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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Lazy Summer Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 1, 2025, updated May 6, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer evenings are perfect for easy and delicious meals that the whole family can enjoy. With warm weather and longer days, you can whip up simple dishes that require minimal cooking and let you spend more time outside. Here are 21 lazy summer dinners that are sure to please everyone at the table.

    Tuscan Chicken Pasta

    Tuscan chicken pasta.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This one pot pasta is packed with great flavors and is super easy to make. It features penne pasta in a creamy tomato sauce with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh cherry tomatoes, and spinach.

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    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Fresh salmon is seasoned and pan-fried in no time, then served with a simple Ginger Avocado Salsa for tasty Salmon Tacos. This is a healthy dinner option that’s quick to prepare and full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Citrus Herb Grilled Shrimp

    Citrus Herb Grilled Shrimp.
    Photo credit: Coley Cooks.

    This easy recipe is a flavorful meal that's perfect for summer gatherings. It works well as either a starter or a main dish and is sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Veggie Fajitas

    Baked Fajita Veggies on tortilla wraps.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Oven-baked veggies come out tender and nicely charred in just 10 minutes, requiring minimal prep. This method is straightforward, tasty, and works well with a variety of vegetables.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer T-Bone Steak with Homemade Garlic Butter

    T-bone steak with garlic butter.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Juicy T-bone steaks come out perfectly in the air fryer, and they're quick to prepare. Pair them with a simple garlic butter or your favorite sauce for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake

    Baked gnocchi.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This is a simple and satisfying meal perfect for summer evenings. It’s all about enjoying good food without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Vermicelli di Positano

    Vermicelli di Positano.
    Photo credit: The Pasta Project.

    This fresh tomato Vermicelli di Positano is perfect for warm weather. It’s simple to prepare, just cook the pasta and let the vegetables and herbs soak up the flavors.

    Get the recipe

    Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    Taco stuffed sweet potatoes.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a fun twist on taco night. They’re filled with your favorite toppings and can be ready in under 20 minutes.

    Get the recipe.

    Mexican Citrus Chicken

    Citrus marinated chicken.
    Photo credit: Confetti & Bliss.

    This Mexican citrus chicken marinade is packed with bright flavors and is great for grilling, whether you're inside or outside. It gives you tender and juicy chicken that's both healthy and delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sheet pan chicken fajitas are packed with flavor and are quick to prepare. You can have a satisfying dinner ready in under 30 minutes with this simple dish.

    Get the recipe

    Cashew Alfredo

    A skillet full of cashew alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    This vegan alfredo sauce is super simple to make with just 5 ingredients. It's creamy and tasty, and you can whip it up in 15 minutes without any real cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes with only 15 minutes of actual cooking time. It's loaded with veggies and flavor, and you can enjoy it hot or cold, whether you use homemade or store-bought pesto.

    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 dish that brings together juicy shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. This is a great meal for summer evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

    Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta served on a skillet.
    Photo Credit: Savory Cipolla.

    This creamy vegetarian pasta is packed with the flavors of garlic, basil, and cheese, thanks to the sun-dried tomato pesto. It's easy to customize with your favorite vegetables, making it perfect for summer dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breasts

    Stuffed chicken breast on a black skillet.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chicken breasts stuffed with Mediterranean flavors are a great choice for summer dinners. With ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and feta cheese, this dish is sure to please.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Steak & Potatoes

    Sheet pan steak and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This sheet pan version of steak and potatoes is simple to prepare, roasting the potatoes until they're soft and then broiling everything for a nice golden finish. It's a hearty meal that leaves you with hardly any cleanup afterward!

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are the easiest ever way to make a large batch of the Tex Mex classic. Just three ingredients and the world’s easiest prep and you are on your way to dinner being done!

    Get the Recipe

    Air Fryer Salmon

    Air Fryer Salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, you can have flavorful skin-on salmon cooked in your air fryer, perfect for a quick meal any night. Seasoned with lemon juice and lemon pepper, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    These Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos feature tender shredded chicken in a flavorful sauce. Just broil them with cheese for a delicious finish before serving!

    Get the Recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon pasta with crème fraîche and lemon is quick to prepare and packed with flavor, perfect for any weeknight dinner. Using fresh or frozen salmon, it offers a light and refreshing meal that you can enjoy all year long.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Cashew Chicken

    Thai cashew chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This version of a favorite takeout meal is packed with chicken and fresh vegetables, bringing authentic Thai flavors to your table. It’s a quick and simple dish that you can whip up in just 35 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Bolognese.
      20 Grandma Approved Ground Beef Dinners for Super Busy Nights
    • Cherry caprese pasta salad.
      24 Must-Try Summer Dinner Salads
    • 24 Flavorful Crockpot Meals for Busy Weeknights
    • Lazy lasagna.
      25 Dump-and-Bake Dinner Casseroles for Busy Weeknights

    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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