Summer is certainly one of my favourite occasions to cook dinner, but in addition the time once I need to whip up a meal, quick. Spending the day exterior, then coming into the kitchen and getting dinner on the desk in below an hour (with minimal effort) is the dream, amiright? Especially once I’m entertaining friends, the very last thing I would like is to be trapped within the kitchen stressing over meal prep. My objective this summer season is to nail the very best simple summer season recipes that use seasonal substances, take lower than an hour, can serve massive teams, and are customizable to varied dietary preferences.
As we kick off the official begin of summer season (as a result of, unofficially, summer season’s been right here for weeks) it felt like the perfect time to curate a listing of simple summer season recipes that I can frequently return to for fast and scrumptious dinners. So, learn on for 20 of the very best simple summer season recipes you’ll be making for dinner all season lengthy. And we would like to know! What are your go-to simple summer season recipes?
Featured picture by Kate LeSueur.
Pesto Pasta Primavera
Why We Love It: Camille says that this contemporary summer season pasta by no means fails to fulfill her carb cravings, whereas filling her plate with a great deal of veggies that may be diversified primarily based on what’s within the fridge. Even higher? It comes collectively in a single pan, that means much less time scrubbing dishes and extra time absorbing these lengthy summer season nights.
Hero Ingredient: Grab some sugar snap peas and prepare to benefit from the candy, candy style of summer season.
Green Goddess Bowls from Damn Delicious
Why We Love It: The star of this recipe is the Green Goddess dressing. It comes collectively by merely throwing the entire substances right into a meals processor and voila. Whatever you select to add this dressing to is instantly 10x extra scrumptious. I like how this recipe makes use of all of summer season’s greatest produce however offers you the liberty to customise it to your liking.
Hero Ingredient: The roasted chickpeas are the right crunchy topper.
BBQ Beer Chicken Skewers With Avocado Corn and Feta Salsa from Half Baked Harvest
Why We Love It: What screams summer season greater than BBQ? These hen skewers come collectively in simply half-hour and are excellent for any of your upcoming gatherings. The Avocado Corn and Feta Salsa provides a scrumptious summer season flare that you simply’ll crave for days to observe.
Hero Ingredient: No skewer? No drawback. Just toss that hen on the grill and go along with a fork-and-knife technique. Or your fingers… there are not any guidelines in the summertime.
Watermelon Tomato Caprese Salad
Why We Love It: This watermelon salad is a total summer crush. It’s refreshing, sweet, and crunchy—what summer dreams are made of. Any recipe that allows me to blast Harry Styles’ Watermelon Sugar while I’m cooking is a win in my book.
Hero Ingredient: This recipe makes great use of that leftover watermelon that’s (probably) sitting in your fridge.
Sesame Soba Noodles from Love and Lemons
Why We Love It: These sesame soba noodles are such a inventive approach to use summer season veggies in a dinner recipe. It has that particular taste I can by no means get sufficient of, however I additionally love that it has avocado, snap peas, edamame, watermelon radishes, and mint. Mouth = watering.
Hero Ingredient: Again, these sugar snap peas are so refreshing and crisp.
Avocado Turkey Burgers from The Defined Dish
Why We Love It: I do know there are lots of turkey burger haters on the market, however I can’t get sufficient. This recipe, nonetheless, takes them to a complete new stage. Arguably the very best half? They’re prepared in 20 minutes.
Hero Ingredient: Adding a dollop of mayo to the burger combination is really genius—it’s the important thing to retaining your patties from drying out.
Summer Pasta Salad
Why We Love It: This recipe from our resident wellness skilled, Edie Horstman is summer season in a bowl. It highlights all of summer season’s substances, and when doubled, can feed all your friends with no drawback. While it’s technically a aspect dish, I may eat this as my primary meal for each meal.
Hero Ingredient: Load up on all that farmer’s market produce.
Easy Greek-Inspired Rotisserie Chicken Bowls from The Defined Dish
Why We Love It: The Defined Dish’s rotisserie hen recipe round-up is certainly one of my all-time favorites. I like store-bought rotisserie hen for how simple it’s, however completely get bored with consuming it, so I’m eternally indebted to these inventive recipes. This Greek bowl is certainly one of my favourite recipes of the bunch. It’s so mild and contemporary.
Hero Ingredient: Creamy tzatziki kicks issues up a notch, and makes a scrumptious dip for contemporary veggies.
Spinach and Ricotta Pizza With Garlicky Olive Oil
Why We Love It: Over right here at Camille Styles, we’re critical about pizza. It’s undoubtedly a year-round dish, however I like taking part in with toppings that go along with the seasons. This spinach and ricotta pizza is completely excellent for summer season: it’s mild and contemporary, whereas additionally managing to maintain you glad.
Hero Ingredient: The garlicky olive oil is to die for.
Antipasto Tortellini Skewers With Lemon Basil Vinaigrette from Half Baked Harvest
Why We Love It: Yes, I do know this recipe actually says “antipasto” within the identify, nevertheless it may undoubtedly stand alone as an entrée with a aspect salad for a lightweight summer season dinner. Because they’re simple to seize and go, skewers are nice for buffet-style dinners, and this take actually reveals off some standout summer season flavors. The tortellini makes it extra substantial than simply the cheese and tomatoes, too. As far as simple summer season recipes go, this one is a favourite.
Hero Ingredient: That Lemon Basil Vinaigrette deserves an award for greatest bread-dipper of all time.
Chimichurri Fish Tacos
Why We Love It: These easy, however flavorful fish tacos will transport you to the seaside after only one chunk. Camille has made them for numerous pool events and yard barbecues, but the recipe manages to all the time (and eternally) garner rave opinions. Plus, when you’re making it on an out of doors grill, it’s one of the vital stress-free meals to serve a crowd. Just add chips and salsa, some Mexican road corn, and good margaritas.
Hero Ingredient: Pickled pink onions convey an acidic, flavor-packed chunk to the celebration.
30-Minute Chicken Caprese from Foodie Crush
Why We Love It: Sometimes, the important thing to fast and straightforward summer season recipes is taking advantage of store-bought substances. There could be a stigma round shopping for issues slightly than making them from scratch, however actually, who cares? As lengthy because it tastes good and is made proper, I’m all for it. I like that this 30-Minute Chicken Caprese is simplified with store-bought substances. (Of course, you’re additionally welcome to make your personal pesto when you desire.) It’s so scrumptious, so fairly on a plate, and undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser.
Hero Ingredient: I’m a complete sucker for balsamic glaze. Yum. Just yum.
Fig & Burrata Salad
Why We Love It: From Camille herself: “This fig and burrata salad is so easy that you might just want to keep it as your little entertaining secret this summer. Because once you whip it up for your friends, they’re going to think you’re a professional. This salad is fresh, seasonal, and crispy—the perfect combo for lunch by the pool with friends, or for dinner Sunday night.”
Hero Ingredient: Candied nuts convey crunch and superb taste to this salad. You’ll need to eat them by the handful.
Grilled Pizza With Figs, Balsamic Onions and Gorgonzola from Feasting at Home
Why We Love It: Try Camille’s do-it-yourself pizza dough with these toppings, and I swear you’ll by no means consider pizza the identical. It sounds dramatic, however pizza can get a bit boring when it’s ready the identical approach again and again. This recipe is something however boring and is ideal for summer season.
Hero Ingredient: The contemporary figs, balsamic onions, and arugula come collectively in a approach that makes each chunk crave-worthy.
Tofu Noodle Stir-Fry With Spring Vegetables from Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: This recipe is addictive—it’s so simple as that. I personally swap out the tofu for hen, and I like which you can actually use no matter veggies you will have readily available and it is going to be simply as scrumptious.
Hero Ingredient: The tahini stir-fry sauce is a scrumptious mixture of ginger, tamari, lime, maple syrup, and chili garlic sauce.
Simple Citrus Salad
Why We Love It: I don’t know how else to describe this salad other than absolutely amazing. You’re getting vibrant citrus flavors, bitter onion slivers, and salty Marcona almonds, all graced with a little olive oil for the perfect bite. If I could eat this every day, all would be right in the world.
Hero Ingredient: Buttery, salty Marcona almonds. Nothing more needs to be said.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Why We Love It: With only five ingredients, you should run—don’t walk—to make this recipe. It’s some of the best fajita meat I’ve ever had and is so easy to throw on a sheet pan. Dinner? Done.
Hero Ingredient: Don’t be shy with your lime juice. Bring on the citrus.
Salmon Roll Sushi Bowl
Why We Love It: One-bowl dinner? Yes, please. This protein-packed salmon bowl brings together all kinds of Asian-inspired flavors to create a refreshing but filling lunch or dinner. It also delivers all the sushi vibes at home. Definitely a win.
Hero Ingredient: Nori brings a nice crunch and texture to the bowl.
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Why We Love It: Easy summer pastas are truly a gift. Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy delicious and indulgent flavors. What’s even better is when they utilize the flavors of the season, as is the case with this Green Goddess Pasta Salad. Lots of green herbs and fresh veggies are all that’s standing between you and your new favorite lunch or dinner.
Hero Ingredient: Creamy avocado bites send this over the edge.
Lemony Sheet Pan Chicken With Artichokes and Spring Veggies
Why We Love It: I just can’t get enough of these sheet pan recipes. I mean, they’re just the easiest. Here, you’re combining lemony chicken with artichokes, green olives, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and more for weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Hero Ingredient: The garnishes here deserve some love. Fresh basil, parsley, lemon slices, mmm…
This post was originally published on June 27, 2021, and has since been updated.
