrown Sausage Bites for Breakfast; theyโ€™re hearty and so convenient.

Rich and comforting, Bobby Flayโ€™s Crab & Corn Chowder is a bowl full of cozy flavor.

Bright and tangy, Key Lime Bars are the perfect little dessert to welcome warmer days.

For an easy but elegant dinner, Chicken Riesling brings wonderful flavor to the table.

You canโ€™t go wrong with this Lemon Cake Recipe: Ina Garten At Her Best. Itโ€™s classic and absolutely delicious.

Buttery and just a little special, Pistachio Shortbread Cookies are a lovely treat to enjoy anytime.

Fresh and full of texture, this Cranberry Walnut Chickpea Salad with Orange Vinaigrette is as pretty as it is tasty.

Creamy and comforting, Creamy Baked Cauliflower Gratin makes a wonderful side dish for any meal.

This Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart with Gruyere & Fresh Thyme is a beautiful way to enjoy spring flavors.

And for a crowd-pleasing dessert, this Texas Sheet Cake Bundt Cake Recipe is rich, chocolatey, and so easy to love.

graphic for pin

Happy cooking, friends….

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

8 Comments

  1. everything looks good! I like when you can use leftovers for dinner makes it for an easy meal

    1. Me too! I have leftover potato salad and I’m having it for lunch today.

  2. Marti Masson says:

    The peanut butter bars will be my go-to recipe for our next class reunion picnic! Thank you!

    1. Yay! I bet they will be a “blast from the cafeteria past”. Have fun.

  3. Vicki Brawley says:

    I was unable to get the link to open to Naniโ€™s potato salad. I am pretty excited to make a different potato sald this year. It read as an error that the page no longer exists.

  4. Yvonne, I made your Arugula Salad with Parmesan, Pepitas and Lemon Vinaigrette for Easter to lighten up the many casserole dishes that were served. Everyone loooved it! I couldn’t find just arugula at my grocery store. They had a spinach & arugula mix so that is what I used. We loved it so much I made it again later in the week for just my husband & I. So easy and delicious. Funny thing is I’ve never been a huge fan of arugula. Thanks for sharing!

  5. Another week of so many yummy looking recipes! Thanks for the variety.