Weeknight
3491 recipes found
Spicy Shrimp Masala
Black pepper, garam masala, Thai green chiles and Kashmiri red chile powder make this shrimp masala a multi-layered delight of spices — fiery and smoldering simultaneously — while lemon juice and cilantro add brightness and bring some relief. In coastal cities of South Asia like Karachi and states like Goa, this preparation is typical and perfectly suited for crunchy, sweet shrimp. That such complexity comes together in 30 minutes feels like a small miracle.
Spiced Ginger Shrimp With Burst Tomatoes
This speedy, buttery, one-pan meal stars plump, spiced shrimp zipped up with grated fresh ginger, and sweetened with ripe Sungold tomatoes that burst in the skillet. You can use any aromatic spice mix you have on hand here, which makes it a highly convenient meal as well. Serve this over rice or with crusty bread for mopping up all those rich, jammy tomatoes.
Shrimp in Purgatory
This one-skillet shrimp dish is inspired by the bright flavors of eggs in purgatory, the classic Southern Italian dish in which eggs simmer in a spicy tomato sauce. The exact origins of the name are uncertain, but many say the sauce is meant to represent purgatory, and the eggs, souls. Here, shrimp stand in for the eggs, and the tomato sauce is rich and tangy, with roasted red peppers and capers. You can use frozen shrimp; just defrost them first. Serve the shrimp in shallow bowls, with crusty bread, or over orzo, couscous or polenta. Find a slow cooker version of this dish here.
Roasted Zucchini With Garlicky Bread Crumbs and Mozzarella
In this highly zesty recipe, thick slices of zucchini are broiled until golden and tender, then topped with milky mozzarella and bread crumbs flecked with anchovy and garlic. While it bakes, the cheese melts, the crumbs crisp and the whole thing becomes vaguely reminiscent of a lighter parmigiana — but without the frying. If you’re feeding more than two, this recipe can be doubled. Just make sure to use two rimmed baking pans so the zucchini doesn't overlap and become soggy. If you have Castelvetrano olives, use them here; they add nice crunch and color.
Creamy Zucchini and Bacon Pasta
Zucchini, bacon and cheese come together to create a delightfully smoky, creamy weeknight pasta meal. Two pounds of chopped zucchini simmer in rendered bacon fat, absorbing the rich and salty-sweet flavors. You can use zucchini from your supermarket, or any combination of summer squash from the farmers’ market, like golden zucchini, crookneck or patty pan. A finish of butter and Parmesan enrich the sauce, adding lusciousness, and a squeeze of lemon brightens the dish.
Zucchini Salad With Pecorino, Basil and Almonds
Many recipes call for shaving raw zucchini into long strands, which looks whimsical but often leads to soggy squash. Cutting zucchini into thicker batons helps the vegetable retain some bite. Douse the strips with a bright garlic-caper vinaigrette, tender herbs and tangy pecorino, and just before serving, toss in some chopped almonds for crunch. This zucchini salad makes a great starter or a side, but it can also be the foundation of a meal: Add it to cooked penne or pearl couscous for a quick pasta salad, or scatter it over a slice of grilled bread that’s been slathered with mascarpone or ricotta.
Crispy Coconut Shrimp and Shallots
Crispy coconut, caramelized shallots and tender shrimp are cloaked in a spicy-sweet orange chile sauce in this recipe, which is slightly reminiscent of coconut shrimp, the beloved beachside snack. However, the vibe here is more dinner main and perhaps even more laid-back because no battering and frying is needed. Instead, shrimp are simply sautéed in coconut oil to build coconut flavor, then bathed in sauce, before being crowned with the crunchy flakes of coconut and shallot. To soak up the sauce and round out this meal, steamed rice sits at the base, but wilted spinach or roasted green beans would be delightful.
Shrimp and Tomato Pasta
Frozen shrimp is a freezer staple that can be counted on to save dinner any night — simply thaw to use them whenever needed. Here, shrimp and spaghetti are tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, which are gently simmered until they burst and turn saucy. This dish is best with ripe, in-season cherry tomatoes, but the aromatic fennel seeds and garlic infused in the oil will coax maximum flavor out of less enthusiastic tomatoes while adding depth to the sauce.
Shrimp Linguine With Herbs, Corn and Arugula
The beauty of this pasta lies in its ease: Combine fresh, seasonal ingredients and let them shine. Here, shrimp is sautéed in butter until just cooked through, then set aside while the rest of the dish comes together. Peppery arugula, sweet corn and an abundance of fresh herbs round out this easy-to-assemble dinner, which is perfect after a long day at the beach or even just the office. Seared scallops would work well in place of shrimp, or you could try a combination of the two. Herbs, too, are up to you: Basil screams summer, but tarragon and Italian parsley would also be nice. White wine is used to make a light sauce for the pasta; you know what to do with any extra.
Ginger-Garlic Shrimp With Coconut Milk
Fresh ingredients and bold condiments do the heavy lifting here, creating a fragrant 20-minute meal that will lure people into the kitchen, wondering what smells so good. Inspired by elements of Indian and Thai curries, the shrimp are coated in ginger, garlic and turmeric, then seared and braised in a combination of coconut milk and soy sauce. Spinach is stirred in for a bit of green, but you can substitute your favorite quick-cooking greens like bok choy or kale and adjust cooking time as needed. Swap the shrimp for scallops or white fish, if you like. Serve with rice, rice vermicelli noodles or naan to soak up the flavorful liquid.
Sautéed Shrimp With Coconut Oil, Ginger and Coriander
I like coconut oil for sautéing vegetables and aromatics, especially onions. They absorb the sweetness of the oil and pass that lovely nuance on to the whole dish. In one memorable meal, I sautéed scallions in coconut oil, which managed to perfume an entire pan of plump, juicy shrimp spiked with garlic, ginger and coriander.
Lemony Pasta With Zucchini and Fresh Herbs
This simple pasta comes together quickly and makes use of what can sometimes be an overwhelming bumper crop of zucchini and other summer squash come August. Browning the squash in two batches is the only semi-fussy request, and it pays off by giving the squash an almost crunchy texture. Lemon and an abundance of fresh herbs provide brightness to this soon-to-be summer staple. Serve it with a tomato and onion salad dressed with plenty of grassy olive oil.
Curried Chicken Breast With Zucchini
Here is an unbelievably easy though super flavorful weeknight dish that's bound to become a household favorite. Just toss boneless chicken breasts (chicken thighs would work here, too) and zucchini with curry powder, olive oil, salt and pepper then brown everything over medium heat in a skillet. Empty the pan, then make a quick sauce of shallots, chicken broth, heavy cream, olive oil and butter. Return the chicken and zucchini to the pot and warm through. That's it. Serve it over rice or couscous, or with a side of mashed potatoes.
Cumin-Lime Shrimp With Ginger
These quick, flavorful shrimp are versatile enough to work their way into an assortment of weeknight dinners. Fold into soft tortillas and top with sliced avocado for shrimp tacos, or serve over steamed rice studded with tomatoes, chiles and fresh herbs. They also work well served on top of a red or green cabbage salad. If cumin’s not your thing, feel free to swap in another dried, warm spice, such as coriander or curry powder.
Skillet Shrimp and Corn With Lime Dressing
This bright, tangy, one-pan meal comes together quickly and is packed with bright flavors — perfect for a summer evening. If you can’t find fresh corn, frozen will work in a pinch; just defrost it and pat it dry before throwing it into the skillet. You can also add a little more spice by leaving the ribs and seeds in the chile that goes into the dressing. Serve the shrimp and corn over rice or with a big green salad. Depending on what you serve this dish with, you may have a bit of dressing leftover, which can be saved for salad or drizzled over grilled meat or vegetables.
Spicy Grilled Zucchini
This mildly spicy dish from southern Italy can serve as an appetizer or side. Cut the zucchini on the diagonal into long, thin slices, or cut it lengthwise.
Marinated Zucchini Salad
Raw zucchini can be a dull ingredient, but when it’s very thinly sliced it marinates beautifully, especially in lemon juice. I like to use a mixture of green and yellow squash here. Assemble this dish at least four hours before you wish to serve it, so that the squash has time to soften and soak up the lemony marinade.
Spaghetti With Zucchini, Parsley Pesto and Bottarga
Bottarga, the salted, cured roe of grey mullet or tuna, is a delicacy enjoyed by many. It is especially beloved in Sardinia and Sicily, but is eaten throughout the Mediterranean and around the world. Bottarga has a bright, briny flavor and is used to complement any number of dishes. Here, a simple zucchini pasta with a bright green (cheeseless, nutless) parsley pesto is showered with grated bottarga and crisp bread crumbs. Look for bottarga at Italian shops or online. It’s available grated, but it is better to buy whole lobes and grate your own. Once the package is opened, it will keep for months in the refrigerator.
Seared Zucchini With Crispy Parmesan and Black Pepper
This summery side dish is inspired by the flavors of cacio e pepe, Rome’s beloved pasta dish. Zucchini or summer squash is seared in a very hot pan until golden, and while it cooks, coarsely ground black pepper is separately toasted and butter is added to brown. (Be sure to salt your zucchini just before you add it to the hot pan — not sooner — as they can release water and become mushy if salted and left to sit.) If you can, take the time to grate your own Parmesan for a lighter, almost pillowy-like consistency that melts into the butter and forms chewy-like nuggets of cheese. (This will not be a smooth, emulsified sauce.) Like many good summer dishes, this one is finished with torn basil. Serve with a side of grilled sausages or pearled couscous tossed with pesto. A tumbler of rosé would make this dinner worthy of eating outside on the back porch, dish in lap.
Coconut-Stewed Bamboo Shoots With Shrimp (Ginataang Tambo)
Dressing seafood in coconut milk is a classic way of cooking it, writes Nicole Ponseca in her book, “I Am a Filipino.” Here, shrimp are quickly sautéed in a heady coconut milk sauce laced with onion, ginger and slivers of red chile. Slippery pieces of bamboo shoot (canned, or fresh if you can find it) add texture and a gentle earthiness.
Grilled Zucchini With Miso Glaze
This dish plays on the sweetness and fruitiness of plump zucchini. Scoring the flesh in a crisscross pattern creates crevices for the miso glaze to seep into while also allowing the heat to penetrate the zucchini. Cooked quickly on high heat, the squash maintains its shape and heft, with flesh that is just tender enough. Covering the zucchini with a lid during cooking locks in all the moisture, ensuring that it becomes juicy. A grill pan is ideal for achieving smoky char marks, but you could also use a regular skillet or cook it on an outdoor grill (see Tip). If you are cooking for a group, count on one zucchini per person. Serve this as a side dish or with rice for a simple, quick and flavorful meal.
Smashed Zucchini With Chickpeas and Peanuts
The contrasting flavors and textures in this dish might make you wonder — in a good way — “What is going on here?” First, raw zucchini is treated like cucumber, smashed and left to intensify with salt and lime juice. Next, it’s showered with toasted chickpeas and peanuts, which are zingy from lime zest and citrusy spices like sumac or coriander. Offsetting the sweet crunch of zucchini and the fatty, crispy topping are thick rounds of jalapeño. Eat this quick mix with whole grains, tortillas or pita, yogurt, Cotija or another crumbly cheese, salad greens or soft-boiled eggs.
Scrambled Eggs With Zucchini
These scrambled eggs, flecked with squash, take just a few more minutes to throw together than plain scrambled eggs, and it’s an excellent way to use that zucchini lingering in your vegetable drawer. If you want a richer dish, serve this with avocado.
Summer Pasta With Zucchini, Ricotta and Basil
A summer pasta should be simple and fresh, ideally made with vegetables straight from the garden or market. Look for the best artisanal ricotta; top-quality ingredients make all the difference here.