17 easy summer dinner ideas everyone will love

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Summer meals everyone will love

Summer makes it easy to create fresh and flavorful meals teeming with veggies. Farmers markets are in full swing, the days are longer, and the weather invites us to sit outside for meals. Summer brings back memories of simpler times. In that vein, we’ve put together a list of our favorite easy recipes, so you can spend more time enjoying your family and friends and less time in front of the stove.

Make this salad with tomatoes, asparagus, potatoes, egg, tuna, olives, shallots, and vinaigrette Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Classic French tuna niçoise salad

This tuna niçoise salad is one of our favorite summer meals, mainly because many of the ingredients, like green beans, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, are at their peak. It’s also perfect for al fresco dining on those longer, warmer evenings. Serving the salad on a shared platter means less cleanup, giving you more time to linger with that glass of sauvignon blanc.

Get this recipe: Classic French tuna niçoise salad

Golden brown chicken thighs with sliced mango and sauce make for a savory summer dinner recipe Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

One pan honey garlic chicken

This honey garlic chicken recipe is one of the most popular easy summer dinners, and it’s so simple to make. Honey and garlic come together with mango to make the amazing pan sauce and keep the chicken juicy. We love one-pan meals for easy cleanup.

Get this recipe: One pan honey garlic chicken

Cooked feta, tomatoes, and pasta with basil is a favorite summer meal Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Baked feta pasta

Can a recipe that is this easy to put together really be delicious? It can! This dish went viral a a couple of years ago because it takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. After 30 minutes in the oven, this creamy pasta will be at the top of your list for lazy summer dinner ideas.

Get this recipe: Baked feta pasta

Quesadillas with cheese and chicken are easy and fast to make Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

BBQ chicken quesadillas

We eat Mexican food a couple of times a month, and these quesadillas are made with six ingredients and are ready in just 15 minutes. They make a great entrée with a side salad or the perfect appetizer when unexpected company calls. Yay for easy summer meals!

Get this recipe: BBQ chicken quesadillas

Beet, lettuce, orange sections, feta, and pecans make for an easy summer dinner recipe Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Beet salad with feta

Beets add an earthy flavor and sweetness to this salad. When paired with feta and our delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette, our beet and feta salad recipe can’t be beat for an easy summer dinner. We bought prepared beets from the produce department, cutting prep to under 10 minutes. Save the leftover marinade for drizzling on veggies later in the week.

Get this recipe: Beet salad with feta

Chicken curry with fresh ingredients makes a delicious easy summer dinner Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Thai chicken curry in a crock pot

Summertime is the perfect season for making use of that slow cooker. Fill it with these fresh veggies, chicken, and a three-ingredient sauce in the morning and set for six hours. You’ll whip up a two-ingredient flavor booster at the end and this Thai chicken curry will be ready when you are. (The leftovers are delicious too!)

Get this recipe: Thai chicken curry in a crock pot

A balsamic glaze tops grilled chicken with tomato, mozzarella, and basil Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Grilled bruschetta chicken

For my family, easy summer dinners often go on the grill. (If you have a Green Egg, you might want to try these savory recipes.) We especially love this bruschetta chicken in the warmer months as tomatoes are so good. Seasoned chicken, balsamic vinegar, a slice of mozzarella, and a tomato slice is all it takes to make a meal everyone will devour.

Get this recipe: Grilled bruschetta chicken

Add chicken or grilled salmon to this easy summer meal for a boost of protein Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Spinach and strawberry salad

One of our favorite salads, we combine fresh spinach with juicy strawberries, goat cheese, and crunchy pecans. Topping this salad with our delicious red wine vinaigrette really brings out the sweetness of the strawberries and creaminess of the goat cheese. Add a piece of grilled salmon, shrimp, or chicken to this salad for a boost of protein.

Get this recipe: Spinach and strawberry salad

These savory chicken thighs in lemon sauce make for an easy summer dinner Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Oven-baked Greek chicken thighs

These garlicky lemon Greek chicken thighs are oven-baked and packed with flavor. The simple pan sauce of butter, lemon, and seasonings takes just minutes to put together. Pair these chicken thighs with a green salad or vegetable for an easy summer dinner.

Get this recipe: Oven-baked Greek chicken thighs

You'll love this power bowl for an easy summer dinner Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Kale and sweet potato vegan power bowl

This vegan power bowl is super healthy, but it’s also so delicious the kids will be asking for it! While you’re roasting the sweet potatoes and beets in the oven, you can whip up the easy hummus and simple dressing. The kale cooks on the stove until it’s just wilted. This is the perfect summer recipe to make after visiting those farmers markets!

Get this recipe: Kale and sweet potato vegan power bowl

Try this pasta with tomatoes and basil for an easy summer meal Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Easy margherita pasta

When it comes to lazy summer dinner ideas, our margherita pasta can’t be beat. Combining simple ingredients like garlic, cherry tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar creates a light flavorful sauce in just minutes. Easy on the wallet and on the table in under 20 minutes, we call this dish a win!

Get this recipe: Easy margherita pasta

Try pan-seared fish over mashed parsnips with roasted cherry tomatoes and arugula Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Pan-seared sea bass

If you’ve always thought fish was difficult to make at home, you’re in for a treat. This sea bass recipe is as good as any I’ve had in an upscale restaurant but easy to make, even for new cooks. Follow our simple instructions and you’ll be adding this recipe to your top easy summer dinners.

Get this recipe: Pan-seared sea bass

A favorite easy summer meal, these crab cakes are garnished with lemons and parsley Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Old Bay crab cakes

I grew up eating crabs on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. While the kids were fishing with their cousins, the adults were picking crabs for crab cakes. This recipe takes me back to those days when the livin’ was easy. Crab meat, Old Bay seasoning, and a few simple ingredients and these can be on your dinner table this week.

Get this recipe: Old Bay crab cakes

Dive into a bowl of mussels, clams, fish, and shrimp in a rich broth for an easy summer meal Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Cioppino with clams and mussels

Especially on rainy summer days, this cioppino with clams and mussels is serious comfort food. Head to your local seafood market and pick up the freshest fish and shellfish they have that day. Make a broth of fennel, garlic, tomatoes, and spices. The aroma will fill your house and have everyone asking, “What time is dinner?”

Get this recipe: Cioppino with clams and mussels

Pork carnitas in tortillas with lime, guacamole, onion, and tomato are a crowd favorite for summer dinner Photo courtesy of Kelly Stilwell

Mexican pork carnitas street tacos for the slow cooker

One of the best lazy summer dinner ideas, set that slow cooker to work its magic and make your life easier. Let the pork tenderloin simmer all day until it falls apart in the Mexican-inspired sauce. Add your favorite toppings like tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and guacamole and stuff it all inside a soft tortilla.

Get this recipe: Mexican pork carnitas street tacos for the slow cooker

About Kelly Stilwell

Kelly Stilwell is a food and travel writer who has visited 40 countries in the last 15 years. She writes for a number of publications and is the content creator at Food, Fun & Faraway Places, featuring recipes and vacation ideas.

Kelly’s first book, 100 Things To Do in Sarasota Before You Die, will be released on July 15th.

A former Marylander, Kelly traded cold winters for Florida sunshine 14 years ago and has never looked back.

When she’s not sitting in front of her computer, you’ll find Kelly sitting on a beach somewhere with a good book.