17 Recipes Perfect for the Summer-To-Fall Transition
Those in-between weeks are the best non-season of all.
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Ask anyone how many seasons there are, and they'll likely say four. And though that's technically correct for most of the country, rarely do the dog days of summer wane into an autumnal chill overnight. There are still those in-between weeks where sometimes it's hot and sometimes it's cold and sometimes it's both in the same day. It’s that weird time of year where planning what to eat can be as confusing as your weather app.
But once you have an arsenal of summer-to-fall recipes, you'll realize it's actually the best non-season of all! That's because a lot of late summer produce is still in season, so you can take advantage of fresh flavors while also not sweating through your shirt by simply turning on the oven. You can enjoy tailgate recipes, still fire up your grill, and use up all that zucchini that still seems to be taking over your garden.
And since the in-between season also coincides with the busy back-to-school season, you'll find plenty of 30-minute meals, easy slow cooker recipes, and sheet-pan suppers that make getting family dinners on the table easier. Of course, the list wouldn't be complete without a few after-school snacks and desserts to round out your hybrid seasonal menu. (It is arguably the best time for a warm fruit crisp with a scoop of ice cream.) Remember, the in-between temperatures only last for a few weeks, so enjoy it while you can!
Summer Beef Chili
If you're already craving a cozy chili, give it a summer spin! This version is packed with fresh veggies like zucchini, corn, and bell peppers, along with hearty ground beef.
Get Ree's Summer Beef Chili recipe.
Caprese Chicken
If it's early enough in the season still, you can make your own pesto. Otherwise, just use the jarred kind and you'll get a taste of summer in a 25-minute skillet dinner.
Get Ree's Caprese Chicken recipe.
Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan
Take advantage of eggplant season by making a homey Italian dish without a pasta noodle in sight! Bake the filling right into the veggie for a lighter yet hearty meal.
Get Ree's Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan recipe.
Cherry Tomato Pasta
Craving pasta? Grab a few pints of cherry tomatoes! When they cook down, they burst and release so much summery flavor. Top with basil, parmesan, and creamy ricotta cheese.
Get the Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe.
Apple-Raspberry Crisp With Pistachios
There's a magical moment where raspberry season crosses over with apple season, and that's when you pull out this crisp recipe. You can also use frozen berries. Just don't forget the ice cream!
Get Ree's Apple-Raspberry Crisp With Pistachios recipe.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
It's snack time! Turn zucchini slices into easy pizza bites that both kids and adults will love. Use store-bought sauce, and they're a cinch to make.
Get the Zucchini Pizza Bites recipe.
Albóndigas (Mexican Meatball Soup)
As you prepare for peak soup season, use the rest of that zucchini and make this meatball soup. It's the perfect balance of cozy and savory, yet not too wintery.
Get the Albóndigas recipe.
Chicken Parm Salad
Lighten up that chicken parm by making the salad version. Using cherry tomatoes instead of a heavier sauce makes it lighter and fresher for that in-between weather.
Get Ree's Chicken Parm Salad recipe.
Sheet-Pan Ranch Pork and Veggies
A packet of ranch dressing mix is the secret to this easy one-pan meal. It flavors both the pork and the seasonal veggies and cuts down on prep time.
Get Ree's Sheet-Pan Ranch Pork and Veggies recipe.
Pumpkin Smoothie
Skip the PSL and make something a little cooler in those warmer weeks, even when you're craving pumpkin. It tastes like a pumpkin pie in a milkshake, but it's not nearly as sinful.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Smoothie recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Football season is here! If you want something tailgate inspired but don't want to go too heavy, make spicy chicken meatballs with a cool cucumber salad to balance them out.
Get Ree's Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe.
Blackened Salmon with Edamame Succotash
Cooking salmon in the oven only takes about 15 minutes. And while you can use fresh veggies, you can also use frozen ones and pull this together super fast.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Before you break out those casserole recipes, char sweet potatoes on the grill while you can. They get crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and taste incredible with an herb butter.
Get the Grilled Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Cheeseburger Salad
If you're missing that summery grill season, get the same tastes of cheeseburgers in a salad form. Mini burgers cook up super fast in a skillet and you still get all the fixings on one plate.
Get the Cheeseburger Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
All you have to do to make versatile BBQ chicken is sling everything in a slow cooker in the beginning of the day and dinner will be served with little hands-on time.
Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe.
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is a great anytime breakfast or brunch. As the season shifts, you can vary the toppings from mango-coconut to fresh pico de gallo to eggs and bacon.
Get the Avocado Toast recipe.
Sheet-Pan Cajun Chicken and Corn
If you still see corn at the market, grab some and throw it on a sheet pan with chicken and peppers for an easy meal. The oven and Cajun seasoning do most of the work for you.
Get Ree's Sheet-Pan Cajun Chicken and Corn recipe.
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