90 Easy Summer Dinners That Everyone Will Love
Summer produce makes every cold, dark winter day worth it. Summer squash, tomatoes, cucumbers and corn practically transform themselves into gorgeous, mouthwatering meals. And when the weather’s warm, you belong outside in a breezy maxi dress, not sweating in a hot kitchen. These easy summer dinner ideas don’t take long to whip up or use every single pan in the kitchen. So, they’re perfect for those balmy nights when the sun’s still out, it’s 85 degrees and you really don’t want to be standing at the stove. And just to ensure you’ve got plenty of options, we're bringing you 90 easy meals to devour in the backyard, from sweet-and-sour pork skewers with pineapple to butter-baked cucumber tostadas.
RELATED: 30 Summer Slow Cooker Recipes to Make All Season Long
1. Spicy Corn Carbonara
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, high protein
2. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
3. Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, kid-friendly
4. Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
5. Zucchini Pad Thai
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: low carb, <30 minutes
6. Greek Chicken and Rice Skillet
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, high protein, crowd-pleaser
7. Cauliflower Sweet Potato Burgers
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, high protein
8. Summer Skillet Gnocchi with Grilled Corn and Burrata
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
9. Zucchini Ricotta Galette
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
10. Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
11. Skillet Roast Chicken with Peaches, Tomatoes and Red Onion
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, special occasion-worthy, high protein, kid-friendly
12. Poblano and Mushroom Tacos with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly
13. Baked Caprese Chicken Skillet
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, kid-friendly
14. Baked Sesame-Ginger Salmon in Parchment
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein
15. One-Pot, 15-Minute Pasta Limone
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly
16. Chickpea and Vegetable Coconut Curry
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, high protein, one pan
17. Butter-Baked Cucumber Tostadas
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
18. 15-Minute Mezze Plate with Toasted Za’atar Pita Bread
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
19. Skillet Pasta with Summer Squash, Ricotta and Basil
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, one pan, vegetarian
20. Lime Chicken with Corn and Poblano Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, one pan
21. Summer Glow Bowls
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, dairy free, gluten free
22. Grilled Watermelon Steaks
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, beginner-friendly
23. End of Summer Cobb Salad with Creamy Carrot-Kimchi Dressing
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian
24. Chopped Italian Salad Pizza
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
25. Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead
26. Savory Heirloom Tomato Tart
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
27. Crockpot Corn Chowder
- Time Commitment: 6 hours and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, slow cooker recipe
28. Summer Caprese Salad
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <30 minutes
29. Zoodles with Summer Vegetables
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan
30. Roasted Drumsticks with Tomatoes
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: one pan, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, high protein
31. Skillet Steak with Asparagus and Potatoes
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy, one pan
32. Mini Spanish Tortilla with Zucchini
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, high protein
33. Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
34. Stone Fruit Cucumber Salad With Ricotta Salata, Purslane and Golden Balsamic Miso Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, <30 minutes
35. Steak Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
36. Quick Guacamole Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, make ahead
37. Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, pescatarian, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
38. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos with Blue Cheese Crema
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly
39. Shrimp Boil Skewers with Corn, Sausage and Potatoes
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
40. Chicken and Chicken Sausage Jambalaya
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
41. Easy 5-Ingredient Corn Soup
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
42. Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, one pan, high protein
43. Moules-Frites (Steamed Mussels and Fries)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, one pan, pescatarian, high protein
44. Abundance Kale Salad with Savory Tahini Dressing
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, gluten free
45. Citrus and Shrimp Avocado Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: pescatarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
46. Zucchini Basil Soup with Crème Fraîche and Pickled Corn
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
47. Marinated Salumi Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, high protein
48. Cauliflower-Lentil Grain Salad with Pesto and Pickled Radishes
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
49. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: pescatarian, <30 minutes, kid-friendly
50. 15-Minute Lemony Broccolini Pasta
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
51. Ginger-Pineapple Shrimp Stir Fry
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, pescatarian
52. One-Pan Roasted Salmon with Potatoes and Romaine
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, pescatarian, <10 ingredients
53. Zoodle Stir Fry
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, kid-friendly
54. Roasted Brussels Sprouts Quinoa
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, vegan, <10 ingredients
55. Summer Panzanella Salad
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
56. 5-Minute Veggie Coconut Wraps
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegan, dairy free, gluten free
57. Cheater's Skillet Paella
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein, one pan
58. Parmesan-Ranch Chicken Thighs
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, high protein
59. Pork Scallopini With Lemon, Capers and Radicchio
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, one pan, <30 minutes
60. Blackberry Peach Grilled Cheese
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, high protein
61. Salmon Bowl with Farro, Black Beans and Tahini Dressing
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, pescatarian, beginner-friendly
62. Beer Bratwursts with Dijon Coleslaw
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
63. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir Fry
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, high protein, one pan
64. Grilled Corn and Zucchini Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, vegan, special occasion-worthy
65. Cucumber Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
66. Thai Beef Bowls with Rice Noodles
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
67. Artichoke Garden Flatbread
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, vegetarian
68. Crispy Baked Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, pescatarian, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
69. Coconut-Lime Fried Shrimp with Mango-Peach Jalapeño Sauce
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <30 minutes, pescatarian
70. Lobster BLTs with Sweet and Smoky Mayo
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein
71. Spring Roll Bowls
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
72. Beet Gazpacho
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, dairy free
73. Honey-Lime Chicken and Veggies in Foil
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
74. Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
75. Curry Noodles with Broccoli Rabe and Purple Cabbage
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pot, beginner-friendly
76. Orecchiette Ragu
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pot, <10 ingredients, high protein, kid-friendly
77. Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, kid-friendly
78. Grilled Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly
79. 15-Minute Cucumber-Avocado Blender Soup
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy
80. Grilled Sriracha Shrimp Skewers with Collard-Peach Salad
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, pescatarian, special occasion-worthy
81. Italian Orzo Tuna Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, pescatarian, high protein, beginner-friendly
82. Instant Pot Ribs
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
83. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, pescatarian, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
84. Grilled Barbecue Chicken
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, <10 ingredients
85. Corn Fritter Caprese with Peaches and Tomatoes
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
86. Charcuterie Board Flatbread
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, kid-friendly
87. Piri Piri Chicken
- Time Commitment: 4 hours and 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy
88. Cold Lemon Zoodles
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan, no cook
89. Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy
90. Yellow Tomato Gazpacho
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, special occasion-worthy, dairy free
RELATED: 40 Quick Summer Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less
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