I have to admit, we did not eat summer squash very much growing up. Ok, can I be honest? Actually, never. I don’t remember my mother ever cooking yellow squash. I do remember having it with other people, but not at our house. Mr. Fix-It’s family grew it and they ate it all summer long, but he doesn’t remember much variety in the recipes. So I guess the good news is that we don’t have any old family recipes we have to throw out or overcome to try something new!
But much like asparagus 8 years ago or Mulberries 5 years ago, summer squash is very new to me. Growing it and cooking it. Turns out growing it is super easy. It takes exactly 2 healthy squash plants to put you knee deep in fresh summer squash. Cooking it is more interesting. We’re experiementing, frankly. We don’t have any tried and true ideas of how to do it. We’ve baked it, we’ve fried it, we’ve cassaroled it, and we’re about to try grilling it.
Here’s a roundup of recipes we’ve used, or plan to try, that fit into our “fresh, simple, and normal pantry or garden ingredients” expectations for summer cooking…
Note: Even though I’m not a gadget person in the kitchen, I do have a vegetable spiraler and highly recommend getting one. (We have this one) They’re not very expensive and they’re safe for kids to use. It makes a huge difference if you’re doing any type of carb reduction or substitution cooking.
Summer Squash Appetizers, Snacks, and Sides
Oven Fried Summer Squash (from Went Here 8 This)…thicker slices do better, go for 1/2 inch, and any type of breadcrumbs will work.
Parmesan Crusted Yellow Squash (from Just a Pinch)…this one is slightly different because the squash is cut like french fries. Didn’t fool my picky eater, but the flavor is surprisingly different from the different shape.
Baked Panko Crusted Yellow Squash (from Roti n Rice)...this is a no-cheese recipe and the squash is cut like nuggets. Also didn’t fool my picky eater, but the rest of us liked it.
Yellow Squash Fritters (from Healthy Recipes)…we’re trying this next, yum!
Squash Fritters with Basil Butter (from Jessica N Wood)
Squash Puppies (from Spicy Southern Kitchen)…use peppers to taste, we’re not spice fans here…cornmeal is the key!
Squash Pancakes (from Genius Kitchen)
Cheesy Squash Casserole (from Jam Hands)…creamed soups and boxed stuffing
Creamy Yellow Squash Casserole (from Chef in Training)…sour cream, cream cheese, and Ritz crackers
5 Ingredient Easy Southern Squash Casserole (from Chaos 2 Peace)
Summer Vegetable Tian (from Budget Bytes)…I don’t really know what a “tian” is, but this is an easy, cheesy vegetable bake.
Squash and Onions with Brown Sugar (from The Kitchn)…super easy and YUM!
Zucchini and Squash Gratin (from Small Town Woman)
Summer Squash Mac and Cheese (from Eating Made Easy)
Sauteed Green Beans and Summer Squash (from Mom Made Foods)
Healthy Zucchini and Squash Casserole (from Evolving Table)
Summer Squash Refrigerator Pickles (from My Frugal Home)…can make with regular salt, pickling salt is not required
Old Fashion Creamed Squash (from Deep South Dish)…ever had creamed corn? Pretty much this…
Summer Squash Succotash (from Karen Kitchen)…I’m not a fan of lima beans so I just leave them out. Mr. Fix-It says that’s not succotash. I don’t care. {smile}
Spiralized Summer Squash with Garlic and Basil (from The Spruce Eats)…easy pasta replacement
Savory Summer Squash Main Dishes
Summer Squash Pizza (from Just a Pinch)…uses a pre-made pizza crust to be super easy!
Garden Frittata (from Taste of Home)
Crustless Squash Pie (from Biscuits and Burlap)…new favorite for hot summer nights, quick and easy, FRESH, dinner.
Skillet Squash Medley (from Mels Kitchen Cafe)…when you just want to eat whatever you picked that day
Easy Rice Stuffed Yellow Squash (from Fresh Bites Daily)…good for using up leftovers
Easy Low Carb Summer Squash Taco Casserole (from Low Carb Yum)
Sweet Corn and Zucchini Pie (from Pinch of Yum)...just sub the zuccs for squash and use frozen corn to make it easier.
Mexican Squash and Ground Beef Casserole (from Genius Kitchen)
Taco Stuffed Summer Squash Boats (from Smile Sandwich)
Rice with Summer Squash (from Taste of Home)…very easy, and you could sub out the rice for cauliflower if you’re low carb
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Squash (from Bake Bake Bake)
Yellow Squash Penne in Butter Parmesan Sauce (from Tasty Kitchen)
Creamy Chicken and Summer Squash (from Clean Food Crush)…does use almond and coconut flour, but you could just use regular all-purpose flour. Would also be great with fresh asparagus!
Healthy Skillet Lemon Parmesan Chicken and Squash (from Cooking Classy)
Zucchini Zoodle Chicken Alfredo (from Tasty)…just sub out the zuccs for squash
Crock Pot Creamy Chicken and Squash (from The Crockpot Ladies)
Spiral Vegetable Tart (from Bunsen Burner Bakery)…if you buy the pie crust and the tomato pesto, this is just normal summer veggies, a little extra work but it looks amazing! (You could also do them as mini tarts like this Vegetable Spiral Mini Tarts recipe from Frites and Fries.)
One Pan Sausage and Veggies (from BuzzFeed)…I love throwing this one in the oven on busy nights!
Summer Squash and Goat Cheese Tart (from The View from Great Island)…other than getting goat cheese, this is actually a pretty easy recipe, a good “out of your box” dinner for us.
Skillet Pasta with Summer Squash and Ricotta (from Pure Wow)…looks fancy but not hard to do
Summer Squash Breads and Sweets
Double Chocolate Squash Muffins (from Graceful Little Honey Bee)…these are totally on my to-do list!
Yellow Squash and Walnut Bread (from Delishably)
Yellow Squash Cornbread (from Recipes for Sustenance)
Cinnamon Squash Bread (from Just a Pinch)
Lemon and Yellow Squash Quick Bread (from The Spruce Eats)
Lemon Blueberry Squash Bread (from Cooking with K)
Yellow Summer Squash Muffins (from Craving Some Creativity)…a lot of ingredients, but all basic baking supplies. my kids thought they were banana muffins.
Herb and Cheddar Squash Bread (from Graceful Little Honey Bee)
Yellow Squash Custard Pie (from Florassippi Girl)
Squash Pudding (from Genius Kitchen)
Grandma Williams Squash Pie (from Food Network)
Chocolate Yellow Squash Cake (from Recipes for Sustenance)
Coconut Yellow Squash Pie (from Low Carb Yum)…this one has some low carb ingredients that might be new to you but looks yummy
I had no idea I would find so many bread and sweet recipes! I’ve had good luck in the past with freezing bread products, so that could be a great way to preserve some of the bounty. We like to make bread and keep in the freezer to give away as well. Or you can always freeze it directly. Canning your yellow squash is an option too, but you’ll need to pressure can it and I don’t do much of that right now.
Also, if you need more ideas, I stumbled across this Squash Lover’s Cookbook on Amazon for just a couple dollars, used.
Are you a yellow squash fan? Do you have a tried and true recipe you use?
