15 Quick Summer Meal Ideas for Busy Families

For most people, the idea of summer conjures up rest, relaxation, and fun in the sun. However, in reality, summer often turns into hectic days filled with kids’ activities, vacations, and you trying to work while the kids are home from school. With everything going on, it can be tough to come up with a quick summer meal for your family when dinner time comes around. 

The good news is that you don’t have to fret for long. Summer is actually the perfect season for quick and simple meals. Fresh produce is plentiful, grilling season is in full swing, and nobody wants to spend hours standing over a hot stove. People prefer fast, family-friendly meals, and to help you out, we have compiled a list of tasty and quick summer meal ideas that will fit in perfectly with your family dynamic during this warmer season.

BBQ Chicken Sliders

Any quick summer meal list must include great BBQ recipes, and we have you covered. The recipe for BBQ chicken sliders is relatively straightforward. Combine shredded rotisserie chicken with barbecue sauce, then pile the mixture onto slider buns and top with coleslaw. Serve it with watermelon slices, corn on the cob, or baked beans for a complete summer dinner. The entire meal can be assembled in less than 20 minutes, and your family will love it.

Salsa Burgers

No summer season is complete without burgers. You can serve regular hamburgers, which are always good, or add some flair with this tasty salsa burger recipe. Once you have all of the ingredients, mix tomato, green sweet pepper, onion, jalapeno peppers, garlic, cilantro, and salt in a bowl. Then, shape the mixture into oval patties. Grill the patties until they’re the perfect temp. Then, top the burgers with salsa and cheddar. Sour cream and guacamole are optional. 

Consider pairing your burgers with a good fruit salad. It’s incredibly easy to make. Get a bowl and add in strawberries, blueberries, grapes, watermelon, pineapple, and anything else you and your kids enjoy. The fresh fruit helps keep the meal lighter while embracing seasonal flavors.

Quesadillas

Quesadillas are the ultimate “I need dinner in 15 minutes” meal. Fill the tortillas with cheese and whatever leftovers you have on hand. Chicken, steak, beans, spinach, peppers, and corn are all great options. Cook them for a few minutes until each side is golden brown. Then, serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. You typically can’t go wrong with quesadillas, and even if all of your kids want something different, it’s still rather quick to prepare.

Firecracker Steak Recipe

For something quick and a bit different, try our famous firecracker steak recipe. Your kids may not think they love steak, but once you top it off with green chilies and garlic, they are likely to change their tune. The ingredient list is pretty short, too: olive oil, lemon and lime juice, green chilies, garlic, and your steak. Mix everything but the steak in a roasting pan. Then, add the steaks. Be warned that you will want to marinate the steak for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator. However, this is a recipe that you can start in the morning before work and have ready for dinner. Serve with salsa for an extra pop of flavor.

Pasta Salad with Protein

When you’re really crunched for time, consider making a salad. Make a salad even healthier by adding protein. Cook a box of pasta, allow it to cool, then toss it with vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and bell peppers. Add grilled chicken, tuna, shrimp, or diced ham for extra protein. Lunches make for a great, quick summer meal because you can often throw lettuce and your toppings in a bowl and serve right away without needing to warm it up or do much else. Plus, the leftovers will make excellent lunches.

Rotisserie Chicken Wraps

When it comes to providing a quick summer meal, keep in mind that you don’t need to make everything from scratch. For instance, take store-bought rotisserie chicken, which may be one of the greatest summer meal shortcuts ever invented. Simply shred the chicken and combine it with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, cucumbers, or ranch dressing, then place it in a tortilla. You can even create a wrap bar where family members build their own combinations. 

There’s also the option to prepare chicken Caesar wraps. Combine chopped romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan cheese inside a large tortilla. Wrap tightly and serve immediately. The meal feels substantial while requiring only a few ingredients, and for extra convenience, you can use bagged Caesar salad kits and leftover chicken.

The best part is that one rotisserie chicken often provides enough meat for multiple meals throughout the week (and if you have a Costco membership, you can get one for $4.99!) 

Baked Beans

Though not every kid will be a fan, you can make a quick and savory meal by preparing a dish of sweet and tangy baked beans. Our recipe is very simple. It includes a large can of pork and beans, mustard, brown sugar, ketchup, and bacon. All you have to do is mix everything but the bacon together in a pan, then place the bacon on top. This recipe will involve allowing the beans to cook for up to an hour at 350 degrees, but you can allow them to cook while you do other things. Before you know it, the meal will be ready to serve.

Taco Night

Tacos remain one of the fastest and most versatile family meals available. The routine is simple: brown ground beef, turkey, or chicken, add taco seasoning, and set out toppings buffet-style. A selection of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, avocado, black beans, and corn allows each family member to build their own perfect taco. In addition to being delicious, tacos can satisfy picky eaters by allowing them to customize the meal to their liking. You can save more time by purchasing pre-shredded lettuce and store-bought salsa.

Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers

Another fun and tasty quick summer meal involves veggies and chicken skewers. After all, nothing says summer quite like cooking on the grill. Chicken and vegetable skewers are one of the easiest meals to prepare because everything cooks together. Simply cube chicken breasts, thread them onto skewers with bell peppers, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes, and grill for about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with rice, couscous, or fresh fruit for a complete meal. Get the kids involved by having them safely assemble the skewers. 

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese

Most kids love macaroni, so why not make a quick summer meal that satisfies all their cravings? Our special recipe features secret ingredients such as Tabasco sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, and dry mustard. In about 15 minutes and fewer than 10 steps, you can make a dish that will hit the spot. You can add a bit more protein by adding chopped chicken or ground beef.

Caprese Pasta

When tomatoes are at their summer peak, Caprese pasta becomes a quick and easy crowd-pleaser. To prepare, cook the pasta, then toss it with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, olive oil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Add grilled chicken for extra protein. This is an easy meal that highlights fresh seasonal ingredients without requiring much cooking beyond boiling pasta. 

Sheet Pan Fajitas

Sheet pan meals are a perfect summer meal for busy evenings because they’re amazingly delicious, and cleanup is minimal. To prepare, slice chicken, onions, and bell peppers, toss with olive oil and fajita seasoning, then roast everything together on a sheet pan. Serve it up with tortillas and your favorite toppings. The entire meal is typically ready in about 30 minutes and requires very little hands-on effort.

Mexican Casserole

While initially, the name may make it seem like a complicated dish, our Mexican casserole recipe is quick and delicious. All you need is a bag of tortilla chips, two pounds of lean ground beef, a can of Mexican stewed tomatoes, and a package of shredded Mexican 4-cheese blend. Once you mix everything together, you will need to bake it uncovered at 350°F for 40 minutes, but the time goes relatively quickly, and it will be worth the wait. Top it off with a selection of toppings, from diced onions and black olives to roasted corn and zucchini. 

Greek Chicken Bowls

During the summer season, grain bowls remain popular because they're nutritious, versatile, and easy to assemble. Start with rice, quinoa, or couscous. Add grilled chicken, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and tzatziki sauce. If you’re short on time, you can make many of the components ahead of time. The fresh vegetables make this meal especially refreshing during hot weather and days out by the pool.

Homemade Personal Pizzas

When you’re having doubts about what your kids will eat, look no further than pizza. While your kids are home from school, involve them in the prep by having them create their own perfect pie. Using naan bread, pita bread, or pre-made pizza crusts, allow each family member to create their own pizza. Provide toppings such as pepperoni, vegetables, cheese, chicken, and sauce, or anything else they like. Bake for about 10 minutes, and dinner is served.

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