31 July Dinner Ideas that Deserve to Be Eaten Alfresco

Crisp, cool lettuce salad or creamy pasta salad? Great news: You can have both. Chalk the dressing's creaminess up to avocado instead of traditional egg.

If you've never cooked pasta on a sheet pan, now's your chance. The gnocchi gets crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and you'll only have to clean one dish. Win-win.

Believe it or not, eggplant doesn’t need to be fried or covered in cheese to be positively delightful. (Plus, it’s in season.)

It isn't officially summer until you've had cool, refreshing lobster salad nestled in a buttery bun. Celebrate the 4th with this adorable mini version. Go ahead and have two...or five.

This recipe is make-ahead, gluten free, vegetarian and a cinch to double for a crowd. You'll only need seven ingredients (including salt and olive oil) and one hour to pull it off. We'll bring the wine.

These are lighter and more flavorful than traditional burgers, so they’re great for warm nights on the patio. We'll be topping ours with pitted olives and pickled onions, what about you?

Set the patio table and your timer for 25 minutes, and this dinner will be on the table before you know it. Are you sure you’re not a restaurant chef or something?

’Tis the season for all of our produce favorites. Why not combine them in one ultimate summer salad, which is just as filling as it is refreshing? It's filling enough as-is, but feel free to top it with delicate strips of prosciutto.

Apricots are fleeting, so take advantage when you see them at the market. Then, race home to make this summer masterpiece that comes together in your trusty cast iron skillet.

Dinner salads can be hit or miss, so we made sure this one was hearty enough to hold its own as a main. Save the leftovers for lunch (just don't dress them until you're about to eat, so the greens don't get soggy) and thank yourself later.

You could swap the chicken thighs for any quick-cooking protein you have on hand (like chicken breasts, ground pork or tofu); just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

BLTs are already one of our summer go-tos. We transformed them into tacos for an easy upgrade because why not? Even picky kids won't mind the makeover.

Traditional Spanish paella is delicious but not necessarily suited for a weeknight. Our simplified version is just as tasty and ready in one hour, since we limited the meat and seafood to clams, shrimp and chorizo.

This savory pie has a secret: store-bought puff pastry. Serve it with a big green salad for an effortless, gorgeous meal.

The chicken drippings are the secret to the sweet-and-spicy dressing. Get the thighs as crispy as possible by starting them as you would bacon—in a cold skillet over low heat—to render the fat without burning the skin.

When it’s steamy outside, go for something light but filling. This refreshing tomato and cheese salad hits the spot. All that's missing is a loaf of crusty bread for sharing.

It's our goal this month to eat corn as many ways as we possibly can, and this pasta is just one of them. Take your pick of bucatini, spaghetti or linguine—they'll all hold the creamy Parmesan sauce like a charm.

Cloud-like herbed cheese + smoky zucchini + pillowy naan = proof that you can make a satisfying, enticing meal *without* meat, even during grilling season.

Think of these spicy-sweet drumsticks as the summer version of chicken wings. (You’re going to want extra napkins and lots of lime wedges.)

Nothing against burgers and dogs, but they don’t know what’s coming for them. Bonus: There’s hardly any cleanup when you make these on the grill, and even less so if you serve them on a newspaper-topped picnic table.

Nothing wows a crowd like an impeccably grilled steak. Just think of the marinating time as a built-in cocktail hour for the chef. You’ve earned it.

Alright, we’ll confess: We actually kind of love Hawaiian pizza, as long as the pineapple is grilled. It’s a game-changer.

Ready to devour in 15 minutes without a minute of cooking? Where do we sign up? It stars all your summer faves, along with sweet peach jelly and pretty edible flowers that your guests (or your roommates) will love.

Most veggie burgers are dry and bland, but these are the opposite. Make a double batch and store some in the freezer if you want to go the extra mile.

Give salmon a rest in favor of this ten-ingredient masterpiece relies on pantry staples you likely already have on hand. (You can also substitute tofu, Brussels sprouts or diced chicken if trout isn't your thing.)

It’s buttery, flaky, cheesy and ready in under an hour. Need we say more? To switch things up, feel free to swap in any summer squash you'd like, or even eggplant.

Skip the ground beef and make it a meatless taco night. If you can’t find poblano peppers, bell peppers would be just as delish.

Finish your plate with a generous spritz of lemon and an herb salad to cut through the fatty richness of the pork chop. (The tangy yogurt sauce, which doubles as a crudité dip, does a great job of that.)

Don't let its elegant appearance fool you: This dish is decidedly non-fussy. Serve it atop a bed of arugula or alongside a bowl of cold soup. Might we suggest this 15-minute cucumber-avocado number?

Couscous is as easy to make as it is to boil water. Toss it with a few flavorful toppings (like rich canned tuna, zingy capers and juicy cherry tomatoes) and dinner is set.

Prep everything the night before, then blend the ingredients (which include two summer peaches, BTW) and assemble in less than ten minutes right before serving. You won’t even break a sweat.