Silky Sweet Sun Golds, Summer Squash, + White Beans

Here’s a low-effort dinner that leans on peak-season summer produce and pantry staples: Silky Sweet Sun Golds, Summer Squash, + White Beans. Perfect on its own, spooned over crusty bread, and served alongside shrimp or any white fish. This is the time of year (July) that I go through about five pints of sun gold tomatoes a week. They only taste this good for a fleeting season and I always want them on hand. They’re sweet, tangy but not sour, and extra savory. And how can you not love their sunny golden hue? They have this bright and fruity note that’s so luscious in a quick pasta sauce. The sauce comes together in a skillet with olive oil, shallots, garlic, and gently crushed sun golds to release their juices. It’s so velvety and so simple. I fold white beans and summer squash in place of pasta because sometimes, mama needs to hit more food groups. Turns out, it’s delightful! So here we are.

Here’s how this recipe comes together. You’ll make the base of the sauce as previously described, and fold in thinly sliced summer squash and basil. You’ll add two cans of drained and rinsed white beans. Let it cook covered with a lid for fifteen minutes and you’re done cookin. Spoon into bowls, drizzle with *lots* of extra virgin olive oil and finish with freshly cracked black pepper. Spoon it all over crusty toasted or grilled bread. Oh, and hot tip: after you cook the beans for 15 minutes you can turn the heat off and leave the lid on until you’re ready to eat dinner. They’ll stay warm for a while with the lid on and the dish will only taste better the longer it sits. For a deeper dive into this recipe, along with product recs and extra cooking tips, follow along on my Substack, Cooking But Keep It Casual and be sure to subscribe here.

Silky Sweet Sun Golds, Summer Squash, + White Beans

A low effort, seasonal dinner recipe. But really, an ode to summer cooking and sun gold tomatoes.

Prep:
15
min
cook:
40
min
total:
60
min
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil plus 1/2 cup olive oil, divided, plus more for serving
  • 2 large shallots or 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 lb sungold or cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 lb summer squash or zucchini, or about 2 medium-sized summer squash, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • Handful fresh basil leaves, plus more for serving
  • Two 15oz cans butter beans or other white bean, drained and rinsed
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • Crusty baguette for serving

Instructions

Cook the aromatics

  1. In a heavy-bottomed dutch oven or large pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add shallot and season with kosher salt. Cook until soft, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic, season with kosher salt, and saute until fragrant, about a minute or so.

Add the tomatoes + squash

  1. Add the halved sun golds, stir to combine, and generously season with kosher salt.
  2. Cook over medium heat, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add sliced squash and handful of basil leaves. Season with kosher salt and stir to combine.
  4. Cook everything over medium heat for about 10 minutes, being sure to stir occasionally and gently crush the tomatoes to release their juices.

Add the beans

  1. Add the beans and half of the olive oil (you’ll finish the dish with the remaining 1/4 cup at the end).
  2. Season again with kosher salt, and stir to combine. Cook over medium to high heat for about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Cover pan or dutch oven with lid and cook over low to medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Finish + serve

  1. Remove lid and add remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, stir to combine.
  2. Spoon into bowls while warm. Finish each bowl with a few very generous glugs of extra virgin olive oil, freshly cracked pepper, and few pinches torn fresh basil.
  3. Serve with crusty baguette and enjoy.

Let's riff

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Avery
November 22, 2024
I loved this! Made as directed. This will go into my rotation for sure!
Alyce Diamond
November 6, 2024
Phil Stewart
October 7, 2024
Leigh Grassi
October 4, 2024
Yolanda Pavy
October 3, 2024
Phil Stewart
October 1, 2024
Josefa
September 5, 2024
Jay
August 25, 2024
Hey! Went to make this tonight but mine turned out very watery/liquidy - any idea what went wrong? Just used organic hellmans and a bunch of basil with an immersion blender - maybe used too much basil?
Philipp
August 23, 2024
Alicia Motley
August 15, 2024
Helene Langley
August 9, 2024
Suzanne McColl
August 7, 2024
Alba Renteria
August 4, 2024
Williams Swift
August 3, 2024
Chantal Harless
July 31, 2024
Vada
July 30, 2024
Jamal Reddy
July 29, 2024
Asa Loughlin
July 28, 2024
Bobbie Prout
July 27, 2024
Dolly Sackett
July 25, 2024
Octavio Ranieri
July 25, 2024
Kim W
July 22, 2024
I made this last night, and it was one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever eaten! I am going to make this a lot while the tomatoes are in season. Thank you!
Dorie Akehurst
July 22, 2024
Catherine Hann
July 21, 2024
Belen Speed
July 18, 2024
Carmela Clift
July 18, 2024
Jenna Symon
July 15, 2024
Van Dagostino
July 14, 2024
Margery Waley
July 10, 2024
Alisia Cota
July 6, 2024
Priscilla Didomenico
June 29, 2024
Caren Greathouse
June 26, 2024
Elisha Sams
June 23, 2024
Jasmine Blumenthal
June 20, 2024
Craig Gellibrand
June 18, 2024
Angelia Beardsmore
June 15, 2024
Leesa Amess
June 15, 2024
Curtis Ingham
June 11, 2024
Amparo Helton
June 9, 2024
Rhys Pigott
June 5, 2024
Humberto Caesar
June 4, 2024
Gita Leschen
May 31, 2024
Diane Aslatt
May 31, 2024
Annetta Merchant
May 20, 2024
Brendan Bear
May 9, 2024
Nora Perry
May 8, 2024
Mark Moore
May 6, 2024
Charley McWilliam
May 5, 2024
Latesha
April 30, 2024
April 30, 2024
Maggie Covington
April 27, 2024
Gene Penny
April 21, 2024
Hilario Druitt
April 17, 2024
Tilly Killough
April 16, 2024
Jeannine Turner
April 13, 2024
Alvin Goold
April 7, 2024
Dean Baader
April 6, 2024
Frank Hardie
April 5, 2024
Elvira
April 4, 2024
Aleisha Lee
March 31, 2024
Noreen Stretch
March 28, 2024
Sherman Cruz
March 25, 2024
Ludie Key
March 23, 2024
Gini
March 20, 2024
Loved the soup. Croutons too much trouble. Fast in a cup!
Ray Beall
March 16, 2024
Richard
February 22, 2024
send me fruits to add with another fruit to cure disease
Deneen Medland
April 17, 2023
Kelle Trouton
April 17, 2023
Caroline
January 23, 2023
I made this same amazing salad with the following additions: I used a bed of chopped romaine hearts, and squeezed the juice of all the trimmed cara cara oranges, plus 1/2 lemon, added a drizzled of Tupelo honey on top. The herbs: chopped fennel fronds and mint. Everyone went crazy for it!
Marcus
YUM! Definitely going to pair this with a nice and funky natty white next time!
Caroline
January 23, 2023
I made this same amazing salad with the following additions: I used a bed of chopped romaine hearts, and squeezed the juice of all the trimmed cara cara oranges, plus 1/2 lemon, added a drizzled of Tupelo honey on top. The herbs: chopped fennel fronds and mint. Everyone went crazy for it!