There’s something about summer recipes that makes getting back into the kitchen feel exciting again. When the days are long and the vibe is laid-back, cooking shouldn't feel like a chore—it should actually be fun. These are the kinds of recipes that don’t take themselves too seriously but still get the job done. Think low-stress, high-reward meals that bring a little energy back to your routine. If you’ve been stuck in a rut, this is the refresh you didn’t know you needed.
Pesto Tortellini Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.
Summer Gazpacho
Cold gazpacho is quick to prep and hits the spot when the heat kicks in. It’s a smart pick for hot days when you want cooking to feel easy again.
Get the Recipe: Summer Gazpacho
Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
This slow cooker green bean casserole takes just 10 minutes of prep and runs itself. It's a great choice for packed days when you still want fresh food on the table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Green Beans and Potatoes
Green beans and potatoes cook fast with just the basics. It’s proof that farmers market staples can still make cooking feel worth it.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans and Potatoes
Classic American Potato Salad
This potato salad has a creamy base and gets better after a night in the fridge. It’s perfect for cookouts and takes the pressure off day-of prep.
Get the Recipe: Classic American Potato Salad
Pesto Tortellini Salad
This tortellini pasta salad is done in 20 minutes and uses fewer than 10 ingredients. It’s an easy win for anyone who wants quick sides that still feel fresh.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad
Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut
Stir-fried green beans with coconut and spices are ready in 30 minutes. They bring bold flavor and make summer cooking feel like less of a chore.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut
Quick Cherry Tomato and Garlic Confit
This cherry tomato confit needs almost no work and leans on the oven. It’s one of the easiest ways to stretch summer produce a little further.
Get the Recipe: Quick Cherry Tomato and Garlic Confit
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus takes five ingredients and a little time to pull off. It’s a go-to side that proves summer cooking doesn’t need to be complicated.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus
Zucchini Soup
This zucchini soup comes together fast with what’s already in season. It’s a smart fix when you’ve got extra squash and not much energy.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Soup
Squash and Zucchini Casserole
This cheesy squash and zucchini casserole is done in 30 minutes and easy to make. It’s one of those meals that turns a pile of vegetables into something solid.
Get the Recipe: Squash and Zucchini Casserole
Eggplant Casserole
Eggplant, herbs, and cheese bake down into a layered dish that’s filling without being heavy. It’s the kind of thing you make when one good market find does all the work.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole
Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese
Green bean casserole with cream cheese comes together fast with fresh or canned beans. It fits anywhere—from weeknight dinners to holiday spreads—without slowing you down.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese
Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup
This one-pot cabbage soup is full of vegetables and works well for batch cooking. It’s a great solution when you bring home more greens than planned.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup
Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad
Radicchio and endive with a creamy honey mustard dressing bring crunch and a little edge. It’s the right mix when spring is fading and summer starts rolling in.
Get the Recipe: Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad
Keto Baked Parmesan Salmon
Parmesan salmon bakes fast and leaves barely any cleanup. It's a strong pick when you want dinner done with minimal effort and a little crunch.
Get the Recipe: Keto Baked Parmesan Salmon
Lemon Garlic Scallops
Lemon garlic scallops cook quickly in just one pan. They're the kind of fast, fresh dinner that fits right into a busy summer night.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops
Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad
Shrimp, feta, cucumber, and herbs tossed with orzo make for a quick, cool meal. It’s a smart choice for prepping lunch ahead without turning on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad
Parsley Pesto Salmon
Parsley pesto salmon uses herbs and garlic to bring sharp flavor fast. It’s low-effort and makes weeknight cooking feel a little more exciting.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Salmon
Avocado Tuna Salad
This avocado tuna salad is fast, filling, and packed with protein. It’s one of those simple combos that just works when the weather’s hot.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Best Lemon Pasta
Lemon pasta takes just 15 minutes and brings bold flavor with barely any work. It’s a weeknight go-to that keeps things light and quick.
Get the Recipe: Best Lemon Pasta
Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema
Grilled chicken with cilantro crema is simple to prep and hits right when it’s hot out. It’s the kind of recipe that makes chicken feel new again.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema
Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew
Slow cooker beef stew brings the comfort without heating up the kitchen. It’s a smart call when you still want something hearty in warmer months.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew
Tomato Basil Bisque
Tomato basil bisque mixes fresh ingredients with a bit of creaminess. It’s a good way to hold onto summer before fall starts creeping in.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque
Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemons and Almonds
Baked walleye cooks quickly and keeps things light. It’s perfect for nights when the oven needs to stay off but dinner still needs to happen.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemons and Almonds
15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
Honey garlic chicken takes just 15 minutes and works with whatever cut you’ve got. It’s one of those fast fixes that makes summer dinners easier.
Get the Recipe: 15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken
Thai Yellow Curry
Thai yellow curry is loaded with vegetables and comes together with little effort. It’s a solid choice when you want something filling without a long cook time.
Get the Recipe: Thai Yellow Curry
Summer Slow Cooker Frittata
This slow cooker frittata is packed with summer vegetables and needs barely any prep. It works just as well for a casual dinner as it does for brunch.
Get the Recipe: Summer Slow Cooker Frittata
Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop
Butter sauce and scallops turn basic pasta into a strong dinner move. If your summer meals need a refresh, this one hits the mark.
Get the Recipe: Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop
Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad
Shrimp, watermelon, veggies, and sesame lime dressing bring together sweet and savory. It’s a fast, no-cook meal that gets you out of the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad
Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta
Creamy zucchini pasta with parmesan is rich without being heavy. It’s a great pick when you want a break from the usual but don’t want to overdo it.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta
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