Summer is the perfect time to enjoy light, fresh, and easy-to-make dinners that capitalize on the season’s bounty. From grilled delights to refreshing salads and quick pastas, these 25 summer dinner recipes are sure to keep your meals exciting and delicious.
Grilled Recipes
Grilled Peach & Brie Smothered Chicken
- Ingredients: Chicken breasts, peaches, Brie cheese, olive oil, salt, pepper.
- Method: Grill the chicken until fully cooked, top with sliced peaches and Brie, then return to the grill until the cheese melts.
- Tips: Best enjoyed with a chilled glass of white wine.
Grilled Flank Steak with Tomato Salad
- Ingredients: Flank steak, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar.
- Method: Grill the steak to desired doneness, then slice and serve with a fresh tomato salad.
- Tips: Slice steak immediately after cooking to incorporate the juices into the dressing.
Grilled Corn and Peach Cobb Salad
- Ingredients: Corn on the cob, peaches, blue cheese, bacon, hard-boiled eggs.
- Method: Grill corn and peaches, then combine with other ingredients in a salad bowl.
- Tips: A super yummy power salad perfect for a summer evening.
For more inspiration on grilled summer recipes, check out this Grilled Chicken and Zucchini Salad recipe from Martha Stewart.
Quick and Easy Pastas
Roasted Eggplant Pasta
- Ingredients: Eggplant, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, feta cheese, balsamic dressing.
- Method: Roast eggplant and tomatoes, then toss with pasta and dressing.
- Tips: A vegetarian delight that’s both simple and flavorful.
Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto & Shrimp
- Ingredients: Zucchini, avocado, pesto, shrimp.
- Method: Spiralize zucchini, cook shrimp with seasoning, and mix with avocado pesto.
- Tips: Great for a low-carb dinner option.
One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
- Ingredients: Tomatoes, basil, garlic, pasta, olive oil.
- Method: Combine all ingredients in one pot, cook until pasta is tender.
- Tips: Minimal cleanup makes this a perfect weeknight meal.
Explore more delicious pasta dishes like this Pasta with Corn and Smoked Mozzarella recipe for a quick summer dinner.
Refreshing Salads
Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
- Ingredients: Mixed greens, cilantro, avocado, beans, creamy cilantro dressing.
- Method: Chop all ingredients, mix with dressing.
- Tips: Perfect for a lunch or dinner that’s both healthy and satisfying.
Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Shrimp
- Ingredients: Spinach, strawberries, avocado, shrimp, avocado dressing.
- Method: Toss spinach with sliced strawberries and avocado, top with grilled shrimp and dressing.
- Tips: The avocado dressing ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Greek Mezze Salad
- Ingredients: Chickpeas, grape leaves, cucumbers, radishes, lemony yogurt dressing.
- Method: Combine ingredients, serve with toasted pita bread.
- Tips: Use store-bought ingredients for a quick assembly.
Tacos and Bowls
Mahi-Mahi Fish Tacos
- Ingredients: Mahi-Mahi, chili powder, avocados, jicama, tortillas.
- Method: Season and cook fish, prepare avocado sauce, assemble tacos.
- Tips: The creaminess of avocado sauce complements the crunch of jicama.
Chicken & Veggie Enchiladas
- Ingredients: Chicken, zucchini, squash, onions, tortillas.
- Method: Cook chicken and veggies, wrap in tortillas, bake with enchilada sauce.
- Tips: Use any leftover veggies you have in the fridge.
Salmon with Chopped Tomatillo Salad
- Ingredients: Salmon, tomatillos, tomatoes, cilantro, onion.
- Method: Broil salmon, prepare tomatillo salad, serve together.
- Tips: The tangy tomatillos add a fresh crunch to the dish.
Vegetarian Delights
20-Minute Zucchini Pita Pizzas
- Ingredients: Whole-wheat pitas, marinara sauce, zucchini, mozzarella, feta.
- Method: Top pitas with sauce, zucchini, and cheeses, bake.
- Tips: A vegetable peeler makes perfect zucchini ribbons.
Stuffed Eggplant with Couscous & Almonds
- Ingredients: Eggplant, couscous, almonds, herbs, harissa.
- Method: Roast eggplant, prepare couscous mixture, stuff eggplant.
- Tips: Harissa gives the creamy sauce a little kick.
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
- Ingredients: Bell peppers, rice, beans, cheese, salsa.
- Method: Stuff peppers with rice mixture, bake until peppers are tender.
- Tips: Use different colored peppers for a vibrant presentation.
Innovative Summer Dishes
Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa
- Ingredients: Chicken, peaches, cucumbers, cilantro, lime juice.
- Method: Grill chicken, prepare peach-cucumber salsa, serve together.
- Tips: A refreshing combination perfect for hot summer nights.
Lemon Garlic Scallops
- Ingredients: Scallops, lemon, garlic, butter, spinach.
- Method: Sauté scallops with lemon and garlic, serve with spinach.
- Tips: Serve with whole-grain bread to soak up the buttery sauce.
20-Minute Creamy Italian Chicken Skillet
- Ingredients: Chicken cutlets, tomatoes, zucchini, Italian seasoning.
- Method: Cook chicken with veggies and seasoning, serve over pasta or rice.
- Tips: A quick weeknight favorite the whole family will love.
FAQs
What are some quick summer dinner ideas?
Quick summer dinners include grilled dishes like Mahi-Mahi Fish Tacos, refreshing salads such as Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Shrimp, and easy pastas like Roasted Eggplant Pasta.
How can I make a light and refreshing summer salad?
Combine fresh, seasonal ingredients like mixed greens, fruits (e.g., strawberries, peaches), and light proteins (e.g., shrimp, chicken) with a flavorful dressing.
What are some easy grilling recipes for summer dinners?
Easy grilling recipes include Grilled Flank Steak with Tomato Salad, Grilled Corn and Peach Cobb Salad, and Cajun Flank Steak.
How do I prepare summer vegetables for dinner?
Summer vegetables can be grilled, roasted, or used fresh in salads. Examples include Grilled Zucchini, Roasted Eggplant, and fresh tomatoes in pasta dishes.
With these 25 summer dinner recipes, you’ll have a variety of light, delicious, and easy-to-make meals to enjoy all season long. For more recipe inspiration, check out these links to Grilled Chicken and Zucchini Salad and Pasta with Corn and Smoked Mozzarella. Happy cooking!
For additional dinner inspiration, you might find the Sweet Chili & Ground Beef Salad with Rice Noodles a delightful blend of Asian-inspired flavors.