We’re in the heart of summer, and the produce is at its peak. This week I made a big batch of pesto to use across several meals — it’s a quick way to highlight fresh basil, tomatoes, and summer fruit. Here are some simple, seasonal ideas for what to eat this week to keep dinners fresh, bright, and easy.
What To Eat This Week
Use this list as a loose plan: mix and match the recipes and swap proteins or vegetables depending on what’s ripe at the market. Pesto can be stirred into warm pasta, spooned over grilled fish or chicken, spread on sandwiches, or folded into grain bowls.
Grilled summer salmon — simply seasoned and finished with pesto or a squeeze of lemon for a bright, fresh main.
Grilled lemonade chicken bowls — juicy grilled chicken with bright citrus flavors, great served over greens, grains, or alongside roasted veggies.
Brown butter garden vegetable pasta — a cozy pasta that showcases late summer vegetables; toss with brown butter and herbs for a nutty finish.
Grilled chicken strawberry salad — sweet strawberries, grilled chicken, and crisp greens make a refreshing summer salad, perfect for warm evenings.
Pesto risotto stuffed peppers — creamy risotto flavored with pesto, baked in sweet bell peppers for an impressive but easy weeknight meal.
Peach and prosciutto pizza — juicy peaches, salty prosciutto, and pesto or ricotta combine for a sweet-savory summer pizza that’s fast and flavorful.
Smashed pesto chickpea salad — a hearty vegetarian option: smashed chickpeas with pesto, herbs, and crunchy veggies make a terrific sandwich or bowl filling.
Blueberry peach chia bowls — a light, fruity breakfast or snack that highlights summer stone fruit and berries; sprinkle with nuts or granola for texture.
Tips for using summer produce and your batch of pesto:
- Freeze pesto in ice cube trays for easy portions to add to pastas, soups, or sauces later in the season.
- Swap proteins based on what you have: salmon, chicken, tofu, or beans all work with the pesto flavor profile.
- Add fresh fruit like peaches or strawberries to salads and pizzas for a summery sweet contrast.
- Roast or grill vegetables to concentrate their flavor before tossing them with pasta or stuffing them into peppers.
What’s on your menu this week? Try picking two or three recipes from the list and build simple sides from whatever’s fresh at the market — a loaf of crusty bread, a green salad, or grilled corn keep meals effortless and seasonal.