How much do kids love corn? Let me put it this way: I can add corn to basically ANYTHING and get a cheer from my four rascals when dinner hits the table. And let’s not limit this to corn on the cob, because that’s always a slam dunk. Nope, even when it’s off the cob, this sweet, crunchy veg is a hit with my brood. Here are my go-to picks.

A handful of ingredients transforms a few simple ears of corn into a flavorful, potluck-worthy dish.

Take the fresh taste of Ina’s recipe above, then add creamy mozzarella cheese plus the sweet tang of grape tomatoes, and you'll have this beautiful salad.

Hearty enough to be a tasty lunch for a mom like me, this easy salad gets a boost of freshness from lemon zest.

You know that creamy artichoke dip everyone goes wild for? Picture that with a Mexican spin (and definitely use fresh corn this time of year!).

This is what happens when you combine garlic, onions and buttermilk with two of summer’s best veggies. It's magic in a pan.

What happens when you combine two kid-friendly ingredients in one slow cooker? The best dinner of the summer. Just shuck two ears of corn and throw them in at the very end.

Bacon? Check. Fresh shrimp? Check. Fresh corn off the cob? Check! The perfect summer meal to serve your favorite guests is right here.

This brings together all the flavors of tacos in a make-ahead soup. Tip: To shuck a couple ears of corn in seconds, cut through the ends of the husk at one end and microwave for 2 minutes. Hold the un-cut end and shake.

Never had fresh corn in pasta? This craveable recipe combines all the richness of butter and Parmesan with fresh flavors of corn, tomatoes and basil.

This hearty vegetarian dinner is my go-to recipe for families with new babies. The casserole keeps beautifully in the fridge (or freezer!), and the flavors only get better the longer it sits.

Charity Curley Mathews lives in North Carolina with four small kids, two dogs, one husband and 40,000 bees. She tests recipes for busy families — making dishes healthier & simpler — and posts all the hits on foodlets.com. You can follow her on Facebook.