March always feels like a shift…no longer winter, but not properly spring until the latter part of the month. And suddenly, you’re craving something brighter. You want herbs again! You think about what to cook in March, and want colour on the plate. You want food that feels like the windows could be open (even if they’re only open for five minutes before you get cold).
If you’re wondering what to cook in March, this is the moment to lean into that change. Keep a bit of comfort, but start introducing freshness – add spice, add green, add sharp yoghurt and soft herbs and the first signs that spring is properly on its way.
Here are five recipes that feel exactly right for now.
1. What to Cook in March First: Creamy White Bean and Cavolo Nero Stew
This is comfort food that’s had a spring clean (and there’s nothing that feels better than that!)
First port of call for what to cook in March? This stew is hearty enough for cooler evenings, but the cavolo nero and herbs keep it from feeling heavy.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
• 2 tins cannellini beans, drained
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 stick celery, diced
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• 1 bunch cavolo nero, sliced
• 1 sprig rosemary
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
Equipment
A large cast iron Dutch oven with lid is perfect for this kind of slow, even cooking and moves beautifully from hob to table.
You’ll also want a solid wooden cooking spoon that can handle thicker stews.
Method
- Heat olive oil in your Dutch oven.
- Soften onion, carrot and celery for 8 minutes.
- Add garlic and rosemary.
- Stir in beans and stock, simmer 20 minutes.
- Add cavolo nero and cook until tender.
- Season generously and finish with olive oil.
Serve with crusty bread (the simplest but best part) and a spoonful of yoghurt if you like. It feels grounding but forward-looking at the same time.
2. Harissa Roast Lamb with Yoghurt and Herbs – The Main Answer to What to Cook in March
Now this feels like March.
Spiced, colourful, bold. Harissa wakes everything up after winter cooking – and I’ve loved Moroccan flavours ever since I travelled there in my uni days!
Ingredients
• 1.2kg leg or shoulder of lamb
• 2 tbsp harissa paste
• 2 cloves garlic
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Olive oil
• Greek yoghurt
• Fresh mint and parsley
• Salt and pepper
Equipment
I have a heavy duty stainless steel roasting tin which always ensures proper browning.
And, if you want to guarantee perfectly cooked lamb, it’s definitely worth investing in a digital meat thermometer.
Method
- Preheat oven to 200°C.
- Mix harissa, garlic, lemon zest and olive oil.
- Rub generously over lamb.
- Roast 1 hour 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 60°C for pink.
- Rest 15 minutes.
- Serve with yoghurt and fresh herbs scattered over.
It’s bold without being complicated, and it smells incredible!
3. Spring Pea and Mint Risotto – The Lighter Answer to What to Cook in March
Bright, green, and properly seasonal. Risotto is the answer to what to cook in March, feeling celebratory without being overdone, and filling but light!
Ingredients
• 300g arborio rice
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• 1 small onion
• 150ml white wine
• 150g frozen or fresh peas
• Handful fresh mint
• 50g parmesan
• Butter
• Olive oil
Equipment
A wide heavy based sauté pan with lid makes stirring much easier, while a microplane fine grater gives you fluffy parmesan rather than clumps (there’s nothing worse…!)
Method
- Soften onion in olive oil.
- Add rice, toast 1 minute.
- Add wine, reduce.
- Add stock gradually, stirring continuously.
- Stir in peas in final 5 minutes.
- Finish with butter, parmesan and mint.
It should feel loose and glossy like a risotto should be, not stiff like when it hasn’t been done properly. There’s a big difference!
4. Gruyère and Leek Tart – The Sharing Answer to What to Cook in March
Leeks are massively underrated in March – they’re sweet and soft, going perfectly with nutty Gruyère!
Ingredients
• 1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry
• 2 leeks, sliced
• 150g Gruyère
• 2 eggs
• 150ml double cream
• Butter
• Salt and pepper
Equipment
A heavy non stick baking tray prevents soggy pastry (and nobody likes a soggy bottom…)
I’ve also found this chef’s knife with stainless steel blade makes slicing leeks far easier, making all the difference to speed of preparation.
Method
- Preheat oven to 190°C.
- Sauté leeks in butter until soft.
- Whisk eggs and cream.
- Roll pastry onto tray.
- Scatter leeks and cheese.
- Pour over egg mixture.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
5. What to Cook in March as Dessert – Rhubarb Crumble Bars
Rhubarb means we’re properly here – March is the prime time for rhubarb with bright pink, tender stalks that are less stringy and sweeter than later in the season.
These rhubarb crumble bars are sharp, buttery and not too sweet.
Ingredients
For the base and topping:
• 250g plain flour
• 150g butter
• 100g caster sugar
For the filling:
• 400g rhubarb, chopped
• 80g sugar
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
Equipment for What to Cook in March (Rhubarb Crumble Bars)
A 20cm square baking tin with loose base makes clean slices much easier.
Bake often and looking for a higher value investment? This stand mixer with stainless steel bowl has a multitude of uses, and gives the crumble a much better texture!
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C.
- Rub butter into flour and sugar until crumbly.
- Press half into tin.
- Mix rhubarb with sugar, cornflour and vanilla.
- Spread over base.
- Scatter remaining crumble on top.
- Bake 40 minutes until golden.
Leave to cool fully before slicing.
What To Cook In March – It’s About Momentum
What to cook in March isn’t about abandoning comfort entirely. It’s about nudging it forward.
Add herbs where you didn’t in January. Add spice where you relied on cream. Roast lamb instead of another chicken (but roast chicken is OK too, just think about mixing it up!) Bake rhubarb instead of chocolate (or as well as…)
You don’t need a dinner party to justify it, but if you are hosting, these recipes layer beautifully with my Spring Dinner Party Ideas for Lighter Evenings. And if you’re refreshing the space around you too, How to Refresh Your Home for Spring Without Redecorating connects the mood perfectly.
You can explore the full Spring Guide to see how everything ties together.
March feels like movement, so let your food choices move with it!