Ina Garten’s Best Summer Entertaining Recipes

Whip up a batch of this dead-easy dip from the Barefoot Contessa’s kitchen to enjoy with crunchy veggies or veggie chips during the week. It’s as simple as pulse and serve!

Summer squash shines in this sharable dish that layers paper-thin zucchini over tangy lemon and thyme flavoured goat cheese. Pair with a rosé for an elegant vegetarian appetizer.

Use your food processor to create a speedy dough that can be rolled out and filled with your favourite summer fruit. The result is a rustic, yet beautiful dessert that’s easier than pie!

This rose-based sangria from the Barefoot Contessa combines sweet pomegranate juice with Grand Marnier and brandy. Finish with fresh strawberries, raspberries and sliced plums for a heavenly summer sipper.

When party invitations start rolling in, you’ll want to whip up a batch of the Barefoot Contessa’s scrumptious lemon bars to bring along.

Showcase those beautiful fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes with a bright and cheery salad. Filled with fleur de sel and Parmesan, be sure to serve lots of crusty bread to sop up this homemade lemony-garlic dressing.

Ina Garten delivers with these classic grilled ribs that are perfect for hot summer nights in the backyard. The zesty, zippy marinade recipe doubles as barbecue sauce, so you know these ribs will be full of flavour.

All the delicious components of guacamole are packed into this nutritious and delicious salad that brings hearty canned black beans to the mix.

Add flavour and tenderize your chicken by letting it soak in this margarita mixture overnight. The result is a juicy bird infused with just the right amount of acid. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

One-pot pasta has been popular with home cooks for years as it’s quick, healthy, and can turn any season’s produce into a show-stopping masterpiece. Get your spring greens in with verdant broccoli and sweet, tender peas.

The sweet, meaty flavour of eggplant is intensified through the roasting process and finished off with a kick of cayenne pepper and lemon. Serve alongside pieces of warm pita for an irresistible snack that will have everyone going back for seconds.

The forgotten fruit of summer, plums are perfect for baking, infusing their sweet juices in whatever you add them to. Ina knows how to make the most of these sweet gems, with this easy upside-down dessert.

Fancy enough for a dinner party and simple enough for a weeknight, this delicious limencello-infused fruit salad is topped with a dollop of homemade lemon yogurt and a sprig of fresh mint.

Ina makes her noodle salad to serve a crowd, so you can have it on hand for quick meals a few days after it’s prepared. Instead of hard-to-find soba noodles, quick-cooking spaghetti gives this recipe the same look without compromising the taste or texture — besides, it’s all about that peanut sauce!

Turn a bumper crop of garden zucchinis into a creamy, veggie-filled casserole. Thinly sliced zucchini are cooked in butter until tender, topped with Gruyère and crispy bread crumbs, then baked until bubbly.

If you’re throwing a backyard barbecue or summertime get-together, Ina Garten’s watermelon mojitos are sure to satisfy a crowd.

Ina Garten is known for her flavourful dishes, and this orzo and veggie medley is no exception. Her choice of roasted vegetables include eggplant and peppers.

Cold pasta salad is mixed with grape tomatoes, scallions, ricotta and a zesty lemon-pesto dressing.

Sweet watermelon pairs perfectly with salty feta and peppery arugula in this bright and fresh salad.

Moist and tender vanilla cake is laced with juicy peaches and pecans in this summer dessert. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat that will cool you off.

Don’t mess with a good thing. Which is why we like this no-fuss, no-muss seared tuna from Ina Garten. Simply season, sear and voila! A restaurant-worthy main.

Make friends and win over guests with a bubbly dessert that’s the perfect mix of summer fruit and a crispy, oat-full topping.

Jalapeño, chili powder and garlic are blended with tequila to glaze this juicy main with a crispy, golden finish.

These aren’t your backyard barbecue burgers. Fresh thyme, grated Gruyère and baby arugula make these bite-sized burgers an elegant hors d’oeuvre.

Grilled salmon fans will love the mild flavour of grilled swordfish. Pair it with juicy, tomato and white wine sauce for a super-simple summer dinner.

Turn your favourite summer fruit into a delectable grilled snack. Your barbecue caramelizes the sugars in the fruit, intensifying the flavours, while delivering a touch of smoke.

This appetizer puts a roast-y spin on the classic shrimp cocktail to arrive at a flavourful take on an iconic party treat.

Give taco night a healthy makeover with succulent, roasted salmon, creamy avocado and a refreshing cabbage slaw. This impressive meal comes together surprisingly quickly and is bursting with fresh summery flavours.