When the summer dinner ideas heat is at its peak, the last thing anyone wants to do is cook dinner on a hot stove. Not only when you are already exhausted from this hot weather, but being stuck in a hot kitchen for hours is almost unbearable. So, what’s the solution? Easy, quick, and most importantly, cool meals that keep you nourished without breaking a sweat!
The Struggles of Cooking in Hot Weather
Cooking during the hot summer months can be a real challenge. The heat from the stove or oven only adds to the discomfort, and heavy meals can leave you feeling sluggish. Plus, who wants to spend more time inside when the sun is shining outside? The key is to find meals that are refreshing, light, and don’t require much cooking time.
Why Easy and Quick Meals are the Best for Summer
When it’s hot out, simplicity is key. Simple and quick meals not only save you time but also help you avoid overheating your home. They often require minimal ingredients and preparation, making them perfect for those lazy summer evenings when you just want to relax.
Summer Kitchen Equipment
1. Sausage and Veggies Skillet
Photo Credit: juliasalbum.com
This delicious and simple Sausage and Veggie Skillet Dinner features bell peppers, zucchini, corn, and fresh cilantro. It is an easy and colorful dish that takes about 30 minutes and is cooked in one pan. This is perfect for meal prep and busy family weeknights! Try this quick recipe, too.
2. Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Photo Credit: theshortordercook.com
This quick and simple recipe is perfect for these well-seasoned grilled boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The dry rub for this recipe is sweet, spicy, and tangy. So set up your grill, rub on the spice mix, and you’ll have dinner in less than 30 minutes. Enjoy this yummy dish now.
3. Grilled Pineapple Meatball Skewers
Photo Credit: suburbansimplicity.com
These irresistible grilled pineapple meatball skewers are for those who want to spice up dinner! Tender meatballs glazed in this sweet, spicy sauce are made with chunks of juicy pineapple and cooked on the grill. This recipe is kid-friendly and can be made in 20 minutes. Perfect for a barbecue or a fun weeknight meal. Check out this quick recipe.
4. Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Photo Credit: foodmeanderings.com
This Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sandwich recipe is another recipe born out of necessity. My friend was coming over for dinner, and I had no plans and no time to make anything in advance, so I picked up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Then I made this shredded buffalo chicken sandwich recipe! He liked it very much. Try this quick recipe, too.
5. One Pot Sausage and Peppers
Photo Credit: lynnswayoflife.com
This dish is amazing and warms your heart and belly. One-Pot Sausage and Peppers is exactly that—a delicious, hearty meal that’s easy to prepare and enjoy. This dish scores top marks every time in busy situations. Try this quick recipe, too.
6. Pineapple Pork Chops
Photo Credit: acedarspoon.com
These deliciously simple pineapple pork chops combine juicy and tender pork chops with the sweet and sour flavors of pineapple, onion, and garlic, as well as just a touch of honey to add sweetness. This quick pork dish is the perfect quick weeknight dinner. So try the recipe that you can make this dish right now.
7. Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Burgers
Photo Credit: basicswithbails.com
If you’re looking for an easy dinner with these deliciously simple ingredients, check out this delicious chicken burger in the air fryer. With very little prep and cooking time, these Air Fryer Ground Chicken Burgers are a healthy meal for the whole family. You can easily try this delicious recipe right now.
8. BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
Photo Credit: basicswithbails.com
I hope you are all enjoying your day soaking up the sun, barbecuing, and eating lots of hot dogs. We’re at a Dodger game, and of course, we eat a lot of Dodger dogs. But since it’s a night game, most of our day will consist of these BBQ pineapple chicken kabobs! Try this BBQ recipe.
9. Veggie Quinoa Wrap
Photo Credit: fitasamamabear.com
Make a delicious and quick lunch with these homemade veggie quinoa wraps! Here, protein-packed quinoa and colorful veggies are all dressed in a homemade Italian dress. This quinoa wrap makes a fantastic meal prep recipe on a busy weeknight, a delicious lunch, or a gluten-free dinner recipe! Enjoy this tasty and healthy food right now.
10. Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas
Photo Credit: hauteandhealthyliving.com
These quick sheet pan chicken pitas are the easiest and tastiest weeknight meal! You bake all of your marinated chicken and veggies on one large sheet pan, fill your pitas with whatever toppings you like, such as tzatziki or hummus, and dig in! It doesn’t get any easier than this. This recipe is gluten-free.
11. Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
Photo Credit: bakingbeauty.net
This quick sun-dried tomato pasta: savory sausages tossed in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. This pasta is lick-your-plate good! For a perfect meal, serve together. Make this delicious, healthy food now and enjoy it.
12. Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Photo Credit: chewoutloud.com
We have good news for all these delicious Air Fryer chicken wings lovers: you can have super crispy chicken wings at home anytime. You’ll be glad there’s no deep frying involved, which means no more risk of oil splattering on your clothes (or in my case.). Try this recipe now.
13. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Photo Credit: chewoutloud.com
This delicious and quick-to-prepare Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe is perfect for bright and busy weekday nights! With minimal preparation and a single pan, you will have a dish that is tender, juicy and tastes great. Try this recipe now.
14. Spiralize Zucchini Noodles Or Zoodles
Photo Credit: cassidyscraveablecreations.com
If you’re new to these delicious and quick Spiralize Zucchini Noodles or Zoodles, they’re made from zucchini cut into noodle shapes and used instead of pasta. Most people call them “zoodles.” Try this excellent recipe now.
15. BBQ Chicken Breast
Photo Credit: mommafitlyndsey.com
Juicy and delicious BBQ chicken breast is simple to make in this delicious and quick air fryer! For a summer barbecue dish or salad, there is no great oven recipe. Air fryer BBQ chicken has simple ingredients and is done in 25 minutes! Try this delicious recipe right now.
16. Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw
Photo Credit: aheadofthyme.com
These delicious soft tortilla tacos are topped with crispy and tender shrimp seasoned with cumin, paprika, and garlic, delicious cabbage and cilantro slaw, and sour cream and lime juice cream sauce. It’s the perfect summer weeknight dinner, ready on your table in less than 30 minutes. Try this delicious recipe right now.
17. Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Photo Credit: zenandhoney.com
This Delicious Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad – Tangy, creamy, and full of Mexican flavor, this easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is your new favorite side dish! It’s quick and easy, and it will be the star of the show at your next BBQ party! Try this delicious recipe right now.
18. Salmon Sandwich
Photo Credit: foxeslovelemons.com
This quick and delicious easy salmon sandwich can be made on the grill or in the oven. However, this restaurant-quality sandwich with herb mayonnaise is ready in less than 30 minutes. Try this great recipe right now.
19. Sweet Corn and Zucchini Gnocchi Skillet
Photo Credit: thehealthyepicurean.com
This sweet corn and zucchini gnocchi skillet is the perfect summer skillet, with fresh zucchini and sweet corn in a light, creamy lime sauce with fresh basil. Gnocchi are available. There is sweet corn. Basil is there. There is a creamy lime sauce. Seriously, it’s going to be delicious and fresh. Try this recipe now.
20. Cream cheese pasta
Photo Credit: greenbowl2soul.com
This delicious and quick Cream Cheese Pasta is a vegetarian pasta recipe with 10 simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes of prep time. If you’re looking for quick and straightforward creamy pasta recipes that your whole family will love, this simple pasta recipe is the way to go. Try this excellent recipe now.
21. Quick Flatbread Pizza Margherita
Photo Credit: happykitchen.rocks
This quick and delicious Margherita flatbread pizza recipe will be your new favorite flatbread pizza. This naan pizza is delicious and simple to assemble, making it a perfect light summer meal for a summer lunch or dinner when you don’t have to cook. Enjoy this delicious pizza recipe.
22. Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach & Mushrooms
Photo Credit: greenbowl2soul.com
This easy cherry tomato pasta is a simple and delicious vegan recipe perfect for every season. Prepare this simple pasta recipe in less than 30 minutes, packed with the goodness of fresh, juicy cherry tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms. Enjoy this delicious pizza recipe.
23. Roasted Squash and Potatoes Bowls
Photo Credit: cozypeachkitchen.com
These easy and delicious roasted squash and potatoes are made on a one-sheet pan and flavored with Cajun seasoning and homemade pesto. Add black beans for a well-rounded lunch or meal prep recipe. Enjoy this delicious pizza recipe.
24. Mexican Style Shrimp
Photo Credit: thriftandspice.com
If you like papas a la Mexicana for breakfast and brunch, you’ll love camarones rancheros for lunch and dinner. A rich and flavorful combination of shrimp, tomatoes, onions, serrano peppers, and spices. This recipe is the perfect weeknight meal when you’re short on time but still want something delicious. Enjoy this delicious pizza recipe.
25. BBQ Hamburger
Photo Credit: homemadeheather.com
This great recipe makes the best barbecue hamburgers – perfect for grilling at your next outdoor party or cookout. Use this easy recipe to make the most delicious homemade BBQ burgers you’ve ever eaten and enjoy a delicious BBQ recipe!
26. Grilled Chimichurri Chicken with Couscous Salad
Photo Credit: howsweeteats.com
This Chimichurri Grilled Chicken is the perfect recipe. It’s perfectly charred and full of smoky flavor. This will be as delicious as you are satisfied with! Combine with a refreshing couscous salad with juicy tomatoes and creamy feta for an ideal pairing for any summer meal. Try this delicious recipe right now.
27. Easy Shrimp and Pea Ziti
Photo Credit: goodhousekeeping.com
This simple and delicious Easy Peasy Shrimp Ziti Summer Dinner Recipe is an amazing summer pasta dish! I add some shaved parmesan, red pepper flakes, and a light salad (like our house favorite: cucumber, olive, and feta salad). Try this delicious recipe right now.
28. Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Photo Credit: southernliving.com
This delicious Southern Living Test Kitchen is gifted with turning some of our favorite foods into casseroles. Case in point: This recipe turns hot and spicy chicken wings into a warm and comforting buffalo chicken casserole that serves up to six hungry guests or family members. Try this recipe now.
