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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 No-Fuss Vegetable Forward Recipes for a Stress-Free Summer

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 2, 2025, updated April 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh vegetables, and these 21 simple recipes make it easy to incorporate more greens into your meals. Whether you're looking for quick salads, hearty sides, or light main dishes, these ideas will help you make the most of seasonal produce without any fuss. Enjoy the flavors of summer with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment.

    Baked Gnocchi with Frozen Veggies

    Baked gnocchi with vegetables on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This is an easy one-pan gnocchi bake that requires no chopping. Loaded with frozen mixed vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce, it’s a comforting meal that comes together with minimal effort.

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    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake is simple to prepare and combines everything in one dish with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. It features colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, and you can easily customize it to your liking.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will enjoy. A big sheet pan loaded with your favorite veggies and sausages is perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

    Burrito bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Burrito bowls are a healthy and tasty option that you can whip up with minimal effort. This simple recipe lets you throw everything together and enjoy a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is an easy meal full of flavor. Juicy chicken thighs and colorful vegetables roast together on a single sheet pan, so cleanup is quick and simple.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies.
    Photo credit: This DIY Life.

    This is a simple one-pot meal that combines chicken, potatoes, and vegetables, all cooked together in a crockpot. It's an easy way to enjoy a hearty dish without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Zucchini Casserole

    Zucchini casserole.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    Enjoy a simple Zucchini Casserole that highlights the fresh vegetables of summer. This dish is perfect for celebrating the season's bounty.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    Dijon sheet pan chicken.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Sheet pan meals are perfect for busy nights, and this maple Dijon chicken dish is a winner with its simple prep and delicious flavors. With seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and roasted veggies, it’s a satisfying option for cozy dinners that doesn’t require much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake

    Baked gnocchi.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This is a simple and satisfying way to enjoy fresh vegetables all summer. These dishes are perfect for warm days when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    A casserole dish full of spinach artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This creamy casserole combines rotisserie chicken with frozen vegetables, making it super easy to prepare. You can have it ready in less than an hour.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal is a simple way to enjoy lamb while letting the oven do the work. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that's delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

    Sheet pan kielbasa and veggies.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This is a simple dinner that you can prepare on a single sheet pan. Feel free to mix and match your favorite sausage and vegetables!

    Get the recipe

    Irish Beef Stew

    Irish Beef Stew
    Photo Credit: The Urben Life.

    This dish features tender beef paired with root vegetables for a satisfying meal. It's simple to prepare, filling, and perfect for cozy evenings.

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    Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    Taco stuffed sweet potatoes.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    These Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes will take your taco night to a new and tasty level! Sweet potatoes are filled with your favorite taco toppings and all done in under 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe.

    Cowboy Stew

    Cowboy Stew
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

    Cowboy Stew is a great choice for feeding a crowd without much effort. Loaded with ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, and plenty of vegetables, it’s a filling meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let it cook on its own, and it turns out delicious with chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce all in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup is a hearty and satisfying dish packed with fresh vegetables and soft gnocchi in a creamy broth. It comes together quickly in just 30 minutes using ingredients you probably already have on hand.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage & Veggies

    Gnocchi sheet bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    Sheet pan oven-baked gnocchi with sausage and vegetables is a simple dinner that you can whip up in just 25 minutes using only one pan. This dish is perfect for busy summer nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This dish is packed with protein from red lentils and is full of warming spices. It's easy to make in an Instant Pot, Crockpot, or on the stove.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks

    Healthy Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    This healthy chicken drumsticks recipe is a simple sheet pan dinner that delivers a tasty meal in about 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Vegan Pasta

    Vegan pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Plant Based Folk.

    This creamy vegan pasta bake is simple to prepare and loaded with veggies. It's delicious served hot or cold, making it perfect for any meal.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas.
      28 Dump-And-Bake Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Lemongrass grilled chicken.
      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master
    • Feta stuffed chicken.
      19 Simple Sunday Night Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love
    • John Wayne casserole.
      24 Dump-And-Cook Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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