Close
Summer brings tons of seasonal perks—sunny days, summer vacation, frozen cocktails and so many colorful veggies. Make the most of the summertime bounty with these veggie-forward meals that are packed with eggplant, zucchini, corn, tomatoes and more. Healthy recipes like our Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad and Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas are so tasty, you’ll be craving them on every hot summer night.And when the summer temps are rising and the house is getting hot, there are plenty of recipes here that don’t require turning on a stove or oven. You will also find meals that you can make in advance—perfect for days when you’re out and about.
Summer brings tons of seasonal perks—sunny days, summer vacation, frozen cocktails and so many colorful veggies. Make the most of the summertime bounty with these veggie-forward meals that are packed with eggplant, zucchini, corn, tomatoes and more. Healthy recipes like our Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad and Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas are so tasty, you’ll be craving them on every hot summer night.
And when the summer temps are rising and the house is getting hot, there are plenty of recipes here that don’t require turning on a stove or oven. You will also find meals that you can make in advance—perfect for days when you’re out and about.
01of 26
EatingWell’s Eggplant Parmesan
View Recipe
02of 26Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto & ShrimpView RecipeCut some carbs and use spiralized zucchini in place of noodles in this zesty pesto pasta dish recipe. Top with Cajun-seasoned shrimp to complete this quick and easy dinner.
02of 26
Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto & Shrimp
Cut some carbs and use spiralized zucchini in place of noodles in this zesty pesto pasta dish recipe. Top with Cajun-seasoned shrimp to complete this quick and easy dinner.
03of 26Tater Tot Casserole with Beef, Corn & ZucchiniView RecipeJason DonnellyCasseroles can be for summer too! We packed this one with peak-season vegetables—corn, zucchini and tomatoes—then topped it with crispy tater tots and gooey melted cheese, making it a dinner winner.
03of 26
Tater Tot Casserole with Beef, Corn & Zucchini
Jason Donnelly
Casseroles can be for summer too! We packed this one with peak-season vegetables—corn, zucchini and tomatoes—then topped it with crispy tater tots and gooey melted cheese, making it a dinner winner.
04of 26Zucchini, Corn & Egg CasseroleView RecipeThis healthy casserole is essentially a crustless quiche, brimming with fresh summer vegetables. Bake it up for an elegant summer brunch or a casual backyard barbecue.
04of 26
Zucchini, Corn & Egg Casserole
This healthy casserole is essentially a crustless quiche, brimming with fresh summer vegetables. Bake it up for an elegant summer brunch or a casual backyard barbecue.
05of 26Summer Vegetable Gnocchi SaladView RecipeThis riff on pasta salad is best served warm while the gnocchi are nice and tender. Plus, the grilled veggies taste extra-good fresh off the fire in this easy gnocchi recipe.
05of 26
Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad
This riff on pasta salad is best served warm while the gnocchi are nice and tender. Plus, the grilled veggies taste extra-good fresh off the fire in this easy gnocchi recipe.
06of 26Caprese SandwichView RecipePhotographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine KeelyThis Caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.
06of 26
Caprese Sandwich
Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
This Caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.
07of 26Cheesy Spinach-Zucchini LasagnaView RecipeGreg DuPreeThanks to jarred marinara sauce and oven-ready lasagna noodles, this labor-of-love kind of meal can be ready in about an hour.
07of 26
Cheesy Spinach-Zucchini Lasagna
Greg DuPree
Thanks to jarred marinara sauce and oven-ready lasagna noodles, this labor-of-love kind of meal can be ready in about an hour.
08of 26Sheet-Pan Shrimp FajitasView RecipePhotographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly RaibikisFajitas are an excellent weeknight meal. These come together faster than ever, using quick-cooking shrimp and veggies all on one sheet pan so you can focus on family rather than cleanup.
08of 26
Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly Raibikis
Fajitas are an excellent weeknight meal. These come together faster than ever, using quick-cooking shrimp and veggies all on one sheet pan so you can focus on family rather than cleanup.
09of 26Sheet-Pan Poblano-&-Corn Chicken FajitasView RecipePhotographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Christine Kelly, Food Stylist / Karen RankinThese sheet-pan poblano-and-corn chicken fajitas are seasoned with mild ancho chile powder, paprika and cumin. The chicken and vegetables are cooked on a sheet pan under the broiler so you can forget working over a hot stove or grill to get dinner on the table fast. Plus, with only one pan, cleanup is a breeze!
09of 26
Sheet-Pan Poblano-&-Corn Chicken Fajitas
Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Christine Kelly, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin
These sheet-pan poblano-and-corn chicken fajitas are seasoned with mild ancho chile powder, paprika and cumin. The chicken and vegetables are cooked on a sheet pan under the broiler so you can forget working over a hot stove or grill to get dinner on the table fast. Plus, with only one pan, cleanup is a breeze!
10of 26Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cauliflower ‘Rice’ TabboulehView RecipeChicken breasts on the grill have a smoky flavor that’s enhanced with an easy spice rub. We chose flat-leaf parsley in this salad because it has a stronger herbal taste than its sometimes-bitter curly counterpart.
10of 26
Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cauliflower ‘Rice’ Tabbouleh
Chicken breasts on the grill have a smoky flavor that’s enhanced with an easy spice rub. We chose flat-leaf parsley in this salad because it has a stronger herbal taste than its sometimes-bitter curly counterpart.
11of 26Instant Pot Summer Corn & Crab ChowderView RecipeSweet corn and tender lump crabmeat go together wonderfully to make this rich, hearty chowder. This colorful, quick and easy Instant Pot soup makes a great starter for a summertime meal.
11of 26
Instant Pot Summer Corn & Crab Chowder
Sweet corn and tender lump crabmeat go together wonderfully to make this rich, hearty chowder. This colorful, quick and easy Instant Pot soup makes a great starter for a summertime meal.
12of 26Prosciutto Pizza with Corn & ArugulaView RecipeThis grilled prosciutto and arugula pizza makes the perfect summer dinner. If you have time, let the dough stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to make rolling it out easier in this 20-minute healthy pizza recipe. Thawed frozen corn works in place of fresh, just pat it dry before sprinkling it on the pizza.
12of 26
Prosciutto Pizza with Corn & Arugula
This grilled prosciutto and arugula pizza makes the perfect summer dinner. If you have time, let the dough stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to make rolling it out easier in this 20-minute healthy pizza recipe. Thawed frozen corn works in place of fresh, just pat it dry before sprinkling it on the pizza.
13of 26Cucumber SandwichView RecipePhotographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth BlackburnThis creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese–yogurt spread complements the crisp, refreshing cucumber while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together.
13of 26
Cucumber Sandwich
Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn
This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese–yogurt spread complements the crisp, refreshing cucumber while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together.
14of 26Smoky Shrimp, Corn & Pea One-Pot PastaView RecipePhotography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Sammy MilaMake your sauce and pasta all at once with this fast weeknight pasta dinner recipe. By using the exact amount of water you need to cook the pasta—no colanders here—the starch that cooks off into your pasta water, which you usually drain away, stays in the pot, giving you delectably creamy results.
14of 26
Smoky Shrimp, Corn & Pea One-Pot Pasta
Photography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Sammy Mila
Make your sauce and pasta all at once with this fast weeknight pasta dinner recipe. By using the exact amount of water you need to cook the pasta—no colanders here—the starch that cooks off into your pasta water, which you usually drain away, stays in the pot, giving you delectably creamy results.
15of 26
Eggplant Gyros
16of 26Veggie & Hummus SandwichView RecipeThis mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.
16of 26
Veggie & Hummus Sandwich
This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.
17of 26Vegetable Weight-Loss SoupView RecipeA big bowl of this veggie-packed minestrone will leave you satisfied for hours without consuming a lot of calories, which is helpful when trying to lose weight. Plus, it’s an easy way to boost your vegetable servings for the day.
17of 26
Vegetable Weight-Loss Soup
A big bowl of this veggie-packed minestrone will leave you satisfied for hours without consuming a lot of calories, which is helpful when trying to lose weight. Plus, it’s an easy way to boost your vegetable servings for the day.
18of 26Sheet-Pan Sausage & PeppersView RecipeThis easy meal is bound to become a regular in your dinner rotation. It’s super simple, comes together quickly and requires just one pan.
18of 26
Sheet-Pan Sausage & Peppers
This easy meal is bound to become a regular in your dinner rotation. It’s super simple, comes together quickly and requires just one pan.
19of 26Chickpea Salad SandwichView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth BlackburnThis vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It’s got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.
19of 26
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
This vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It’s got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.
20of 26One-Pot Tomato Basil PastaView RecipeThis one-pot pasta with tangy tomato-basil sauce is a simple, fast and easy weeknight dinner. All of your ingredients go into one pot, and with a bit of stirring and about 25 minutes of cook time, you’ll have a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy.
20of 26
One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
This one-pot pasta with tangy tomato-basil sauce is a simple, fast and easy weeknight dinner. All of your ingredients go into one pot, and with a bit of stirring and about 25 minutes of cook time, you’ll have a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy.
21of 26Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini NoodlesView RecipeEnjoy classic shrimp scampi lightened up with zucchini noodles in place of pasta. The tomatoes add some sweetness and color, while the cheese contributes nuttiness and richness.
21of 26
Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
Enjoy classic shrimp scampi lightened up with zucchini noodles in place of pasta. The tomatoes add some sweetness and color, while the cheese contributes nuttiness and richness.
22of 26Sheet-Pan Caprese PizzaView RecipeThis light and flavorful Caprese pizza is ready when the tomatoes are just heated through and the mozzarella cheese is slightly melted. If you want a little more on this pizza, it’d be delicious with a few slices of prosciutto. Chef tip: Let your dough come up to room temperature before you stretch it—it’ll make it much easier to work with.
22of 26
Sheet-Pan Caprese Pizza
This light and flavorful Caprese pizza is ready when the tomatoes are just heated through and the mozzarella cheese is slightly melted. If you want a little more on this pizza, it’d be delicious with a few slices of prosciutto. Chef tip: Let your dough come up to room temperature before you stretch it—it’ll make it much easier to work with.
23of 26Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato SoupView RecipeLeslie Grow |Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato SoupMaya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, upgrades this popular budget-friendly combo. “Adding veggies to a classic sandwich—in this case, broccoli, zucchini and red bell pepper—boosts the nutrient density of the meal,” she says. This recipe was part of a feature story, “The Real Cost of Healthy Food.”
23of 26
Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Leslie Grow |Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Maya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, upgrades this popular budget-friendly combo. “Adding veggies to a classic sandwich—in this case, broccoli, zucchini and red bell pepper—boosts the nutrient density of the meal,” she says. This recipe was part of a feature story, “The Real Cost of Healthy Food.”
24of 26Chicken & Zucchini CasseroleView RecipePhotographer /Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors HallThis baked chicken and zucchini casserole is creamy, hearty and low-carb! The whole family will love this easy casserole, plus it’s a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies.
24of 26
Chicken & Zucchini Casserole
Photographer /Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall
This baked chicken and zucchini casserole is creamy, hearty and low-carb! The whole family will love this easy casserole, plus it’s a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies.
25of 26Cheesy Zucchini QuicheView RecipeThis cheesy crustless zucchini quiche has plenty of leeks and zucchini enveloped in a light custard. Feta and fontina cheeses add a rich depth of flavor. Serve it for brunch or anytime you have extra zucchini on hand.
25of 26
Cheesy Zucchini Quiche
This cheesy crustless zucchini quiche has plenty of leeks and zucchini enveloped in a light custard. Feta and fontina cheeses add a rich depth of flavor. Serve it for brunch or anytime you have extra zucchini on hand.
26of 26Falafel Salad with Lemon-Tahini DressingView RecipeDeep-fried falafel can be a total grease bomb. But these pan-seared falafel still get crispy in just a few tablespoons of oil with equally satisfying results. Be sure to use dried, instead of canned, chickpeas in this healthy recipe—canned chickpeas add too much moisture.
26of 26
Falafel Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Deep-fried falafel can be a total grease bomb. But these pan-seared falafel still get crispy in just a few tablespoons of oil with equally satisfying results. Be sure to use dried, instead of canned, chickpeas in this healthy recipe—canned chickpeas add too much moisture.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
