14 Summer Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less
The faster you’re done, the cooler you’ll be.
Hovering over a hot stove for hours is the last thing you want when summertime hits. Either you want to be outside in the sunshine or inside cool as a cucumber in the air conditioning. But neither of those scenarios is conducive to getting dinner on the table. Alas, everyone still needs to be fed! And that’s where these 30-minute summer dinners come in. In a half hour or less (as little as 15 minutes, in fact), you can make them from start to finish and go about your evening.
Call them lazy meals if you want, but you’ll also call them delicious! These summer dinners make the most of seasonal produce while also not being super complicated. Take cherry tomato pasta, for example. It’s positively bursting with fresh flavor thanks to the tomatoes and basil, but it’s also a 30-minute meal. Or make pizza bites when your garden is completely overrun with zucchini. You’ll be happy, the kids will be happy, and all will be right with the world.
And remember, the stove isn’t the only method of cooking. Take advantage of those fast and flavorful grill recipes—that smoky goodness isn’t just for weekends. Or if it’s rainy, pull out your air fryer. It won’t make your kitchen super hot, and everything will be done faster than your kids can say “I’m hungry!” Summer dinners you can make in 30 minutes or less are the way to save your sanity this season, so go ahead and try one tonight.
Pesto Salmon
Making salmon is so easy that you’ll even have time to make pesto from scratch! You can also use the jarred kind, of course. Serve with a simple salad or some crusty bread and dinner is ready.
Get Ree’s Pesto Salmon recipe.
Cherry Tomato Pasta
This couldn’t be easier to throw together any night of the week! While the pasta cooks, you whip up a quick sauce with garlic, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, and fresh cherry tomatoes. A dollop of ricotta makes it extra special.
Get the Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Summer often comes with an abundance of zucchini. Turn slices into mini pizzas! Use store-bought sauce and they come together in no time. They’re both kid- and adult-friendly, too!
Get the Zucchini Pizza Bites recipe.
Veggie Fajitas
You don’t have to have meat. These hearty fajitas prove that a tortilla full of veggies is just as satisfying. Here, mushrooms, peppers, squash, and zucchini are seasoned to perfection. All you need is a sprinkle of cheese at the end.
Get Ree's Veggie Fajitas recipe.
Caprese Chicken
Caprese is summertime food perfected. Why not turn all those flavors into a protein-rich main course? Mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a balsamic reduction really amp up simple chicken.
Get Ree's Caprese Chicken recipe.
Garlic Shrimp
Dinner will be done in just 15 minutes when you make this slightly spicy, super garlicky meal. You can serve it over pasta (try angel hair!) or with a side of crusty bread to sop up all the goodness.
Get the Garlic Shrimp recipe.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Hot dogs couldn’t be easier when popped in an air fryer. They come out perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside—and this method keeps the heat of boiling water or a grill away from you. Serve with a simple veggie side and you’re done.
Get the Air Fryer Hot Dogs recipe.
Grilled Mahi Mahi
Mahi mahi is a mild white fish that’s firm enough for a grill but cooks up nice and flaky. It's light, mild, and perfect served with a simple salad, some seasoned rice, and lemon wedges to squeeze over the top.
Get the Grilled Mahi Mahi recipe.
Classic Cheeseburgers
Why save burgers for the weekend when they’ll be so satisfying on a weeknight, too? Pile ‘em high with all your favorite toppings and serve with chips, fries, or a simple veggie.
Get the Classic Cheeseburgers recipe.
Asparagus Pasta
Fresh asparagus (or you can swap out for broccoli or kale) pairs really well with an easy lemony cream sauce, salty bits of bacon, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. It takes just 15 minutes of prep.
Get the Asparagus Pasta recipe.
Tex-Mex Chicken Caesar Salad
Give classic Caesar salad a zesty twist! Toss together rotisserie chicken, avocado, romaine lettuce, and monterey jack cheese in a smoky, spicy chipotle dressing. Then top with tortilla chips for extra crunch.
Get Ree's Tex-Mex Chicken Caesar Salad recipe.
Pork Fried Rice
Cut down on the chopping by using a bag of frozen veggies. Use leftover rice and a few easy flavor mix-ins and fried rice will be done in just 30 minutes. That’s faster than takeout!
Get Ree’s Pork Fried Rice recipe.
Seared Steak with Sesame Noodle Salad
Perfectly seared steak paired with a vibrant, tangy sesame noodle salad will give you the crunch, zing, and savory goodness you crave. You can serve the noodles cold or warm, too!
Get Ree's Seared Steak with Sesame Noodle Salad recipe.
Lemon Pasta
Get a taste of the Amalfi Coast without leaving home. You need just a few simple ingredients and 25 minutes to make it. You'll have a flavorful dinner bursting with lemony freshness, all in one pot.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
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