This time of year the garden is overflowing with fresh vegetables- juicy tomatoes, abundant summer squash and an endless supply of basil leaves- it's hard not to have Italian cuisine on my mind.
You know you are a foodie when you are so excited that your husband bought you really good extra virgin olive oil for Christmas! Oh and how I have been waiting for fresh tomatoes to really really enjoy it. What is better than a classic Caprese Salad with beautifully ripe tomatoes, slides of buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt?
Ok after you have had your fill of fresh mozzarella and creamy burrata it's time to enjoy the full array of Italian dishes perfect for celebrating the warm weather and summer season. Featuring lots of fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, and all the great fresh veggies of July and August- here are some tasty Italian-inspired dinner ideas for hot summer nights.
Italian Summer Recipes
Lentil Stuffed Peppers
If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious meal that’s easy to make, look no further than Lentil Stuffed Peppers. This recipe is loaded with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious and filling meal that’s perfect for any time of day. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile, so you can adjust the ingredients to your liking.
This has become one of my husband’s favorite recipes. He recently had to have his gallbladder removed and was told his diet would have to change significantly. Indulgent Italian food was a staple in his diet up until recently. He loves homemade meatballs, and for our first Valentine’s Day I surprised him by dropping off an Italian sub with all the fixings for lunch. These lentil-stuffed peppers are so tasty and packed with seasoning that they have become his go-to recipe to request when he is looking for indulgent and comforting Italian food. The last time I made these I thought I was going to have enough left over for a few days. But I kept catching him, eating them cold directly out of the refrigerator. Yes, they are really that good:)
Walnut Basil Pesto
Walnut Basil Pesto is one of those amazing flavor-boosting condiments that is delicious in practically anything. Made with walnut instead of pine nuts this pesto is a little cheaper to make. From the classic pasta dishes to sandwiches and roasted sweet potatoes. Pesto is arguably the number one reason I grow a ton of basil in the summer. I’ve decided that you can never have enough pesto in your freezer or refrigerator. I make it all summer long and freeze any leftovers so that we can enjoy it all year round.
Italian Sausage Stuffed Summer Squash
Turns out stuffed summer squash is my favorite way to eat this abundant garden vegetable. Summer squash stuffed with Italian sausages is super easy to make and is hearty enough to serve for dinner.
Savor the Summer Squash- Like zucchini, summer squash is really easy to grow. I love checking the garden every morning to see if I have a new squash. If you’re not a gardener, these gens are easy to find at the grocery store or even better the local farmer’s market.
Farro with Blister Tomato and Pesto
Farro salad with Blister Tomato and Pesto – a delightful Caprese-inspired salad with a twist! This rustic dish combines nutty farro with sweet and tangy blistered cherry tomatoes and roasted red onion, all brought together by basil pesto. Topped with creamy Navy or Great Northern beans, it’s a satisfying and hearty meal that will leave you craving for more.
Broccoli Rabe salad White Bean With Sun-dried Tomatoes
Broccoli rabe salad White Bean With Sun-dried Tomatoes works equally well as a side dish alongside a roasted chicken or as a standalone vegetarian main. The broccoli rabe is bright and works wonderfully with the sweet chewiness of the sundried tomatoes. Perfect for serving at room temperature on hot summer days.
Italian Sausage Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
Italian sausage stuffed Portabella mushrooms are hearty and delicious. Portabella mushrooms are so versatile and can be stuffed with all kinds of fillings. Its Italian sausage stuffing was originally for a summer squash recipe but turns out it’s absolutely scrumptious with the mushrooms. Great for serving at a dinner party in the summer months.
More easy Italian recipes to coming soon... Easy summer tomato sauce (thanks to my husband's Itanian grandmother), a healthy take on white pizza, and Italian pasta salad with mozzarella cheese. Join my email list to get all the new summer recipes sent right to your in box.
Roasted Pepper Relish
Roasted Pepper Relish is super easy to make and amazingly flavorful. It’s delicious served as a salsa-like dip or spread on sandwiches to give them a surprising kick. You could vary the spice level of this relish depending on the peppers you pick. My standard ratio is 6 bell peppers, 3 to 6 jalapeños, and 3 to 6 red chili peppers depending on size.
Polenta Stuffed Peppers
Polenta stuffed bell peppers are a delicious and satisfying vegetarian main dish impressive enough to serve to company. The polenta stuffing is creamy and flavorful with a bit of cheese, garlic, and jalapeño. The bell peppers roast beautifully and are a striking vehicle for this baked polenta.
This recipe is adapted for Ottolenghi Test Kitchen’s: Shelf Love. The authors Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi have published some beautiful cookbooks. The pictures are stunning, and the recipes are a wonderful blend of international flavors and creative combinations. I’ve made some ingredients, alterations and simplified a few steps.
Lentil Quinoa Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
This lentil salad features chewy sun-dried tomatoes, fluffy quinoa, and tender lentils, this recipe makes for a delicious lunch or salad to serve at a potluck. It’s super easy to whip up and is made from pantry staples.
I love this quinoa and lentil combination. They both can be made days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, and because of this I love to use them and meal prep so that I can throw a salad together at the last minute. This particular recipe calls for parmesan cheese, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes and parsley, all things I usually have at hand.
If you’re missing a particular ingredient don’t hesitate to make a substitution. Try feta instead of Parmesan cheese, or if you’re looking for a vegan option try toasted almonds. If you don’t have parsley try basil, or fresh oregano.
Kale and White Bean Salad with Pesto dressing
This Kale and White Bean Salad with Pesto dressing are one of my favorites. Make with kale, cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes, and red onions dressed with pesto vinaigrette. This salad is perfect for when you’re craving something substantial but nutrient-rich. I love big greens salads for lunch because I’ve already gotten in nearly all of my vegetable servings before dinner.
I know kale is an acquired taste for some. The first time I tried using kale in a salad, it was bitter and rough, and I had no desire to repeat the experience. But after tasting some great kale salads out at restaurants, I knew I had to give it another try. Massaging the kale with lemon juice to break down the texture and remove some bitterness was the trick that changed the game for me.
Pesto Vinaigrette
This Pesto Vinaigrette recipe is a fresh, nutty, and irresistibly versatile salad dressing. Pesto Vinaigrette is delicious drizzle over roasted veggies, toss with fresh green and start my husband’s favorite warm salad Roasted Sweet Potato and Za’tar Chickpeas Warm Salad (with Pesto vinaigrette).
Pesto is the best! What’s better than fresh crusty bread with homemade pesto? I love to eat pesto with my favorite carbohydrates, all fresh bread, pasta, and roasted potatoes. Sometimes I like to use pesto to jazz up my favorite greens or vegetables. In that case, I opt to make a Pesto vinegar wrapped so it’s a little tangier and thinner consistency, all the better for coding leafy greens and grilled veggies.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Relish
Warm or cold, this Roasted Cherry Tomato Relish is absolutely delicious. It’s perfect on toast but we’ve used it as a pasta sauce and the base for steamed mussels. In less than 30 minutes you will have an amazing flavor to enjoy immediately or later in the week.
Cheeseless Pizza Recipe
The secret ingredient in this cheeseless Pizza brings rich flavors and creamy textures- while providing a host of nutritional benefits. You’ve never tasted such a delicious healthy pizza before!! Whether you’re looking for a cheese, less pizza because you’re vegan, lactose, intolerant, or trying to reduce overall fat or processed food in your diet- this is a great recipe!
More easy Italian recipes to coming soon... Easy summer tomato sauce (thanks to my husband's Itanian grandmother), a healthy take on white pizza, and Italian pasta salad with mozzarella cheese. Join my email list to get all the new summer recipes sent right to your in box.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!