Lifestyle

21 Quick and Easy Dinners That Will Give You Summer Feels

By Faith Branch at American University

Summer should be spent relaxing by the pool and hanging out with your best friends. Even though you can hang out with your friends in your kitchen, you also need time to go outside during the summer. Try these quick recipes that will prevent you from spending more time in the kitchen than you do in the pool.

1. Lemon Basil Walnut Pesto

Summer is all about light pasta. And who knew that pesto was so easy to make?

2. DIY Amy’s Kitchen Mexican Bowl

It’s always great when you can figure out how to make your favorite frozen meals from scratch.

3. Cuban-Style Turkey Avocado Panini

Why would you go to a sandwich shop when you can have a fresh panini in under 10 minutes?

4. DIY Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burgers

What’s summer without grilling up a few burgers? These healthier chicken burgers only take 20 minutes.

5. Chipotle Burrito Bowl in a Mason Jar

You can eat this mason jar meal on the go while you adventure with your friends.

6. Zucchini-Corn Salad

This salad only takes about 10 to 15 minutes so you’ll have plenty of time to relax outside.

7. Black Bean and Mango Chopped Salad

Mangos and avocados are popular in the summer and rightfully so. You’ll enjoy the combination of the two in this salad.

8. Buddha Bowl

Yes because more avocado.

9. Kale and Watermelon Salad

This whole recipe will only take you 5 minutes.

10. Chicken Parm Pizza

Chicken parmesan belongs on a pizza. Why didn’t anybody discover this earlier?

11. Gazpacho

You don’t have to say goodbye to soup just because it’s hot outside.

12. Poke Bowl

This poke bowl will be a billion times faster and easier to make than sushi.

13. Butter Lettuce Tacos

Swapping out tortillas with lettuce will make your tacos healthier but just as good.

14. Caprese-Inspired Wrap

This easy dinner has all of the summer feels.

15. Tomato, Onion and Basil One-Pan Pasta

One-pan pasta dishes are a gift from heaven. They are honestly so easy.

16. Dishwasher Salmon and Veggies

Ok so this recipe is not as quick as the others but you can get so much done while your food is cooking, like washing all of your dishes.

17. Persian-Inspired Citrus and Mint Barley Salad

This recipe is refreshing, which is just what everyone needs during the summer.

18. Chicken and Waffle Sliders

Chicken and waffles are one of the best foods ever invented. Endless thank yous to whoever decided to make them into sandwiches.

19. Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a classic and you can eat it cold which is perfect for summer.

20. Sweet Potato, Kale and Chickpea Bowl

This protein-packed recipe will have you energized for all of those summertime hiking trips.

21. Black Bean and Butternut Squash Tacos

Tacos forever.

No one has time to spend their whole day in the kitchen when they could be outside hanging with friends or relaxing on a beach. These fast but awesome summer recipes will definitely make your summer ten times better.

Take a look at these articles for more ways to enjoy your summer:

• What Your Go-To Summer Drink Should Be Based on Your Zodiac Sign
• 6 Icy Treats That’ll Keep You Cool This Summer
• This 4-Ingredient Mocha Nice Cream Is the Perfect Summer Treat