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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Quick and Easy Summer Dinners for Busy Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 4, 2025, updated July 26, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer evenings can be hectic, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice a good meal. With these 21 quick and easy dinner ideas, you can whip up something satisfying in no time. From fresh salads to simple grilled dishes, these recipes are perfect for busy nights when you want to enjoy the season without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Smash Burgers

    Easy Smash Burger Recipe
    Photo Credit: midwest foodie blog.

    Burgers aren't just for the grill. These thin and crispy smash burgers can be whipped up in a hot skillet on your stove in just 15 minutes. Made with just ground beef and salt, they’re simple to prepare and full of rich, buttery flavor.

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    Pesto Salmon

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

    Pesto Salmon is a quick and tasty choice for summer dinners. In just 15 minutes, you can enjoy baked salmon topped with a blend of Greek yogurt and pesto. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A juicy Air Fryer Flank Steak can be ready in just 8-10 minutes, thanks to a tasty marinade that does most of the work. This dish is perfect for summer dinners when you want something quick and satisfying. It's a great way to enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey

    Brie Grilled Cheese with Turkey
    Photo credit: Midwest foodie

    Turkey Brie Grilled Cheese takes the classic grilled cheese to a whole new level. With layers of turkey, fresh greens, gooey Brie cheese, and a hint of mustard, this sandwich is perfect for a laid-back Sunday dinner. It's quick to make and offers a satisfying twist on a familiar favorite.

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    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a fast and flavorful twist on the traditional Italian pasta dish. It features creamy Carbonara sauce paired with tender shrimp, creating a satisfying mix of seafood and pasta. This version skips the cream, making it simple to prepare while still delivering a delicious meal.

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    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi comes together in just 10 minutes and doesn’t require any wine. With a simple mix of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley, this dish is quick to prepare and fills your kitchen with wonderful smells. It's a great option for a fast and satisfying meal.

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    Shrimp Caesar Pasta Salad

    Shrimp Caesar Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Health Starts in the Kitchen.

    Shrimp Caesar Pasta Salad brings together the classic tastes of a Caesar salad with pasta and grilled shrimp, creating a hearty meal. It's a filling choice for summer dinners, perfect for warm evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Margherita Flatbread

    Margherita Flatbread
    Photo credit: Sustainable cooks

    Margherita flatbread pizza is a simple and tasty dinner choice. With crispy flatbread, fresh pizza sauce, basil, and creamy mozzarella cheese, it’s perfect for summer nights. This dish comes together quickly, making it a great option when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

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

    A creamy pesto pasta can be ready in just 10 minutes with only three ingredients. The bright flavors of the pesto combined with Greek yogurt make for a simple and satisfying dinner. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something quick yet delicious.

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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 satisfying meal that comes together in just 15 minutes. This dish features tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce that ties everything together. It's a simple yet delicious option that everyone will love, perfect for a busy evening.

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    Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

    Fish tacos.
    Photo credit: Sweet Tea and Thyme.

    Grilled fish tacos with homemade mango salsa are a fantastic way to enjoy a summer meal. The combination of fresh, grilled fish and the sweet and spicy mango salsa creates a delicious flavor that everyone will love. This dish is quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is perfect for a quick and tasty summer dinner. It's easy to prepare and packed with fresh flavors. Adding mozzarella or burrata cheese on top gives it an extra creamy finish.

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    Cacio e Pepe

    A fork with cacio e pepe.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    This Italian pasta dish is simple to prepare and uses just a handful of ingredients. It's perfect for summer evenings when you want something quick and satisfying. With its fresh flavors, this meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

    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. With a zesty kick from lemon juice and lemon pepper, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a quick and flavorful dish that you'll find yourself making regularly. It's loaded with genuine Thai flavors and finished off with crunchy peanuts for added texture.

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    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dinner features spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese, creating a flavorful meal that's easy to whip up. It's a great option for summer nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Enjoy a delicious dish that brings together simple ingredients for a quick and enjoyable dinner.

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    Shrimp and Orzo

    15-Minute Shrimp and Orzo
    Photo credit: Tried and true

    Shrimp and orzo come together in this quick dish that's both easy to prepare and full of flavor. In just 15 minutes, you can have a satisfying meal on the table. It's perfect for those busy summer evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Spinach Pasta

    Creamy Spinach Pasta.
    Photo credit: Six Hungry Feet.

    A creamy spinach pasta sauce can be made with just six easy ingredients. This vegan and raw sauce is ideal for a quick summer dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Sardine Pasta

    Sardine Pasta.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    Sardine Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that's perfect for warm weather. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have it ready in under 15 minutes. It's a great option for busy weeknights or even a nice Sunday dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    Chicken pesto pasta salad is a fantastic summer dish. It's healthy, simple to prepare, and perfect for BBQs or casual gatherings. This salad comes together quickly, making it a great option for those warm evenings when you want something light and tasty.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This speedy pasta dish features smoked salmon and a bright touch of lemon, making it a perfect choice for a quick summer dinner. It's simple to prepare and packed with flavor, so you'll find yourself coming back to it time and time again. Enjoy a satisfying meal that doesn't take much time to whip up.

    Get the recipe

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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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