The Ultimate Summer Recipes - Cooking with Cassandra

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Zucchini chocolate chip muffins are everywhere on the internet—but this is the recipe I’ve tested over and over until I could confidently say: these are better than any bakery muffin I’ve ever had. They rise high, stay moist for days, and have the perfect balance of cozy spice, melty chocolate, and fluffy texture without being oily or too sweet. Plus, they’re super quick and easy to make! What makes this version different? No squeezing the zucchini, no watery batter, and no flat tops. The secret is the high-heat oven start (for a big rise) and just the right combo of brown sugar and oil...

Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas

I love a good quesadilla, but standing over a skillet flipping them one by one while everyone else is already eating? Not exactly my idea of a good time. That’s why these Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas are such a game-changer. They bake all at once, slice beautifully, and the best part? I get to sit down and enjoy them with everyone else. It might just be the easiest, most crowd-pleasing appetizer I’ve ever made. These chicken quesadillas are crispy, cheesy, packed with flavor, and made to feed a crowd—no stovetop required. This isn’t your average Tuesday-night quesadilla situation. It’s...

Lemon Bars Recipe

Close-up of a thick lemon bar with a buttery shortbread crust and vibrant lemon filling, dusted with powdered sugar and surrounded by lemon wedges.

Who else LOVES lemon bars?! For me, they’re one of my all-time favorite desserts—bright, tangy, buttery perfection. This lemon bars recipe is one I’ve tested to perfection, made with an easy, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust and a smooth lemon filling that strikes just the right balance of sweet and tart. I love a generous bite, which is why I created this recipe in a 9x9-inch pan, giving you that perfect ratio of thick lemon filling to buttery crust. If life gives you lemons, this is the recipe to make. Whether you’re bringing dessert to a spring brunch, prepping for a holiday tray,...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party. I’ll be honest: it doesn’t look like much at first, and it’s definitely not as tantalizing as a colorful berry salad. But don’t be fooled, one bite into this asparagus with puff pastry and you’ll be amazed: glazed with honey, oozing with the best cheese mixture, and simply robust asparagus, this is definitely going to be one of the most memorable dishes you’ll ever have. It is very similar to cheesy asparagus tarts, except this one has already been apportioned and is shaped...

Easy Creamy Lemon Chicken

Overhead view of creamy lemon chicken breasts in a skillet, garnished with lemon slices and fresh parsley, with a gold spoon resting in the sauce.

If you’re craving a quick and easy one-pan meal that’s bursting with flavor, this creamy lemon chicken is just what you need! In just 25 minutes, you’ll have tender, pan-seared chicken breasts covered in a rich, tangy lemon garlic butter cream sauce that’s absolutely irresistible. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry—think butter, garlic, and a splash of heavy cream. The best part? This family-friendly dinner is incredibly versatile and can be served over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice, making it a guaranteed favorite every...

Easy Steak Marinade

How do you like your steak done? Cooking steak to a certain degree of doneness is hands-down one of the hardest things for me to get right. The perfect steak needs to be juicy, tender, and flavorful. Whenever I got a chance to practice, I’d try on so many cuts of steak. Walt became my taste testers when I started get comfortable with the grill. My practice steaks were always the cheaper cuts of beef. We couldn’t afford to burn an expensive steak every time – what a waste that would be. I also learned to make a steak marinade to add some flavor to the steak. My poor taste...

Strawberry Lemon Blondies

If you're looking for the perfect spring and summer treat, these strawberry lemon blondies are it. With fresh strawberries and bright lemon, this easy dessert is full of flavor and so simple to make. My family loves to remind me that as a baby, they called me "Strawberry Lips" because I was so obsessed with strawberries that I’d leave a red mess all over my mouth. That love has never faded—and it’s exactly what inspired this recipe. These blondies are soft, chewy, and buttery—not dry or crumbly—just the way a good blondie should be. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, packing a sweet snack...

Easy Bruschetta Recipe

Toasted Bread with Bruschetta Toppings | cookingwithcassandra.com

One of the reasons why I enjoy summer (besides barbecues and sunshine) is because of all the produce that is in-season. Melon and berries often get the spotlight as summer fruits, but think about all the fresh tomatoes! This fruit (we aren’t going to debate on whether tomatoes are fruits or vegetables!) is perfect for one of my favorite appetizers: bruschetta. Bruschetta — a traditional Italian antipasto — is essentially a tomato mixture on grilled bread slices and is great as an appetizer, snack, side dish or even on its own. They look fancy, but are so easy to make! With...

Easy Peach Crisp

If anyone asks you what a peach crisp is, it's essentially the same as a peach cobbler. This double-layered dessert of sweet, juicy peach filling topped with healthy - ish rolled oats is oven-baked to perfection! Whether you’re going for a party or just a midday snack, bring these with you and everyone will be sinking their teeth into them in no time. Even better if you serve it with some vanilla ice cream. Here is my comprehensive guide to making peach crisp just like my dear grandmother would. Recipe Ingredients This peach crisp is made of two layers: a warm and sweet...

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce | cookingwithcassandra.com

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (better than P.F. Chang’s!) – a quick, easy, and healthy dinner ready in under an hour! As a big fan of Asian food, P.F. Chang’s has always been one of my go-to spots, and their chicken lettuce wraps are a favorite. So, I set out to recreate them at home, and let me tell you—they're tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor! I know it’s a bold statement—homemade Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps that outshine the beloved P.F. Chang’s version?! But trust me, it’s true! These chicken lettuce wraps are so versatile - they work really well as starters or as part of a main...

Refreshing Strawberry Margaritas

Strawberry & slice of lime Margarita | cookingwithcassandra.com

I am a huge margarita fan! Aside from wine, tequila is my go-to for my cocktail of choice. Recently, I shared my margarita pitcher recipe which is great for serving big crowds. While a classic margarita makes for a delicious cocktail, sometimes I like to switch it up, especially if I’m feeling particularly creative. Today, I’m sharing a variation of the traditional recipe: a frozen strawberry margarita. This homemade strawberry margarita recipe uses frozen strawberries, tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and honey. When blended together, the mixture turns a very pretty pink...

Pasta With White Wine Lemon Sauce

Lemon Pasta topped with Cherry Tomatoes and fresh Basil | cookingwithcassandra.com

When life gives you lemons, what do you do? You concoct a divine lemon sauce with white wine to go with fettuccine pasta. This lemon white wine pasta sauce recipe is the ultimate game changer. While I do love myself a rich carbonara and a light aglio olio, this white wine sauce is the perfect in-between. What I love about this pasta is that it is light and simple to make. Great on its own or as a side with Easy Creamy Lemon Chicken or Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter. This is one of my go-to weeknight pastas during the Summer months. Coated with a lemon-infused garlic cream...