You are here
Midwest Living / Food / Quick & Easy
45 Easy Summer Dinner Recipes
Relax and enjoy the taste of summer in these easy recipes, including chicken stir-fry, fish tacos, barbecue chicken, pasta, homemade pizza and main-dish salads.
- « prev
- next »
- 1 of 47 | View All1
-
Chipotle-Maple Chicken Thighs
We won’t mince words: This is juicy, spicy, sticky, glorious barbecued chicken. One of the secrets? Chicken thighs. They cook fast, like breasts, but they have richer flavor and don’t dry out. And nutritionally speaking, the two are more similar than you’d think.
Chipotle-Maple Chicken Thighs
-
Mustardy Grilled Corn and Sausage Kabobs
With just 5 ingredients and ready in less than 30 minutes, this colorful, family-friendly meal is sure to earn a spot in your summer weeknight dinner rotation.
Mustardy Grilled Corn and Sausage Kabobs
-
Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry
Garden-fresh veggies and juicy pineapple give classic stir-fry a seasonal refresh. For an easy substitute, switch the chicken for thinly sliced boneless pork or peeled, deveined medium shrimp.
Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry
-
Southwestern Corn and Roast Beef Wraps
There is so much flavor packed in these colorful wraps: zesty jalapeno cream cheese, charred fresh sweet corn, creamy avocado and ripe summer tomato. And it’s all ready in about half an hour.
Southwestern Corn and Roast Beef Wraps
-
Sloppy Joes
Skip the canned stuff and make this childhood favorite from scratch. Our simple recipe is just a starting point; try one of our variations or experiment with seasonings.
Sloppy Joes
-
Paella-Style Rice with Ham and Shrimp
Ham stands in for sausage in this one-skillet dinner inspired by traditional Spanish paella. Sop up the juices with warm crusty bread.
Paella-Style Rice with Ham and Shrimp
-
Grilled Eggplant and Mozzarella Hero with Spicy Tomato Sauce and Basil Pesto
This scrumptious mess of a sandwich is every bit as satisfying as a classic Italian sub–and if you prepare the tomato sauce and pesto in advance (or use purchased pesto), the sandwiches come together super fast. The recipe comes from Cara Mangini, of Little Eater in Columbus, Ohio.
Grilled Eggplant and Mozzarella Hero with Spicy Tomato Sauce and Basil Pesto
-
Pork Chops with Red Cabbage and Rhubarb
Usually you would pair apple with red cabbage and pork chops, but in this summer twist, we swapped in rhubarb. The whole meal is ready in 20 minutes.
Pork Chops with Red Cabbage and Rhubarb
-
Lemon Caper Chicken
Zesty lemon, salty capers and an array of spices flavor these easy chicken breasts.
Lemon Caper Chicken
-
Tortellini, Spinach and Mushrooms in Wine-Butter Sauce
A simple pan sauce and fresh vegetables dress up family-favorite cheese tortellini for a meal that’s ready in 25 minutes.
Tortellini, Spinach and Mushrooms in Wine-Butter Sauce
-
Caribbean White Fish with Mango-Orange Relish
Lightly pan-fried white fish gets a refreshing lift from a sweet confetti of oranges and chopped mango. Pair with rice or couscous for an easy meal.
Caribbean White Fish with Mango-Orange Relish
-
Coconut Chicken Noodle Bowl
Ready in 30 minutes, this restaurant-style noodle bowl is a breeze to throw together. Coconut milk and fish sauce—Thai staples available at the supermarket—impart authentic flavor.
Coconut Chicken Noodle Bowl
-
Chicken Sausage and Peppers
Pair this hearty meat-lovers’ dish with quinoa or whole wheat couscous and a crisp lettuce salad for a well-rounded meal. Chicken-apple sausage lends a pleasant sweetness to this dish, but you can take it in a kickier, more savory direction with hot Italian or roasted garlic sausage.
Chicken Sausage and Peppers
-
Dilled Shrimp and Orzo Bowl
Dill, shrimp and a hint of vinegar shine in this light, veggie-filled dish.
Dilled Shrimp and Orzo Bowl
-
Three-in-One Primavera
Our ready-in-minutes recipe starts with pasta and mixed vegetables—then just pick the sauce that suits your mood. Choose among light lemon-basil, creamy Parmesan or peppercorn-ranch dressing for a pasta salad.
Three-in-One Primavera
-
Mango-Barbecue Fish Tacos
Fresh fruit and bottled barbecue sauce lend sassy sweetness to low-cal, vitamin-rich grilled fish tacos.
Mango-Barbecue Fish Tacos
-
Pineapple Pork Fried Rice
An army of fresh ingredients (pineapple! carrots! ginger!) makes for a flavorful-yet-healthy main dish. Try topping with peanuts for crunch, or drizzle with sriracha sauce for spice.
Pineapple Pork Fried Rice
-
Simple Salsa Skillet
For a change in routine, substitute green salsa for red in this easy Mexican-inspired meal.
Simple Salsa Skillet
-
Chimichurri
This classic Argentinian sauce with fresh parsley and cilantro is made for spooning over grilled meats (especially steak), but we also love it with scrambled eggs or roasted potatoes. The recipe comes from chef Michael Ollier of Certified Angus Beef in Wooster, Ohio.
Chimichurri
-
Chicken Sausage Sandwiches with Watermelon Salsa
Basil and lime juice flavor the fruity salsa on this ready-in-minutes, low-cal grilled sausage sandwich.
Chicken Sausage Sandwiches with Watermelon Salsa
-
Bean-and-Rice-Stuffed Peppers
With only five ingredients, these hearty stuffed peppers assemble in a snap. Team them with corn bread or whole wheat rolls, and dinner’s done.
Bean-and-Rice-Stuffed Peppers
-
Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce
Fresh tomatillos and jicama add authentic tartness and crunch to this made-in-minutes dinner. You can find both veggies at large supermarkets or Latin groceries.
Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce
-
Super Simple Peachy Barbecue Chicken
Just three ingredients produce a rich-flavored, sweet-tangy barbecue sauce for drumsticks in this easy chicken slow-cooker recipe.
Super Simple Peachy Barbecue Chicken
-
Garden Veggie Linguine with Cilantro Pesto
You can customize this linguine recipe by substituting other in-season vegetables and herbs, such as asparagus, snap peas, spinach or mustard greens, tarragon and basil.
Garden Veggie Linguine with Cilantro Pesto
-
Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
Bottled black bean and corn salsa spices up these quesadillas, ready in just 20 minutes.
Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
-
Chilled Tomato Soup with Corn Bread Croutons
Creamy avocado slices give depth to this summer soup, while crumbly corn bread croutons add a nice contrast in texture. For a lighter-colored soup, peel the cucumber.
Chilled Tomato Soup with Corn Bread Croutons
-
Pomegranate-Sauced Turkey Cutlets
Prepare these sweet, saucy turkey cutlets with a side dish of kale sauteed in garlic and olive oil or microwave-baked sweet potatoes.
Pomegranate-Sauced Turkey Cutlets
-
Coconut-Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Macadamia nuts and coconut add crunchy texture to tender pork. Try topping the dish with chopped mango or pineapple.
Coconut-Crusted Pork Tenderloin
-
Loaded Greek Chicken Pizza
Frozen spinach-artichoke dip is the secret ingredient in this fabulous pizza that delivers an authentically salty punch of kalamata olives and feta cheese.
Loaded Greek Chicken Pizza
-
Lemon-Herb Grilled Chicken
Herbed lemon marinade cooks down with honey to a glossy, gorgeous glaze in our Lemon-Herb Grilled Chicken recipe.
Lemon-Herb Grilled Chicken
-
Ham Florentine Soup
Florentine-style dishes have one thing in common: heart-healthy spinach. In this case, the leafy greens combine with chunks of ham in a chowderlike soup. For best results, remove spinach stems before cooking.
Ham Florentine Soup
-
Chicken Cobb Salad
Why save this classic for when you’re dining out? Rotisserie chicken makes it easy to enjoy a Cobb at home. Just add a whole-grain roll, and you’ve got a well-rounded meal.
Chicken Cobb Salad
-
Zucchini and Tomato Frittata
Zucchini gets a flavor boost from mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and chopped walnuts in a colorful frittata.
Zucchini and Tomato Frittata
-
Spicy Chicken-Peanut Thai Pizza
If you love Thai peanut sauce, you’ll go nuts for this simple pizza. We especially love how the veggies go on after the pizza bakes, so they stay fresh, crispy and colorful.
Spicy Chicken-Peanut Thai Pizza
-
Fresh Herb Tuna Salad
Showers of fresh herbs and the teeniest smidgen of curry powder wake up classic tuna salad.
Fresh Herb Tuna Salad
-
Potato Chips Meet Fish
How do you get your family to eat fish? By serving them tilapia coated with potato chips, herbs and honey-mustard dressing.
Potato Chips Meet Fish
-
Skillet Lasagna Toss
Use up those stray lasagna noodles in this speedy, family-friendly pasta dish.
Skillet Lasagna Toss
-
Mediterranean-Style Snapper
Cook fresh snapper fillets or other firm-flesh white fish with an easy tomato-olive mixture and crumbled feta cheese. Serve with rice, pasta or couscous.
Start to finish: 15 minutes
Mediterranean-Style Snapper
-
Chicken and Asparagus Risotto
Don’t be afraid to try this Italian classic at home! Our hearty version is made with convenient rotisserie chicken and loaded with asparagus, herbs and lemony flavor.
Chicken and Asparagus Risotto
-
Gingered Beef & Broccoli Salad Bowl
Use a wok or skillet to stir-fry sirloin steak strips and broccoli. Combine with salad greens, chopped sweet pepper and bottled ginger vinaigrette salad dressing to complete the meal.
Start to finish: 20 minutes
Gingered Beef & Broccoli Salad Bowl
-
Maple-Bourbon Ketchup
Just three ingredients yield a surprisingly flavor “quickie” barbecue sauce. Try it as a dipping sauce for purchased roasted chicken or breaded, baked chicken breast. You can also toss shredded chicken meat with the sauce for a simple pulled-chicken sandwich. (Bonus points if you add cheddar cheese and toast the sandwich in a panini press!)
Maple-Bourbon Ketchup
-
Steamed Salmon with Lemon and Vegetables
A bed of pretty squash and carrot ribbons seasoned with lemon and herbs gently steams salmon in the oven, yielding moist, flavorful fish—with a veggie side dish built right in!
Steamed Salmon with Lemon and Vegetables
-
Zucchini-Corn Soup with Crispy Bacon
Fresh sweet corn and a generous amount of zucchini star in a simple summer soup, ready in just 35 minutes.
Zucchini-Corn Soup with Crispy Bacon
-
Juicy Lucy Burger
Southside Minneapolis is home to this three-napkin burger famous for its molten cheese center. Both Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club claim its creation. No matter the lineage, it’s burgerlicious.
Juicy Lucy Burger
-
Greek Orzo Salad
Olives and feta give salty punch to this pasta salad from Surdyk’s Liquor and Cheese Shop in Minneapolis.
Greek Orzo Salad
-
Beefy Chili Dogs
The all-American chili dog is a natural for summer suppers. Stewing the hot dogs in a seasoned meat mixture makes them extra juicy. Top with cheese.
Beefy Chili Dogs
-
SOURCE:http://www.midwestliving.com/food/quick-easy/45-easy-summer-dinner-recipes/