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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Quick and Easy Summer Dinners for When You’ve Got Better Things to Do

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 2, 2025, updated July 23, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer evenings are perfect for enjoying time outdoors, and that means you need quick and easy dinner ideas that won't keep you in the kitchen for long. These 20 simple recipes are designed to help you whip up delicious meals in no time, so you can spend more time relaxing and enjoying the warm weather. From fresh salads to light pasta dishes, these options will keep your summer nights stress-free and satisfying.

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi can be ready in just 10 minutes and doesn’t require any wine. The mix of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley creates a wonderful smell that will fill your kitchen. This dish is perfect for a quick summer dinner when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time cooking.

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    Pesto Salmon

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

    Pesto Salmon is a quick and delicious meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. With a creamy sauce made from Greek yogurt and pesto, this dish is ideal for a flavorful dinner when you're short on time. It's a great option for those busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too long in the kitchen.

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    Italian Pasta Salad

    Italian Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This Italian pasta salad is loaded with fresh vegetables, mozzarella cheese, and salami, all mixed together with a delicious homemade dressing. It's a simple dish that comes together quickly, making it a great option for summer dinners. Enjoy it on warm evenings when you want something light and satisfying.

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    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Coconut Lime Chicken & Pasta offers a refreshing take on your regular dinner routine. The zesty coconut lime sauce adds a bright flavor that sets it apart from typical pasta dishes. Plus, it comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Chickpea Gyros

    Chickpea Gyros
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    Chickpea gyros are a quick vegetarian meal that can be ready in just 15 minutes. Packed with Mediterranean flavors and a vegan twist, this dish is ideal for a fast and tasty dinner.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    Buffalo chicken pasta salad comes together in 15 minutes or less, making it a quick and easy option for summer meals. This dish is great for picnics, potlucks, or any get-together with friends and family. With its bold flavors and satisfying ingredients, it’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.

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    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Smoked Salmon Pasta is ready in just 15 minutes, making it a great option for a quick dinner. With flavorful hot smoked salmon and a hint of zesty lemon, it brings a touch of elegance to your weeknight meals. It's simple to prepare and satisfying, perfect for those evenings when you want something special without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a quick and easy meal that you can prepare in under 10 minutes. With bright lemon and garlic flavors, this cheesy pasta is great as a main dish or as a side to go with your favorite protein. It's perfect for those busy summer nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    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 fast meal that’s both healthy and satisfying.

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    Croque Madame Sandwich

    Croque Madame Sandwich
    Photo Credit: The Freign Fork.

    This sandwich is a great choice for any meal. The Croque Madame elevates a classic ham and cheese sandwich with a creamy bechamel sauce and a perfectly cooked over-easy egg on top. It's a delicious twist that adds a bit of flair to your day.

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    Creamy Spinach Pasta

    Creamy Spinach Pasta.
    Photo credit: Six Hungry Feet.

    A quick and delicious creamy spinach pasta sauce can be made with just six easy ingredients. This vegan and raw sauce is ideal for a fast summer dinner that everyone will enjoy. Simply blend the ingredients, mix them with your favorite pasta, and you have a satisfying meal ready in no time!

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    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon is a quick and flavorful dinner option that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. With its spicy and tangy flavors, this dish brings a delightful kick to your meal. It's an easy way to enjoy perfectly cooked salmon that will impress everyone at the table.

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    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

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

    This salmon pasta with crème fraîche, lemon, and chives is a great option for summer nights when you need something quick and delicious. Whether you use fresh or frozen salmon, the creamy sauce adds a nice lightness to the meal. It's a dish you'll find yourself wanting to make again and again, no matter the season.

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    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon Tacos with a zesty Ginger Avocado Salsa can be ready in 15 minutes or less. This dish is a quick and healthy choice for summer dinners, packed with fresh flavors that everyone will enjoy.

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    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a simple and delicious twist on the traditional Italian pasta dish. With its creamy sauce and flavorful shrimp, this meal comes together in just 10 minutes. It's perfect for a quick dinner when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Roast Salmon with Spring Greens

    A plate with salmon and spring greens.
    Photo credit: Australian Gluten-Free Life.

    Roast Salmon with Greens is a simple and tasty summer dinner option. It comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy evenings. With fresh greens and flavorful salmon, this dish is satisfying and light, ideal for warm weather meals.

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    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    Cherry Tomato Pasta is a quick and easy summer dinner option that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. This dish is not only simple to prepare but also packed with flavor. Toss in some mozzarella or burrata cheese to elevate the meal and enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    Shrimp pasta is a quick and satisfying meal that features tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce. This dish is easy to prepare and brings together the delicious tastes of seafood and pasta, making it a hit for any dinner. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is a perfect choice for a summer dinner that you can prepare in a flash. It's light, refreshing, and packed with flavor, making it ideal for warm evenings. With just a few ingredients, you can have a satisfying meal ready in no time.

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    Warm Vegan Pasta Salad

    Warm Vegan Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Healing Tomato.

    This cauliflower gnocchi pasta is quick and simple to prepare, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish. It's a great choice for summer dinners, especially when you're looking for something light and tasty. Whether you're enjoying a picnic or hosting a gathering, this warm pasta salad is sure to please everyone.

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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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