Make the most of your garden harvest with more than 30 delicious, family-friendly recipes featuring late summer vegetables like zucchini, corn, peppers, and tomatoes!
Why You’ll Love Cooking with Late Summer Vegetables
Late summer brings an abundance of fresh, colorful produce that’s perfect for easy family meals. From juicy tomatoes and sweet corn to crisp cucumbers and tender zucchini, these 30+ recipes highlight the very best of the season. Whether you’re cooking straight from the garden, shopping your farmers’ market, or just looking for new ways to use some of your favorite veggies, you’ll find plenty of simple, delicious inspiration here.
Easy Family Dinners with Fresh Summer Vegetables
Vegetable Lasagna
Cheesy and full of fresh veggies, this quick and easy vegetable lasagna is comfort food at its best. With just 20 minutes of prep, it’s a hearty meal the whole crew will devour!
Pomodoro Sauce
This quick and easy pomodoro sauce combines ripe tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and olive oil for a simple, flavorful dish your whole family will love.
Stuffed Peppers with Rice
Classic stuffed peppers with rice, ground beef, two different types of cheese, and Italian herbs are baked in tomato sauce until tender and flavorful!
Chicken Zucchini Casserole
Southern chicken zucchini casserole is a cozy way to use summer veggies, with a cheesy filling and buttery cracker topping that the whole family will love.
Summer Vegetable Soup
Corn, zucchini, and tomatoes…oh my! A light and healthy summer vegetable soup is the perfect way to take advantage of all of the season’s fresh produce. Best of all, there’s no need to heat up your kitchen — just turn on your pressure cooker, stovetop, or Crock Pot for this easy homemade vegetable soup recipe that keeps well in the freezer for months. It’s delicious alongside a loaf of crusty bread, a skillet of cornbread, or a basket of buttermilk biscuits.
Summer Pasta (Dump-and-Bake!)
This dump-and-bake summer pasta is loaded with all of the season’s best produce — zucchini, corn, tomatoes, and fresh basil, as well as tender chicken, pesto, and cheese. You don’t even have to boil the noodles for this fresh, flavorful, and easy dinner!
Amish Chicken and Corn Casserole
This easy Amish chicken and corn casserole is made from scratch with simple ingredients, and it’s ready for the table in less than 45 minutes!
Dump-and-Bake Ratatouille
There’s no easier, healthier or tastier way to enjoy fresh summer vegetables than in this simple Dump-and-Bake Ratatouille! Served hot or cold, it’s a delicious side dish or vegetarian entree that completes any meal.
Tomato Sandwich
This Southern tomato sandwich recipe brings back summer memories! With juicy tomatoes, creamy mayo, fresh herbs, and soft white bread, it’s ready in just 5 minutes.
Shrimp Soup
Creamy and flavorful, this easy shrimp soup recipe is full of smoky bacon, sweet corn, tender potatoes, and fresh herbs. Use fresh corn during the summer growing season, or frozen corn when you need a cozy bowl of goodness on a chilly winter’s day.
Ground Beef and Corn Casserole
This cozy ground beef casserole includes corn, bacon, squash, and noodles in a zesty tomato sauce, finished with plenty of melty cheddar cheese on top! It’s a simple, flavorful, and easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Corn Chowder Recipe
Creamy and flavorful, this easy corn chowder recipe is full of smoky bacon, sweet corn, tender potatoes, and fresh herbs. Make it with fresh corn during the summer growing season, or use frozen corn when you need a cozy bowl of goodness on a chilly winter’s day.
Chicken and Bell Pepper Stir Fry
This chicken and pepper stir-fry is a delicious homemade version of your favorite takeout! Cook once and enjoy the meal twice — serve it with rice first, and then use leftovers for chicken pepper sandwiches on soft rolls with cheese for a second quick and tasty weeknight dinner.
Cucumber Sandwiches
These traditional cucumber sandwiches with an herby cream cheese spread are perfect for an afternoon tea, bridal shower, baby shower, or just a refreshing summer lunch!
Zucchini Pie
Are you on zucchini overload? Don’t miss this easy zucchini pie, which is the most delicious way to enjoy fresh summer produce! With only 10 minutes of prep, you can have a fancy and tasty side dish to serve with grilled steak, fried chicken, or pork chops, or a vegetarian entrée that you can pair with a simple green salad for a satisfying meal that will satisfy even the heartiest appetites.
Roasted Tomato Soup
A simple homemade tomato basil soup recipe with fresh tomatoes and fragrant garden basil is the perfect companion for a grilled cheese sandwich! This sweet and creamy roasted tomato soup brings out the rich flavors in the produce for a meal that’s cozy, delicious, and nourishing. You might never go back to the canned stuff again!
Boursin Cheese Pasta with Summer Veggies
Rich and creamy, yet light and fresh, a pan of Boursin cheese pasta with summer vegetables is an easy 30-minute meal for the warm weather months. Garden fresh tomatoes, corn, and zucchini or yellow squash come together in a flavorful garlic and herb cheese sauce!
Dump-and-Bake Chicken and Rice with Summer Veggies
This dump-and-bake chicken and rice with summer veggies is loaded with all of the season’s best produce — zucchini, corn, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. You don’t even have to cook the rice or the meat before stirring together this fresh, nourishing, and easy dinner!
Ground Beef Dinner with Summer Vegetables
Loaded with fresh seasonal produce, this easy Ground Beef Dinner with Summer Vegetables is a simple and healthy dish that the whole family will love. Serve the meat and veggies with rice, pasta, or your favorite bread for a one-pot 30-minute meal!
Southern Tomato Pie
This Southern tomato pie pairs sweet tomatoes, onions, cheese, and herbs in a flaky, buttery crust for the perfect summer side or light meal.
Fresh and Easy Sides with Late Summer Vegetables
Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Casserole
An easy side dish that pairs beautifully with just about any family meal! The garlic parmesan zucchini casserole features fresh shredded veggies, garlic, and onion baked with three types of cheese and finished with a buttery, crispy, Parmesan breadcrumb topping.
Roasted Yellow Squash
This crispy roasted yellow squash with Parmesan and fresh herbs requires just 3 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep. Serve the summer squash alongside just about any of your favorite entrees — from bbq chicken to grilled steaks, pasta to fried fish. The simple, flavorful recipe works equally well with zucchini, too!
Sautéed Zucchini
Quick and easy sautéed zucchini with garlic, butter, and fresh herbs is the perfect summer side dish! Add Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes on top for an extra layer of flavor. Best of all, the healthy and delicious vegetables pair nicely with just about any entrée — from grilled steak and burgers, to fish, pasta, and chicken!
Marinated Vegetable Salad
No more boring iceberg lettuce! Mom’s marinated vegetable salad is a simple, flavorful, and healthy side dish to take advantage of fresh produce. Make it in advance and for a cool, crisp, and refreshing addition to just about any potluck, picnic, or weeknight dinner.
Southern Squash Casserole Recipe
A classic Southern squash casserole recipe is the perfect way to enjoy the bounty from your summer garden! The cheesy filling is topped with a buttery crumb topping for the ultimate family-friendly side dish.
Zucchini Bread Muffins
Whip up these easy zucchini bread muffins in one bowl with just 10 minutes of prep! They’re moist, fluffy, and perfectly spiced with crisp, sugar-crusted tops.
Classic Pasta Salad
A classic pasta salad recipe is a staple at just about every summer picnic! With noodles, fresh veggies, and Italian salad dressing, the easy vegetarian dish is perfect alongside grilled chicken, grilled salmon, marinated flank steak, shrimp, and grilled hamburgers.
Marinated Cucumbers
Mom’s recipe for Cucumber Salad with Vinegar is a healthy and easy side dish to pair with any summer meal. Thinly-sliced, fresh cucumbers are marinated in a sweet and tangy dressing made with vinegar, sugar and a touch of fresh herbs. Refreshing, easy and absolutely delicious!
Stewed Tomatoes Recipe
This stewed tomatoes recipe brings Southern comfort to your table with tender tomatoes, sautéed veggies, and a touch of sweetness. It’s an easy, old-fashioned side that pairs perfectly with cornbread, beans, or fried pork chops.
Tomato Salad with Basil and Balsamic
This quick and easy tomato salad recipe is the best way to highlight the natural flavor and sweetness of fresh summer tomatoes! Use cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, or larger Beefsteak tomatoes, stir in basil and red onion, then dress with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Serve the salad alongside grilled chicken, steak, pasta or seafood!
Cucumber Dill Salad
Cool and refreshing Cucumber Dill Salad is the perfect summer side dish! You’ll love the combination of crisp cucumbers, onions and herbs tossed in a simple buttermilk dressing. Serve the easy, creamy salad with bbq chicken, burgers, pulled pork or grilled shrimp!
Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe
This creamy pasta salad is packed with fresh veggies, cheese, and savory bites of pepperoni or bacon, all tossed in a zesty creamy Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, and easy summer dinners, it’s a crowd-pleaser to enjoy all season long!
Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad
All of the best summer produce in one simple recipe! This cucumber tomato onion salad is an easy side dish that highlights the red, juicy tomatoes and the crisp, cool cucumbers of the season. Dressed with fresh basil, olive oil, and vinegar, it’s an easy, healthy option that you can stir together in minutes.
Okra and Tomatoes — a Southern Classic
Stewed Okra and Tomatoes is a classic Southern dish! Flavored with bacon, onion, garlic and cider vinegar, you know these vegetables are bound to be good. Serve garden fresh okra and tomatoes during the summer months, or use canned and frozen ingredients in the off-season. Paired with a side of cornbread, this is a simple and affordable dish to enjoy year-round!
Corn Fritters
This classic corn fritters recipe delivers crispy, golden brown bites of Southern comfort—light and fluffy on the inside, with bursts of sweet corn in every bite. Perfect as a snack, side, or appetizer, they’re deep-fried to perfection and impossible to resist.
Succotash
This Southern succotash recipe is an easy side dish or affordable entrée that pairs sweet corn, lima beans, and tomatoes with savory, salty bacon, rich butter, and fresh herbs. Take advantage of fresh summer produce or use frozen veggies in the off season!
Summer Corn Salad
A light, fresh, and easy Summer Corn Salad is the perfect way to enjoy the season’s produce! Corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, smoky bacon and fresh herbs come together with a creamy mayonnaise and sour cream dressing. Serve the flavorful side dish with grilled BBQ chicken, hamburgers, fried chicken, pulled pork barbecue, fried shrimp, grilled steaks or crab cakes. It’s a potluck picnic favorite!
