One of my favorite side dishes to make in the summer is a Caprese salad. With sweet, juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, aromatic basil, and good quality olive oil (no balsamic vinegar here!), I can serve a standout side dish that requires just a few simple ingredients. That’s the beauty of summer and the produce it brings—when the fruits and veggies are as good as they are, you really don’t need much to make them shine.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 10 recipes—including the beloved Caprese—that require five ingredients or fewer (excluding pantry staples like salt and olive oil). Think salads, roasted and air-fried veggies, and even some fried potatoes. You won’t want the summer to pass you by without making at least one of these.
