Lazy Summer Dinners You’ll Make Over and Over

When it’s hot outside and you’re just not in the mood to spend hours in the kitchen, I always default to my go-to lazy summer recipes. A light angel hair chimichurri pasta or a quick quesadilla is usually all I need.

Easy, Lazy Dinners

Quick pastas, crispy tacos, easy chicken recipes, and a few no-cook meals for the days when turning on the stove feels like too much.

Starting with my fave, a light angel hair chimichurri pasta. If you're not in the mood to make chimichurri from scratch, Trader Joe's has a delicious premade chimichurri sauce.

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.

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2

Cucumber Feta Salad with Lemon Greek Vinaigrette

Make cucumber feta salad with lemon Greek vinaigrette in minutes with crisp cucumbers, feta, and a tangy lemon dressing. A quick and easy side dish.

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3

Easy 20-Minute Chimichurri Shrimp With Tomatoes

Seared juicy shrimp coated in a tangy Argentinian sauce with hand-chopped herbs and sweet vine-ripened tomato.

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4

30-Minute Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad

This easy, delicious shrimp pesto pasta salad features fusilli pasta, fresh basil pesto, juicy and sweet cherry tomatoes, and lemon vinaigrette.

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5

Mini Chicken Quesadillas

These Mini Chicken Quesadillas are a fun, shareable take on the classic, with shredded chicken, melty cheese, and plenty of dipping options. Perfect for snacks, parties, or weeknight dinners!

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6

Mini Chicken Taquitos

These mini chicken taquitos are filled with seasoned chicken and melted cheese, rolled up in crispy tortillas. Serve with toppings like guacamole, salsa, and pickled cabbage for an easy meal everyone will love!

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7

20-Minute Cheesy Elote Quesadilla with Cumin Lime Crema

Crispy, cheesy, sweet, salty quesadilla with a delicious cumin lime dipping sauce.

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8

Spinach and Feta Quesadillas

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.

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9

Arroz Con Huevo Frito (Fried Egg with Rice)

Make a simple and delicious dinner with a fried egg over rice. For a quick arroz con huevos frito, you only need cooked rice, butter, and eggs.

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10

Mini Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos

Mini crispy baked ground beef tacos – baked until crispy with seasoned beef and melted cheese. Simple to make and always a hit.

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11

20-Minute Simple Black Bean Pasta Salad

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!

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12

Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

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.

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13

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

These bang bang chicken skewers are easy to cook on the grill or in the oven and come with a quick homemade sauce made with mayo, sweet chili, and sriracha.

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14

Garlic Parmesan Grilled Chicken Skewers

These garlic parmesan grilled chicken skewers are quick to make and can be grilled or broiled, with a simple garlic-lemon marinade and parmesan on top.

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15

Easy Weeknight Baja Fish Tacos

Easy Baja fish tacos with crispy fish, crunchy cabbage, and warm tortillas—simple to make and perfect for any night.

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16

Chimichurri Chicken Thighs

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.

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17

Cuban Mojo Chicken Rice Bowl

This Cuban mojo chicken rice bowl starts with grilled chicken marinated in citrus and garlic, served over jasmine rice with fresh toppings.

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18

20-Minute Shrimp Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad

Light, tart, shrimp cilantro lime pasta salad with finely diced onion and minced garlic. It's the perfect pasta salad year-round.

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19

Bruschetta Pasta 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.

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20

The Best Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad

This Mexican street corn potato salad is made with roasted corn, golden potatoes, mayo, lime, scallions, and crumbled cotija — great for cookouts or weekday meals.

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21

Strawberry Spring Salad with Feta, Blueberries, and Balsamic Drizzle

This strawberry spring salad is tossed with blueberries, pecans, feta, balsamic vinaigrette, and finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

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