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50+ Easy Summer Dinner Ideas To Keep You Cool

Updated: December 28, 2021

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Summer is the perfect time to enjoy incredibly fresh tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, berries, and all the other veggies bursting with flavor you’ll find at your local farmers market. Here are 50+ easy summer dinner ideas that are quick to put together and will leave you time to chill!

Top view of a mediterranean quinoa salad with summer vegetables, one of many summer dinner ideas
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad from Gathering Dreams

Who says cooking in the summer needs to be hard and sweaty?

These easy summer dinner recipes are so simple to put together that they will give you enough time to chill by the pool while sipping a cool margarita – or some infused water if alcohol isn’t your thing!

These are perfect to cook when it’s so hot outside that you feel like you can barely lift a finger. Let alone cook something in an oven!

50+ Easy Summer Dinner Ideas

  • Summer Pasta Recipes
  • Summer Salads Recipes
  • Grilled Summer Dinners
  • 30-Minute Easy Summer Dinner Recipes
  • Plant-Based Summer Dinner Ideas

Summer Pasta Recipes

These simply delicious summer pasta recipes make the most of the seasonal ingredients, from fresh corn and eggplant to heirloom tomatoes and juicy lemons.

No-Cook Creamy Tomato Pasta

Full recipe on Gathering Dreams

If you can’t be bothered to cook a pasta sauce but still crave pasta, this creamy no-cook tomato pasta is what you are looking for! Inspired by Italian summer flavors, you will need just 7 simple ingredients to make this pasta, and it comes together in no time. It’s the perfect easy dinner for hot summer months!

Ziti Alla Norma

Top view of pasta alla norma, a summer dinner idea typical of Sicily from I am a Food Blog

Full recipe on I am A Food Blog

This eggplant and tomato pasta is a common summer dinner in Sicily. It’s incredibly creamy and delicious, made with deep-fried aubergines and ricotta salata, a typical Sicilian-aged ricotta. You can also use parmesan instead and roast the aubergines for a lighter, healthier version.

Vegan Creamy Tomato Pasta With Herbs

Full recipe on Gathering Dreams

Although you can make this pasta recipe at any time, I find garden herbs more flavorful in the summer. This pasta is creamy, indulgent, and you can eat as much as you want without feeling guilty!

Lemon Ricotta Pasta & Spinach

3/4 view of Lemon ricotta pasta & spinach from The Clever Meal

Full recipe on The Clever Meal

This light and zesty lemon ricotta pasta with spinach is a perfect delish weeknight dinner ready in less than 15 minutes. You’ll need minimal effort to put together this refreshing summer recipe.

Quick Summer Tuna Pasta Salad

Full recipe on Little Spice Jar

This straightforward summer tuna pasta salad comes together in just 20 minutes! Loaded with tons of peppery arugula, tender tuna, and zesty pepperoncini is the perfect go-to summer dinner recipe!

The Best Easy Italian Pasta Salad by Pinch of Yum ~ Easy Pasta Salad by Love & Lemons

Pasta Salad by Pinch Of Yum
Top view of Easy Pasta Salad by Love & Lemons

Lemon Rocket Pasta Salad

Top view of a white plate with Lemon Rocket Pasta Salad from Lauren Caris Cooks

Full recipe on Lauren Caris Cooks

 This large fusilli pasta is tossed in fresh lemon juice and just a little olive oil to create a bright, vibrant salad, perfect for a cold dinner on a hot day!

Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto + Goat Cheese

Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto + Goat Cheese from Ambitious Kitchen

Full recipe on Ambitious Kitchen

This delicious pasta salad is made with sweet corn, red bell pepper, avocado, creamy goat cheese, and super-addicting cilantro pesto. It’s the perfect way to use summer corn.

Grilled Vegetable Orzo With Feta Vinaigrette

Summer dinner ideas: Grilled Vegetable Orzo With Feta Vinaigrette from How Sweet Eats

Full recipe on How Sweet Eats

This grilled vegetable orzo is the perfect dish to serve warm or cold during a hot summer day! Tossed with feta vinaigrette, the flavor is incredible!

Penne Pasta Salad by Minimalist Baker ~ Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta by The Clever Meal

Summer Pasta Salad by Minimalist Baker
Sun-dried tomato pesto pasta by The Clever Meal

Summer Salad Recipes

There is nothing more refreshing and easy than a salad as your go-to dinner on hot summer nights. Here I put together a selection of my favorites.

Panzanella (Tuscan-Style Salad)

Top view of Panzanella salad on a white plate

Full recipe on Gathering Dreams

This is my go-to no-cook dinner recipe when outside is so hot that I can’t be bothered to turn on the heat. Panzanella is a colorful and hearty Italian salad that puts to good use juicy tomatoes and stale bread. It tastes amazing with summery sun-riped tomatoes! And it’s great as a cold summer lunch too!

Summer Peach Spinach Salad with Avocado, Toasted Almonds + Goat Cheese

Top view of Summer Peach Spinach Salad with Avocado, Toasted Almonds + Goat Cheese from Ambitious Kitchen

Full recipe on Ambitious Kitchen

If you love sweet and salty flavors, this salad made with fresh fruit, creamy goat cheese, heart-healthy avocado, and crunchy toasted almonds is going to become one of your favorites. Drizzled with an easy homemade balsamic vinaigrette, it’s the perfect easy summer dinner recipe. So good and simple!

Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad

Top view of Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad from RecipeTin Eats

Full recipe on RecipeTin Eats

A terrific almost no-cook healthy meal option or a great summer salad. This salad has a magical combination of textures and flavors of summer in a big tasty bowl. 

Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad

Plate with a Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad from Love & Lemons

Full recipe on Love & Lemons

This couscous salad is a staple in Israeli cuisine. It’s packed with raw & roasted cherry tomatoes, feta, chickpeas & herbs. Perfect for a cold dinner idea on its own, or as a side to one of the many summer grilled recipes you will find below!

Summer Veggie and Chickpea Chopped Salad

Top view of a plate with Summer Veggie and Chickpea Chopped Salad from Nyssa's Kitchen

Full recipe on Nyssa’s Kitchen

This protein-packed summer veggie and chickpea chopped salad is made with a rainbow of fresh crunchy summer vegetables, herbs, and green onions. And it’s naturally vegan and gluten-free!

Heirloom Caprese Salad

Top view of caprese salad (tomatoes, mozzarella and basil) from Cookie + Kate

Full recipe on Cookie + Kate

Nothing screams summer more than a refreshing Caprese salad. Great ingredients here are the key. Use ripe summer tomatoes, burrata or mozzarella, fresh basil, and extra-virgin olive oil. And another great option for a quick summer dinner is to use the same ingredients on a delicious grilled bruschetta!

Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad

Top view of summer chipotle chicken cobb salad with cilantro vinaigrette from Pinch of Yum

Full recipe on Pinch Of Yum

This chicken salad tastes like summer! It’s made with juicy chipotle chicken, sweet corn, avocado, cilantro vinaigrette, bacon crumbles, and fresh strawberries for a pop of sweetness.

Triple Berry Crunch Salad

Top view of Triple berry crunch salad from How Sweet Eats

Full recipe on How Sweet Eats

Berries in a salad? Yes! This triple berry salad is filling and satisfying with hearty ingredients. Berries, chickpeas, avocado, and a shallot vinaigrette, plus a hint of cinnamon, make this an irresistible salad!

Corn, Avocado, And Quinoa Salad With Marinated Tomatoes

Top view of Corn, avocado, and quinoa salad with marinated tomatoes from Pinch of Yum

Full recipe on Pinch Of Yum

Another great summery quinoa salad: sweet corn, smooth avocado, protein-packed quinoa, juicy marinated tomatoes, and tons of fresh herbs. My idea of a healthy summer dinner.

Grilled Summer Dinners

Nothing screams summer more than a chilled dinner with friends around a hot barbeque. And these grilled recipes will please everyone!

Barbecue Grilled Pineapple & Tofu Kebabs

Summer dinner ideas: Barbecue Grilled Pineapple & Tofu Kebabs from Simply Quinoa

Full recipe on Simply Quinoa

It’s hard to believe that these barbecue grilled pineapple and tofu kebabs are vegan! Easy, healthy, and light, yet still super satisfying, this is the perfect summer weeknight meal. 

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken by Ambitious Kitchen

Full recipe on Ambitious Kitchen

Grilled chicken is never a disappointment if you use the right sauce! And this delicious and simple grilled honey mustard chicken is no exception. With the best honey mustard marinade, it’s perfect for grilled chicken recipes. You can also bake it if you don’t have much time to fire up the bbq!

Greek Chicken Kabobs

Summer Greek Chicken Kabobs by Ambitious Kitchen

Full recipe on Ambitious Kitchen

One of the best things I remember about my Greek vacations is how good any grilled meals I tried there were! And these grilled Greek chicken kabobs remind me of summer there. They are made with a zesty greek marinade, red onion, bell peppers, and served with a homemade greek yogurt tzatziki sauce! A perfect easy summer meal to make on the grill.

Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad by Minimalist Baker ~ Super Fresh Grilled Shrimp Salad by Little Spice Jar

Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad by Minimalist Baker
Super Fresh Grilled Shrimp Salad by Little Spice Jar

Grilled Vegetables

Grilled Vegetables from Love & Lemons

Full recipe on Love & Lemons

Aren’t these summer veggie skewers beautiful? A great side dish for some grilled chicken or to eat on their own if you are looking for a light summer dinner recipe!

Grilled Avocado with Veggie Ceviche

Grilled Avocado with Veggie Ceviche by Love & Lemons

Full recipe on Love & Lemons

Have you ever tried grilled avocado? If not, you are in for an amazing discovery! It tastes incredible! This lightly charred, creamy avocado with veggie ceviche is a delicious grilling side or main dish.

Tequila Lime Shrimp by Salt & Lavender ~ Grilled Romaine Chicken Caesar Cobb Salad by Little Spice Jar

Tequila Lime Shrimp by Salt & Lavender
Grilled Romaine Chicken Caesar Cobb Salad by Little Spice Jar

30-Minute Dinners

If you are short on time and would like to cook some quick and light summer meals in no time, these 30-minute easy recipes are what you are looking for!

Vegetarian Paella

Full recipe on Gathering Dreams

This vegetarian paella is the perfect summer dinner. It’s incredibly colorful, full of lots of seasonal vegetables, saffron-infused rice, and plenty of flavors, and it comes together in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight dinner but also a festive gathering with friends and family!

Grilled Corn Tacos

Top view of corn grilled tacos by Love & Lemons

Full recipe on Love & Lemons

These grilled corn tacos are a super fresh, easy summer dinner! Lots of lime, cilantro & tomatillo salsa accent a crisp veggie medley are the perfect summer products in the yummy filling.

Pan-fried Halloumi with Israeli Cous Cous Salad

Pan-fried Halloumi with Israeli Cous Cous Salad by I Am A Food Blog

Full recipe on I Am A Food Blog

This dish is another feast of corn flavors! A great Mediterranean summer meal, full of freshness and all the bright and beautiful flavors.

Roasted Lemon Basil Butter Salmon With Burst Tomatoes

To view of Roasted Lemon Basil Butter Salmon With Burst Tomatoes by How Sweet Eats

Full recipe on How Sweet Eats

This crispy salmon cooks in no time! I normally use extra-virgin olive oil instead of butter, but it’s up to you!

Easy Gazpacho

Full recipe on Love And Lemons

Gazpacho is the perfect summer dinner recipe! Made with the best fresh summer veggies, vinegar, and olive oil, this cool soup is rich, creamy, and refreshing.

One-Pan Mexican Quinoa by Gathering Dreams ~ Black Pepper Chicken by Eat Little Bird

One-pan Mexican quinoa
Black Pepper Chicken by Eat Little Bird

Late Summer Frittata with Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs

Late Summer Frittata with Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs from Nyssa's Kitchen

Full recipe on Nyssa’s Kitchen

This summer, frittata with tomatoes and fresh herbs is perfect for hot weather! Made with eggs, ripe summer tomatoes, savory caramelized shallots, spinach, and fresh parsley, this vegetarian summer meal is a must-try!

Zucchini And Pea Egg-Free Fritter Recipe

Zucchini And Pea Egg-Free Fritter Recipe by Our Nourishing Table

Full recipe on Our Nourishing Table

Are you vegan, allergic to eggs, or following a more plant-based diet? Then this egg-free fritter recipe is for you. They are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. 

Summer Shrimp Zoodle Bowls

Summer Shrimp Zoodle Bowls by How Sweet Eats

Full recipe on How Sweet Eats

Who doesn’t love a good bowl full of fresh spiralized veggies, especially in the summer? There are all sorts of summery things on this bowl. We have zoodles topped with brown butter shrimp, crunchy corn, and juicy cherry tomatoes.

Cowboy Rice Salad by Recipe Tin Eats ~ Baja Grain Bowls by How Sweet Eats

Cowboy Rice Salad by Recipe Tin Eats
Baja Grain Bowls by How Sweet Eats

Vegan Summer Dinners

If you are following a plant-based diet or are just looking for some nourishing, wholesome recipes, here you can find some of my favorites healthy summer recipes.

Vegan Stir-Fried Noodles With Crispy Tofu

Full recipe on Gathering Dreams

I love this vegan stir-fry noodles recipe because you can use pretty much any summer veggies you have in the fridge. It’s easy to make and comes together in just 30 minutes. So good!

Vegan Poke Bowl

Full recipe on Gathering Dreams

This is by far one of my favorite plant-based summer meals. Filled with crunchy veggies, fruit, and crispy golden tofu, it’s light and healthy while still being filling and satisfying. Plus, it’s straightforward to make too!

Summer Harvest Vegan Burrito Bowl

Summer Harvest Vegan Burrito Bowl by Occasionally Eggs

Full recipe on Occasionally Eggs

This easy vegan burrito bowl is filling, healthy, and takes less than 30 minutes. Spicy black beans, rice, and summer veggies make this the perfect weeknight meal.

Deconstructed Vegan Summer Rolls 

vDeconstructed Vegan Summer Rolls by Vegan Richa

Full recipe on Vegan Richa

These crunchy veggie summer rolls deconstructed into a bowl are the ideal cold vegan dinner!

Roasted Tomato, Zucchini, and Eggplant Soup by Occasionally Eggs ~ Rainbow Noodle Salad by Lauren Caris Cooks

Roasted Tomato, Zucchini, and Eggplant Soup by Occasionally Eggs
Rainbow Noodle Salad by Lauren Caris cooks

Greek Pasta Salad

Greek Pasta Salad by The Simple Veganista

Full recipe on The Simple Veganista

Full of color and simple flavors, this healthy Greek Pasta Salad is a quick and easy one-pot recipe packed with veggies, vegan feta, and lemon flavor! Great for parties, potlucks, and meal prep!

Vegan Zucchini Involtini Bake

Vegan Zucchini Involtini Bake by Lazy Cat Kitchen

Full recipe on Lazy Cat Kitchen

Zucchinis are a staple product in every summer kitchen. And this incredible involtini bake is the perfect dish to taste them in all their glory!

Vegan Summer Pasta

cVegan Summer Pasta by Lazy Cat Kitchen

Full recipe on Lazy Cat Kitchen

A feast of summer: tomatoes, zucchini, and aubergines come together in this delicious pasta recipe.

Chilled Avocado & Cucumber Soup

Chilled Avocado & Cucumber Soup by The Simple Veganista

Full recipe on The Simple Veganista

If you love to eat homemade meals without cooking, then this creamy Avocado Cucumber Soup recipe is just for you! With only 5 simple ingredients, plus water and salt, this soup is easy to make and ready in no time.

Grilled Corn Salad with Vegan Chipotle Ranch Dressing by Minimalist Baker ~ Garlic Ginger Summer Veggy Stir-Fry by Cook Nourish Bliss

Grilled Corn Salad with Vegan Chipotle Ranch Dressing by Minimalist Baker
Garlic Ginger Summer Veggy Stir-Fry by Cook Nourish Bliss

More Favorite Summer Recipes

If you love these summer dinner ideas, make sure to check out these favorite summer recipes next:

  • 25 Easy Spiralizer Recipes
  • 10 Best Vegan Sandwich Ideas

5 tips for cooking dinner in the summer

Before you leave to cook your favorite summer dinner recipes, I want to share some tips that helped me cook on a hot day. 

My motto for summer recipes is that they have to be: simple, exciting, and lazy!

1. Don’t cook

Yep! That’s right. My number one tip is to avoid turning on the stove or the oven. There are so many delicious no-cook summer ideas that simply require chopping some ingredients together. Plus, by using raw fresh seasonal ingredients, you can make the best out of your local produce or any veggies you grow in your garden, like summer zucchini or heirloom tomatoes.

2. Keep it simple

Stick to recipes with a few fresh ingredients, and when you have to heat the stove, keep it to a minimum. Most seasonal ingredients like zucchini, corn, cucumber, or tomatoes require minimal cooking or no cooking at all.

3. Cook al fresco

And if you want something more exciting, how about cooking outside under the stars? Fire up the grill and cook some incredible bruschettas, burgers

4. Plan ahead

Do you prep work and heavy cooking in the cooler parts of the day (before the sun comes up or after it goes down). If you are making a pasta salad, cook your pasta in the morning and keep it in the fridge, ready to dress. Or boil your potatoes and let them cool for your evening meal.

5. Keep it light and exciting

The last thing you need in the summer is to eat heavy meals that will take hours to digest. But this doesn’t mean you need to eat boring salads every day. I eat mostly plant-based meals, but I never eat a boring green salad. It’s just not exciting enough. Make your meals fun with spiralized veggies, or add something fresh and filling like fruit, grains, and nuts.

And now, let’s get cooking! Or shall I say, cooling?

Get ready for dinner!

There you have it!

Over 50 quick and easy summer dinner ideas that will help you survive the heat outside! Whether you are firing up the grill or simply looking for a light summer meal, I’ve got you covered!

A quinoa salad: one of the 50 easy summer dinner recipes in my favorite list of summer recipes!
Print Recipe
4.5 from 2 votes

Easy Summer Dinner Ideas

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the incredibly fresh tomato, zucchini, peppers, and berries you'll find at the farmers' market. Here are 50+ easy summer dinner ideas that are incredibly simple to put together and will leave you time to chill! Here I am going to share my delicious Mediterranean Quinoa Salad recipe.
Total Time30 mins
Course: Main Course
Author: Sara @ Gathering Dreams

Ingredients

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 can chickpeas - rinsed and drained (15 ounces)
  • 1 medium red onion
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper
  • 1 medium cucumber
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes - halved
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives - cut in half

Dressing:

  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • The juice of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves

Instructions

  • Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh colander. Combine it with 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Add half a teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes until the quinoa has absorbed all the water. Remove from the heat, cover, and let it rest for 5 minutes to make it soft and fluffy.
  • Wash all the veggies, chop the red onion, cucumber, and yellow bell pepper into small chunks. Cut the cherry tomatoes and black olives in half. Drain the chickpeas and rinse them well. If using cooked chickpeas, you'll need around 1 1/2 cups.
  • While the quinoa cools a bit, prepare the dressing. Squeeze one lemon and finely chop the basil leaves. In a small bowl or a small jar, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, basil, the juice of one lemon, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk or shake well until blended.
  • Add the quinoa to a serving bowl, then add the chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, red onions, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, and black olives and drizzle the dressing on top. Mix well, taste, and add more salt and pepper if needed.
  • If you have time, let it rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the dressing to infuse the salad with its fresh summery taste.
  • This salad is great served at room temperature, or you can prepare it in advance and serve it chilled.

Notes

Tips to Cook Easy Summer Dinner Ideas

1. Don't cook: Avoid turning on the stove or the oven! There are so many delicious no-cook summer ideas that simply require chopping some ingredients together.
2. Keep it simple: Stick to recipes with a few fresh ingredients, and when you have to heat the stove, keep it to a minimum. Most seasonal ingredients like zucchini, corn, cucumber, or tomatoes require minimal cooking or no cooking at all.
3. Cook al fresco: And if you want something more exciting, how about cooking outside under the stars? Fire up the grill and cook some incredible bruschettas, burgers
4. Plan ahead: Do your prep work and heavy cooking in the cooler parts of the day (before the sun comes up or after it goes down).
5. Keep it light and exciting: The last thing you need in the summer is to eat heavy meals that will take hours to digest. But this doesn't mean you need to eat boring salads every day. Make your meals fun with spiralized veggies, or add something fresh and filling like seasonal fruit, grains, and nuts.

 

Did you make this recipe? Tag @gatheringdreams on Instagram. I want to see it!


MORE RECIPE IDEAS:
21 quick and easy veggie spiralizer recipes, plus all the tips you need to know to spiralize your veggie to make skinny delicious low-carb recipes!
SPIRALIZER RECIPES
A picture of 6 glasses with infused water of different flavours on white background.
INFUSED WATER

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  1. Charles says

    January 12, 2022

    4 stars
    I have been reading your blog for the past 1 year. All the recipes ideas are cool with the clear and cut of the detailed process explained in a good manner.

    Reply
    • Sara @ Gathering Dreams says

      January 26, 2022

      Thanks, Charles! Glad you like these recipes 🙂

      Reply
  2. Mike says

    December 26, 2020

    Grilled Corn Tacos looks good. Sure will give it a try

    Reply
    • Sara @ Gathering Dreams says

      January 10, 2021

      Hope you like them, Mike! They are delicious 🙂

      Reply
  3. Pam says

    August 4, 2020

    5 stars
    Love these summer dinner ideas! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Sara @ Gathering Dreams says

      August 4, 2020

      Thanks so much Pam 🙂
      I hope some of these recipes will make your summer dinners a bit easier 🙂

      Reply

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