Tell us, is there anything better than indulging in a homemade summertime dinner? We think not, and that's because we have these easy, hearty, fresh, and delicious recipe ideas that are filled with the finest flavors of the season. Complete with seasonal produce, filling protein, and enough mouthwatering ingredients to make anyone drool, these meals are the perfect pairing to a warm summer night. Whether you're craving a cold pasta salad or you've been dreaming about a plant-based burger, there's something for everyone on this list. Keep reading to see the best summer dinner ideas, and prepare to enlighten your taste buds in all that summer has to offer. Pass your plates!
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano and Leo Danzig
Fast-track your way to chicken enchiladas with this clever one-pot take that doesn't require any rolling of tortillas. It's easy, hearty, and perfect for a long day after soaking up the sun. Pair this meal with a cold margarita, and you'll be wondering how it could get any better than this.
This summertime crostata means you can eat chicken pot pie without feeling like hibernating by a fireplace. Squash, green beans, and corn give the old-school dish a seasonal spin, while the crust is just too darn cute not to love.
This sweet creation combines chili garlic, red peppers, scallions, and peanuts to make a sticky noodle dish that you won't be able to get enough of. These noodles taste just as delicious cold, so toss them in the fridge if you want a dinner that'll cool you down.
Sheet-pan chicken fajitas require little effort and yield such delicious results. Feel free to add as many veggies as you want, and get cookin'! Complete this meal with black beans and warm tortillas for best results.
These caprese salad bowls deliver fresh flavor that is ideal for a balmy summer night. Complete with hearty chicken, leafy greens, and a mouthwatering glaze, pass the forks!
Instead of dipping chicken tenders in ketchup, glaze them in a sticky lemon sauce. This Asian-style meal is refreshing and delicious, meaning it's perfect to enjoy on a warm summer night.
This vegetarian dish can be eaten hot or cold (when you're really pressed for time) and can even be made vegan by subbing a hummus-based vegan cheese sauce for the shredded cheese. Before serving, top with sliced jalapeños, tortilla chips, and sliced avocado.
Make taco lettuce wraps in no time with this quick recipe. It only requires five simple ingredients, but feel free to add more to it if you so choose! (Pro tip: go big on the avocados!)
These stuffed peppers can be customized to your taste, and they require just 15 minutes of prep before going into the slow cooker, making them the perfect make-ahead meal for busy summer nights. Top 'em with cheese, and you'll be ready to dive in.
Creamy cilantro dressing, seasoned ground turkey, and fresh veggies layered in a mason jar? Yes, please! This easy-to-make dinner comes together in no time, so just add guac, and you'll be ready to roll.
This Japanese macaroni salad is coated in a creamy, zesty, and sweet dressing that will make your taste buds swoon. Eggs, cucumbers, and ham work together to make this recipe taste unlike any other macaroni salad you've had. Enjoy!
Make teriyaki chicken in the comfort of your own home when you chef up this delicious dinner. The slow cooker does most of the work, meaning all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy a mouthwatering dinner.
Goat cheese and basil vinaigrette, what could be better? This delicious green salad is made with roasted beets, zucchini, watercress, summer squash, and corn, and the flavors are as fresh as summer itself. Pair it with a cold cup of sweet tea or a light cocktail for best results.
These wraps provide just the kind of heartiness you need after long days of swimming and sporting, and the sweet potato fries in the middle guarantee approval from anyone and everyone.
Light and fresh, this drool-worthy salad is the perfect summer dish. It has the perfect amount of cheese, ripe tomatoes, and creamy avocados that make it easy to enjoy for days on end.
With added layers of cilantro parsley pesto and avocado hummus, this vegetarian burger is loaded with flavor. It makes for a nutritious meal for any hour of the day!
If you had a heavy lunch, balance it out with this light salad. You'll get juicy grapes, tangy arugula, and a black pepper vinaigrette with every forkful.
Avocado pesto is the new and improved pasta sauce, and wow, is it good. This salad includes the classic pesto favorites like basil, garlic, and parmesan cheese — just with a lighter avocado twist. Pair it with your favorite summer veggies to make it complete.
Topped with caramelized onions, homemade basil pesto, and goat cheese, these portobello mushroom burgers have all the best flavors packed into one. The rich pesto and creamy goat cheese are sure to make you swoon.
If you've been searching for a delicious way to make seasonal zucchini, look no further than these easy zucchini boats, stuffed with ground sausage, mozzarella, and marinara sauce. They're hearty, nutritious, and delicious.
If you want a meal that'll fill you up, try this chickpea pasta salad. Made complete with rich feta, crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, salty olives, and a tangy lemon dressing, this salad is too good to be true. Serve it cold for best results.
Classic chicken salad gets a summery update with barbecue sauce, corn, cheddar cheese, and bacon bits. These sliders are perfect served poolside — with a cold beer for you and lemonade for anyone with a sweet tooth.
This summer salad is colorful, fresh, and full of seasonal flavors. Complete with sharp cheddar cheese, cucumbers, and an Italian salad dressing, this pasta is the ideal picnic pairing.
Summer is made for barbecues, refreshing cocktails, and macaroni salad. This Hawaiian dish is made without tuna, but feel free to add it if you want some extra protein. Bring this to your next outting, and be ready for everyone to dig right in.
This easy-to-make pasta salad is full of flavor, and damn, is it good. It's quick to throw together, and the ingredients can be tweaked to include anything you'd like. Feel free to toss in different cheeses, seasonal veggies, fruit, and more.
Loaded with grilled pineapples, red onions, and topped with a sweet BBQ sauce, these veggie burgers are the perfect summer dinner. The sweet pineapple pairs effortlessly with the veggie patties, making them a glorious treat.
This rich pasta captures the best Mediterranean flavors, and wow, is it good. You can whip it up in minutes meaning it makes for a great easy dinner idea. With crisp eggplant and fresh basil, you can serve this hot or cold depending on your preference.
Bursting with sweet strawberry flavors, this pasta salad tastes like a sunny summer day. We suggest adding bits of mint and goat cheese if you really want to elevate this dish.
Take tacos to the next level when you whip up these baked bad boys. Easy, simple, and totally foolproof, this recipe can be made in no time at all. Pair them with some salsa and guac, and dinner is served.
Stay full long after you finish off the last bite of this meal. Made with cucumbers, tomatoes, and radishes, this dish is complete with great flavors. Topped off with a citrusy lime juice, crisp cilantro, and salty Cotija cheese, we suggest making an extra batch of this just in case.
Two words: whipped feta. These veggie burgers are made with roasted zucchini, garlic, and quinoa, meaning you'll get your daily dose of protein. Add the whipped feta on top, and it will be a dream come true.
Refreshing and flavorful, this Asian salad has notes of sesame and soy dressing that make it almost too good to be true. If you want to take this recipe to the next level, pair it with freshly grilled chicken breast or roasted tofu.
Not only are these veggie-packed burgers ultra-healthy, but they're also gluten-free! Made with beets, sweet potatoes, black beans, oats, and seeds and herbs, these will nourish you from the inside out.
You can't go wrong with salmon on the menu, and this recipe is a dinnertime winner. You just need a handful of ingredients to concoct this easy meal, and before you know it, you'll be ready for more.
Chilled pasta salad, swimming with juicy tomatoes and crispy bacon, practically begs to be eaten next to the pool. You can add extra greens for the lettuce lovers or serve as is for the pickier eaters.
Coated with crunchy panko and topped with avocado and grilled vegetables, these sweet potato veggie burgers will have your taste buds jumping for joy. Add as much ketchup, mayo, and mustard as you like!
Healthy and easy to make, this recipe is hard not to love. Filled with asparagus, peas, chickpeas, pine nuts, and a green goddess dressing that's made with rich pesto, this recipe will wow you with every bite.
Whisk your taste buds away to the islands of Greece when you make this divine dish. You'll need ripe tomatoes, garlic, dry rosé or white wine, green peppers, red onions, pasta, and feta cheese. Add a dash of olive oil, and you'll be drooling before the noodles are even done cooking.
Summer squash, zucchini, and bell peppers show that quesadillas aren't limited to just tortillas and cheese. You'll get fresh flavors in every bite, so enjoy!
If you like corn, this salad will be your new favorite creation. It's the perfect barbecue dish since it's light and fresh, and it pairs exceptionally well with a burger or grilled chicken. Just grab a fork!
This strawberry avocado pasta salad is an inventive take on the traditional pasta salad that's usually served at summer barbecues. A balance of avocado, feta, strawberries, and poppyseed dressing create this light dish that'll have you coming back for seconds.
Light, refreshing, and full of flavor, this spin on the traditional salad is as good as it gets. Complete with hardboiled eggs, creamy avocados, ripe cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, chives, crispy bacon, and blue cheese, this pasta salad is as tasty as it sounds. Topped off with a super light red wine vinaigrette, be sure to whip this up before your next picnic.
Need something both healthy and filling? Throw together this pasta salad which features a hint of cheddar cheese that gives it an extra kick. We suggest adding extra corn if you're a fan of the veggie because it adds a ton of flavor.