• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 20-Minute Summer Dinners That Impress Every Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 25, 2025, updated July 20, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer evenings call for quick and impressive meals that make the most of fresh ingredients. These 20-minute dinners are perfect for warm nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. From vibrant salads to grilled favorites, these recipes will help you create memorable meals that everyone will enjoy.

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This spicy and creamy Vodka Pasta is a quick and tasty meal option. With its rich flavors, you can have it on the table in 20 minutes or less. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    Chicken pesto pasta salad is a fantastic summer dish that's simple to prepare. It's a healthy and tasty choice for barbecues or any meal during the warm months. With just a few ingredients, you can whip it up in no time, making it perfect for those busy summer days.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Pesto Pasta

    Easy Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Joy Food Sunshine.

    This dish is ideal for a quick and delicious summer meal. It works well as a main course or a side, and it tastes great served hot or cold.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    This 15-minute cherry tomato pasta is a great option for a quick summer dinner. It's easy to prepare and packed with flavor, especially when topped with fresh mozzarella or burrata cheese. Perfect for those warm evenings when you want something light and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

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

    Pesto Salmon is a simple and delicious dish that comes together in just 15 minutes. With a blend of Greek yogurt and pesto slathered on the salmon, it’s a great option for a quick and flavorful meal. This recipe is perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick Thai meal is perfect for summer nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen. In just 20 minutes, you can have a flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare. It's a great option for those evenings when you need dinner on the table fast.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad is a quick and easy vegetarian dish that comes together in just 10 minutes. It's filled with garbanzo beans, fresh cucumber, olives, juicy tomatoes, onion, and parsley, all tossed in a light white wine vinaigrette. This salad is perfect for a healthy meal that doesn't take much time to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Summer dinners can be quick and delicious, and this Shrimp Carbonara is a perfect example. In just 10 minutes, you can enjoy a creamy dish that features tender shrimp and a rich flavor. It's a great option for those warm evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Summer Tortellini Salad

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

    This summer tortellini salad is simple to prepare and only requires 6 ingredients. In just 20 minutes, you can have a delicious dish that's great for potlucks, BBQs, or a light dinner on a warm evening. It's a quick and easy option that fits perfectly into your summer meal plans.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Pasta Salad

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

    This pasta salad is a simple and tasty summer meal, loaded with fresh vegetables and a zesty dressing. It's quick to prepare and offers a refreshing option for those warm evenings. Perfect for a light dinner, this dish is sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

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

    Creamy pesto pasta is a simple dinner that comes together in just 10 minutes. With only three ingredients, including bright pesto sauce and Greek yogurt, it’s a comforting choice for busy weeknights. This dish is not only quick to prepare but also satisfying, making it a great option when time is tight.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Shrimp

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

    Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp is a simple and flavorful option for summer dinners. Ready in just 3-5 minutes, these shrimp are seasoned with garlic, paprika, and fresh parsley, adding a nice kick to your meal. This dish is ideal for hot evenings when you want something quick and easy without turning on the oven.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi wraps are a favorite among kids and adults alike. They’re quick to prepare and perfect for summer meals when you want something light and tasty. With just a few ingredients, you can have a delicious dinner ready in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This easy tahini pasta is a quick and delicious option for dinner, ready in just 20 minutes. The creamy and tangy tahini sauce adds a unique flavor that pairs perfectly with the pasta. It's a simple dish that brings together nutty goodness in every bite.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

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

    This salmon pasta with chives is a quick and tasty choice for a summer meal. It comes together in 20 minutes or less, making it ideal for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty meal that comes together in just 15 minutes. It's an ideal option for a summer dinner when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. With its rich flavors and simple ingredients, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick vegetarian halloumi pasta can be ready in just 20 minutes, loaded with fresh vegetables. This light dish is ideal for a simple and satisfying summer dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Pasta

    Lemon Pepper Pasta.
    Photo credit: Pretty Delicious Life.

    Lemon Pepper Pasta is a delicious meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. It uses basic ingredients that you likely have on hand, making it a quick option for dinner. In just 20 minutes, you can have a satisfying dish on the table.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Lamb ribs.
      23 No-Fuss Crockpot Dinners That Get the Job Done
    • Cheesecake jars.
      Cheesecake Dreams: 20 Recipes That Will Leave You Wanting More
    • Greek chicken.
      22 Set It and Forget It Chicken Dinners That Will Have Everyone Asking for Seconds
    • Minestrone soup.
      17 Dump-and-Go Vegetable Dishes You Can Prep in Minutes

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Tahini pasta.
      18 20-Minute Summer Dinners That Impress Every Time
    • Nacho soup.
      22 Easy Slow Cooker Dinners That Will Save You Time and Stress
    • Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
      Stress-Free Suppers: 21 Set It and Forget It Recipes for When You're All Worn Out
    • White chicken chili.
      Make Summer Nights Simple with These 21 Easy Crockpot Dishes

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB