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30 Minutes or Less

Summer Squash Pasta (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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summer squash pasta on a plate with white wine, basil, and red pepper flakes on the side

This summer squash pasta is the perfect way to enjoy one of this season’s BEST vegetables! Fresh summer squash is quickly sautéed until perfectly tender then tossed with your favorite pasta. This simple weeknight meal is light, healthy, and comes together in under 20 minutes!

summer squash pasta being lifted off a plate with a fork

‘Tis the season! If you (like me) feel like you’re drowning in squash this summer, then you NEED to make this recipe. Summer squash peaks in the ….you guessed it – summer! My parents garden is currently being taken over by summer squash and zucchini. They have so much squash at this point that they have no clue what to do with it all! One solution to their problem is sending me home with massive bags of it every time I visit them. And while I still have a few squash sitting in my fridge right now, I was able to use some of them in this delicious pasta recipe!

I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been a big fan of anything quick and easy when it comes to time spent in the kitchen. Hovering over a hot stove for more than 20 minutes sounds like pure torture in this city heat and humidity. Therefore, I’m on a mission to develop as many no-bake/cook recipes or ready in under 30 minutes recipes as possible! This specific vegan and gluten-free pasta recipe falls into the latter category, and for that reason alone we love it so much.

What You Need To Make Summer Squash Pasta

Summer Squash and/or Zucchini– This recipe is the perfect way to use up any leftover summer squash and/or zucchini in your garden! Simply wash and then slice at least two of them, then throw them in this recipe. If you like your pasta extra squash-y (new word – squashy!) feel free to add an extra squash or two in there. The more, the merrier when it comes to this summer squash pasta!

Pasta – I used Jovial Brown Rice Gluten-Free Farfalle pasta in my dish, however you can use whatever kind of pasta you’d like in this recipe. Rigatoni, orecchiette, ziti, penne, or really any pasta shape would work here. If you’re gluten-free like me, I highly recommend the Jovial pasta as it tastes incredibly similar to the real thing.

Basil – Continuing on with the summer trend, this herb flourishes in the warm weather! Basil really helps pack on the freshness in this simple pasta dish. If you don’t have basil, you can use fresh parsley instead.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

  • Add Dairy: Finish this summer squash pasta off with a sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan cheese for a delightful, savory bite!
  • Make it Paleo: You can easily make this dish paleo by doubling up on the squash and removing the pasta from this recipe. It’ll be more of a side dish than a main course, but will still taste totally delicious!
Summer Squash Pasta (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
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Summer Squash Pasta (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

This summer squash pasta is the perfect way to enjoy one of this season’s BEST vegetables! Fresh summer squash is quickly sautéed until perfectly tender then tossed with your favorite pasta. This simple weeknight meal is light, healthy, and comes together in under 20 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces pasta, see Notes

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 5 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 summer squash and/or zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1/4 cup fresh basil

Directions

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
  • Add in the squash and/or zucchini along with the salt, cook 10-15 minutes, tossing every few minutes.
  • Transfer cooked and drained pasta to the skillet along with red pepper flakes and lemon juice, toss everything together.
  • Remove from heat, add in basil, and serve immediately.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Pasta: I used gluten-free farfalle pasta in this recipe, though you can use any kind of pasta you’d like!

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30 Minutes or Less

Avocado Crema

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avocado crema being scooped from a bowl with a tortilla chip

This avocado crema is tangy, creamy, and delicious! Whip this naturally vegan recipe together for friends and family with just five super simple ingredients.

We love a good guac around here. And while yes, guac is pretty easy to make, this avocado crema is even easier! It requires just five easy-to-acquire ingredients and is blended together in a few minutes. Before I forget, I must mention my most FAVORITE thing about this simple recipe. You know how when you make guacamole it pretty quickly turns brown? Well friends. this avocado crema stays bright green for hours! The lime juice gives this recipe a delightfully tangy flavor and helps to preserve the color of this dish. I just love throwing this easy dip recipe together when friends or family come over. Not only does everyone go crazy for it, but it looks delicious and appetizing until it’s all gone!

What You Need To Make Avocado Crema

Avocados – Use perfectly ripe avocados in this recipe. To know when an avocado is ripe, gently but firmly press on the outside. If the avocado gives a little without feeling too mushy, then you know it’s ripe and ready to eat! However, if the avocado feels hard, place it in a plastic bag with a bunch of bananas to help it ripen quickly (typically in a day or two).

Lime Juice – If you love a ton of lime in your guac, you’re gonna go insane for this avocado crema recipe! Loaded with fresh lime juice, it’s incredibly zesty and bright. However, feel free to adjust the amount of lime juice to your preferences. And while fresh lime juice is always best, bottled lime juice will work in this recipe as well.

Garlic – If you’re anything like me, you add garlic to literally everything. A single garlic clove contributes a bit of spice and an essence of that delicious garlic flavor to this simple dip recipe. If you’d like, you can add even more garlic to this recipe or leave it out altogether!

Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

  • Add Dairy: If you’re not dairy-free, you can add 1/2 cup sour cream to make this avocado crema even creamier!
  • Sub Cilantro: I know a handful of you are averse to cilantro, therefore you can easily swap the cilantro in this recipe for some fresh parsley instead.

Ways To Enjoy This Avocado Crema

  • with chips
  • in tacos
  • in burritos
  • over chicken
  • in salad
  • …or by the spoonful!
Avocado Crema
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Avocado Crema

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: SidesCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Total time

5

minutes

This avocado crema is tangy, creamy, and delicious! Whip this naturally vegan recipe together for friends and family with just five super simple ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 4-5 medium-sized ripe avocados

  • 3 tablespoons lime juice

  • 1/4 cup cilantro

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 garlic clove

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Store any leftover avocado crema in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

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Dairy-Free

Caramelized Onion Burgers with Garlic Aioli (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

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close up image of caramelized onion burgers in a baking pan

These caramelized onion burgers are incredibly juicy and flavorful! They even include a simple, yet delicious garlic aioli that will blow your socks off. Make these caramelized onion burgers for your next date night-in or dinner party – this restaurant-quality recipe is a total crowd-favorite!

close up image of caramelized onion burgers in a baking pan

It took me a while to realize that I didn’t hate all onions. Well it took me until the day that I discovered caramelized onions, to be exact. To me, onions are much too tangy and almost spicy to eat raw. However, when you slowly cook onions in (dairy-free) butter, they release their natural sugars, becoming sweet and delicious! Caramelized is one of the few ways that I’ll even eat onions. They’re super soft, tender, and simply add the BEST flavor to these burgers.

Garlic aioli was introduced to these caramelized onion burgers when I realized how often I seek anything garlic aioli when I’m out to eat, but have yet to make it myself at home?? Which was kind of crazy because aioli is SUPER easy to make at home! It literally consists of a small handful of ingredients that I almost always have on-hand. Mayo, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper – that’s all you’ll need to make this restaurant-style spread! It’s creamy, tangy, and has just the right amount of garlic. Altogether, these caramelized onion burgers with garlic aioli are exploding with incredible flavor!

What You Need To Make Caramelized Onion Burgers with Garlic Aioli

Onions – I prefer yellow onions for their higher sugar content, thus making them all the more sweeter once caramelized. However, you can use white onion if you’d like! Prepare your onions for this recipe by removing the paper-like skin, slicing them once down the center, then lay the cut side-down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice the onion into 1/4-1/8 inch half moon slices. Either prepare to cry while you slice your onions, or throw on a pair of goggles like me! I look crazy, but three onions and no tears later, it’s SO worth it.

Ground Beef – The key to a super juicy and tender caramelized onion burger is 80% to 85% lean ground beef. I used 80% ground beef, which means that my beef consisted of 20% fat. This may seem like a lot, but much of the fat in the ground beef is rendered and cooked off while the burgers cook. Though the little bit of fat that gets left behind makes these burgers a whole lot more tender and flavorful!

Gluten-Free Buns – I’m not going to lie, gluten-free hamburger buns can be pretty hard to come by. I use and recommend the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns which I find in the freezer section at my local Whole Foods. Though feel free to use your favorite/whichever gluten-free buns you can find. And if you’re not gluten-free, use regular hamburger buns instead!

Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

  • Make it Vegan: Use your favorite ground beef substitute for the ground beef in this recipe, and use vegan mayo instead of regular mayo.
  • Add Cheese: A slice or two of melty gruyere or provolone cheese would taste delicious for all my dairy-tolerant friends!
  • Make it A Salad: One of my favorite ways to eat this recipe is actually over a salad! I start with a bed of arugula, add some fresh sliced cucumber and tomatoes, then place the cooked burger patty and a hefty scoop of caramelized onions on top. Last, but definitely not least, I drizzle that delicious garlic aioli over the top as the dressing and enjoy!
Caramelized Onion Burgers with Garlic Aioli
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Caramelized Onion Burgers with Garlic Aioli

3 from 30 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: American
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Total time

45

minutes

These caramelized onion burgers are incredibly juicy and flavorful! They even include a simple, yet delicious garlic aioli that will blow your socks off. Make these caramelized onion burgers for your next date night-in or dinner party – this restaurant-quality recipe is a total crowd-favorite!

Ingredients

  • For the caramelized onions:

  • 2 onions, thinly sliced

  • 2 tablespoons butter (I used dairy-free)

  • Salt, to taste

  • For the burgers:

  • 1 pound ground beef, see Notes

  • 1-2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • For the garlic aioli:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • For serving:

  • 4 gluten-free buns, toasted

  • Arugula

Directions

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat then add in the onions and sprinkle with salt.
  • Cook until translucent then reduce to medium-low heat and cook until caramelized, about 30 minutes. Stir onions every 5 minutes or so and keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn.
  • Gently form the ground beef into burger patties then season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, once very hot place in the burgers. Cook for 2-5 minutes per side, depending on your preference.
  • Make the garlic aioli by adding all ingredients to a bowl and mixing together to combine.
  • Slather garlic aioli on the bottom half of each bun, top with a handful or arugula, then a cooked burger patty, and caramelized onions before finishing off with the top bun.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Ground Beef: Purchase a ground beef that is somewhere between 80% to 85% lean, and aim for nothing higher than 90% lean.

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30 Minutes or Less

Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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Kale pesto in spaghetti being twirled with a fork.

Pour this kale pesto over your favorite pasta for an easy, healthy meal! Loaded with fresh kale, this is the ultimate way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a fresh and delicious kale pesto in under 5 minutes!

Kale pesto in spaghetti being twirled with a fork.

The Story Behind This Recipe

We’re major pesto people around here. I make a killer basil pesto (be on the lookout for a recipe this summer!). There’s just something so fresh, yet satisfying about a good pesto. I was skeptical attempting a kale version of a favorite. But WOW, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. This kale pesto is savory, bright, almost refreshing and completely hides how healthy it is. As some of you know, most pestos are made with some type of cheese. But because we’re a cheese-free zone, I developed this recipe without cheese. And honestly – you won’t even know it’s missing anything!

What You Need To Make Kale Pesto

Kale – I used green curly kale, though any kale will work in this recipe. Be sure to remove as much of the stems from your kale leaves as possible before blending. And when I say “roughly chopped,” I mean it. Simply run your knife through the kale a couple of times and then it’s ready to use in this recipe!

Pistachios – Pistachios add a hearty almost sweet touch to this kale pesto. I’ve tried a few different nuts in this recipe and all work, though pistachios taste best. However, whatever nuts you use, it’s imperative that they are completely unsalted!

Lemon Juice – A touch of acidity brings out the brightness of this recipe! Lemon juice also helps to break down the tough fibers in the kale, making it easier to digest.

Ways To Enjoy This Kale Pesto

  • Perhaps the most obvious way is over pasta. This is how I enjoyed my kale pesto, with Jovial Brown Rice gluten-free pasta. I also added sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers for extra protein/nutrients – and it was delicious!
  • Don’t knock this one ’til you try it – with scrambled eggs! Stir a tablespoon or two of kale pesto in with your eggs right before they’re finished cooking. The end result is creamy scrambled eggs loaded with flavor and veggies.
  • On toast – slather a healthy helping of kale pesto on toasted bread for a quick and delicious snack!
Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
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Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

Pour this kale pesto over your favorite pasta for an easy, healthy meal! Loaded with fresh kale, this is the ultimate way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a fresh and delicious kale pesto in under 5 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups packed kale, stems removed and roughly chopped

  • 1/2 cup pistachios, raw and unsalted

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 garlic cloves, see Notes

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

  • Add all ingredients, except for the olive oil, to a food processor or blender. Pulse until finely chopped, then slowly stream in the olive oil while blending until combined.

Notes

  • Garlic: There’s no need to chop the garlic for this recipe, simply remove the skin then throw the cloves in with the other ingredients!

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30 Minutes or Less

One-Pot Lemon Pasta (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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Close up image of lemon pasta with parsley on top.

This one-pot lemon pasta is the easiest recipe you’ll make all week! Plenty of fresh lemon, creamy coconut milk, and a splash (maybe more, hehe) of white wine create the most delicious sauce for this pasta dish. The best part? You’ll need just ONE pot to make the entire thing! That’s right, throw everything in a pot, cook, and dinner will be ready in under 20 minutes.

Lemon pasta on a plate sprinkled with parsley and a side fo white wine.

I created this recipe for the lazy girl in me. She comes out every so often, especially on weekday nights when all I wanna do is melt into my couch with a bowl of chips and call it a day. Though because I know a bowl of chips isn’t enough to keep me full through the night – trust me, I’ve tried – I needed something filling, yet super easy to make.

I’ve had my sights set on a lemon pasta recipe for a while now. With the weather (finally!) getting warmer, I’ve been craving fresh, bright, citrusy foods. I’m at a point where I buy a bag of both lemons and limes every week at the grocery store and squeeze them over all my food and into my water. So the idea of combining my most current-favorite thing, lemon, and my always-favorite thing, pasta, was a no-brainer. I knew I wanted to keep my lemon pasta simple, and above all else EASY, so I settled on a one-pot dinner with just eight ingredients (one being salt). This one-pot lemon pasta has truly changed my lazy little life, and I’m sure it will yours too!

What You Need To Make One-Pot Lemon Pasta

Gluten-Free Pasta – Use whatever gluten-free pasta you’d like in this recipe. Any shape or brand will do! I used the Jovial Brown Rice Farfalle (aka Bow Tie) Pasta and highly recommend it. If you’re not gluten-free, feel free to use regular pasta instead.

Coconut Milk – Makes for an incredibly light and creamy sauce, but doesn’t taste like coconut. You could use any non-dairy milk you’d like in this recipe, but I love coconut milk for how nice and thick it is. If you’re not vegan/dairy-free, you can use heavy cream instead.

Vegetable Broth – Using broth instead of water in this recipe adds that much more flavor. It doesn’t have to be vegetable broth, though. If you’re not vegan, chicken broth works too.

Dry White Wine – I love the brightness a nice dry white wine adds to recipes. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio work best in this recipe, or anything with “crisp” in the description. And if cooking with wine isn’t your thing, use one more cup of broth instead.

Lemon – Duh! Use plenty of lemon in this recipe. I know the recipe says 3 tablespoons, but I almost always add more. To get the juiciest lemon possible, push down with your palm and roll it across your countertop a few times. Then slice it open, squeeze the juice into a glass, and remove any seeds before using it in this recipe.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

  • Add Dairy: Use heavy cream instead of coconut milk and add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese at the end!
  • Add Protein: Grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp would taste great over this one-pot lemon pasta.
One-Pot Lemon Pasta (V/GF)
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One-Pot Lemon Pasta (V/GF)

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

This one-pot lemon pasta is the easiest recipe you’ll make all week! Plenty of fresh lemon, creamy coconut milk, and a splash (maybe more hehe) of white wine create the most delicious sauce for this pasta recipe. The best part? You’ll need just ONE pot to make the entire thing! That’s right, throw everything in a pot, cook, and dinner will be ready in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, see Notes

  • 3 Garlic Cloves, minced

  • 12 Ounces Gluten-Free Pasta

  • 2 Teaspoons Salt

  • 1 Cup Coconut Milk, see Notes

  • 2 1/2 Cups Vegetable Broth, see Notes

  • 1 Cup Dry White Wine, see Notes

  • 3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

  • 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest

Directions

  • Add the olive oil and garlic to a large pot over medium heat, cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add in the pasta, salt, coconut milk, vegetable broth, and white wine. Bring to a boil and cook for 12 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
  • Turn off the heat, add in the lemon juice and zest, then stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Olive Oil: You can use butter instead of olive oil.
  • Coconut Milk: If not vegan/dairy-free, use heavy cream instead.
  • Vegetable Broth: Chicken broth also works in this recipe!
  • White Wine: If you’d like to make this recipe without wine, use an extra one cup of broth instead.

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