Summer is the perfect time to lighten up your meals and enjoy fresh, vibrant flavors. Inspired by Mediterranean tastes and seasonal ingredients, these 5 easy recipes bring you delicious dishes that are quick to prepare and full of sunshine. Whether you’re after a refreshing chilled soup, a light pasta, or a hearty lasagna, there’s something here for every summer mood. Let’s dive into these simple cooking ideas that will brighten up your week!
Refreshing Tomato and Pepper Soup with Crispy Garlic Toasts
This tomato and pepper soup is a wonderful summer starter—bright, fresh, and versatile. If chilled soups aren’t your thing, don’t worry; you can enjoy it warm, and it’s just as delicious. The soup is packed with ripe tomatoes, sweet peppers, and a touch of garlic, blended with olive oil and a splash of vinegar for tanginess.
To make it, start by washing and halving ripe tomatoes, then add them to your blender. Chop up about one and a half peppers into chunky pieces and toss the rest into a small bowl sliced finely with onion, salt, and vinegar to create a quick pickle salsa. Half a clove of garlic joins the blender along with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a generous handful of ice to chill the soup perfectly.
Slice a baguette into one-centimeter thick pieces and toast them golden on both sides in a pan. Rub the warm toasts with the leftover garlic clove to infuse them with a beautiful fragrant flavor.
For a Mediterranean protein boost, quickly heat borlotti beans in a pan, mashing a few to release creaminess. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil, and a splash of the vinegar from your quick pickle salsa for an extra zing. Top the garlic toasts with these creamy beans, then finish with a pinch of the salsa and fresh parsley for a colorful, nutritious bite.
This dish is a perfect summer antidote—light, refreshing, and packed with two of your five-a-day vegetables. Whether served cold or warm, it’s a quick and satisfying way to enjoy summer’s best produce.
Light White Asparagus Tortellini with Mint and Lemon Butter
For a bright and delicate pasta dish, try handmade tortellini filled with white asparagus, ricotta, and parmesan. White asparagus is a seasonal delicacy with a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the creamy filling.
Cook the tortellini gently for just three minutes until silky soft. Meanwhile, brown butter in a pan and add a splash of vegetable stock, fresh lemon juice, and chopped mint. Let this sauce reduce to a loose, fragrant cream that perfectly coats the pasta.
Serve the tortellini topped with vibrant pea shoots that taste just like fresh peas, adding a sweet crunch and freshness. A generous shave of parmesan finishes this light, elegant dish that’s perfect for warm days when you want something simple yet impressive.
Spring Vegetable Lasagna in Under 30 Minutes
This vegetable lasagna is a fantastic way to enjoy seasonal produce with a creamy, mint-infused filling. Using asparagus stalks, spring onions, peas, and broad beans, this dish is vibrant and packed with flavor.
Start by sautéing asparagus stalks with spring onions, garlic, and anchovies (optional, but they melt into the sauce adding umami without fishiness). Add frozen peas, broad beans, fresh mint, single cream, and chicken stock (or vegetable stock for a vegetarian option). Let this mixture come to a boil and thicken slightly.
In a roasting tray, layer the filling with lasagna sheets and grated parmesan, adding a bit of water to keep everything bubbling. The final layer is a creamy cottage cheese mixture (a great shortcut to béchamel), topped with asparagus tips drizzled with olive oil, thyme, and salt.
After a quick boil on the stove, the lasagna goes under the grill to gratinate, resulting in a beautiful golden top and melty, creamy layers inside. This speedy lasagna is a showstopper for any summer meal.
Spicy Sausage Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Herbs
This pasta is a summer classic—full of bold flavors and perfect for feeding a crowd. Using Moroccan-style merguez sausages, the dish is spicy and aromatic with layers of herbs and sweet cherry tomatoes.
Brown the sausages in olive oil, then add bay leaf, oregano, marjoram, finely chopped red onion, celery, garlic, and a carefully deseeded chili for just the right amount of heat. Add overripe, juicy tomatoes and a splash of water to create a rich, saucy base. Season with pepper and a generous splash of balsamic vinegar for sweetness and depth.
Let the sauce gently simmer in the oven to blend all the flavors beautifully. Serve it tossed with your favorite pasta—linguine works wonderfully—and finish with fresh ricotta or parmesan cheese. This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings the warmth and vibrancy of summer to your table.
Perfect Summer Frittata with Peas, Broad Beans, and Asparagus
A frittata is a quick, versatile Italian-style omelette that’s perfect for summer breakfasts, lunches, or light dinners. This version uses smashed peas and broad beans for a fresh, pesto-like flavor, brightened with mint, lemon zest, and juice.
Whisk six eggs with salt and pepper, then fold in the smashed peas and beans along with parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Lightly fry asparagus tips in a pan, then pour in the egg mixture. Dot the surface with little blobs of the pea mixture for bursts of flavor.
Once the edges start to set, sprinkle feta and parmesan around the edges and transfer the pan to the oven to finish cooking and develop a golden top. While it bakes, toss together a simple salad of pea shoots, rocket, raw peas, and tomatoes dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.
The result is a fluffy, flavorful frittata that doubles in size and delivers a satisfying, fresh meal in just minutes.
These five recipes showcase how easy cooking can be when you work with seasonal ingredients and simple techniques. From light soups and fresh pastas to hearty lasagna and frittatas, there’s a summer dish here to suit every occasion. Enjoy the flavors of the season and happy cooking!
This article was created from the video 5 EASY Summer Recipes To Cook At Home This Week with the help of AI.
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