16 Lazy Summer Dinners For Parents Who Don't Have the Energy or the Freaking Time

Is it just me, or are Summer days just longer when you're a parent, tasked with entertaining, feeding, and, sometimes, simply tolerating children? The idea of cranking up the oven and creating a gourmet meal at the end of a day spent carpooling to camp, chasing toddlers around a pool, and slathering on sunscreen, is just plain overwhelming . . . and overwhelmingly hot. Instead, whip up one of the following 28 easy-to-make — and, in many cases, easy to clean up — meals that will please the whole family and help you keep your Summer sanity.

From foil-pack dinners that eliminate pots and pans to slow cooker wonders that mean dinner's ready when you finally drag your kids away from the beach, these meals are Summer friendly and all busy mom approved.

01
Grilled Barbecue Chicken Bowls
Fit Foodie Finds

Grilled Barbecue Chicken Bowls

These grilled barbecue chicken bowls are an easy meal to prep in advance and throw together at the last minute.

02
Grilled Caprese French Bread Pizza
Fit Foodie Finds

Grilled Caprese French Bread Pizza

Who would love grilled Caprese French bread pizza, topped with juicy grilled tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil pesto? Everyone.

03
Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken
Fit Foodie Finds

Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken

This juicy slow cooker barbecue chicken is as easy as it gets. Serve it with creamy coleslaw on soft buns for a sandwich the whole family will flip for.

04
Easy Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Chili Pepper Madness

Easy Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers

These easy stuffed peppers are filled with a mixture of Italian sausage, tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, and plenty of seasoning, then baked to perfection.

05
Simplest Zucchini Parmesan Pasta
Half Baked Harvest

Simplest Zucchini Parmesan Pasta

The quick and easy recipe for the simplest zucchini Parmesan pasta uses zucchini and yellow Summer squash to create a buttery pasta sauce without using any cream. Delicious!

06
Grilled Avocado Balsamic Chicken
Host the Toast

Grilled Avocado Balsamic Chicken

Grilled avocado balsamic chicken is the perfect Summer dinner, made with a sweet and tart balsamic vinegar marinade, melted mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken, creamy avocado, fresh basil, and a balsamic drizzle.

07
Perfect Tuna Salad
Cookies and Cups

Perfect Tuna Salad

Sandwiches are a perfectly acceptable summer meal, especially when they're as good as those made with perfect tuna salad, loaded with crunchy extras like carrots, pickles, and nuts.

08
Foil Pack Barbecue Chicken
Averie Cooks

Foil Pack Barbecue Chicken

Foil pack barbecue chicken can be ready in 15 minutes. Plus, this healthy meal makes cleanup super easy.

09
Grilled Chicken Tenders
Dinner at the Zoo

Grilled Chicken Tenders

Perfect to toss on the grill, the grilled chicken tenders are marinaded, making the chicken tender and flavorful so you can serve them alone or toss them in a salad or pasta dish.

10
Foil Pack Lime Cilantro Salmon
Averie Cooks

Foil Pack Lime Cilantro Salmon

Do you have 10 minutes? Then you can make foil pack lime cilantro salmon.

11
Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Food Faith Fitness

Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

The slow cooker Asian chicken lettuce wraps let the slow cooker do all the work and include lots of yummy and sneaky veggies, including cauliflower rice.

12
Baked Chicken Meatballs
Pinch of Yum

Baked Chicken Meatballs

These delicious baked chicken meatballs can pair with spaghetti or any pasta, served with mashed cauliflower and green beans, or just eaten all by themselves.

13
Chicken With White Beans and Veggies
Cooking For Keeps

Chicken With White Beans and Veggies

Beans and veggies (and the fact that it only takes 30 minutes to make) make this chicken with white beans and vegetables recipe one to treasure.

14
Sausage and Pepper Pasta
Dinner at the Zoo

Sausage and Pepper Pasta

Filled with grilled Italian sausage, bell peppers, and pasta in a tomato sauce, the sausage and pepper pasta is a crowd-pleaser.

15
Ranch Baked Chicken
The Cookie Rookie

Ranch Baked Chicken

The supersimple ranch baked chicken requires only five ingredients but has a ton of flavor the whole family will love.

16
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Delightful Mom Food

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Taco spices, beans, corn, rice, and salsa make this recipe for Mexican stuffed peppers a joy to eat.