The Best Birthday Dinner for the Month You Were Born

The holidays are over, the health kicks are on, but you're eager to celebrate — especially because the next few months post-birthday are typically pretty dreary. Spice things up with a peppery spaghetti recipe, that's actually quite quick to make, but cozy to eat for a wintery night in. If you're in the mood for more of a project, consider making your own pasta from scratch.

The shortest (and sometimes gloomiest) month of the year deserves a comforting recipe to heat up your birthday. These rich and creamy enchiladas are perfect for a crowd, and a batch of margaritas amps up the party. If a birthday potluck sounds like your thing, encourage guests to bring homemade guacamole and salsas to round out the dinner.

Spring is getting so close, you can taste it, but as a March baby, you're used to bridging that gap between winter and the warm, perky weather to come. This fish stew has it all: a delicious vacation to Italy in a bowl, with just enough comfort to feel cozy on a cool March day. Tear off pieces of crusty bread to dip in, or make this just one part of a larger Italian fest.

April showers bring spring veggies, and that's all you want to eat now that the darkest months of winter are gone! This veggie tart is gorgeous and not hard to make, and can pair well with a French spring soup.

If all hands are on deck for this birthday dinner, have a dumpling-making party, where everyone can get in on the stuffing and folding process, and then stuff themselves with these dumplings. Have some cold noodles ready to add to your feast.

Something about the start of summer brings on finger food cravings, and we're ready for it! This popcorn chicken is ultra crisp and fantastic with a variety of dipping sauces. Plus, it takes less than half an hour to prepare, so you can spend more time eating and celebrating.

Is anything more festive than cooking with Champagne? Absolutely not. This recipe is quick to make and leaves plenty of bubbly leftover to sip alongside this decadent pasta dish.

Outdoor cooking season is in full swing, and you deserve a top notch barbecue get-together for your birthday. First up: Lobster. Fresh or frozen lobster tails both work great on the grill, and don't forget an extra side of butter.

September may be the best cooking month, with late-summer produce like tomatoes at its best. Plus, mild weather means eating outdoors can be dreamy until cooler nights set in. Throw a pizza party on the grill, topping the personal pies with whatever your heart desires.

Pumpkin and squash dominate the season, and for your birthday, gourds deserve the star treatment. This orange-hued risotto is enviably beautiful and packed with autumnal squash flavor. Shaving a few truffles on top would be a nice birthday addition.

Turkey babies are overly familiar with the feast that consumes your birthday month, so opt for a hearty entree that doesn't pair with cranberry sauce. This luxe veal dish is super warming and comforting, and can be enjoyed with potatoes, polenta, pasta, or all there. This is a celebratory dinner, after all. Add a mug of glogg for a pre- or post-dinner treat.

You want something warm, comforting, but not too filling. Eating season is in full swing, after all. Homemade pho, which takes hours to simmer, fills your home with aromatic and beefy scents and is well worth the wait. Feed a crowd or hoard the noodle soup for yourself for a very tasty and soothing birthday week's worth of dinners.