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!
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
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
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
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
Lemon Rocket Pasta Salad
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
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
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 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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Vegetables
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
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
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
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
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
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
Late Summer Frittata with Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs
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
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
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
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
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
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
Greek Pasta Salad
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
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
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
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
More Favorite Summer Recipes
If you love these summer dinner ideas, make sure to check out these favorite summer recipes next:
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!
Easy Summer Dinner Ideas
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:
Charles says
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.
Sara @ Gathering Dreams says
Thanks, Charles! Glad you like these recipes 🙂
Mike says
Grilled Corn Tacos looks good. Sure will give it a try
Sara @ Gathering Dreams says
Hope you like them, Mike! They are delicious 🙂
Pam says
Love these summer dinner ideas! Thanks so much for sharing!
Sara @ Gathering Dreams says
Thanks so much Pam 🙂
I hope some of these recipes will make your summer dinners a bit easier 🙂