Labor Day might mark the end of summer ease, but Ina Garten has the perfect solution for busy nights. From true 30-minute meals to clever store-bought shortcuts and make-ahead gems, here are 30 Ina recipes that save time without sacrificing flavor – perfect for weeknights when the to-do list never ends.
Nok Suntaranon’s seared scallops and crabmeat in yellow curry sauce delivers a restaurant-worthy Southern Thai dinner in about 30 minutes. Kalaya House Curry Paste, coconut milk, shrimp paste, dried shrimp, lime leaves, and Fresno chiles create a rich, spicy, citrusy sauce balanced by sweet seafood and perfectly seared scallops.
Inspired by a dish at Planta Queen, this Creamy Tom Yum Pasta combines al dente rigatoni with a coconut cream-tom yum sauce, sautéed sweet corn, and a vibrant cilantro chimichurri. It’s a bold, comforting, and surprising recipe that balances heat, brightness, and richness for the ultimate weeknight or dinner-party pasta.
Celebrate Beyoncé’s 44th birthday with my Sweet ★ Honey ★ Buckle with Blueberries! This honey-lemon sponge is topped with juicy berries, crystallized ginger, and a buttery crumble. Inspired by “Sweet ★ Honey ★ Buckin’” from Cowboy Carter, it’s the ultimate blueberry dessert – finished with a drizzle of honey and sprinkle of flaky salt.
Looking for ideas for a late-summer CSA box? See how I used tomatillos, Thai basil, husk cherries, heirloom tomatoes, jalapeños, poblanos, cantaloupe and cherry tomatoes, with tested recipes, simple no-recipe preparations and practical preservation tips that help turn an overflowing farm share into memorable meals all week long at home.
Ina Garten’s Summer Fruit Tart turns ripe peaches, plums and figs into an elegant late-summer dessert. Adapted from her French apple tart, it pairs rows of juicy fruit with a flaky, buttery pastry and glossy apricot glaze. The simple sheet-pan tart is ideal for brunch, entertaining or showcasing seasonal fruit.
Eric Kim’s Oi Sobagi transforms late-summer cucumbers into crisp Korean stuffed cucumber kimchi. Quickly blanched cucumbers are filled with garlic chives, scallions, carrots, gochugaru, fermented shrimp, fish sauce, and green plum syrup, then enjoyed fresh or fermented overnight for spicy, savory, garlicky flavor and subtle sweetness in every bite.
My grandpa discovered a red velvet cake recipe in the ’60s that became a family legend. The key is in the heritage frosting. After tweaking the original recipe, I achieved a moist, tender, and vibrant red sponge. Double the frosting for a perfect four-layer delight!