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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Set It and Forget It Summer Dinners That Will Change the Way You Cook

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 22, 2025, updated July 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer dinners can be a breeze with the right recipes that require minimal effort. These 21 easy meals let you set everything up and then enjoy your evening without worrying about the stove. Perfect for warm nights, these dishes are all about simplicity and flavor, making your summer cooking stress-free.

    Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili

    Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Beefy slow cooker hot dog chili is a great way to elevate your hot dog game. Whether you're grilling your hot dogs or warming them up in the crockpot with the chili, this topping adds a hearty touch. It's a simple way to make your meals more satisfying and enjoyable.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tangy Apple Slaw

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tangy Apple Slaw.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is packed with a mix of flavors that include smoky, sweet, salty, savory, and a hint of spice. It’s simple to prepare and can be served on a bun topped with crunchy, tangy apple slaw for a delicious sandwich. This dish is perfect for summer dinners when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry

    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken in a Hurry is a simple and tasty dish that you can make in a crockpot. It features tender chicken cooked with onion soup mix, apricot preserves, and Russian dressing, creating a sweet and tangy sauce. This is a great option for busy nights when you want a delicious meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple and delicious dinner option that takes only 50 minutes to prepare. The outside has a flavorful herby crust, while the inside stays juicy and tender. With just a handful of easy ingredients, this dish is perfect for a family meal.

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    Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    One pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes offer a simple solution for weeknight dinners. The lemony chicken legs paired with roasted potatoes create a comforting meal that’s satisfying but not too filling. While everything bakes together, you can quickly whip up a fresh green salad, making it easy to enjoy a wholesome dinner in no time.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal offers a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking. The lamb chops roast in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that’s full of flavor. It’s a great option for a relaxed dinner, allowing you to focus on other things while it cooks.

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    Sheet Pan Salmon with Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet pan salmon with brussels sprouts.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This recipe lets you prepare an entire dinner on just one sheet pan. The tasty brussels sprouts go perfectly with the salmon, and you can easily add some rice on the side if you want. It's a simple way to enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This dinner is both simple and full of flavor, perfect for a weeknight meal or a relaxed Sunday dinner. This classic Italian dish cooks slowly, allowing the flavors to develop beautifully. It pairs well with pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.

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    Slow Cooker Kalua Pig

    Slow Cooker Kalua Pig.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Kalua Pig brings the flavors of Hawaiian cuisine right to your table. This dish is similar to the delicious pork you’d find at a luau or a Hawaiian restaurant. It’s perfect served on buns or alongside rice, making it a versatile option for any meal.

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    Crispy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

    Crispy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Slow cooker pork carnitas are a simple way to enjoy a tasty meal with minimal effort. With just 10 minutes of prep, you can set it in the crockpot and let it cook all afternoon. The result is tender, shredded pork with crispy edges, perfect for filling soft flour tortillas. Topped with diced onion and cilantro, this dish is sure to become a hit at the dinner table.

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    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake is simple to prepare and everything cooks together in one pan with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. It features colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, creating a satisfying meal. You can easily customize it to suit your preferences.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let it cook on its own while you take care of other things. It combines chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce all in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika

    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features tender chicken cooked in a rich sauce made with paprika, garlic, and onion. It's a comforting meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for a simple dinner. This classic recipe is definitely worth a try.

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    Slow Cooker Birria Sliders

    Slow Cooker Birria Sliders.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Slow Cooker Birria Beef Sliders are great for any gathering, from a laid-back family dinner to a lively get-together with friends. The tender, tasty beef combined with zesty red onions, melty cheese, and soft slider buns creates a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it prepped in about five minutes and on the table in under forty. It's perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken

    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken.
    Photo credit: Food Meanderings.

    This chicken dish is quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes. It's full of flavor and sure to please everyone at the table. Perfect for busy evenings when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled Lamb

    Slow Cooker Pulled Lamb.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker Pulled Lamb is a hit with families and easy to make. The lamb shoulder is seasoned and cooked slowly, which makes it tender and juicy. It's versatile enough to be used in tacos, sliders, burgers, salads, or at BBQs. This dish is simple to prepare and delivers fantastic flavor with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Maple Balsamic Chicken

    Maple Balsamic Slow Cooker Chicken.
    Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

    This dish features tender and juicy chicken breasts that require only 5 minutes of prep time. It's a simple option for a weeknight dinner that won't take up much of your evening. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious meal ready to enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sheet pan chicken fajitas are packed with flavor and are super easy to prepare. With just a few minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious dinner ready in under 30 minutes. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken

    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish brings together Italian dressing, brown sugar, and chicken breasts in the crockpot for an easy meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work. Pair it with your favorite sides for a satisfying dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Drumsticks

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This is a simple dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen. With minimal effort, you can have a satisfying meal ready to go.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken parmesan pasta.
      22 Lightning-Fast Pasta Dinners That Fit Your Summer Schedule
    • Firecracker salmon.
      27 Dinners That Will (Almost) Save You from Cooking Tonight
    • Tortellini soup in crockpot.
      Dump and Go: 19 Effortless Slow Cooker Meals for Busy Nights
    • Sausage and peppers.
      16 Summer Crockpot Dinners We’re Making Every Week Until September

    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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