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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Set It and Forget It: 18 Easy Dinners That Will Transform Your Summer

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 5, 2025, updated July 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy easy and delicious dinners that require minimal effort. With the right recipes, you can prepare meals that let you spend more time outside and less time in the kitchen. Here are 18 simple dishes that will make your summer evenings enjoyable and stress-free.

    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 Pepper Steak

    Slow Cooker Pepper Steak.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    Tender beef strips and colorful bell peppers come together in a flavorful sauce that’s perfect for a slow cooker. This simple dish brings a hint of Asian flavor and is great served over rice, making it a satisfying meal. It's a great option for summer dinners when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

    Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
    Photo Credit: Dinner at the Zoo.

    Flank steak is seasoned with garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and soy sauce, creating a dish that brings the flavors of a Chinese restaurant right to your table. This simple combination of ingredients results in a delicious meal that’s easy to prepare. It's perfect for summer dinners when you want something tasty without spending too much 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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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish combines tender chicken with vibrant bell peppers and onions, all cooked together with a tasty seasoning. It's an easy meal that fits perfectly into busy nights. Simply throw everything into the crockpot and let it handle the cooking.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Nachos

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

    Slow cooker chicken nachos are a simple and enjoyable meal to whip up. Just toss chicken breasts, nacho cheese, enchilada sauce, and taco seasoning into the crockpot. After a while, you'll have a tasty mix to pour over chips, making it a great choice for game day or any laid-back get-together.

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    Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken with Bell Peppers and Onions

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken with Bell Peppers and Onions.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    When the weather is too warm for grilling, this Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken with Bell Peppers and Onions is a great option for dinner. It’s simple to prepare and lets you enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work while you relax.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms

    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crockpot Steak Bites with mushrooms are packed with flavor and are super easy to prepare. With just beef broth, butter, onion, garlic, beef, and mushrooms, you can create a hearty meal. Simply toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork with Root Beer

    BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer.
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    BBQ Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot with Root Beer is a simple and delicious meal that cooks itself. The pork becomes tender and juicy as it slowly cooks, soaking up the sweet and smoky flavors from the root beer and barbecue sauce. This dish is great for sandwiches, sliders, or even just a quick weeknight dinner. It's an easy way to serve a group without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy to prepare. It features flavors that the whole family loves, making it a great choice for dinner. With minimal effort, you can have a satisfying dish ready to enjoy.

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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 Shrimp Boil

    Shrimp boil with sausage and baby corn.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This sheet pan seafood boil is full of Cajun flavor and is super easy to make in the oven. It features shrimp and andouille sausages seasoned with Creole spices, bringing a taste of the South right to your dinner table. Perfect for summer evenings, this dish is simple to prepare and requires minimal cleanup.

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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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    Maple Mustard Salmon

    Maple Mustard Salmon - Sheet Pan Dinner
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Maple mustard salmon is a super easy weeknight dinner that takes only 40 minutes to prepare, with most of that time being hands-off while it roasts in the oven. The dish features a sweet and tangy maple Dijon sauce that brings together cubed sweet potatoes, crunchy Brussels sprouts, and fresh salmon fillets. It's a satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

    Sheet pan kielbasa and veggies.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This dinner is simple and easy, all cooked on one sheet pan. You can choose any sausage and vegetables you like, making it versatile for any taste. It's perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Asian Sesame Instant Pot Chicken

    Asian Sesame Instant Pot Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This chicken cooks in the pressure cooker in just 5 minutes, making it a great option for a quick weeknight dinner. It's simple and requires minimal effort, so you can enjoy a tasty meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Perfect for those busy evenings when you want something satisfying without the fuss.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

    Sheet pan chicken thighs.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This recipe is all about comfort and simplicity, perfect for a satisfying meal. With just a few basic ingredients you probably already have at home, it comes together quickly in about 30 minutes. It's a great option for busy evenings when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken is a great option for a simple dinner that feels like takeout without the extra calories. This easy recipe is gluten-free and skips the added sugar and MSG, making it a healthier choice. It's a dish that everyone in the family can enjoy, and it requires very little effort to prepare.

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    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde

    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    Slow cooker White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde is a healthy and filling dish that's perfect for meal prep. You can whip up a large batch and freeze any extras, making it easy to have a quick dinner ready for the whole family. This chili is not only simple to make, but it also brings great flavors to the table.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Beef stew.
      21 Prep-Ahead Beef Dishes for Busy Nights
    • Sheet pan shrimp boil.
      Beat the Heat with These 18 Southern Summer Classics
    • Cranberry chicken.
      23 Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipes We Crave Every Week
    • Chicken and broccoli.
      20 Hearty Crockpot Meals You’ll Crave Every Week

    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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