Summer Weeknight Dinners
Warm weather calls for no-fuss meals that are full of flavor. Whether you’re cooking with seasonal produce from the local farmers market or planning to fire up the grill for an al fresco family dinner, these recipes are sure to make mealtime easier.
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Caprese Chicken Breasts
Dinner prep just got a whole lot easier, thanks to this recipe — it allows you to cook frozen chicken breasts without having to thaw them first. You’ll simply pan-fry the chicken until it’s golden brown (don’t worry, the oil won’t spatter), then layer them with fresh tomato slices and mozzarella cheese when they’re partially thawed to lock in the moisture as the chicken finishes cooking.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Chicken Breasts Pan-Fried from Frozen
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Corn Sheet Pan Dinner
This sheet pan dinner is loaded with summer corn, tomatoes, fennel and shrimp. The whole thing is broiled together, so you can have it on the table in a flash. Top with feta, fresh basil and a squeeze of lemon juice for the perfect summer weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp and Corn Sheet Pan Dinner
Steak and Potato Kebabs
Enjoy a steak-and-potato dinner — on a stick! The buttery fingerling potatoes and tangy balsamic steak sauce make an irresistible combination.
Get the Recipe: Steak and Potato Kebabs
Fish Tacos
Get the Recipe: Fish Tacos
Grilled Shrimp with Walnut Pesto
Alex's 25-minute dinner couldn't be simpler: A quick summer pesto tops grilled shrimp and mixed greens for a meal that tastes like summer.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp with Walnut Pesto
Spicy Cocoa Steak Rub
Ree gives rib eye steaks a deep, savory flavor by rubbing them with cocoa powder, brown sugar and spices. She cooks hers in a hot cast-iron skillet before serving with a simple, summery salad — but you could just as easily throw them on the grill if you’re cooking outdoors.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cocoa Steak Rub
Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Pulsing jarred sun-dried tomatoes and their oil in a food processor is all it takes for a tangy, flavorful pesto.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Tofu Lettuce Wraps
You can’t go wrong with Ree’s meatless marvel. She seasons tofu with salt, pepper, chili powder and soy sauce, then tosses the tofu with corn and serves in a lettuce wrap. A slice of avocado adds the finishing touch!
Get the Recipe: Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta
Shrimp blush pink in the skillet before being tossed with garlic, lemon and angel-hair pasta.
Get the Recipe: Gina's Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta
Barbecue Chicken Pan Pizza
This cast-iron pizza is the perfect mix of salty, sweet, tangy and sharp. Crispy baked pizza dough is topped with barbecue chicken, mozzarella and cheddar cheese. A drizzle of honey with fresh cilantro and scallion finish off this cheesy chicken pizza.
Get the Recipe: Barbecue Chicken Pan Pizza
Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl
Veggie bowls are a go-to on busy weeknights because they’re one and done. Take whatever veggies you have in your fridge (bonus points if it’s fridge cleaning day), toss them in olive oil, salt and pepper, place them on a baking sheet and roast until tender. For this Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl recipe, we recommend chickpeas, red onions, sweet potatoes and cremini mushrooms. While everything is in the oven, whisk together a quick Greek yogurt-tahini-lemon dressing, cook some quinoa and slice up that fresh avocado you’ve been waiting to eat. Once the veggies are done roasting, assemble your bowl and, be sure to make one for lunch the next day, too!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl
Cajun Shrimp and Rice
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Rice
Chicken Watermelon Tacos
Fresh watermelon makes for a summery tomato substitute in classic chicken tacos.
Get the Recipe: Chicken-Watermelon Tacos
Penne with Shrimp and Herbed Cream Sauce
Shrimp and tomatoes tint this creamy sauce pink, and fresh basil and flat-leaf parsley make it extra aromatic.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Shrimp and Herbed Cream Sauce
Grilled Shrimp-Pineapple Fajitas
Refreshing pineapple chunks, fiery jalapeno and colorful bell peppers take these grilled shrimp fajitas to the next level.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp-Pineapple Fajitas
Summer Vegetable Chili
Get the Recipe: Summer Vegetable Chili
Healthy One-Skillet Shrimp and Quinoa
For those weeknights when you think it’s just too hot to bother, try this Healthy One-Skillet Shrimp and Quinoa. Packed full of celery, tomatoes, quinoa and shrimp, this dish isn’t only healthy, but also quick and easy to make. And, if you’re not totally sold already, the fact that the dish is prepared in one skillet, making cleanup virtually nonexistent, should be enough to satisfy everything you’re looking for in your weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Healthy One-Skillet Shrimp and Quinoa
Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken
Glam up grilled chicken with prosciutto and fontina. The silky meat slices crisp up on the grill while the cheese melts and adds a slight nuttiness to each bite.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken Kebabs
Chilled Zucchini Soup with Chicken
If you think soup's just for fall, you need to try this recipe asap! Leek, zucchini and bay leaves form the dish's hearty base while buttery chopped bread and shredded rotisserie chicken give it a delectable garnish. Make it when you need a quick refresher from the summer heat.
Get the Recipe: Chilled Zucchini Soup with Chicken
Instant Pot Greek Chicken Bowls
The thought of turning the stove on during the summer is excruciating. After hours of running around in the sun, the last thing anyone wants to do is stand over a hot stove and cook dinner. This is the time to use that instant pot you bought over the winter; it’s great for more than just chilis and soups! Try these Greek Chicken Bowls, for example, for an easy summertime meal. Just load up the pot, put it on to cook while you chop up some fresh veggies like cucumbers and tomatoes and enjoy the dish’s myriad of flavors.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Greek Chicken Bowls
Rigatoni with Summer Bolognese
Summer pasta dishes don’t have to all be mayonnaise drenched side dishes. Case in point: Rigatoni with Summer Bolognese. Making the most of sweet summer tomatoes, this homemade Bolognese highlights the beauty of fresh Farmer’s Market produce in a classic way. Great fresh or leftover, this dish will become a summer staple in your household.
Get the Recipe: Rigatoni with Summer Bolognese
Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Crispy Chicken Strips with Salad
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chicken Strips With Salad
Chipotle Beef Tostadas
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Beef Tostadas
Thin-Crust Caprese Pizza
Pizza is perfect for family dinners, especially when it’s made at home. Serve with a bean salad, a filling and hearty companion to the dish.
Get the Recipe: Thin-Crust Caprese Pizza
Curried Scallop Kebabs with Squash
The vibrant color of curried scallops matches their bold flavor and the season's beautiful yellow squash.
Get the Recipe: Curried Scallop Kebabs with Squash
Steak, Corn and Potatoes with Garlic Butter
For those nights when it’s raining but you still want to enjoy a juicy steak, check out this no-grill recipe. You’ll cover all the bases: protein, veggie and starch in a matter of minutes as you sear your steak in a large skillet and sauté your corn and potatoes to perfection. And don’t forget to top the dish with the recipe’s homemade garlic butter.
Get the Recipe: Steak, Corn and Potatoes with Garlic Butter
Mediterranean Turkey Burgers
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Turkey Burgers
Capellini with Tomatoes and Basil
It takes more time to boil the water than to cook this dish. Skinny capellini reaches al dente perfection in a flash.
Get the Recipe: Capellini with Tomatoes and Basil
Fish Tacos
These family-friendly fish tacos come together fast — and with only a handful of ingredients from your pantry. Best of all, there a few different types of fish that work well in this dish so you can feel free to ues whatever you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Fish Tacos
Vegetarian Jambalaya
Black-eyed peas add protein to this veggie-packed one-pot wonder.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Jambalaya
Arugula-Prosciutto Flatbread Pizzas
Get the Recipe: Arugula-Prosciutto Flatbread Pizzas
Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
Sausage and peppers always make for a good combo, especially when tender broccoli florets are added to the mix.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
Salami-Mozzarella Calzone
Get the Recipe: Salami-Mozzarella Calzone
Greek Grilled Chicken with Green Beans
Get chicken and veggies on the table in 30 minutes with this easy recipe.
Get the Recipe: Greek Grilled Chicken with Green Beans
Abruzzo Summer Minestrone
Take the best late-summer veggies and turn them into a soup you'll crave year-round. This recipe comes together in a half-hour and easily feeds a family of six.
Get the Recipe: Abruzzo Summer Minestrone
Orecchiette with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese
Cooking for one? Flavorful ingredients like goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes make for an exciting, perfectly portioned single serving.
Get the Recipe: Orecchiette with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese
Greek Pork Chops with Potatoes
Golden potatoes, juicy cherry tomatoes, and savory kalamata olives give this pork dish some Mediterranean flare.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pork Chops with Potatoes
Lemon Chicken and Shishito Pepper Kebabs
Shishito peppers taste slightly like a cross between bell peppers and jalapenos. They’re usually mild, but about one in 10 is quite spicy — either way, they're a good match for garlicky lemon chicken.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken and Shishito Pepper Kebabs
Grilled Chicken Parmesan
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Parmesan
Thai Chicken with Carrot-Ginger Salad
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken with Carrot-Ginger Salad
Asian Chicken Salad
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken and Chopped Veggie Salad with Sesame-Ginger Vinaigrette
Spaghetti with Spicy Scallop Marinara Sauce
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti With Spicy Scallop Marinara Sauce
Grilled Vegetables with Couscous and Yogurt Sauce
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetables With Couscous and Yogurt Sauce
Bobby's Pork Satay
Bobby marinates the pork for a few hours for tenderness and serves it with a delicious peanut sauce.
Get the Recipe: Pork Satay
Bucatini with Olive-Caper Sauce
Get the Recipe: Bucatini With Olive-Caper Sauce
Grilled Flatbread with Pork and Pineapple
Use your grill to create a simple flatbread pizza inspired by the flavors of Hawaii.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flatbread with Pork and Pineapple
Monkfish "Lobster" Rolls
Great seafood rolls don't have to be a luxury. More affordable monkfish makes a great seafood salad to top a buttered roll.
Get the Recipe: Monkfish "Lobster" Rolls
Asian-Style Grilled Chicken Salad with Cherry-Peanut Dressing
Get the Recipe: Asian-Style Grilled Chicken Salad With Cherry-Peanut Dressing
Grilled Pork Chops
Fire up the grill for Ina’s perfect pork chops. Don’t worry about extra seasonings — a little salt and pepper goes a long way when you're cooking on a smoky grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops
Fettuccine with Salmon and Snap Peas
Get the Recipe: Fettuccine with Salmon and Snap Peas
Grilled Za'atar Chicken with Cucumber-Watermelon Salad
Two tablespoons of za'atar go a long way in this weeknight dinner recipe. Use it to infuse your grilled chicken with the most incredible aroma and flavor, in just 35 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Za'atar Chicken with Cucumber-Watermelon Salad
Pork and Zucchini with Orzo
Get the Recipe: Pork and Zucchini with Orzo
Pulled Chicken Tostadas
Store-bought rotisserie chicken turns time-consuming pulled meat into dinner ready in less than half-an-hour.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Chicken Tostadas
Creamy Orzo with Prosciutto and Peas
Crispy prosciutto adds crunch to Giada’s risotto-style orzo, a crowd-pleasing side dish that can be adapted to whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Orzo with Prosciutto and Peas
Tomato Soup 2.0
Ree dresses up canned soup with a little sherry, cream, pesto and fresh tomatoes for a summer weeknight dinner that’s on the table in just about 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup 2.0
Steak-and-Potato Salad
Turn meat and potatoes into something fresh by serving them over a bed of lettuce dressed with a simple vinaigrette.
Get the Recipe: Steak-and-Potato Salad
Tuscan Beans with Tuna
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Beans With Tuna
Provencal Tuna Sandwiches
Lighten up a traditional tuna salad sandwich with an oil-and-vinegar dressing and plenty of fresh veggies.
Get the Recipe: Provencal Tuna Sandwiches
Thai Noodle-Steak Salad
Get the Recipe: Thai Noodle-Steak Salad
Mango Summer Rolls with Ginger-Peanut Sauce
If you had a late lunch and are looking for something a bit lighter to finish off your night, turn to these Mango Summer Rolls with Ginger-Peanut Sauce. Made with vermicelli noodles, spring roll rice papers and a vibrant array of veggies, these summer rolls are the perfect make-your-own, mix-and-match adventure after a long day at the office.
Get the Recipe: Mango Summer Rolls with Ginger-Peanut Sauce
Tuna Salad with Herb Toast
Get the Recipe: Tuna Salad with Herb Toast
Rose Lemon Caper Salmon
Use up leftover rose wine to make a light, refreshing sauce for seared salmon. Complete the meal with a simple lemon-dressed salad and you’ve got a summer staple weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Rose Lemon Caper Salmon
Grilled Chicken Salad with Gazpacho Dressing
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Salad With Gazpacho Dressing
Pork Chops with Charred Corn and Arugula
Bright yellow corn and peppery arugula bring fresh flavors and gorgeous colors to this simple chop.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Charred Corn and Arugula
California Salad with Hard-Boiled Eggs
Get your greens in with this fresh salad packed with west coast flavors like avocado, sprouts and a yogurt-based dressing.
Get the Recipe: California Salad with Hard-Boiled Eggs
Grilled Shrimp and Escarole
Grilled greens, shrimp and chorizo add heat and a smoky flavor to light bean salad.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp and Escarole
Falafel
How about dinner with a Mediterranean theme? Take a shot at this falafel recipe. The bright flavors of cumin and parsley pair with the earthier chickpea to create a protein packed dinner you won’t be able to get enough of. Enjoy your falafel in a pita with plenty of lettuce, tomato and tahini for an added layer of freshness that only works to elevate the dish.
Get the Recipe: Falafel
Grilled Striped Bass with Oranges and Watercress
Salty kalamata olives add another layer of flavor to zesty oranges and peppery watercress. Topped with a fish filet, it's the perfect bright summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Striped Bass with Oranges and Watercress
Tomato-Cauliflower Curry with Corn
Summer staples like tomatoes and corn turn classic veggie curry into something more seasonal. Make a big batch on Sunday and take leftovers for lunch on Monday.
Get the Recipe: Tomato-Cauliflower Curry with Corn
Pineapple Chicken Tacos
Pineapple pulls double duty in Ree’s 16-minute tacos. The juice combines with hot sauce and honey to make a sweet-and-spicy glaze for the chicken, which is later topped with broccoli slaw and fresh pineapple slices.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Chicken Tacos
Rigatoni with No-Cook Tomato Sauce
Use this easy pasta as a base for even more mix-ins like grilled chicken and fresh mozzarella.
Get the Recipe: Rigatoni with No-Cook Tomato Sauce
Grilled White Pizza with Fennel Salad
Have your salad and pizza, too! After a few minutes on the grill this cheesy pizza gets topped with crunchy fennel salad and salty pancetta.
Get the Recipe: Grilled White Pizza with Fennel Salad
Grilled Salmon and Polenta
This tasty dinner comes together in less than 40 minutes — and it’s made from start to finish on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Salmon and Polenta
Garlic & Herb Roasted Shrimp
Ina roasts shrimp with lemons, garlic and butter for fast weeknight dinner. Don’t forget the crusty bread! You’ll need some for dipping in the garlic butter at the bottom of the pan.
Get the Recipe: Garlic & Herb Roasted Shrimp
Ricotta, Squash and Honey Flatbread
Taking virtually no time to grill, these flatbreads are your quick fix in any pinch. This recipe takes simple ingredients and handles them minimally, showcasing the beautiful, fresh produce available during the summer months, while also making lighter work for you. The star of this dish? The grilled zucchini and yellow summer squash. Slightly sweet in flavor, the vegetables also adopt a bit of the charred grill flavor, also known as the delightful taste of summer.
Get the Recipe: Ricotta, Squash and Honey Flatbread
Lemon Fusilli with Arugula
Make the most of your summer produce with Ina’s five-star pasta. She tosses fresh broccoli, arugula and grape tomatoes with pasta, Parmesan and a tangy lemon cream sauce.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Fusilli with Arugula
Grilled Steak with Greek Corn Salad
Food Network Kitchen calls for cube steak, a budget-friendly cut of beef that’s been tenderized by a machine. If you can’t find it, substitute a top round steak that’s been pounded with a meat mallet.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Greek Corn Salad
Grilled Radicchio and Shrimp Salad
Grill beyond the burger with this radicchio and shrimp salad. A light, summery meal that’s on the table in less than 30 minutes. Radicchio's not your thing? You can substitute and grill romaine hearts instead.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Radicchio and Shrimp Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
Warm Chicken and Butter Bean Salad
Get the Recipe: Warm Chicken and Butter Bean Salad
Creamy Chicken and Pasta Salad
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Pasta Salad
Sheet Pan Baked Feta with Summer Vegetables
Think of this recipe as summer on a sheet pan. The warm grilled vegetables and bulgur wilt the escarole just enough to soften its flavor and texture. The balsamic reduction adds a final note of sweetness. If you are in a rush, you can use purchased balsamic reduction, but making your own takes only a few minutes. It's worth cooking up a big batch to keep on hand for drizzling on roasted or grilled vegetables, poultry, pork and fish fillets.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Baked Feta with Summer Vegetables
Grilled Halibut with Charred Tomato Vinaigrette
This dish screams easy summertime dinner and takes advantage of peak tomato season. Juicy heirlooms are a bed for the fish and sweet cherry tomatoes are lightly charred to give the vinaigrette a subtle smoky flavor. Serve with grilled country bread rubbed with garlic, a crunchy salad or buttery corn on the cob for a memorable meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Halibut with Charred Tomato Vinaigrette
