Easy May Recipes What to Make for Dinner Delish

PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

If you're like us, May is when it feels like summer really begins. Sure, officially it's on the Summer Solstice in June, but May is when we first start taking our meals outside for BBQs, picnics, and more—if that's not the best sign of summer, we don't know what is. Join us as we change over our dinner habits from spring pastas and soups to warm weather favorites like grilled everything. We've got 40 recipes to help inspire you to make dinner this May— one for every day of the month, and then some!

We've included a good mix of new recipes, like our tuna macaroni salad, mahi mahi tacos, or carrot gnocchi, as well as some old favorites, like our creamy steak fettuccine (move over chicken alfredo), patty melts, and pineapple baked chicken. Looking for easy weeknight dinners? We've got you. Try a one pot wonder like our orzo pasta or tricolore lasagna skillet, or make your whole dinner on one sheet pan, like our sheetpan panzanella or our sheet-pan green chile chicken nachos. Have a momentous occasion to celebrate this month? Try our slow-roasted pork and peppers, our cedar plank salmon, our hot dog board, or our chile verde—they all take a bit more time or effort than your average meal, perfect to make a loved one feel extra special.

We're also taking inspiration from the season, and including recipes that are synonymous with May holidays like Cinco De Mayo, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day. May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, so we've included some of our favorite recipes to celebrate how much influence and enrichment AAPI cuisine has brought to us here at Delish.

For more early summertime inspiration, check out our healthy summer dinners, cookout menus, and picnic recipes too.

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Slow-Roasted Pork And Peppers

This is a mostly hands-off dinner that's both perfect for busy weeknights and pretty enough to serve at a dinner party. There's very little prep—it's just a matter of halving bell peppers and cutting onions into wedges, and then the oven does the rest of the work, transforming the boneless pork shoulder into meltingly tender meat.

Get the Slow-Roasted Pork And Peppers recipe.

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Orzo Pasta

Serve as a dinner side or all on its own on a bed of salad greens, this creamy orzo pasta is a more herbalicious version of cacio e pepe. The best part of this recipe: It all takes place in just one pot, which means more flavor and fewer dishes to wash.

Get the Orzo Pasta recipe.

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Striped Bass with Herb-Olive Salsa

Like a lot of our favorite seafood, striped bass pairs well with many flavors. Here, it's served alongside a spicy herb-and-olive salsa that includes kalamata olives, preserved lemon, sun-dried tomatoes, and Calabrian chile peppers for a kick. (Look for these smoky, fruity Italian peppers in a jar in the condiment aisle of your grocery store or order online.)

Get the Striped Bass with Herb-Olive Salsa recipe.

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Spring Cobb Salad

Everyone's favorite cobb salad just got a spring-y makeover! This lightened-up version has lots of crunchy in-season veggies and a creamy lemon-dill dressing spiked with raw garlic. A smattering of croutons (homemade is best if you've got the time) add texture, and a healthy serving of eggs and avocado make this salad hearty enough to be dinner.

Get the Spring Cobb Salad recipe.

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Carrot Gnocchi

These are, by their soft, tender, and pillowy nature, very rustic—one might even call them ugly. But worry not: once you sauté them in butter, herbs, and pistachios, they will look every bit as delicious as they smell. You can also use them as you would store-bought gnocchi, like in our one-pan creamy chicken & gnocchi recipe.

Get the Carrot Gnocchi recipe.

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Fried Fish Tacos

The Indigenous people of coastal Mexico have likely been making fish tacos for thousands of years, but fried fish tacos in came into play much later. It's thought that Japanese fisherman who immigrated to Baja, California (a coastal Mexican state on the Baja California Peninsula) in the 50's and 60's introduced their technique for tempura frying, helping to inspire the fried fish tacos we know and love today.

Get the Fried Fish Tacos recipe.

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Hot Dog Board

What is a hot dog board exactly? It's an easy way to turn the cookout staple into a fun station for your family to build and top their own dogs—because, let's face it, everyone likes their dogs a different way! First build your board with little bowls and ramekins of your favorite toppings, then add in buns and hot dogs, before filling in any empty gaps with salty sides like potato chips and crispy French fries.

Get the Hot Dog Board recipe.

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Tricolore Skillet Lasagna

We love a classic lasagna, but it can be a lot of work. This easy skillet version has everything we love about the original—including the frilly-edged long noodles—but without the confusing layering steps. Instead, you'll toss the cooked noodles in an oniony marinara sauce, dollop with pesto, and top with ample slices of fresh mozzarella and a shower of grated Parmesan.

Get the Tricolore Skillet Lasagna recipe.

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Tuna Macaroni

If you fancy tuna salad and you love macaroni salad, the only logical thing to do at that point is to bring the two together in a generous serving of spicy tuna mac. This recipe calls for quick-pickling red onion, shredded carrots, and chopped pickles while the pasta cooks so you get nicely tart and crunchy elements in every bite.

Get the Tuna Macaroni recipe.

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Copycat Carl's Jr. Bacon Western Cheeseburger

The Western Bacon Cheeseburger holds a special place in our hearts, and not just because it's really fun to say. It's hard not to love a bacon cheeseburger, but when you add tangy BBQ sauce and crispy onion rings to the mix, then you are on your way to burger heaven.

Get the Copycat Carl's Jr. Bacon Western Cheeseburger recipe.

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Succotash Gnocchi

Inspired by delicious and oh-so-summery succotash, this colorful dinner is extra hearty and full of fresh flavors. Though this rendition doesn't include traditional beans, we think the chewy boiled gnocchi are the perfect stand-ins.

Get the Succotash-Inspired Gnocchi recipe .

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Chiles Rellenos

To keep the flavors clean, this version is baked and not fried. We broil the poblanos until they're blackened for an extra-smoky vibe, then fill them with a cheesy rice mixture that's honestly so delicious, it can be eaten on its own. Once baked to perfection, top it all off with tangy sour cream, fresh salsa, and cilantro—now that's a great stuffed pepper, upgraded.

Get the Chiles Rellenos recipe.

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Tamales

Tamales aren't just fun to eat, they're a great solo or group project for anyone who loves to cook. Make it a party by involving your friends, enlist your partner or spouse for a different kind of date night, or get the whole family involved. Tamale making is a joy, and tamales are a great canvas for different kinds of fillings.

Get the Tamales recipe.

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Huli Huli Chicken

Originating in Hawaii, this chicken recipe is really all about the sauce. In 1955, a businessman from Honolulu grilled some chicken and brushed it with a sauce inspired by his mother's version of teriyaki. This sauce included pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and (stay with us) ketchup. That all makes for an insanely delicious base, and plenty of garlic and ginger bring some acidity and brightness.

Get the Huli-Huli Chicken recipe.

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Gyro Sandwich

This lamb sandwich is found in casual shops and restaurants around Greece. Pronounced YEE-roh or ZHEE-roh (it rhymes with hero), Gyro Sandwiches are packed with delicious spiced lamb, crunchy fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and a tangy herb-and-cucumber yogurt sauce called tzatziki.

Get the Gyro Sandwich recipe.

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Kimchi Tofu Stew

Inspired by Korean sundubu-jjigae, this soup is a fast, easy meal that's still BIG on flavor. Both spicy and savory—thanks to a hefty dollop of gochujang (a fermented chili paste) and a mixture of fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions, Korean Tofu Stew is an amazingly satisfying vegetarian meal.

Get the Kimchi Tofu Stew recipe.

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Cedar Plank Salmon

Cedar planks specifically for grilling can be purchased easily online or at well-stocked grocery stores. The wood not only creates a barrier between the grill grates and the food, but imparts a very subtle wood flavor to the fish. You'll quick-cure the salmon with a mixture of brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. The rub both flavors the fish and also draws out some moisture from the flesh, resulting in a firmer texture. Yum!

Get the Cedar Plank Salmon recipe.

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Sheet-Pan Panzanella

Panzanella—an Italian salad made with dried bread cubes—is one of the most delicious versions of salad. That's because it stars bread as the main ingredient rather than lettuce. For this version, rather than toast the bread cubes on their own, you'll roast them alongside tomatoes, onion, and garlic. The tomatoes burst as they roast, mixing their juices with the bread and fresh arugula.

Get the Sheet-Pan Panzanella recipe.

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Grilled Ribs

Few foods are better than perfectly tender ribs, glistening with caramelized BBQ sauce. Now, you can have smokehouse-quality ribs from the comfort of your own home—all it takes is a grill, a few hours, and—OK—a lot of patience. While they're cooking is the perfect time to get the rest of your sides ready. We're talking BBQ classics like coleslaw, potato salad, and cornbread.

Get the Grilled Ribs recipe.

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Chicken Burgers

To spice things up a bit, these chicken patties are seasoned with smoked paprika and loaded with crunchy, bright coleslaw to really give beef burgers a run for their money. We then top 'em with creamy avocado slices, spicy fresh red onion, and cheddar and jalapeño before sandwiching all of it between buttery brioche buns for the ultimate bite.

Get the Chicken Burgers recipe.

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Mahi Mahi Tacos

Mahi Mahi is a fish native to a number of regions including the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the waters surrounding Hawaii (hence its Hawaiian name meaning "very strong"). Mahi mahis are strangely gorgeous fish with almost stubby heads and stunning green-yellow ombré scales. And, luckily for us, mahi mahi tastes even better than it looks, and is the perfect ingredient to use in grilled tacos.

Get the Mahi Mahi Tacos recipe.

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BBQ Chicken Marinade

This recipe calls for fancying up a bottle of ready-made sauce, but feel free to use homemade too. Marinating the chicken in BBQ sauce before grilling infuses every bite with flavor. At least two hours will do the trick, though the longer the chicken gets cozy with the marinade, the better it will be. Plus, an overnight stint in the refrigerator doesn't just make for tastier chicken, it helps you get ahead on prep.

Get the BBQ Chicken Marinade recipe.

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Sheet-Pan Green Chile Chicken Nachos

What's better than a tray of cheesy chicken nachos? Four cheese chicken nachos! Don't worry, though, a couple cans of chopped green chiles cut the richness of all that cheese. (Not that we're complaining.) We'll leave the toppings up to you, but we suggest The Works, aka red onion, radishes, avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, and hot sauce.

Get the Sheet-Pan Green Chile Chicken Nachos recipe.

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Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burger

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One-Pan Salsa Verde Shrimp & Rice

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Chile Verde

Chile Verde is a traditional dish from Northern Mexico that can be made with several types of meat. Pork is classic, and here, you'll transform a pork shoulder into meltingly tender nuggets through a long braise. This recipe makes a big batch, perfect for serving at a dinner party or a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Get the Chile Verde recipe.

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Classic Banh Mi

It's undeniable, a banh mi is the PERFECT sandwich. Rich, savory meat combined with bright and crunchy homemade pickles stuffed into a fluffy baguette; what's not to love?! We love this version because it requires minimal ingredients but still packs a powerful punch of flavor. Don't sleep on it, people!

Get the Classic Banh Mi recipe.

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Black Pepper Chicken

Our trick to the most juicy tender chicken here? Velveting is the process of marinating protein in a cornstarch slurry before frying or boiling to keep it moist and tender. The bit of downtime while the chicken marinates is great for dicing veggies and making this delicious stir fry sauce.

Get the Black Pepper Chicken recipe.

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Mapo Tofu

Disclaimer: "authentic" mapo tofu is hard to perfect without a flaming hot wok above a fire and some hard-to-find ingredients. Never fear, we've made some concessions and this one is still delicious. Just make sure to serve it with rice to help sop up all that yummy sauce!

Get the Mapo Tofu recipe.

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Source: https://www.delish.com/cooking/g27336968/may-dinners-recipes/

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