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Summer dinners are some of my favorites to make quick meals, simple prep, and plenty of fresh ingredients. I wanted to put together a list of easy summer dinners you'll love year-round because these are the ones I don’t stop making once the season’s over. They’re great on a hot day, but honestly, I make them any time I want something that doesn’t take much effort.
Here’s What to Make This Summer
These dinners are light, quick, and easy to throw together. Some are no-cook, others use just one pan or the grill, and a few come straight from what’s already in my fridge.
Whether I’m having people over or just making something fast at the end of the day, these meals always work.
They’re perfect for summer but I’d eat them any night of the week.
1
Angel Hair Chimichurri Pasta
Angel hair pasta with rich, tangy, and herbaceous chimichurri butter. It's delicate and silky, and such a simple recipe. You can also make this with an authentic chimichurri olive oil based recipe.
Made with flaky tuna, fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley, and a creamy dressing, this tuna pasta salad is a delicious and simple dish for BBQs, potlucks, or casual family meals.
Chimichurri chicken thighs are marinated in a fresh herb and garlic sauce, then cooked and topped with more chimichurri. Serve with cilantro lime rice, crispy yuca fries, or a balsamic arugula salad.
This bruschetta pasta salad is made with tomatoes, basil, garlic, marinated mozzarella, and a balsamic dressing, all mixed with fusilli for a simple and delicious meal.
Pickle pico de gallo pasta salad is made with macaroni, a creamy dressing, and crunchy pickles. Serve it fresh with burgers, sandwiches, or grilled chicken.
Dill pickle pasta salad is made with macaroni, diced dill pickles, sweet onions, and a creamy dressing. Serve it fresh with burgers, sandwiches, or grilled chicken.
These Greek turkey meatballs with tzatziki are made with ground turkey, garlic, oregano, and lemon, then paired with a cool, creamy yogurt sauce. Perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinners.
These spinach and feta quesadillas are made with sautéed spinach, crumbled feta, and mozzarella inside a crispy tortilla. Quick, easy, and great for any meal.
Deviled egg pasta salad is made with macaroni, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy dressing with mustard and paprika. Serve it fresh with grilled chicken or sandwiches.
Sweet corn fried rice with kielbasa is made in one pan with scrambled eggs and sweet corn. Serve it with scallions and parsley for an easy dinner idea.
This street corn chicken rice bowl starts with tender chicken thighs, grilled corn, creamy Cotija cheese, and a tangy lime sauce for a fresh, customizable meal. Add your favorite toppings like avocado, black beans, or extra cilantro to make it your own.
Greek Orzo is a simple dish inspired by a meal at my favorite Greek spot in NYC. Tossed with a zesty lemon-garlic dressing, fresh herbs, and creamy feta
These Greek chicken meatballs are packed with fresh herbs and pair perfectly with zesty lemon orzo. Light and simple to make, they’re a great weeknight dinner or crowd-pleaser when served with toppings like feta, parsley, and lemon wedges.
This amazing dish brings together tender salmon fillets with creamy lemon orzo, fresh spinach, and delicious parmesan cheese. It's just perfect for hectic weeknights or when you have friends over.
For a quick and easy meal, make one-skillet onion and pepper kielbasa with rice. Everything cooks in one pan, and it’s perfect with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.
A healthy turkey taco bowl is a quick and easy dinner made with seasoned ground turkey, rice, and your favorite toppings like tomatoes, guacamole, and cheese. Perfect for busy nights or meal-prep lunches!
This chicken fajita burrito bowl has all the flavors of classic fajitas over rice, with tender chicken, colorful peppers, and plenty of spice. I like to add black beans, avocado, or a sprinkle of cheese, but you can top it with whatever you have on hand!
Sweet corn elote is delicious. Adding it to a bowl of pasta creates a magical combination. Mexican street corn is salty, tangy, and creamy, making it absolutely delicious!
A simple and quick black bean pasta salad packed with fresh ingredients like fusilli, arugula, sweet corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and a yogurt lime dressing. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s great as a meal or side dish!
Hi, I’m Olga! I love cooking from scratch with simple, fresh ingredients. The recipes here are inspired by the flavors I grew up with and the places I’ve traveled to. My hope is to share some of my favorite dishes and inspire you to try something new in the kitchen.
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