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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    27 Lifesaver Dinners for Busy Summer Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 9, 2025, updated May 6, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer nights can be hectic, and the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen. These 27 quick and easy dinner ideas are perfect for busy evenings, allowing you to whip up satisfying meals without the fuss. From crispy chicken to simple pasta dishes, these recipes will help you enjoy delicious dinners while keeping your evenings stress-free.

    Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Sliced panko crusted chicken on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy Parmesan-crusted chicken comes together with just a few simple ingredients and is ready in about 15 minutes. It's a quick and tasty option for summer dinners.

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    Pasta Rosa

    20 Minute Pasta Rosa.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Penne pasta is mixed with a light tomato cream sauce and fresh baby spinach, creating a simple and tasty dish. It's topped with grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

    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

    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

    Chinese Chicken Salad

    A bowl of Chinese chicken salad.
    Photo Credit: XOXOBella.

    Chinese chicken salad with a light dressing is a simple and healthy option for a quick dinner or lunch. It's perfect for warm summer days when you want something refreshing and easy to prepare.

    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

    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.

    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

    Baked Chicken Legs

    Baked chicken legs with green beans.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Baked chicken legs are juicy and crispy, making them a great choice for dinner. They're simple to prepare, so you can enjoy a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Pork Chops with Alabama White Sauce

    Grilled Pork Chops with Alabama White Sauce.
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    Grilled pork chops are thick and topped with a zesty Alabama white sauce. This simple dish is quick to prepare and cooks in under 15 minutes, making it ideal for a fast summer dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Chickpea Fritters

    Chickpea fritters on a plate.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    These tasty fritters can be enjoyed in many ways. Serve them as a dip, toss them in a salad, or add them to a burger for a delicious meal.

    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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    Sheet Pan Salmon with Brussels Sprouts

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

    This dinner can be made all on one sheet pan, making cleanup a breeze. The tasty brussels sprouts go perfectly with salmon, and you can add rice on the side if you want.

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    Cajun Air Fryer Salmon With Avocado And Cucumber

    Salmon served with avocado salsa.
    Photo Credit: Nkechi Jaeroh.

    Cajun Air Fryer Salmon with Avocado and cucumber is ready in under 20 minutes. This is a simple and tasty dinner that's great for quick weeknight meals.

    Get the recipe

    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad

    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    This Vietnamese beef noodle salad is full of fresh herbs, tasty beef, and a zesty lime fish sauce dressing. It’s quick to prepare in just 30 minutes and works well as either a main dish or a side.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Salmon with Black Rice

    Salmon with black rice.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Salmon and black rice go really well together and you'll want to make this dish again and again. It's a simple meal that's perfect for summer evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Pappardelle Pesto Pasta with Veggies

    A bowl of pappardelle pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This pasta dish comes together in no time and is easy to make. With tasty noodles, fresh pesto, and healthy veggies, you can enjoy a great meal at home in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This easy tahini pasta is a quick meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. With its creamy and nutty tahini sauce, this dish is a delicious option for summer dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon

    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon.
    Photo credit: Cassidy's Craveable Creations.

    This easy keto salmon is coated in a tasty sweet and spicy sauce. It’s quick to prepare in just 20 minutes, using only one pan and no need to flip the fish.

    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

    Grilled Halloumi Cheese Salad

    A serving of grilled halloumi cheese salad.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This grilled halloumi salad is a simple dish that brings together warm, salty halloumi cheese with fresh greens, chickpeas, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. It's topped off with a creamy homemade balsamic dressing, making it a great choice for summer dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Marinated Baked Chicken Breast

    Marinated baked chicken breast.
    Photo Credit: Cucina by Elena.

    Juicy chicken breasts can be achieved easily with a good marinade and cooking at a higher temperature. This is a simple recipe that works well for any meal.

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    Orrechiette Pasta Salad

    Orecchiette Pasta Salad Recipe.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    Orecchiette Pasta Salad is a vibrant mix of vegetables and herbs that works well as a refreshing side dish during the summer. It's perfect for barbecues or potlucks.

    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.

    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

    Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

    Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice
    Photo Credit: Love and Other Spices.

    Shrimp and chicken fried rice is a tasty and filling dinner that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. It's a perfect way to use leftover rice and create a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      23 Simply Satisfying Dump-and-Go Meals That Will Make Cooking Fun Again
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      24 Colorful Summer Salads That Will Brighten Your Day
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      20 Make-Ahead Freezer Casseroles Your Family Will Love

    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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