These 11 simple summer dinners can be made quickly using only a few ingredients. Summer is that time of the year when we may not feel like spending hours in the kitchen preparing something too elaborate. These recipes want to help you keep your dinners effortless but still delicious and nutritious.
From pasta salads to cold soups, curries, pasta dishes, and tacos, you'll find the right inspiration you need for this season.
What vegetables are in season during summer?
Include these vegetables to make the best summer dinner recipes using seasonal produce:
- Asparagus (early summer)
- Cucumbers
- Green Beans
- Zucchinis
- Butternut Squash (late summer)
- Eggplant
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Radish
- Onion
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Edamame
- Jalapeños
1. Mediterranean Pasta Salad
This Pasta salad is made with seasonal produce such as radish, cherry tomatoes, rocket salad, asparagus, and cucumber. Seasoned with a simple dressing and served with sun-dried tomatoes and black olives, this summer salad will become a favorite these months. Filling, refreshing, and very easy to prepare, don't miss out this star summer dish!
2. One Pan Quinoa
This colorful quinoa has become a favorite at home for many reasons: It's easy to prepare, you'll only need one pan and a couple of ingredients, and the whole family loves it. This quinoa dish can be served warm or chilled, perfect for those hot summer days. If you like Mexican flavors, keep this recipe close, you'll need it!
3. Summer Garden Vegetable Curry
Do you have a summer garden? If you do, you can make this recipe using whatever veggies your garden is providing you with. For our summer garden curry we use zucchini, carrots, chard, and green beans, but sometimes, we will change the ingredients and use what we harvest that day. You don't need a garden to make this recipe, just visit your nearest farmers market and buy some summer produce.
4. Cucumber Gazpacho
There is nothing as refreshing as a cold cucumber soup. This recipe uses only five ingredients and a blender, making it perfect for a busy evening or to prepare something quick for a light summer dinner. Our Cucumber gazpacho, also known as green gazpacho, is made with cucumbers, yogurt, garlic, fresh mint, olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Get your ingredients ready and enjoy this vibrant soup this summer.
5. Aubergine Curry
Summer is here and one of the vegetables that we grow in our garden are aubergines, as well known as eggplants. Yes, aubergines and eggplants are the exact same veggie!
You can make this delicious curry and serve it with some rice or bread. What makes this eggplant curry so great is the combination of a lovely spice blend with the creaminess of the coconut milk, the richness of the tomatoes, and the tempering done at the end with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Getting hungry?
6. Sweet Potato and Tomato Pasta
This pasta dish is one of our summer essentials. The pasta sauce comes together very fast and is loaded with sweet potato, which makes it sweet and delicious.
The sauce for this pasta dish features grated sweet potato and tomato sauce. You can make your own tomato sauce or use store-bought sauce to speed up the cooking process. Either way, this is a recipe we keep all year round, especially during those long summer days when we don't want to spend much time in the kitchen.
7. Vegan Soba Noodle Salad
If you like noodle salads, this one is for you. Soba noodles served with crunchy veggies, smoked tofu, and a delicious sauce is all you need for the nicest summer dinner. This salad is refreshing and nutritious, perfect to get your energy back after a beach or pool day.
8. Lebanese Moussaka
Lebanese Moussaka, also known as Maghmour, features summer produce, all combined with Mediterranean flavors. Hearty, nutritious, and delicious, this naturally vegan stew featuring eggplant, chickpeas, and tomatoes will become a regular in your kitchen this summer!
9. Pasta Alla Norma
Another recipe featuring eggplant, this time in an Italian Pasta dish: Pasta Alla Norma. Our Vegan version of this Italian Classic is made with roasted eggplant, marinara sauce, fresh basil, yeast flakes, and spaghetti. A simple but delicious combination of flavors and textures to enjoy all summer.
10. Pad Thai with Tofu
We love Thai Food, but the truth is that we end up making way fewer Thai curries during the summer. Pad Thai is our safe option during hot summer days. This recipe is our vegan version of the traditional Pad Thai, made with tofu, fresh veggies and a yummy Pad Thai sauce.
11. Vegan Tacos
What about a yummy Taco Night for this summer holiday? I would never reject a Taco night! These tacos are delicious but also refreshing, topped with a vibrant Pico de Gallo and creamy avocado mash. Can you guess the main ingredient for our Vegan Tacos?
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