There’s something about the final stretch of summer that makes me want to cook with every last bit of peak-season produce—juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, crisp cucumbers, tender zucchini, and perfectly ripe peaches and watermelon. This collection is full of easy, flavorful recipes that make the most of the season, like Fresh Corn Pasta, Zucchini and Tomato Salad, and Peach Cobbler Pound Cake. So read on to find delicious ways to make the most of summer’s freshest flavors while they’re still at their peak.
01 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: Cherry Tomato Salad With Yogurt
“Cherry tomatoes are almost always good eating, even in the off season, so this is a recipe you can enjoy whenever you need a little freshness. If you grow cherry tomatoes, you know they can be prolific, and this is a splendid way to put them to use.” —Sara Bir, former Simply Recipes Editor
02 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Get Recipe: Italian Sub Panzanella
“If you love Italian subs as much as I do, then you’re in for a real treat. This deconstructed sandwich in salad form starts with crispy baguette cubes tossed with salty salami and mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, crunchy shredded iceberg lettuce, sharp red onion, and briny pepperoncini.” —Theodora Kaloudis, Content Updates Editor
03 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Jill Silverman Hough
Get Recipe: BLT Carbonara
“Because carbonara often includes peas, I tend to think of it as a springtime dish. But why stop at peas? This spring carbonara proves you shouldn’t. My summer carbonara proves that this classic dish can adapt to other seasons.” —Jill Silverman Hough, Recipe Developer
04 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photography by Stacy K. Allen / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong
Get Recipe: Lemon-Blueberry Crumble
“In this blueberry crumble, glossy, jammy blueberries get a bright lift from lemon zest and juice, while the crumble bakes up golden, buttery, and spiced with warm cinnamon. The contrast between the tangy, vibrant filling and the crunchy topping makes every bite feel like peak summer” —Theodora Kaloudis, Content Updates Editor
05 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photography by Stacy K. Allen, Prop Styling by Christina Daley, Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf
Get Recipe: Greek Summer Vegetable and Rice Casserole
“This simple, rustic casserole is veg-forward but satisfying enough to enjoy as a full meal. The dish leans on seasonal vegetables and potatoes roasted with plenty of olive oil and an herby all-purpose Greek seasoning before being combined with rice that soaks up all the delicious juices.” —Theodora Kaloudis, Content Updates Editor
06 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman
Get Recipe: Easy Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Summer Vegetables
“It’s earned a place in my permanent repertoire because its simplicity and short cook time are a boon after a busy day spent out of the house. It also works with whatever tiny tomatoes are freshest at the market—in summer, I particularly love using sweet, mellow Sungold tomatoes for this dish. Alongside the corn, all the yellow and orange feels like sunshine in a bowl.” —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer
07 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Get Recipe: Zucchini and Tomato Salad
“In my ever-evolving effort to get my family to eat more fresh produce, this no-cook zucchini and tomato salad has become a staple when it’s too hot to turn on the oven or grill and the zucchini glut is upon us.” —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer
08 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Ward / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser
Get Recipe: Sesame Chicken Crunch Salad
“This is a satisfying yet refreshing summer salad with just the right balance of sweet and savory. Laced with succulent orange segments and crumbled dry ramen noodles, it’s like a kicked-up slaw transformed into an entire meal with tender shreds of rotisserie chicken.” —Sara Bir, former Senior Editor
09 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne
Get Recipe: Summer Tortellini Skillet
“This recipe is flexible in terms of produce, so go ahead and use up whatever’s hanging around in your fridge. You can swap in yellow summer squash, bell peppers, onions, and any other quick-cooking veggies you have on hand.” —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer
10 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photography by Stacy K. Allen / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong
Get Recipe: Watermelon Mojito Salad
“These days, being poolside looks a little different, and I’m more likely to have a mojito in hand than a giant watermelon. This salad is my way of bringing my past summer joys and present summer pleasures together.” —Melissa Gray-Streett, Recipe Developer
11 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Get Recipe: This Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
“The first time I tried this recipe, I was brought back to eating fresh peaches in the summer with a slice of supermarket pound cake topped with whipped cream from a canister. This recipe is proof that sometimes revisiting a childhood classic can lead to an even better treat.” —Ben Weiner, Recipe Developer
12 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Get Recipe: Squash Puppies
“It’s light, fluffy, full of flavor, and begins with raw grated squash and onion instead of cooked. That means that as the batter fries, the vegetable’s natural juices stay incorporated , keeping more of that full vegetable flavor in the finished bite.” —Stephanie Burt, Recipe Developer
13 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne
Get Recipe: Fresh Corn Pasta
“Creamy corn pasta sits somewhere between creamed corn and mac and cheese, while being lighter and more satisfying than either dish. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an excellent summertime main course. Serve it simply with a summer salad, a veggie side, or some grilled fish, shrimp, or chicken for a well-rounded meal.” —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director
14 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Get Recipe: Greek Grilled Chicken Salad
“In this quick recipe for grilled Greek chicken salad, a lemony, garlicky vinaigrette does double duty as a marinade for grilled chicken and a bright salad dressing. The salad is packed with lots of fresh chopped veggies and salty feta and comes together in just 30 minutes.” —Rebecca Fennel, Recipe Developer
15 of 20
Credit: Photography by Frederick Hardy II / Prop Styling by Prissy Montiel / Food Styling by Lauren Odom
Get Recipe: Cowboy Corn
“Grilling or broiling gives the kernels lightly charred edges so they stay juicy and tender on the inside, with just enough smokiness and garlicky barbecue flavor to make every bite taste like you put in way more effort than you actually did.” —Theodora Kaloudis, Content Updates Editor
16 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Ward / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser
Get Recipe: Strawberry-Cucumber Salad
“This refreshing salad takes full advantage of peak-season produce: strawberries bring a floral sweetness to cool, crunchy cucumbers, which get tossed in a bright, zesty lime juice dressing. Some fresh mint complements the lime, adding a cooling, herbal note, while feta brings it all together with a salty, creamy finish that keeps every bite interesting.” —Theodora Kaloudis, Content Updates Editor
17 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond
Get Recipe: Corn Gazpacho
“Gazpacho is typically a red soup made with ripe tomatoes and other vegetables for a sweet, sour, savory meal. This easy corn variation strikes that same balance with just five ingredients and offers a bright yellow finish instead.” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer
18 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photography by Stacy K. Allen / Prop Styling by Christina Daley / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf
Get Recipe: Easy Fruit Pizza
“To this day, when I think of a dessert to bring to a Fourth of July cookout, my mind always jumps to fruit pizza. You can keep it classic with a simple fruit pattern or go a little more free-form. It always works, and it always feels like summer.” —Melissa Gray-Streett, Recipe Developer
19 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster
Get Recipe: Creamy Skillet Shrimp with Corn, Pancetta, and Tomatoes
“While fresh corn is unparalleled in the summer, frozen is quicker, easier, and honestly still pretty darn delicious. The frozen corn doesn’t have to be thawed for this recipe–just throw it in straight from the freezer and let the ice evaporate immediately.” —Sara Bir, former Senior Editor
20 of 20
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
Get Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad
“A cool, layered dessert with a crispy pretzel crust, cream cheese ‘mousse,’ and a layer of Jell-O with strawberries suspended within, it seemed like magic to us. Mom added a few clever flourishes to improve upon the classic, and I still use her tricks today.” —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer
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