It is a well-known fact that in the summertime, nobody likes spending forever in the kitchen making soups, stews, and hearty meals.
No offense to the hearty meals, but they are complicated, and we ain’t got time for that while the sun is shining, bees are buzzing, and there are summer mocktails and cocktails to enjoy.
So, I’m creating a catalog with the best, quickest, and easiest summer recipes to choose from when short on the desire to cook myself along with the meal on the stove.
I’m talking about easy pasta, cold soups, one-pan meals, and everything in between. Let’s see what I’ve found!
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Lazy Summer Dinner Ideas
If I can think of one classic, easy summer dinner recipe, it would be good old-fashioned roasted cherry tomato pasta. The colors, the aroma, the texture—seriously, is there anything not to like about it?
Fresh citrus flavor, savory caper sauce, pasta, and Parmigiano... I don't know what it is about this pasta, but it's the best proof that simplicity creates wonders. Fresh and delicious, this pasta will be your summer favorite.
Soups are good! Cold soups in the summer are even better, and this cucumber Gaspacho with avocado and mint is the best and freshest combination for a quick summer soup. Read in under 30 minutes; this is a hydrating feast for any scorching summer day.
Delicious, nutricious and hydrating, this salad is easy to put together and gives you just the "something" you need on a warm summer evening when nothing involving turning the stove one sounds good.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are pictures you can taste, and this is one of them. Cottage cheese, chicken, bacon, creamy source, crunchy salad—a yummy and irresistible combination you must try.
Sometimes, all you need is a sandwich, so you can call it a day and marinate in front of the TV. And that is okay! For summer evenings, when nothing seems like a good idea, try this Cajun Egg Salad to elevate your sandwich and nourish the soul. Who said lazy can't be healthy?
Tomato soups aren't just for the chilly winter days. They are a refreshing and loved option for the heat of the summer days, too. This soup can be ready to enjoy in just about 30 minutes and needs a handful of ingredients already rolling around your cupboards.
If you are a strong supporter of the "girl's dinner" type of meal, this might be your perfect summer dinner option. Gather a few ingredients and your favorite summer drink and enjoy a hustle-free evening.
We are back in the pasta world with a gorgeous pasta salad—easy to prepare and delicious to enjoy. The main ingredients are pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, and homemade pesto.
Combining the perfect blend of salty and sweet, this ramen noodle salad features a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables, sweet oranges, and crunchy toasted ramen.
This low-carb meal is easy to put together, aromatic and delicious - the perfect combination for a scorching how summer evening.
Quinoa is so easy to cook, but also very healthy and delicious, that this one-pan Mexican Quinoa recipe will find its way to your recipe book, for sure.
A handful of ingredients and 8 minutes of patience are all you need to enjoy this easy flatbread pizza. It's perfect for early summer evenings when kids are picky, you are sweaty, and your husband doesn't know what he wants for dinner (again!).
Grilled shrimp might not be the first thing that comes to mind on a summer evening, but seafood and a cold beer are all I need to mention, and you'll be sold on it! These crispy shrimp go perfectly over rice or just as an appetizer.
Light, delicious, flavorful, healthy, and ready in under 30 minutes. Do you really need any more details to give this Chicken Pomodoro a chance?
Tender and melting in the mouth, this lemon-crusted pesto salmon is such a treat for a warm summer evening. You can enjoy it by yourself (preferable) or impress a few guests with it.
This is the best tuna fried rice recipe, perfect for summer evenings! Made with canned tuna, white rice, eggs, vegetables, and a delicious homemade fried rice sauce, this dish is ready in just 25 minutes.
Perfect for summer evenings and garden parties, this grilled steak quesadilla features cubed steak and melty cheese on a fresh tortilla, cooked to golden perfection. Topped with avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and fresh pico de gallo, it’s a dish the whole family will love.
I must admit that I am not familiar with Tantuni, but reading how easy it is to make and looking at those mouth-watering photos tells me I've been missing out on this Turkish-style food.
Could a warm summer evening get any better than pizza, beer, and the sound of the ocean waves? Not really! Even if you're far away from the ocean waves (I am), the other two are easily obtainable. Start with this delicious Bruschetta Pizza.
I already talked about how easy and attractive a sandwich can be on a summer evening. These Buffalo Chicken sandwiches are here to prove I was right! They look and taste delicious and are ready in just a few minutes.
Ideal for summer evenings and garden parties, these are the best kabobs with the juiciest, most flavorful chicken! Just look at those bright, colorful vegetables marinated in a delicious honey and soy sauce blend.
Salads are perfect for summer evenings. They fill the tummies but are easy to make and require zero cooking skills. They can impress a new partner, visit friends, or be enjoyed in solitude. This healthy Buffalo Chicken salad is one of those salads you will crave for the rest of the summer.
Favorful, easy to make, delicious and filling, these tacos with Pico de Gallo are going to quickly become a summer favorite.
Perfect for summer evenings and garden parties, this easy focaccia pizza is inspired by classic Italian bread and uses store-bought pizza dough for a quick and delicious dinner!
If you like the classic Ceasar salad, this is a spin on it that promises the same satisfaction and deliciousness. Add a glass of white wine on the side, and you'll be celebrating summer the right way.
You can make these flavorful chicken skewers in 20 minutes only and listen to your family's compliments on how delicious they are for the rest of the evening. This is an easy summer dinner idea that will quickly become a favorite.
Perfect for summer evenings and garden parties, savor the goodness of our super easy and quick vegan lemon artichoke pesto pasta! Fresh and flavorful, it’s so easy to make that you’ll have a meal ready in less time than it takes to decide on a Netflix show.
This fresh, colorful, gluten-free, and vegan Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is perfect for summer evenings and garden parties!
Let the grill do the hard work for you! This is the best grilled chicken wings recipe you'll ever try! It's incredibly simple to make – just pat dry, toss in a flavorful dry, rub and throw them on the grill.
This skillet stovetop-cooked chicken thighs recipe paired with a raw broccoli salad is perfect for warm summer evenings! Simple to make, healthy, refreshing, and absolutely delicious.
Juicy chicken, crunchy veggies, and a delicious teriyaki sauce are the stars of this Teriyaki Chicken Bowl. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something easy and tasty.
Fresh asparagus, black lentils, cherry tomatoes, and a few ingredients can give you one of the most delicious summer meals - healthy and nutritious, rich in vitamins and flavor.
Quinoa salads are rich in fiber and protein, and they rule summer evenings. Check out this easy rainbow salad recipe, which you can make in minutes with ingredients you already have.
Too hot to cook? No problem, this Japanese ramen salad comes to the rescue. The main ingredients are noodles, fresh veggies, lettuce, and bacon/ham.
Rich in protein and carbs, this easy Chicken Fajita Bowl can be ready to enjoy in just about half an hour. It's so colorful and flavorful that you will start loving summer evenings even more.
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