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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Easy Summer Dinners You Can Set and Forget

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 26, 2025, updated July 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer evenings can be hectic, but that doesn't mean dinner has to be a hassle. With these 22 easy recipes, you can set everything up and let it cook while you enjoy the warm weather. From slow-cooked meals to simple one-pan dishes, these dinners are perfect for lazy summer nights.

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Juicy chicken, colorful bell peppers, and onions come together with a flavorful seasoning for a tasty meal that’s great for busy nights. This dish is simple to prepare and cooks on its own, allowing you to focus on other things while it’s in the oven.

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    Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken

    Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Korean BBQ Chicken is a fantastic dinner option that comes together easily with ingredients you likely have on hand. It's ideal for summer evenings when you want a delicious meal without spending hours cooking. This dish brings a burst of flavor to your table while keeping things simple and stress-free.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple and convenient way to enjoy this Tex Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner can be ready with very little effort. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Cowboy baked beans are a tasty and simple dish to prepare. With just a large can of baked beans, some lean ground beef, a sweet yellow onion, and a handful of common seasonings, you can create a flavorful meal. This dish is perfect for summer dinners when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Greek Chicken

    Crockpot Greek Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Slow cookers are perfect for summer meals, and this Crockpot Greek Chicken is a fantastic choice for busy weeknights. It’s packed with fresh flavors that will brighten up your dinner table. Just set it up and let it do its thing while you enjoy your day.

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    Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

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

    Chicken cooked slowly in a rich tomato and garlic sauce, finished off with melted mozzarella cheese. This dish brings a taste of Italy right to your table with a fresh homemade tomato topping. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for summer evenings.

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    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli

    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This vegetarian sheet pan gnocchi is a must-try for anyone looking for an easy dinner option. With just a few ingredients, it offers a fresh and healthy meal that’s full of flavor. The gnocchi gets nice and crispy while cooking with garlic mushrooms and broccoli, and you can have dinner ready in just 30 minutes with only one pan to wash up afterwards.

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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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    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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    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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    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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    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Mayo

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Mayo.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This slow cooker mayo chicken is packed with flavor and is sure to please everyone at the dinner table, including the kids. It's an easy dish that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for those busy summer evenings. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy your day.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

    Sheet pan chicken and vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables is a simple way to prepare a complete meal that's both healthy and satisfying. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and delicious.

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    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers are a great option for dinner. They’re filled with ground turkey, rice, enchilada sauce, black beans, and corn, making them both healthy and filling. These peppers cook until they’re nice and tender, offering a hearty meal that’s naturally gluten-free. Plus, you can easily switch them up to be vegetarian or vegan. The best part is how simple they are to prepare!

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    Slow Cooker Balsamic Peach Chicken

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Peach Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Balsamic peach chicken is a fantastic dish that you can prepare in a slow cooker. With fresh or frozen peaches, balsamic vinegar, and tender chicken, it’s packed with flavor and easy to make. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Gyros

    Slow Cooker Beef Gyros.
    Photo Credit: Like Mother, Like Daughter.

    Slow cooker beef gyros feature tender, tasty beef that cooks slowly to bring out all the flavors. Once it's ready, you can wrap it in warm pita bread and add fresh veggies along with a drizzle of tzatziki sauce. This dish is perfect for summer dinners when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi

    Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi.
    Photo Credit: Delightful Plate.

    Pulled pork banh mi is a delicious sandwich that combines a Vietnamese baguette with tender pulled pork, crunchy pickled veggies, and a zesty sriracha mayo. Using a slow cooker for the pork makes this meal simple and convenient. It's a great option for summer dinners when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Ranch Sheet Pan Chicken & Veggies

    Sheet pan with chicken and veggies.
    Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

    This easy sheet pan chicken dinner with vegetables is great for busy families looking to enjoy a healthy, warm meal. Just toss everything together, bake it, and serve. It’s really that simple!

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    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This honey mustard chicken recipe is perfect for a simple dinner. With just a few ingredients like mustard, honey, and garlic, you can create a delicious meal with very little effort. It’s a great option for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Breasts

    Crock Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Breasts.
    Photo Credit: Simply Happy Foodie.

    Crock Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken Breasts is a tasty meal that the whole family will enjoy. This dish features tender chicken cooked in a rich, creamy lemon sauce, perfect for pairing with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. It's a simple slow cooker recipe that will quickly become a go-to for busy evenings.

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    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken.
    Photo credit: Dinner at the Zoo.

    Chicken breasts are simmered with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey until they're tender and easy to shred. Once shredded, they get a drizzle of the flavorful sauce. This dish is perfect served over rice, making it a simple and satisfying dinner option that requires minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs

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

    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs are incredibly tender and packed with flavor. They’re easy to make, needing only a bit of prep for a meal that everyone will love. Just set them up in the morning, and by dinner, you’ll have lamb ribs that are so soft they almost fall off the bone.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      18 20-Minute Summer Dinners That Impress Every Time
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      23 No-Fuss Crockpot Dinners That Get the Job Done
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      Cheesecake Dreams: 20 Recipes That Will Leave You Wanting More
    • Greek chicken.
      22 Set It and Forget It Chicken Dinners That Will Have Everyone Asking for Seconds

    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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