Summer recipes should work with you, not against you—and these ones practically cook themselves. When it’s hot out, no one wants to stand over a stove or deal with complicated steps. These are the kinds of meals that come together fast, let the ingredients shine, and don’t ask much in return. You’ll spend less time cooking and more time doing literally anything else.
Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.
Pesto Tortellini Salad
This tortellini pasta salad comes together in 20 minutes with fewer than 10 ingredients. It’s a smart summer pick when you want something fast and no stress.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad
Summer Gazpacho
Cold gazpacho cools you down without cooking and uses fresh ingredients already in your fridge. It’s a go-to when you need something quick during hot days.
Get the Recipe: Summer Gazpacho
Mango Avocado Salad
Mango, avocado, and vinaigrette make this salad come together fast with no extra work. It’s a solid option for summer meals that don’t need much effort.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad
Chickpea Tuna Salad
Chickpeas make this salad filling and fast, and it works as a bowl or sandwich. Great for when you want something ready in 10 minutes that still feels like a meal.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Tuna Salad
Veggie Pinwheels
These veggie pinwheels are quick to roll up and require zero cooking. They're a smart pick when you need something light and easy in the middle of a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pinwheels
Mexican Corn Salad
This Mexican corn salad skips the stove and still brings strong flavor. It’s great for summer days when you want something cold and ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Salad
Heirloom Caprese Salad
Caprese salad uses six ingredients and takes no time to prep. It’s a top choice for summer when you want something easy that still feels fresh.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Caprese Salad
Mediterranean Black Bean Salad
Black beans and a quick lime dressing make this a solid 10-minute option. It’s perfect when you want something fast and filling without heating up the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean Salad
No Mayo Coleslaw
A creamy peanut dressing and crunchy slaw come together in minutes. This one fits right in with summer recipes that don’t ask for much.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Coleslaw
Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad
Shrimp, watermelon, and sesame lime dressing make this come together quickly with strong crunch. It’s the kind of recipe that makes sense all summer long.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad
Spinach Avocado Salad
Avocado, spinach, radish, and cotija keep this salad light but still interesting. It’s a great choice when you need something quick that feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad
Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad
Radicchio and endive with honey mustard dressing bring a good mix of crunch and bite. It's a solid pick when you want something fast but not boring.
Get the Recipe: Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad
Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop
Scallops and butter sauce turn a simple pasta into dinner with very little prep. This one works when you want something low-effort that still feels like cooking.
Get the Recipe: Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop
Best Lemon Pasta
Lemon pasta takes 15 minutes and works with ingredients you likely already have. It's exactly the kind of meal that keeps summer cooking simple.
Get the Recipe: Best Lemon Pasta
15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
This honey garlic chicken is ready in 15 minutes and works with any cut of meat. It's one of those recipes that’s great to have on hand when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: 15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
Avocado Tuna Salad
This avocado tuna salad is fast to prep and makes a solid lunch. It’s a strong pick for summer when you want something cold and filling without cooking.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta
Creamy zucchini pasta with parmesan gives you a rich flavor without much work. It fits perfectly into a summer dinner plan when you want to keep things light.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta
Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad
Orzo with shrimp, cucumber, and herbs pulls together fast for a fresh lunch. It’s a good one to keep in rotation when meal prep needs to stay easy.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad
Lemon Garlic Scallops
Lemon garlic scallops cook in minutes and use just one pan. It’s a great option for nights when you want something quick that still feels like dinner.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops
Tomato Basil Bisque
Tomato basil bisque uses fresh ingredients but still brings a bit of comfort. It’s great when summer starts to fade but you're not ready for fall cooking yet.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Parsley Pesto Salmon
Parsley pesto salmon uses herbs and garlic to build flavor without extra effort. It’s a weeknight fix that makes sense when you want something simple and done.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Salmon
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