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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Easy Summer Dinners You Can Whip Up in 20 Minutes or Less

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 15, 2024, updated July 20, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Looking for quick and tasty meals for summer evenings? Check out these 17 simple dinner recipes that you can make in 20 minutes or less. From refreshing salads to lighter pastas, these recipes are perfect for busy summer nights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Get inspired to create easy and satisfying dinners that will keep you cool and satisfied during the warm summer months.

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie

    This Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad is a super quick and easy vegetarian meal that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. Packed with garbanzo beans, cucumber, olives, tomatoes, onion, and parsley in a simple white wine vinaigrette.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy pesto pasta is a quick and easy dinner option that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. Made with only three ingredients, including vibrant pesto sauce and Greek yogurt, it's a comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick and tasty Pesto Salmon recipe only takes 15 minutes to make. The salmon is coated in a mix of Greek yogurt and pesto, making it a perfect choice for a fast and flavorful dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Get ready for a quick and delicious meal with this spicy and creamy Vodka Pasta recipe. It's packed with flavor and can be ready in just 20 minutes or less.

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    Greek Pasta Salad

    Greek pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Home at Cedar Springs Farm.

    This pasta salad is a quick and delicious summer dish, packed with fresh veggies and a flavorful dressing. It's easy to make and tastes fantastic, perfect for a light and refreshing meal.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and delicious meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. It's a perfect choice for a fast and tasty summer dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, you can whip up a tasty vegetarian halloumi pasta packed with fresh veggies. This light and creamy-free dish is perfect for a quick and delicious summer dinner.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta

    15-minute cherry tomato pasta with spinach and walnuts in a black skillet and in a white bowl topped with burrata, all on a white table decorated with cherry tomatoes on a branch and basil leaves
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a quick and tasty summer dinner? Try this 15-minute cherry tomato pasta recipe! It's simple, delicious, and perfect with mozzarella or burrata cheese on top.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Try making these halloumi wraps that are a hit with both kids and food enthusiasts!

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    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a quick and tasty summer dinner? Try this Shrimp Carbonara recipe that puts a twist on the classic Italian favorite. In just 10 minutes, you'll have a creamy and flavorful dish with perfectly cooked shrimp.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon creme fraiche pasta in a pan.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon pasta recipe with chives is a quick and delicious option for a summer dinner. It's ready in just 20 minutes or less, perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Summer Tortellini Salad

    Summer Tortellini Salad.
    Photo credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This tasty summer tortellini salad with just 6 ingredients is a breeze to make and perfect for quick meals. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's ideal for potlucks, BBQs, or a light summer dinner.

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    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Get ready for a quick and delicious Thai meal that you'll want to cook often. This easy recipe is perfect for busy summer evenings, ready in just 20 minutes or less.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is a great summer dish that's quick and easy to make. It's a healthy and delicious option for a BBQ or any summer meal.

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    Easy Pesto Pasta

    Easy Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Joy Food Sunshine.

    This recipe is perfect for a quick and tasty summer meal! You can serve it as a main dish or a side, and it's great whether you eat it hot or cold.

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    Lemon Pepper Pasta

    Lemon Pepper Pasta.
    Photo credit: Pretty Delicious Life.

    This Lemon Pepper Pasta is a tasty dish that your family will love. With simple ingredients you probably already have, it's a quick and easy meal ready in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Shrimp

    A bowl of air fryer shrimp.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a quick and tasty summer dinner? Try making Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp - they cook in just 3-5 minutes and are seasoned with garlic, paprika, and fresh parsley for a burst of flavor. Perfect for those hot nights when you want a meal without heating up the kitchen!

    Get the recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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