Recipes and Cooking Seasonal 20 Fast Summer Recipes for Dinner on the Table in 30 Minutes or Less By Karla Walsh Karla Walsh Instagram Website Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, level one sommelier, and former fitness instructor and personal trainer who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness. (Or tries to, at least!) Her writing has been published in AllRecipes, Runner's World, Shape and Fitness Magazines, as well as on EatingWell.com, Shape.com, BHG.com, ReadersDigest.com, TheHealthy.com, Prevention.com, WomensHealthMag.com, and more. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 26, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Blaine Moats Make the most of the season's fresh produce with these quick summer recipe ideas. We made sure to include plenty of no-oven-required dishes to keep your house cool all season. Bonus: They're all ready in 30 minutes or less. 01 of 20 Hurried Gazpacho and Handheld Quesadillas View Recipe Andy Lyons A bowl of chilled gazpacho is the best way to enjoy soup in the summertime. Thanks to fresh salsa, you'll need a mere three minutes to make the soup for this easy summer dinner recipe. You'll also love the dippable black bean-olive quesadillas. 02 of 20 Beef Kabobs with Corn and Orzo Salad View Recipe Carson Downing Kabobs sizzle to perfection in next to no time, since the meat is portioned into smaller pieces. This 25-minute quick summer dinner idea features tender sirloin chunks rubbed with a savory spice blend. The brightness of the fresh corn and orzo combo makes the perfect accompaniment to the kabobs. You might want to make a double batch of the pasta salad—one BH&G home cook says this entire dish is "simple and delicious! The salad was even better the next day." 03 of 20 Grilled Eggplant Tartines View Recipe Carson Downing As made popular in France, a tartine is an open-face sandwich that's topped with various spreads from jam to cheese. But no need to fuss over this rendition! You need just seven ingredients and 25 minutes to mash up the flavors of bruschetta, caprese, and eggplant Parmesan into the same scrumptious supper. This quick and easy summer recipe will earn rave reviews from vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. 04 of 20 Pesto Penne with Deli-Roasted Chicken View Recipe Blaine Moats A rotisserie chicken is your best friend when creating speedy weeknight dinners. The longest wait you'll have while whipping up this crowd-pleasing entrée is the time it takes to boil the water. Then just toss the boiled noodles with the meat, store-bought pesto, and some veggies for one of our favorite easy summer dinner recipes for family nights in. 05 of 20 Air-Fryer Shrimp "Boil" View Recipe Jason Donnelly You'll practically feel transported to a seat at a newspaper-lined picnic table in Louisiana when you try your first bite of this Cajun-flavored feast. But unlike the traditional cooking method in a massive pot, this easy summer dinner idea comes together inside—and in 30 minutes flat—thanks to your air fryer. Shrimp, potatoes, corn, and zesty spices join forces for one well-balanced meal. 06 of 20 Chicken Sausage with Pineapple Relish View Recipe Andy Lyons Ketchup and mustard are good condiments, but these grilled chicken sausages get a fresher topping. The sausages are marvelously smoky thanks to a quick shift on the grill, and the tropical-tasting garnish really helps this quick summer dinner shine. So as the sausages warm and get golden brown, toss together the sweet and spicy homemade salsa that showcases sweet pineapple, spicy jalapeño, and zippy ginger. 07 of 20 Bagel and Lox Rigatoni Salad View Recipe Andy Lyons This is how we do breakfast for dinner. Instead of the usual bagel with a schmear of cream cheese, we've transformed the bagels into homemade croutons. We then packed the crunchy carb bites along with smoked salmon, capers, noodles, fresh mozzarella, and crunchy green beans for a satisfying, quick summer dinner. 08 of 20 Bucatini with Shrimp and Spicy Cherry Tomato Pan Sauce View Recipe Andy Lyons This light and fresh pasta dish is sure to be a go-to recipe for an easy summer dinner. It's quick since the shrimp and pasta both cook in about the same time as the tomatoes brighten up and burst in the skillet. Earthy fresh basil, spicy crushed red pepper, and salty feta round out this fancy yet fuss-free dish. Easy, Healthy Shrimp Recipes That Will Become Regulars on Your Dinner Rotation 09 of 20 Smoky Slider Skewers View Recipe Blaine Moats Go beyond standard burgers and buns. Shrinking them down to slider-size maximizes your time and certainly doesn't minimize the flavor! That's because these sliders, one of our best quick and easy summer recipes, are spiced with smoked paprika and garlic and wrapped in a tortilla. The smoky burgers pair beautifully with the sweet-tart and oh-so-summery tomato relish. 10 of 20 Farro, Chickpeas, and Greens View Recipe Andy Lyons This easy kale recipe featuring ripe tomatoes and protein-rich chickpeas is the perfect vegetarian dinner salad. For a different yet still easy summer dinner idea, try serving this up as a hot entrée. The feta cheese will get delightfully melty and the greens will wilt just enough for easy munching. 11 of 20 Chicken, Brie, and Nectarine Flatbread View Recipe Andy Lyons Peach preserves (try canning your own!) stand in for Alfredo or marinara sauce on these flatbreads for a quick summer dinner. The sweet base balances rich Brie, savory chicken, and peppery arugula. One BH&G fan chimes in to say, "This recipe is a hit with all family members. I have substituted peaches [for nectarines] and Vidalia onion and balsamic vinegar in place of red onion and Italian dressing. It's a great summertime quick meal." 12 of 20 Zesty Salmon Pasta Salad View Recipe Andy Lyons Put those broken lasagna noodles to good use in this quick and easy summer recipe. Here, we've tossed them with salmon, greens, and a zesty chili pan sauce that comes together in 30 minutes flat. You could try this same concept with chicken, pork, or tofu, too. Mouthwatering Grilled Salmon Recipes for Perfect Summer Meals 13 of 20 Eggplant Panzanella View Recipe Andy Lyons This easy summer dinner recipe is one of our favorite ways to use day-old bread. (We say "one of" because one cannot forget about bread pudding, of course!) Fresh tarragon adds a lovely licorice flavor to this quick summer dinner, but if you can't find or don't have any on hand, basil and oregano would be delicious as well. 14 of 20 Basil-Tomato Chicken Skillet View Recipe Blaine Moats Combine the flavors of bruschetta as an accent for chicken in this crowd-pleasing 25-minute meal. Once you add protein to the easy summer dinner recipe, the classic Italian appetizer transforms into a quick one-dish dinner that you'll want to make each and every week. 15 of 20 Fish Tacos with Lime Sauce View Recipe Andy Lyons Nothing feels more like a "peak easy summer dinner recipe" than fish tacos. For this variation, we'll talk you through how to go bold with the spicy flavors of jalapeño and fresh lime. Don't worry if you're not a fan of heat; the creamy sauce cools things off just enough. 25 Taco Recipes That Will Inspire You to Celebrate Taco Night All Week Long 16 of 20 Turkey Burger with Peaches and Blueberries View Recipe Andy Lyons Chances are, you've never had a turkey burger quite like this before. For a super-seasonal easy summer dinner idea, top the savory grilled patties with fresh peaches and blueberries. Amp up the flavors of the sweet and savory sandwich with a sprinkle of fresh mint. 17 of 20 Chicken and Peach Pesto Pizza View Recipe Blaine Moats If you enjoy grilling but don't want to spend a lot of time over the open flame, this grilled pizza is your solution. Just like the rest of these easy family summer dinner ideas, it's ready in 30 minutes. To keep the flavors summer-fresh, we suggest topping these pies with fresh basil and peaches. 18 of 20 Garlicky Zucchini Noodles Andy Lyons Chances are that by now you've heard of zucchini noodles. They're a great way to enjoy pasta as a quick summer dinner minus most of the carbs. Twirl up the garden noodles with garlic, walnut oil, and goat cheese for a fast and healthy option. 19 of 20 Lemon-Dill Shrimp and Pasta View Recipe Andy Lyons The secret to this easy summer dinner recipe? It's all in the simple sauce! Garlic, lemon, and Italian seasoning are all you need to bring out the best of the quick-cooking shrimp. Top with some dill fresh from the herb garden to really brighten up the restaurant-quality dish. 20 of 20 Tuna with Fruit Salsa View Recipe Andy Lyons Not only is fish a terrific quick summer dinner option because it's full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but it also cooks in a mere 12 minutes. This high-protein and gluten-free seared tuna dinner gets even better when you crown it with the homemade fresh peach and raspberry salsa. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit