We grill a lot each summer, and many tacos are involved. But after my mom called, raving about the absolute perfection of the fresh veggies she got at the farmer’s market this week, I wanted to focus on dinners we can make the family using summer vegetables for this week’s meal plan.
These recipes all make the most of the best vegetables you can find at your local market or grocery store this week — and they’re all light and summery and full of flavor. You will find yourself craving these, I promise!
At top: Stuffed Poblano Peppers at Dinner at the Zoo; Crispy Lemon Feta with Spicy Chickpeas and Basil Orzo at Halfbaked Harvest
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Related: 5 ways to get kids to eat more vegetables—no bribing, begging, or fighting required
Crispy Lemon Feta with Spicy Chickpeas and Basil Orzo | Halfbaked Harvest
Whenever I start thinking about this Crispy Lemon Feta with Spicy Chickpeas and Basil Orzo recipe from Halfbaked Harvest, my mouth waters. No joke. I didn’t think I was a fan of feta, but this recipe has changed me. It even tastes delicious with vegan feta, if you don’t eat or can’t eat dairy. This summer recipe is bright and crispy and rich and…just so good. It’s my go-to recipe when we have extra zucchini lying around.
Related: 8 family-friendly zucchini recipes with major kid appeal.
Chipotle Chicken Skewers | Keto Diet
Load these Chipotle Chicken Skewers at Keto Diet up with all the veggies. This is a fun way for kids to get excited about eating vegetables, since they’re already bite-size. (Pro tip: call them “fun-size.” It works.) This is also an easy summer recipe to turn to if you’re challenging your kids to “eat the rainbow” each day — they can knock a whole lot of colors off their checklist in one dinner.
Related: 5 summery grilled chicken recipes that will make chicken for dinner exciting again.
Zucchini Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce | From My Bowl
On hot summer nights I like a cool dinner, and this Zucchini Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce at From My Bowl is a tasty one. You’ll get lots of protein from the edamame, but if you want you can add some grilled pork, fish or chicken to go with this. If you don’t already have a spiralizer in your kitchen, this recipe is excuse enough to get one.
Related: 8 fresh summer pasta salads to help you get creative when you’re tired of pasta salads
Stuffed Poblano Peppers | Dinner at the Zoo
Whether you’re thinking #TacoTuesday or just looking for new ways to get summer vegetables on the table, switch things up and make these savory Stuffed Poblano Peppers with this wonderful recipe from Dinner at the Zoo. The filling is basically what you’d find in a loaded ground beef taco, plus makes great use of those beautiful in-season peppers right now. The individual servings are a fun way to present them at dinner…and you can always make things more fun with chips and salsa, of course. Our team is pretty unanimous about this jarred salsa to keep dinner easy.
Pasta with Peas and Bacon | Salted Mint
Don’t let the looks of this creamy pasta with peas and bacon recipe at Salted Mint deceive you: it’s not too heavy for summer, thanks to the tang of lemon zest you add to the sauce. I absolutely love this with fresh peas, but you could really use any fresh summer green vegetable. ( Asparagus would be terrific.) I make this our main course, but you could also serve it as a side with some grilled protein to cut back on carbs.
