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Summer Dinner

13 Easy Summer Dinners That Truly Save the Day

When you’re hungry and tired after fun in the sun, these save the day dinners do just that
Summer Dinner

It’s summertime, and the days are long, slow, and full of sunshine and fun. But between the kids home from school and tons of activities to attend, it can be challenging to plan and cook a nutritious meal for the family. Savory is here to help you keep your cool this summer with “save the day” recipes and easy summer dinners that you can rely on all season long. These meals come together in a snap without much time spent standing over a hot stove or a grill. They’re kid-friendly and simple to prepare using a short list of ingredients, many of which are probably in the pantry or freezer right now. So, go ahead and stay a little later at the playground or take that extra lap in the pool. These easy summer dinners will help you keep calm and summer on, deliciously.  

Chicken Skewers with Broccoli and Yogurt Sauce  

To fuel up without feeling weighed down on muggy summer nights, these grilled chicken kabobs hit the spot. Bite-sized pieces of chicken threaded on skewers are ready after just 10 minutes on the grill. They’re paired with broccoli and rice that cook effortlessly in the microwave and a refreshing yogurt sauce spiked with cucumber and mint.  

Get the recipe: Chicken Skewers with Broccoli and Yogurt Sauce  

Baja Fish Tacos  

These irresistible fish tacos are inspired by the ones served in Baja, Mexico, where eating to beat the heat is a way of life. Tender pieces of fish fry up in minutes before piling into corn tortillas with cabbage-cilantro slaw. Seltzer is the secret ingredient in the batter that creates an ultra-light and crispy crust.  

Get the recipe: Baja Fish Tacos  

Fusilli with Quick Tomato Butter Sauce  

If you’ve got 15 minutes and a craving for comfort food, this satisfying pasta is a suppertime superhero. The luscious sauce is simple to make using canned tomatoes, onion, butter, and Parmesan. Mix it up by stirring in frozen veggies or serve with Italian sausage or frozen meatballs for extra protein—it’s one of our go-to easy summer dinners.  

Get the recipe: Fusilli with Quick Tomato Butter Sauce  

Chopped Chinese Chicken Salad  

Toss together this five-ingredient, meal-in-one salad in the morning, then let it chill in the fridge while you enjoy a day of summer fun. The combo of shredded rotisserie chicken, crunchy slaw, edamame, and almonds in sesame ginger dressing tastes even better the longer it sits.  

Get the recipe: Chopped Chinese Chicken Salad    

Pork and Pineapple Tacos  

The richly flavored marinade comes together in the blender and is key to this mouthwatering riff on tacos al pastor. Thin slices of marinated pork can hang out in the fridge for a few hours or up to a day until you’re ready to eat. The pork and rings of fresh pineapple cook in minutes on the grill for satisfying tacos with a hit of sweet, smoky flavor.  

Get the recipe: Pork and Pineapple Tacos  

Vegetarian Skillet Tortilla Casserole  

For busy home cooks, a casserole can always save the day, but no one wants to turn on the oven during the dog days of summer. This plant-powered tortilla casserole cooks in a cast-iron skillet on the backyard barbecue instead. Layered with two kinds of beans, veggies, and a Mexican cheese blend, it’s a slice-and-serve spin on taco night.  

Get the recipe: Vegetarian Skillet Tortilla Casserole  

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes  

We enlisted a couple of kitchen helpers —frozen onions and peppers and the slow cooker—for this impossibly easy version of sloppy Joes. The whole family will love diner-style sammies piled high with saucy, seasoned ground beef. And you’ll love that this hearty meal requires just five minutes of simple prep.  

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes  

BBQ Chicken and Corn Salad  

Rather than preparing a complete cookout spread with a main course and multiple sides, this meal-worthy salad lets you enjoy all the flavors in one dish. Chicken, corn, and avocado are cooked on the grill before getting tossed with beans, crisp veggies, and sweet onion dressing.  

Get the recipe: BBQ Chicken and Corn Salad  

Cheeseburger Bowls  

One of our favorite easy summer dinners will save the day when the kids want cheeseburgers again, but you want to shake up the summertime dinner routine. All the components of a fast food burger—seasoned ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, and pickles—take on new life as a composed salad complete with hamburger bun croutons and “secret sauce”.  

Get the recipe: Cheeseburger Bowls  

Easy Marry Me Chicken  

Whether you’re dining solo, as a duo, or with the family, you’ll swoon for this irresistible chicken recipe that requires just one pot and three minutes of prep. Boneless chicken thighs simmer to tender perfection in a luscious sauce made with sun-dried tomato pesto and cream for a memorable meal that hits the table in 15 minutes. 

Get the recipe: Easy Marry Me Chicken 

Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna  

This plant-powered lasagna will save the day when you’re feeding a hungry crew of reluctant veggie eaters and it’s too hot to turn on the oven. It sneaks in extra nutrients by replacing half of the noodles with two kinds of summer squash, and it comes together in the slow cooker for a low-lift meal that serves up to 10. That means leftovers! 

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna 

Sheet Pan Philly Cheesesteaks  

Banish summer blahs with an impromptu backyard picnic or dinner on the patio starring this crowd-pleaser you can eat with your hands. Philly cheesesteaks towering with seasoned beef, peppers, and onions are easy to make using store-bought cheese sauce and a single sheet pan.  

Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Philly Cheesesteaks  

Tuna Melt Nachos 

Tuna salad from the deli counter can always save the day when you’re looking for a quick and easy source of tasty protein. Here, it’s the unexpected star of easy sheet pan nachos topped with melty cheese and all your favorite Tex-Mex fixings.  

Get the recipe: Tuna Melt Nachos 

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