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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Easy Summer Dinners We’re Making All Summer Long

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

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy light and easy dinners that don’t require hours in the kitchen. With fresh ingredients and simple recipes, these 23 meals will keep you satisfied and make the most of the season's flavors. From simple pastas to refreshing salads, these ideas are sure to become your go-to options all summer long.

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables

    A bowl of Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Dancing Through the Rain.

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables is a quick and tasty dinner that comes together in under thirty minutes. Packed with mushrooms, leeks, kale, and other veggies, this one-pan meal is both simple and satisfying.

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    Shrimp Caesar Pasta Salad

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

    This shrimp Caesar pasta salad combines the creamy flavors of a classic Caesar salad with pasta and grilled shrimp for a fun twist. It's a filling dish that's perfect for summer dinners.

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    Tuna Rice Bowls 4 Ways

    CANNED TUNA OVER RICE.
    Photo credit: The Nessy Kitchen.

    Canned tuna and rice is a quick and easy meal that you'll find yourself making often. With just a few ingredients and a few minutes, you can whip up a tasty dinner, and there are four different flavor options to keep things interesting.

    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.

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    Halloumi Portobello Burgers

    A portobello halloumi burger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi Burgers are loaded with flavor, featuring mashed avocado, a big portobello mushroom, crumbled chèvre cheese, peppery arugula, and sweet caramelized onions. They’re simple to prepare and always a hit with everyone.

    Get the recipe

    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.

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    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

    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This caprese dish is simple to prepare and hearty enough to serve as dinner. It's perfect for warm summer evenings when you want something light yet satisfying.

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    Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta

    Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta.
    Photo credit: From my Pantry.

    This creamy cottage cheese pasta sauce offers a fresh take on traditional tomato sauce, bringing a rich and smooth texture to your meal. It's packed with flavor and perfect for a quick summer dinner.

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    Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    Dijon sheet pan chicken.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Sheet pan meals are perfect for busy nights, and this maple Dijon chicken dish is a winner with simple prep and delicious flavors. With seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and roasted veggies, it’s a hearty option that doesn’t require much work.

    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.

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    Naan Pizza

    Easy 15-Minute Naan Pizza
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This naan pizza is super simple to make with just three ingredients and comes together in minutes. It's a great option for busy summer evenings when you need a quick dinner.

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    Carnitas

    Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork).
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Skip the restaurant and enjoy homemade pulled pork instead. It's simple to prepare and delicious, making it a great choice for summer dinners.

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    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a quick and healthy option you'll want to prepare often. It features a flavorful base and is topped with crunchy peanuts.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features chicken thighs and broccoli cooked together in a tasty sauce made from soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and ginger paste. It's a simple one-pot meal that's perfect for summer dinners.

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    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

    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This refreshing sweetheart cabbage salad comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for summer dinners. Packed with spinach, crunchy cabbage, and tasty chickpeas, it's topped with Parmesan cheese for a satisfying and healthy meal.

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    Orzo Pesto Salad

    Orzo pesto salad.
    Photo credit: Healthfull Blondie.

    Orzo pesto salad is packed with veggies and fresh mozzarella, all tossed in a delicious nut-free basil pesto. It's a great choice for lunch, dinner, or as a side at any summer get-together.

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    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese combine to create this super-tasty dinner.

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    Veggie Loaded Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

    Pasta salad with veggies and Italian dressing.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta salad with Italian dressing is quick to prepare and packed with fresh vegetables. It's perfect as a side dish or for meal prep during the summer.

    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

    Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner.
    Photo Credit: The Family Food Kitchen.

    Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Sheet Pan dinner is a simple and delicious meal that you can have on the table in just 30 minutes. With everything cooking in one pan, cleanup is a breeze, and it's gluten-free and lower in carbs.

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    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

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      18 Family-Approved Slow Cooker Recipes for Stress-Free Meals

    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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