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50 Creative Recipes That Highlight Our Fave Summer Veggies

Perfect for every cookout, summer dinner, potluck...

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mixed summer vegetable ragú in a white pan
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Every year, like clockwork, no matter how much we've been dreaming about summer all winter long, we somehow still find ourselves bowled over at the bountiful variety of delicious produce available once it arrives. Our CSA produce boxes runneth over, our farmers' market bags get heavy, and we’ll admit, sometimes we end up with more veggies than we know what to do with. If you’ve found yourself in the same boat, this list is for you. We’ve got 50 creative recipes highlighting all our favorite summer vegetables, everything from simple tips for grilling to elaborate, show-stopping mains. Pull out the grill and light those citronella candles, these recipes were made for enjoying al fresco, summer cocktail in hand.

Did you know you can shop for all the ingredients for these recipes with the click of a button? Look for the Shop With Instacart button and simply click, shop, and wait for your delivery to arrive. Dinner truly made easier.

Let’s start simple—you can throw pretty much every vegetable on the grill and transform it into something incredible, from zucchini to green beans to tomatoes (we know, we know, technically a fruit). You can eat them on their own or add your grilled veg to other recipes for a little charred intrigue. Corn is the best example—check out our elote, our grilled corn salad, our pesto corn flatbread, or our black bean & corn salad to see how to take it to the next level—but it goes for all of them, so get creative.

No grill? No stress (though we definitely recommend checking out our favorite gas grills or grill pans so you can get in on the action). We’ve also included a number of recipes here that are perfect for dinners indoors, enjoying the air conditioning. Craving a summery pasta? Try our creamy corn pasta, our grilled zucchini carbonara, our cherry tomato pasta, or our garlicky feta eggplant pasta. Looking for easy and casual? Our Mexican street corn flatbread, our ultimate veggie sandwiches, our ratatouille, or our Caprese salad fit the bill.

Want even more summertime recipe inspiration? Check out our favorite grilled fruits, our top summer dinners, and our best summer salads too.

1

Greek Salad

greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, and feta
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE

When you’re looking for simple, refreshing, and reliable, you’d be hard pressed to find a dish better than classic Greek salad. Filled with fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing, this bright salad only takes 15 minutes to prepare, making it a perfect last-minute addition to any summer celebration.

Get the Greek Salad recipe.

2

Summer Squash Sheet-Pan Tacos

summer squash sheet pan tacos with tahini hummus and pickled shallots
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

These vegetarian tacos have layers of tender summer squash (imagine them picked right from the garden), whipped garlicky hummus, smoky tahini sauce, and za’atar pickled shallots layered in warm corn tortillas. It’s the perfect composition of color, texture, and bold flavor you’ll emulate in every taco hereafter.

Get the Summer Squash Sheet-Pan Tacos recipe.

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3

One-Pan Summer Vegetable Ragú

mixed summer vegetable ragú in a white pan
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Take a flavorful trip to the Mediterranean with this easy oven-roasted stew that brings to mind cozy (yes, cozy!) summer days. Zucchini, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, and onions create a tender and jammy medley, complemented by the subtly tart and slightly sweet Aleppo pepper.

Get the One-Pan Summer Vegetable Ragú recipe.

4

Caprese Salad

sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a plate drizzled with olive oil
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Hailing from the island of Capri and mirroring the colors of the Italian flag, the simple Caprese salad is the perfect way to start any late-summer meal. It’s one of the best ways to show off those juicy, in-season farmers' market tomatoes by complementing them with fresh basil and creamy mozzarella.

Get the Caprese Salad recipe.

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5

Creamy Corn Pasta

creamy corn pasta
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MARY RUPP

Don’t be fooled by the name—this pasta has no cream. Instead, you’ll puree fresh corn, sautéed garlic, and scallions into a luscious sauce that’s topped with Parmesan, basil, and even more corn. With just these few ingredients, you can have a crowd-pleasing summer pasta on the table in only about 30 minutes.

Get the Creamy Corn Pasta recipe.

6

Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups

zucchini slices rolled up around cheese with sauce in a casserole dish
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Switch up your classic lasagna recipe for this lighter, summer-worthy dinner that doesn't sacrifice on any of the flavor or richness. Instead of lasagna noodles, we use zucchini wrapped around creamy ricotta. All baked in marinara sauce, this summer dinner is a must-have to add to your rotation.

Get the Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups recipe.

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7

Ratatouille

chopped up vegetables in a tomato based sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

While you might immediately think of the 2007 animated film Ratatouille, did you know that the namesake French dish is actually pretty easy to make? Though the film makes the cooking of a traditional ratatouille recipe look incredibly high-stakes, we promise it's a meal that's simple to make on any odd weeknight.

Get the Ratatouille recipe.

8

Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Steaks

cheesy garlic zucchini steaks on a green platter topped with basil and red pepper flakes
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Bunches of zucchini jamming up your crisper drawer? These cheesy garlic zucchini “steaks” are calling your name. Slathered with garlic oil and showered with mozzarella and parmesan, this showstopping vegetarian side might just upstage the actual steaks at the grill-out.

Get the Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Steaks recipe.

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9

Grilled Zucchini Carbonara

air fryer miso brownsugar salmon delish mowi

Grilled zucchini carbonara is a combination of cheesy, lemony egg yolk-enriched sauce, al dente spaghetti, and charred zucchini bits that melt into the dish. Try it once and we have a feeling you might keep this recipe on your weekly summer dinner rotation.

Get the Grilled Zucchini Carbonara recipe.

10

Tomato Salad

sliced tomatoes with red onions and feta and herbs
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

You might say to-may-to and you might say to-mah-to, but no matter how you say it, a tomato salad is a summertime classic. With juicy tomatoes, a simple red wine vinaigrette, thinly sliced red onion, herbs, and crumbled feta, this salad is like the little black dress of the season.

Get the Tomato Salad recipe.

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11

Pesto Corn Flatbread

flatbread topped with pesto, corn, sliced onions, cheese, and tomatoes
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

With fresh basil, pesto, grilled corn, heirloom tomatoes, and creamy burrata, this flatbread is sure to hit every note on your tastebuds. Plus, this recipe uses store-bought ingredients, so it can easily be thrown together in just 30 minutes.

Get the Pesto Corn Flatbread recipe.

12

Ratatouille Casserole

ratatouille casserole
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Ratatouille, a classic end of summer dish from the South of France that features our favorite late-season produce, takes on a new form in this beautiful spiraled summer casserole.

Get the Ratatouille Casserole recipe.

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13

Broccoli Salad

broccoli salad with red onion, bacon, and almonds

A simple and reliable side, this classic broccoli salad is loaded with flavor and texture. Ready in around 30 minutes, it’s the perfect make-ahead dish for summer BBQs or last-minute parties, and makes a great base for a quick lunch or snack.

Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.

14

Bruschetta

bruschetta spooned on top of slices of a toasted baguette

Easy to throw together and made up of simple, classic ingredients, bruschetta was made for chill warm weather snacking. While you can make it all year round, the best time to enjoy this appetizer is summer, when fresh tomatoes are at their peak.

Get the Bruschetta recipe.

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15

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

grilled corn topped with a creamy mixture, cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro and lime
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Also known as Mexican street corn, elote is an unbelievably popular antojito (little craving) that you can find all over Mexico and the U.S. This dish can vary, but in our recipe, grilled corn is covered in a creamy mayo and sour cream mixture before being topped with chili powder, cotija cheese, and plenty of lime juice.

Get the Elote (Mexican Street Corn) recipe.

16

Eggplant Steak Frites With Chimichurri

eggplant steak frites with chimichurri
Suzanne Clements

The two keys to these eggplant steak frites' success is to prep in the kitchen while the grill preheats AND make your to prep your sauce so the meal can go directly from the grill to the table. Chimichurri sauce tastes even better as the flavors meld, so don’t be shy about making it in advance.

Get the Eggplant Steak Frites With Chimichurri recipe.

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17

Grilled Zucchini With Ricotta & Walnuts

skewered and grilled zucchini planks topped with herby whipped ricotta and crunchy toasted walnuts
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Grilled zucchini is already plenty delicious on its own, but adding a few dollops of herby whipped ricotta and crunchy toasted walnuts will transform how you look at the humble squash.

Get the Grilled Zucchini With Ricotta & Walnuts recipe.

18

Garlicky Feta Eggplant Pasta

garlicky feta eggplant pasta
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

This simple summery pasta has it all: tender, garlicky morsels of eggplant, a cheesy panko topping, and lots of fresh basil. Just add your favorite pasta, and you've got dinner!

Get the Garlicky Feta Eggplant Pasta recipe.

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19

One-Pot Creamy Tortellini & Greens

creamy tortellini with artichokes, spinach, kale, and toasted pine nuts
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Indulge in pure pasta bliss with this heavenly one-pot tortellini recipe. Picture perfectly cooked, cheese-filled tortellini delicately simmering in a lusciously velvety cream sauce, generously infused with vibrant fresh summer greens. With this one-pot wonder and a handful of ingredients, you can have it all—in just 20 minutes.

Get the One-Pot Creamy Tortellini & Greens recipe.

20

Zucchini Casserole With Garlicky Bread Crumbs

zucchini and squash casserole
Joel goldberg

This summery vegetarian side may be quick and easy, but the colorful shingled veggies make for an impressive presentation. Even the most reluctant vegetable-eaters won't be able to resist that cheesy herbed bread crumb topping. 😋

Get the Zucchini Casserole With Garlicky Bread Crumbs recipe.

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