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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Family-Friendly Summer Dinner Ideas to Satisfy Everyone

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 15, 2024, updated July 19, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Looking for some fresh ideas to feed the whole family this summer? Check out these 21 delicious dinner recipes that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. From grilled favorites to easy one-pan meals, there's something here for everyone to enjoy during those warm summer evenings.

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    Looking for a tasty summer dinner idea? Try this easy chicken pesto pasta salad recipe - it's great for BBQs and sure to please the whole family!

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    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Try out these delicious halloumi wraps that are sure to please everyone in the family, from picky eaters to food enthusiasts. With simple ingredients like halloumi cheese, red pesto, avocado, and walnuts, these wraps are bursting with flavor and can be whipped up in just 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Chickpea Tacos

    Easy Chickpea Tacos Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Get ready for a tasty meal with these Vegan Chickpea Tacos! Packed with classic taco flavors and topped with a zesty Cilantro Lime Slaw, they're sure to be a hit with the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta with Roasted Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a quick and tasty summer dinner idea that the whole family will love? Try this red pesto pasta recipe, ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep and cooking time. Packed with veggies and flavor, you can make it with homemade or store-bought pesto - and it's delicious served cold too!

    Get the recipe

    Greek Chicken Souvlaki1

    Chicken souvlaki.
    Photo credit: Recipes from Europe.

    Get ready for a delicious summer dinner with Chicken Souvlaki, a popular Greek dish loved by many. This recipe features marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection, making it a family favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    This quick and easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a delicious dish that the whole family will love. With tender shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a tasty garlic butter sauce, it's a summer dinner winner!

    Get the recipe

    Easy Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This paella recipe is a simple and tasty dish that everyone will love. Packed with saffron, white wine, shrimp, chicken, peas, and bell peppers, it's perfect for a summer dinner that will satisfy the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Pesto Pasta

    Easy Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Joy Food Sunshine.

    Here's a tasty and simple summer recipe for you! It works great as a main or side dish, and you can have it hot or cold.

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    Spinach Lemon Orzo

    Spinach Lemon Orzo.
    Photo credit: Barley and Sage.

    Looking for a quick and tasty summer dinner idea? Try this one-pan pasta that's ready in just 20 minutes! Packed with fresh spinach, lemon zest, and basil in a creamy sauce, it's perfect for a light weeknight meal or a simple side dish.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These Salmon Tacos are a quick and tasty summer dinner option for the whole family. Seasoned salmon is pan-fried and served with a simple Ginger Avocado Salsa, making a healthy and flavorful meal in minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Pasta Salad

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

    Get ready for a delicious summer dinner with this colorful pasta salad packed with fresh veggies and a flavorful dressing that everyone will love. It's a great way to keep the whole family happy on a warm evening.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta

    Cherry tomato pasta.
    Photo credit: It's Not Complicated Recipes.

    Get ready to delight your taste buds with this yummy pasta dish featuring roasted tomatoes. It's a quick and easy meal that the whole family will love!

    Get the recipe

    Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

    Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Naturallie Plant Based.

    Get ready for a delicious summer meal that will please everyone in the family! This vegan pasta salad is packed with juicy strawberries, marinated balsamic tofu, fresh spinach, basil, and creamy feta cheese - perfect for picnics, BBQs, or a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

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

    Check out this amazing salmon recipe that only requires 3 simple ingredients. It's perfect for a summer dinner that will please the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    This yummy mushroom sweet corn pasta is packed with earthy mushrooms, charred corn, and a creamy sauce. It's a simple and satisfying meatless pasta that you can whip up in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl.
    Photo credit: Fresh Apron.

    Here's a simple and tasty summer dinner idea that's perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please the whole family in under 30 minutes. Enjoy the delicious flavors of summer in every bite!

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for easy summer dinner ideas that everyone will love? This simple pasta dish is a sure crowd-pleaser!

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    Grilled Lemon Chicken

    Grilled lemon chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Get ready for a delicious summer dinner with this quick and easy marinade recipe. Using basic ingredients like olive oil, lemon, and basil, you can make your chicken juicy and flavorful for grilling, pan frying, or baking.

    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 delicious and satisfying meal that your whole family will love for summer dinners. It's a perfect dish to keep everyone happy and satisfied at the dinner table.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Here's a quick and tasty dinner idea for summer that the whole family will love. These easy foil packs are filled with cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon for a delicious all-in-one meal that's ready in just 5 minutes of prep time. Remember to use frozen cod to avoid overcooking the fish.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a quick and tasty summer dinner? Try this 10-minute Shrimp Carbonara recipe for a creamy and satisfying twist on the classic Italian favorite that the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • A cheesy pizza pasta bake.
      22 Deliciously Easy Casseroles for a Cozy Family Dinner
    • Antipasti pasta salad.
      21 Vibrant Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Dinner
    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas.
      28 Dump-And-Bake Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Lemongrass grilled chicken.
      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master

    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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