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    Home » Recipes » Recipe Collections

    Savor the Flavors of Summer: 20 Mouthwatering Recipes to Try Now

    Modified: Jul 11, 2024 · Published: Jun 5, 2024 by Sharon Rigsby · Leave a Comment

    Pinterest pin showing four summer dinner meals including pesto chicken and shrimp creole.

    When the temperatures rise, there’s nothing better than a light and refreshing meal to keep you cool. That’s why I’ve put together this collection of 20 easy summer recipes perfect for those hot days when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

    Four summer dinner meals including pesto chicken and shrimp creole.

    Let’s chill out and enjoy some delicious eats!

    1
    Three Parmesan Chicken Breast topped with creamy Cucumber Salsa
    Parmesan Chicken with Cucumber Salsa Recipe
    Easy Parmesan Chicken with Cucumber Salsa is a light summer meal and part of my Simple Summer Supper series which consists of crispy parmesan crusted chicken cutlets topped with a creamy and zesty cucumber salsa.
    Check out this recipe
    2
    Two baked chicken breasts topped with pesto, mented mozzarella, and sliced tomatoes to make Chicken Pesto with Mozzarella.
    Chicken Pesto with Mozzarella
    This chicken pesto with mozzarella is an easy baked chicken breast recipe made with basil pesto, melty mozzarella, and roasted tomatoes. Ready in about 30 minutes with just a few ingredients, it's perfect for busy weeknights, make-ahead dinners, or casual entertaining.
    Chicken Pesto with Mozzarella
    3
    Close up of a large bowl of watermelon gazpacho soup
    Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho Soup
    Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho Soup is a sweet and savory bowl of healthy and nutritious deliciousness that you can have on your table in less than 20 minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    4
    A plate full of Chicken and Broccoli Pasta covered in a creamy sauce.
    Easy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Recipe (Creamy and Cheesy)
    If you’re looking for a deliciously comforting meal to whip up on busy weeknights, look no further than my easy recipe for Easy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta. This family favorite combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and al dente pasta enveloped in a delicious cream sauce that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
    Check out this recipe
    5
    A bowl of mushroom carbonara topped with bacon and garnished with chopped parsley.
    Easy Creamy Mushroom Carbonara Recipe with Bacon
    The mere mention of the title of this recipe for Easy Creamy Mushroom Carbonara with Bacon should send your taste buds into a frenzy and your senses into a state of pure culinary bliss.
    Check out this recipe
    6
    Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli and Canadian Bacon in a skillet.
    Easy Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli
    Easy Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli and Canadian Bacon is an easy dinner recipe and part of my Simple Summer Supper series. It’s a kid-friendly meal that you can have on the table in just 15 minutes flat.
    Check out this recipe
    7
    A bowl of shrimp creole served over rice.
    Creamy Cajun Shrimp Recipe
    This Creamy Cajun Shrimp is a quick and easy one-skillet dinner packed with bold Louisiana flavor! Juicy shrimp simmer in a zesty Cajun cream sauce with tomatoes, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
    Check out this recipe
    8
    Skillet Gnocchi in a cast-iron skillet full of gnocchi, mushrooms, spinach, and cherry tomatoes.
    Brown Butter Skillet Gnocchi Recipe with Mushrooms
    Embrace the epitome of comfort food with my Brown Butter Skillet Gnocchi with Mushrooms, a culinary masterpiece that will warm your soul and tantalize your taste buds.
    Check out this recipe
    9
    Stir-fried shrimp and broccoli on a white plate with chop sticks.
    Easy Shrimp and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
    Spice up your dinner routine with this mouth-watering twist on a classic Chinese take-out, Quick and Easy Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry! Loaded with veggies, it is not only downright delicious but also low in calories and a must-try for shrimp lovers.
    Check out this recipe
    10
    Shrimp and Bacon Quesadillas on a plate with avocado and salsa toppings
    Shrimp Quesadillas with Bacon Recipe.
    Shrimp and Bacon Quesadillas are full of delicious shrimp, bacon, and melted cheese all wrapped up in a crunchy tortilla.
    Check out this recipe
    11
    A black skillet full of stir fried broccoli and chicken.
    Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
    Go stir-fry crazy with this healthy, filling, and flavorful Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry recipe! The secret is in my special tasty brown sauce and delicious marinade. It's super easy to make and it's perfect for those nights when you are pressed for time. 
    Check out this recipe
    12
    Shrimp Pasta Salad in a white bowl garnished with a sprig of dill.
    Roasted Shrimp Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
    Roasted Shrimp Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is a magical combination of fresh succulent shrimp, orzo pasta and a tasty lemon vinaigrette that you can make in less than twenty minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    13
    A blackened grouper filet on a plate with grits, garnished with a lemon slice.
    Blackened Grouper Recipe
    In this recipe, the blackening seasoning infuses the grouper with a subtle spicy flavor that hits all of the right notes, and a quick sear in cast-iron skillet seals in the fish's briny sweetness for a truly delicious dish. 
    Check out this recipe
    14
    Two clear glass bowls of gazpacho.
    Easy Gazpacho – Cold Spanish Soup
    Gazpacho – Cold Spanish Soup is one of my favorite "go-to" dishes, not only in the summer but all year long. Gazpacho is full of healthy tomato and vegetable goodness, and this hearty, cold Spanish soup is also quick and easy to prepare. With a food processor or vegetable chopper, you can have it on the table in ten minutes or less.  
    Check out this recipe
    15
    A white bowl full of Shrimp Caesar Salad with homemade croutons and dressing.
    Easy Shrimp Caesar Salad Recipe
    Shrimp Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing is a crowd-pleasing main-dish salad with crisp romaine leaves, juicy roasted shrimp, crunchy croutons, and parmesan cheese. It's quick and easy to prepare, low-calorie, healthy, and a family favorite.
    Check out this recipe
    16
    Pan seared red snapper topped with mango salsa served over rice.
    Easy Pan-Seared Red Snapper Recipe with Mango Salsa
    Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Mango Salsa is an easy, restaurant-quality seafood main dish you can have on the table in 20 minutes or less. This simple, tasty red snapper recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and makes a show-stopping dinner party entrée.
    Check out this recipe
    17
    Pan Fried Fish with Blistered Tomatoes on a white plate garnished with crumbled feta cheese
    Pan-Fried Fish with Blistered Tomatoes Recipe
    In this Pan Fried Fish and Blistered Tomatoes recipe, fresh grouper fillets are quickly seared, then cherry tomatoes are cooked until their skins are charred, which gives them a uniquely sweet flavor. A decadent lemon, parsley, butter sauce full of scallions and briny capers finishes off this light summer meal.
    Check out this recipe
    18
    Wild rice chicken salad topped with cranberries.
    Wild Rice Chicken Salad with Cranberries
    Flavorful Wild Rice Chicken Salad with Cranberries is a stunning, make-ahead, cold main dish salad showcasing a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and textures. 
    Check out this recipe
    19
    Pecan crusted fish fillets garnished with lemon slices.
    Quick and Easy Pecan-Crusted Fish Fillets Recipe
    Pecan-Crusted Fish Fillets cooked to flaky perfection is my new favorite seafood dish. With fresh grouper fillets coated in crunchy, buttery pecans and crispy panko, this easy recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort. 
    Check out this recipe
    20
    Corn and Crab Bisque in a white Dutch oven garnished with parsley.
    Corn and Crab Bisque (Easy & Quick)
    Brimming with fresh, succulent blue crab meat and tender sweet corn, this Corn and Blue Crab Bisque is as easy to prepare as it is delicious. This is a simple classic recipe that is perfect for everything from a cold winter evening to a light summer meal.
    Check out this recipe

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, content creator, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

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