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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Easy Recipes for the Perfect Summer Dinner Party

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 3, 2025, updated July 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to gather friends and family for a fun dinner party. With fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors, these 21 easy recipes will help you create a memorable meal that everyone will enjoy. From lighter pasta salads to summery mains, these dishes are as beautiful as they are delicious—and they can all be prepared in just 30 minutes. Want something heartier? Check out these summer casseroles.

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thin chicken breasts cooked in an air fryer offer a simple and tasty dinner option. In just 6 minutes, they come out perfectly seasoned with garlic and basil. You can also prepare them on the grill or in a pan if you prefer.

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    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is a quick and easy dish that delivers juicy, tender meat in just 8-10 minutes. The marinade is full of flavor and helps to soften the steak, making it a great choice for a summer dinner party. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. The creamy sauce combines crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano for a delightful flavor. With just a few common ingredients and minimal prep, this meal is perfect for impressing your guests at any summer gathering.

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    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta is ready in just 20 minutes, including prep time. It's a light and fresh dish packed with vegetables, perfect for summer gatherings. With no cream involved, the flavors of the veggies really stand out, making it a great choice for a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Fresh salmon is seasoned and pan-fried in no time, creating a tasty dish that pairs perfectly with a simple Ginger Avocado Salsa. These Salmon Tacos are not only healthy but also packed with flavor, making them a great choice for any summer gathering. With just a few minutes of cooking, you can enjoy a delicious meal that everyone will love.

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    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to prepare and packed with the fresh flavors of smoked salmon and lemon. It's a go-to recipe that you'll want to make time and time again. Perfect for summer gatherings, it brings a light and satisfying option to your dinner table.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick chicken stew can be made using rotisserie chicken, bringing together the bright flavors of lemon and rosemary. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for summer gatherings. It's a comforting option that everyone will enjoy, making it a great choice for your dinner party.

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    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Feta Cheese

    finished pasta with chicken and feta cheese
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Feta cheese adds a delicious twist to creamy pasta sauces. Its tangy flavor and smooth texture elevate any dish, making it a great choice for summer gatherings. This recipe is perfect for a quick dinner party, bringing a fresh and satisfying option to the table.

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is incredibly easy to prepare. It's perfect for summer gatherings when you want something quick and satisfying. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a meal that everyone will enjoy. It's a great option for busy evenings or when you want to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that brings together juicy shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. In just 15 minutes, you can whip up this easy meal that combines seafood and pasta in a way everyone will enjoy. It's a great option for a busy weeknight or when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

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

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a great option for a quick meal. It's easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a satisfying dish on its own. Adding a nice piece of mozzarella or burrata cheese on top takes it to another level.

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    Antipasti Pasta Salad

    Antipasti Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: An Affair From the Heart.

    This salad is a great choice for any gathering. It’s simple to prepare and brings a nice Italian touch to your potluck, BBQ, or cookout. Ready in under 30 minutes, it combines delicious salami, pepperoni, grape tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, making it a satisfying and flavorful pasta salad that everyone will enjoy.

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    Spicy Baked Salmon

    Spicy Baked Salmon.
    Photo credit: Sims Home Kitchen.

    Citrusy, fresh and delicious! This tasty baked salmon is filled with flavor. Coat the salmon in a homemade spicy marinade and dry rub using easy-to-find ingredients. Done in less than 30 minutes and ready to serve with potatoes, vegetables or a salad!

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    Pesto Salmon

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

    Pesto Salmon is ready in just 15 minutes. Topped with a mix of Greek yogurt and pesto, this baked salmon is ideal for busy evenings. It uses only a few ingredients but packs a lot of flavor, resulting in salmon filets that are hard to resist.

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    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    Mushroom sweet corn pasta combines the rich flavors of earthy mushrooms with the sweetness of charred corn, all brought together in a light cream sauce. This dish is simple to prepare and can be ready in just half an hour, making it a great option for a quick meal. It's a satisfying meatless pasta that works well for any occasion.

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    Salmon Stir-fry

    Salmon stir-fry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This stir-fry is packed with fresh vegetables and has a bright, citrusy taste that everyone will enjoy. It's versatile enough to be served on its own or alongside some rice. Perfect for a quick meal, this dish brings a burst of flavor to your dinner table.

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    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi can be whipped up in just 10 minutes, offering a delicious option for an appetizer or a main dish. The combination of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma. This dish is perfect for summer gatherings, bringing a burst of flavor to your table.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is incredibly simple, using just three ingredients to create a delicious meal. It's perfect for summer gatherings and can be prepared quickly, making it a great choice for dinner parties. With minimal effort, you can impress your guests with this flavorful option.

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    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta is packed with fresh vegetables, making it a healthier option that everyone will enjoy. It's a great choice for summer gatherings, bringing a burst of color and flavor to your table. With its simple preparation, this dish is perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties

    Air Fryer Salmon Patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These Air Fryer Salmon Patties are a quick and tasty option for dinner. With fresh salmon and just a few minutes of cooking time, they come together easily. You won't need to chop anything, as the seasonings are all in powdered form, making this a simple dish to prepare.

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    Air Fryer Steak Bites

    Air Fryer Steak Bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer steak bites come together in less than 10 minutes, making them a quick and tasty option for dinner that everyone will enjoy. The steak is marinated in a mix of lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and herbs, which helps to tenderize the meat and pack in plenty of flavor. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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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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