One of the biggest struggles I face every summer is getting dinner ready when my daughter and I want to spend the day outside. I mean, I can make spaghetti with jarred sauce, or eggs, or fish fairly quick, but what I really longed for was some quick summer dinner ideas that were different, but still easy, and delicious! Can you agree with me? You want your dinners to be good, but what you really want is to be in the pool, right? Or your kids are in the pool, and you have to watch them and by the time you get them out of the pool, in the house, and changed into dry clothes you realize your husband is going to be home in 15 minutes and waiting for dinner, but you really don't want to go the fast food route, again.
So, I've put together a fabulous collection of over 50 fabulous summer dinner ideas! Here you will find everything from Lamb Chops to Vegan Quinoa Salad, tons of salads, steaks, pasta dishes, and more! Each of the following recipes is ready in 30 minutes or less, including prep time. There is something here for everyone, no matter how picky your husband , kid you are. I won't waste any more of your busy summer time, just scroll through to find something to suit you and get back to the pool!
Beef and Lamb
Lemon Thyme Lamb Chops from the view from great island
Chocolate Coffee Rubbed Steak from Food Faith Fitness
Easy Taco Burgers from Around My Family Table
Flat Iron Steak with Egg and Arugula Salad from Renee's Kitchen Adventures
Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Burgers from Two Healthy Kitchens
Sizzling Steak Fajitas from Flavor Mosaic
Grilled Steak Salad with Cherries, Walnuts, and Blue Cheese from Renee's Kitchen Adventures
Pasta
Orzo with Spinach and Tomatoes from Life Tastes Good
One Skillet Cheesy Taco Pasta from Chelsea's Messy Apron
Creamy Pasta Salad with Bacon, Peas, and Bell Peppers from An Edible Mosaic
Spicy Chicken Pasta from Life Tastes Good
Tagliatelle with Arugula Cashew Pesto from Because I Like Chocolate
Lightning-Fast Cheesy Three -Pepper Ravioli with Italian Sausage from Two Healthy Kitchens
Vegetarian Greek Pasta with Feta from Around My Family Table
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad from Snappy Gourmet
Avocado Basil Pasta from The Kitchen is My Playground
Pasta with Olives and Feta from Seasonal & Savory
Creamy Tomato and Sausage Pasta from Two Healthy Kitchens
Chicken Caruso (Gluten Free) from One Creative Mommy
One Pot Pizza Pasta from Chelsea's Messy Apron
Pork
Grilled Ground Pork Burgers from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Greek Style Pork Chops from Life Tastes Good
Caribbean Tacos from Snappy Gourmet
Grilled Pork Chops with Rosemary Garlic Rub from It's a Keeper
Poultry
Cajun Turkey Cutlets from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs from Life Tastes Good
Easy Weeknight Chicken Piccata from the view from great island
BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza from From Valerie's Kitchen
Panera Hummus Chicken Power Salad Copy Cat from Food Faith Fitness
Mediterranean Chicken Chopped Salad with Creamy Feta Dill Dressing from From Valerie's Kitchen
Cajun Blackened Chicken from Flavor Mosaic
Panzanella Salad with Grilled Chicken from Renee's Kitchen Adventures
Mexican Lasagna from Fannetastic Food
Lemon Rosemary Grilled Chicken from It's a Keeper
Seafood
Mahi Mahi Skewers with Jalapeno, Key Lime, and Pineapple from the view from great island
Avocados Stuffed with Tarragon Shrimp Salad from Seasonal & Savory
Shrimp Scampi with Spaghetti Squash from It's Yummi
Easy Tilapia with Cilantro and Lime from Food Faith Fitness
Grilled Salmon Salad with Warm Blueberry Vinaigrette from Around My Family Table
Salt and Pepper Shrimp from Seasonal & Savory
Vegetarian/Vegan
Grilled Caprese Salad Sandwich from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Spring Vegetable Skewers and Saffron Couscous from the view from great island
Layered Summer Veggie Appetizer from Farm Fresh Feasts
Vegetarian BLT from Because I Like Chocolate
Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Pomegranate Persimmon Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette from Food Faith Fitness
Vegan Buddha Bowl from Because I Like Chocolate
Greek- Flavored Butter Bean Salad from An Edible Mosaic
Veggie Tostadas from From Valerie's Kitchen
Easy Homemade Grilled Pizza from Two Healthy Kitchens (vegetarian or not, depending on the toppings you chose!)
Vegan Mexican Quinoa Salad from Fannetastic Food
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
This is such a great list! I'm totally with ya - who wants to spend all their time in the kitchen when it's beautiful outside and the pool (and your kiddos!) are beckoning!?!? Even if you love to cook as much as I do! Tons of great ideas here! Thanks a million for including so many of our THK recipes - our Creamy Tomato and Sausage Pasta, Pizza Burgers, Lightning-Fast Ravioli, and Easy Grilled Pizza - we're all about really easy, quick (and healthy!) recipes, and we're so thrilled to be included among so many other fantastic bloggers on this list! Hope you have a wonderfully relaxing, chilled out summer! 😀
Bernadette says
Have a great summer Shelley!
Jennifer @Making Our Life Matter says
Great collection of recipes to make during the summer.
Christina @ It's a Keeper says
What a great collection of easy summer recipes! There are so many I want to try!
Bernadette says
I know, me too! Planning on picking one today to make next week 🙂
Jaime @ Mom's Test Kitchen says
I love this list Bernadette!! Thanks so much for putting it together! Sharing on FB 🙂
Bernadette says
Thanks Jaime!
Reesa Lewandowski says
This is a great round up. I never want to slave in the kitchen in the summer. After being outside all day, I want quick and easy! Thanks!
Bernadette says
I know what you mean. In fact, it's the whole reason I put this together!
Heather says
I love how you organized this list! And I agree, more time at the beach yay!!
Bernadette says
I wish the beach was closer! But, definitely more time at the pool 🙂
Larisha says
I really hate cooking in the summer, so this is great! Thanks!
Bernadette says
I hate it, too, just because it's so hard for me to find time in the summer. I really do plan on using this list.
Becca from ItsYummi! says
What a FABULOUS lineup of summer goodness! Thanks for including me <3
Bernadette says
You're welcome!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
YES! I so need all of these! And they all look super yum! Thank you so much for including me!!
[email protected] Tastes Good says
All great ideas! I'm pinning so I can give many of these a try! Thanks for including some of my recipes too!
Bernadette says
You're welcome! True story, I wanted to do this collection to have some ideas for me!