24 Summer Squash Recipes We Bet You’ve Never Tried
Summer squash season is upon us, and we can barely contain our excitement. While our go-to preparation is roasting it in the oven with olive oil, salt and pepper, we’ll be the first to admit that eating it plain can get a little boring. Luckily, we’ve rounded up 24 summer squash recipes that are guaranteed to spice things up. They’re all deliciously unique, from baked green chilaquiles to low-carb zucchini enchiladas.
1. Skillet Pasta with Summer Squash, Ricotta and Basil
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, one pan, vegetarian
When the weather gets warm, spaghetti and meatballs just aren't cutting it. Serve this hearty one-pan pasta meal, which is ready to devour in less than an hour. Bonus points if you eat it on the deck.
2. Wild Alaska Salmon and Summer Squash Kebabs
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein, <30 minutes
Nothing screams summer like food on a stick. But you don’t necessarily have to use your grill to make awesome skewers. All you have to do is fire up a skillet and dinner’s done in 25 minutes.
3. Zucchini and Tomato Ragù
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
Presenting ratatouille's chic Italian cousin. The simple dish shines with summer veggies. Eat it in a bowl for a quick lunch, serve it as a side dish with grilled meat or add a poached egg and call it breakfast.
4. Mediterranean Chicken and Summer Squash Noodles with Fried Halloumi
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
Life is all about balance, so you have our permission to eat spiralized summer squash with a big helping of fried cheese.
5. Easy One-Pan Ratatouille
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, vegan, beginner-friendly
While the traditional version is slow-cooked on the stove, this one is delightfully hands-off since it’s made in the oven. It’s healthy yet hearty, comes together in less than an hour and looks très impressive with a glass of white wine.
6. Zucchini and Fresh Corn Farmers Market Salad with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, vegetarian
Coterie member Heidi Larsen gives this raw salad its spunk with a garlicky-lemon-basil vinaigrette that lightly marinates the thin squash peels and corn kernels.
7. Spiralized Summer Squash Casserole with Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, vegetarian
Roast squash in a cheesy sauce until it’s tender and crisp, then top everything off with gluten-free breadcrumbs. The results? The ultimate casserole that tastes indulgent but won’t weigh you down. (Thanks, Coterie member Ali Maffucci.)
8. Grilled Summer Squash with Feta
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
There comes a point every summer when we’re all up to our ears in summer squash. Luckily, Coterie member Gaby Dalkin has figured out an easy, breezy way to put an armful to work.
9. Spiced Summer Squash Quickbread
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
You can transform carrots and zucchini into bread, so why not summer squash? Enter a lightly sweetened, moist recipe that’ll keep you coming back for thirds.
10. Sheet Pan Summer Vegetables and Chicken
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, <30 minutes, one pan
Dinner doesn’t get much easier than this one-pan meal, seasoned simply with olive oil, salt, pepper and Italian spices. Only one question remains: Can we come over?
11. Minestrone Soup
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, one pot
Light, summery dishes are lovely, but sometimes we crave something heartier and more comforting. Enter this easy minestrone recipe, made with canned beans for quick cooking.
12. Baked Green Chilaquiles with Sweet Corn and Summer Squash
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Homemade tortilla chips topped with tomatillo salsa, summer squash and corn make a cozy nest for baked eggs and cheese.