Italian Summer Recipes

Growing up in New York, we either had lunch at the beach or on the back porch. In our Italian-American family, sandwiches were a staple from June to August, while dinner was usually something on the grill, like sausage or seafood. The focus was always on fresh ingredients like tomatoes, zucchini, basil, and dishes that didn't keep us stuck in the kitchen all day.

These days, our family is always on the move in the Summer, so we focus on meals that are light, easy to prepare, and perfect for leftovers. Most of these recipes stay fresh in the refrigerator for a quick snack or last-minute dinner.

Many of these are tried and true family recipes that have been tested over generations of my family, so I might be a bit biased...but these are the dishes I look forward to making every Summer.

Italian Summer Lunches

The best Italian Summer lunches accomplish 3 things: they're easy to make, easy to pack, or loaded with fresh seasonal vegetables. These are the recipes we use all Summer long.

Italian Summer Grilling

Summer grilling is a big part of Italian-American culture. From Chicken Spiedini to Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers, these recipes let you enjoy dinner outside without heating up the kitchen.

Our family spends most Summer evenings cooking outdoors. If you're the same, explore our Italian Grilling Recipes→

Italian Summer Pasta

Quick pasta recipes with seasonal ingredients, like tomatoes, eggplant, basil, and zucchini, are perfect for Summer nights when you don't want to spend all your time in the kitchen.

Looking for more warm-weather pasta dishes? Explore our collection of Italian and Italian-American Pasta→