• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Parallel Plates
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
×
Home » Dinner

You’ll Eat These 25 Dinners With the Windows Open and a Breeze

Published: Jun 25, 2025 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

These are the kind of dinners you want to eat with the windows open and a breeze coming through. They’re simple, full of flavor, and exactly what you want after a long day—nothing too heavy, nothing too fussy. Just great food that tastes like it belongs to this time of year. You don’t need a special occasion, just a fork and maybe someone to share it with.

A plate filled with Fennel Orange Salad with fresh fruit slices on the background.
Fennel Orange Salad. Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Easy Air Fryer Samosas

An image of air fryer samosas on a plate that's ready to be served.
Easy Air Fryer Samosas. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Air fryer samosas come out crisp with minimal hands-on work. They’re a useful option for dinner starters when you want something simple but full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Samosas

Fried Avocado Tacos

An overhead view of three fried avocado tacos on parchment paper surrounded by garnishes.
Fried Avocado Tacos. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Fried avocado tacos layered with refried beans and poblano sauce come together quickly on corn tortillas. They’re a relaxed option for dinner when you want something easy but still well-rounded.
Get the Recipe: Fried Avocado Tacos

Jamaican Rasta Pasta

An overhead image of cooked rasta pasta on a serving bowl.
Jamaican Rasta Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This vegan rasta pasta is made with everyday ingredients and lightly spiced sauce, coming together in about 30 minutes. It works for a weeknight dinner when you need something fast but still substantial.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

An image of split pea soup divided into two bowls.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Slow cooker split pea soup cooks down into a creamy, hearty dish packed with vegetables and herbs. It’s a strong dinner choice when you want something that requires little attention but still hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Garlic Kale Salad with Lemon

An overhead image of two bowls of lemon garlic kale salad.
Garlic Kale Salad with Lemon. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Garlic kale salad with pecorino, pepitas, and a garlicky green dressing brings sharp, balanced flavor. It’s a practical dinner side when you want something crisp and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Kale Salad with Lemon

Grilled Corn Salad

Grilled Corn Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Grilled corn salad with cumin-orange dressing takes little time and uses simple prep. It’s helpful for dinner when you’re already grilling and need something fresh that doesn’t take extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Salad

Cauliflower Nuggets

A close up image of cauliflower nuggets on a plate with sauce on the side.
Cauliflower Nuggets. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cauliflower nuggets with a crisp breadcrumb coating cook up easily by baking or frying. They’re useful for dinner when you're after something crunchy with minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Nuggets

Fennel Orange Salad

Fennel Orange Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Fennel orange salad combines crisp fennel and peppery greens with a citrus vinaigrette. It’s a good companion for dinner when you're aiming for something quick and light on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Fennel Orange Salad

Pesto Tortellini Salad

A close up view of cooked tortellini pasta salad in a white bowl.
Pesto Tortellini Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This tortellini pasta salad comes together in about 20 minutes using fewer than ten basic ingredients. It works well for dinner during warmer evenings when you want something quick but complete.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Burrata with marinated tomatoes and herbs makes a simple dish that feels complete. It’s a good fit for dinner when you want to keep things cool and avoid the stove.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Pizza Sliders

An image of a hand picking up one pizza slider from the baking pan.
Pizza Sliders. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Pizza sliders filled with vegetables and cheese require very little prep and bake fast. Their size and ease make them well-suited for dinner when you’re after something low-effort and shareable.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sliders

Vegan Pizza

Vegan Pizza. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Grilled vegetable pizza with herb pesto and a dairy-free cheese spread works as a complete dinner that stays on the lighter side. It’s a good option when you're in the mood for something hot and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pizza

Tofu Lettuce Wraps

An overview of five tofu lettuce wraps on a white plate.
Tofu Lettuce Wraps. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tofu lettuce wraps combine crisp vegetables with seasoned tofu for a light meal that doesn’t take much time. They’re a good dinner pick when you're looking for something fresh that still feels like a real meal.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Steak Sandwich

Steak Sandwich. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Ribeye steak sandwiches with cheese, onions, and pesto aioli come together quickly and pack a lot into each bite. They’re a strong choice for dinner when you want something hearty without a long cook time.
Get the Recipe: Steak Sandwich

Spicy Soba Noodles

An overhead image of spicy soba noodles in a bowl.
Spicy Soba Noodles. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Spicy soba noodles bring heat and crunch with a nutty base and quick-cooked vegetables. They make sense for dinner when you want something bold that doesn’t take long to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Soba Noodles

Roasted Artichokes

Roasted Artichokes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Roasted artichokes come with deep flavor and a simple prep that doesn’t require much more than time. They’re a dependable choice for dinner when you want something hands-on without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Artichokes

Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos

An overhead image of three sweet potato black bean tacos.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tacos with sweet potatoes and black beans come together fast, with lime crema tying everything together. They’re a good dinner option when you want something easy that still feels like a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos

Charred Zucchini Salad

Charred Zucchini Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Charred zucchini with feta, hazelnuts, and a citrus-forward dressing takes minimal effort. It fits well into dinner when you're pairing with heavier mains and want contrast in texture.
Get the Recipe: Charred Zucchini Salad

Vegetarian Enchiladas

A close up image of a serving of vegetarian enchiladas on a plate.
Vegetarian Enchiladas. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegetarian enchiladas baked in red sauce with queso turn out rich and deeply flavored. They’re a solid option for dinner when you want something filling without a long prep.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Enchiladas

Antipasto Farro Salad

Antipasto Farro Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Farro combined with Mediterranean ingredients holds its texture well and can be made in advance. It works well for dinner when you need a steady option that doesn’t mind sitting out for a bit.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Farro Salad

Mango Avocado Salad

An overhead image of avocado salad in a serving bowl.
Mango Avocado Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mango and avocado tossed with a lemon vinaigrette make for a quick salad that doesn’t require cooking. It’s a good fit for dinner during warmer months when you want something fresh with no heat involved.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Pea and Mint Soup

Pea and Mint Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Pea and mint soup made from frozen peas and fresh herbs comes together quickly with minimal cleanup. It’s useful for dinner when you’re serving heavier items and want something lighter on the side.
Get the Recipe: Pea and Mint Soup

Veggie Quesadilla

An overhead image of veggie quesadilla on a serving board with a dip on the side.
Veggie Quesadilla. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Quesadillas filled with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and cheese come together fast for a hot, filling dish. They’re a dependable dinner option when time is limited but you want a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Quesadilla

Dandelion Greens and Beans Skillet

Dandelion Greens and Beans Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dandelion greens sautéed with two types of beans make a meal that comes together fast. It’s a practical choice for dinner, especially when paired with other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Dandelion Greens and Beans Skillet

Mexican Fruit Cup

An image of Mexican fruit cup with sliced limes on the side.
Mexican Fruit Cup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Watermelon and mango sprinkled with Tajín come together in minutes for a chilled fruit cup. It’s a smart pick for dinner when you want something cool and quick without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Fruit Cup

More Dinner

  • A serving of Maple Dijon Chicken Sheet Pan in a plate.
    Maple Dijon Chicken Sheet Pan
  • Easy Homemade Margherita Pizza

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Close up headshot

Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

More about me →

Popular

  • Overhead image of cozy bowl of potato and sausage chowder with breads on the side.
    Potato And Sausage Chowder
  • Close-up of a bowl of Stuffed Pepper Soup, garnished with parsley, ready to serve.
    Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • A slice of Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars on a white plate in the foreground, with another slice on a pile of plates in the background.
    Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars
  • A serving of Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells on a plate.
    Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure & Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up!

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2024 Black Bicycle LLC