10 Cozy Vegetarian Dinners You Can Have on the Table in Under 30 Minutes

I'm officially putting myself out there as March's biggest food fan. Which makes March's food–fan count, let's see here... exactly one.

The month gets a bad rap, food-wise, because it's not quite a distinct season, even though we're all ready for spring. Technically, it's kind of spring (the spring equinox will take place toward the end, on March 20), but weather-wise, it's like a weird mash-up of winter's worst hits: sleety rain, mostly gray skies, the sort of 15-minute sun peek-outs that seem promising, until moments later, when the sky explodes with fluffy white snowflakes.

But here's why I'm an official hype man for the year's third, dreary-weathered month: I've embraced its worst qualities, and rebranded it accordingly. I've gone full-on "winter's last hurrah" with March. In my kitchen, it's treated as a bonus month for cozy, comforting winter fare—even on those days where it's inexplicably oscillating between 40 degrees and sunny, and a bizarrely humid sleet-shower.

Bring on the bowls of warm, flavorful food showered in Parm, and the snuggling up under cozy blankets to watch more episodes of television in a row than would feel prudent were it nicer out. With winter produce still available toward the beginning of the month (plus, all those pantry staples to lean on), and early April favorites coming into play at the tail-end (asparagus! ramps!), I find that March is actually a prime time to break out my comforting vegetarian favorites. Weeknight bonus: Each of these takes just 30 minutes or less, start to finish:

The crunchy-to-creamy ratio of the white beans called for by Heidi Swanson in this cozy, ultra quick pan-fry is jussssst right. Don't sleep on the toasted walnuts, either.

Consider this to be to be less of a recipe, and more of a game plan for how to get a big bowl of velvety, nuanced curry on the table quickly. Oversized pajamas are optional, but highly recommended.

This creamy, one-pot pasta with shallots asks so very little of you—and in return, gives you a comforting, hearty bowl of noodles that can be riffed upon in a million directions.

A bright, bold, warming paneer lightened up with cashews in place of heavy cream.

This meat-free pasta dish manages to be especially savory, thanks to dreamy miso-butter.

A veg-forward take on pad Thai you'll want to put on repeat from now until...forever. For even more excitement, you know what to do. (Okay fine, we'll tell you: Put an egg on it!)

File this one under: the coziest, more flavorful way to use up cooked grains. (Any cooked grains will do.)

Calling those cans of beans from the way back of the pantry! We're about to make you a star.

For those nights when you just want to eat a melty pile of cheese. And maybe a side salad, for show.

...and for those nights after those nights where you just want to eat a pile of melty cheese, when you just want to eat kale. (In a speedy, perky, tomatoey stew.)

What's your go-to weeknight comfort meal? Let us know in the comments!