Plan your summer dinner with these 49 delicious recipes! Classic comfort food and fresh seasonal favorites make every night of the week something to look forward to.
Even though summer is in full swing here in Lancaster Co. and the days are long and hot, I still love to cook the classics, or dishes that have a delicious take on them. This week’s menu includes Garlic Parmesan Meatloaf, Hearty Italian Sausage Rigatoni and a beautifully healthy Ginger Soy Cod that I can’t wait to try for the first time.
I’m pairing those tried-and-true comfort recipes with some of the best seasonal cooking of the year, think All-American Lipton Onion Soup hamburgers hot off the grill, tender balsamic glazed asparagus and the juiciest corn on the cob steamed in milk and butter. To me, it’s the most perfect combination of summer cooking!
This week’s menu has something special for every night of the week, whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy weekday, hosting a dear friend for Sunday dinner, or just treating yourself and your husband to a quiet, delicious meal at home. Let’s cook a good meal this week!
Mondays are one of my busiest blogging days, so when I see a recipe that gets a delicious dinner on the table in just 15 minutes, I’m excited to make it! Bang Bang sauce is the perfect combination of creamy, sweet and a little spicy and I think it would be absolutely amazing on salmon.
Sesame garlic noodles and balsamic glazed asparagus round out the menu for a complete dinner that feels anything but rushed.
Bang Bang Salmon in 15 minutes
Sesame Garlic Noodles
Balsamic Glazed Asparagus
Chicken Cacciatore has always been one of Bobby’s favorites, so Tuesdays will be a very happy night at our house! This Creamy Chicken Cacciatore looks rich, deeply flavored and just the kind of comforting dinner that’s worth waiting for after a long day of seeing patients.
Linguini, and a fresh orzo Greek pasta salad round out the menu beautifully.
Creamy Chicken Cacciatore
Linguini
Orzo Greek Pasta Salad
There’s nothing like roasting chicken, and I do it often! It’s one of those meals that continues to put a lovely dinner on the table, wonderful leftovers for the next day, and then I use the carcass to make the most nutritious homemade stock or bone broth. If you plan to make stock, I recommend starting with organic chicken.
This Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken looks like an absolute beauty, slathered in herb butter and roasted to golden perfection. Make Ahead Mashed potatoes and green beans with mushrooms make this a great, soul-satisfying meal.
Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken
Next make the mashed potatoes
Green beans with mushrooms
Lipton Onion Soup Hamburgers are pure nostalgia for me! I grew up on these juicy, flavor-packed burgers and they’re still as delicious today as they were then. We follow the directions on the box, and the result is a burger that’s hard to beat. We love making them on the grill, but they’re just as easy to cook on the cooktop or in the oven. For the oven, simply preheat the oven to 375 degrees, then cook for about 6 to 7 minutes on each side.
Broccoli Salad with Bacon, Raisins, and Cashews is the perfect summer side for this classic cookout dinner.
Lipton Onion Soup Hamburger + Fixins’
Broccoli Salad with Bacon, Raisins and Cashews
If you’ve followed the menu for any length of time, you probably know that I really love a good cod loin! There’s something about that thick, meaty fillet that just lends itself beautifully to bold flavors, and I can’t wait to try this healthy ginger soy cod with its delicious, Asian-inspired sauce. And that corn!
Corn on the cob boiled in milk and butter is exactly how we make it at home, and I promise you, it turns out extra delicious and incredibly juicy every time. A cool, crisp cucumber salad pulls the whole meal together perfectly.
Healthy Ginger Soy Cod
Corn on the cob boiled in milk and butter
Cucumber salad
Comfort food done right is one of life’s simple pleasures, and this hearty Italian sausage rigatoni is just right! Easy to make, quick to pull together and pretty tasty. Even though it’s just Bobby and I tonight, I think this pasta totally deserves the company. And the remains? They make for a lunch or two that’s really something to look forward to.
A great Caesar salad with homemade dressing is the perfect companion to this hearty, satisfying pasta.
Hearty Italian Sausage Rigatoni
Best Caesar Salad with Homemade Salad Dressing
My dear friend Donna is joining us for dinner tonight, and I’m making this Garlic Parmesan Meatloaf in her honor because it’s one of her absolute favorites!
Here’s a little kitchen tip I like to share: Adding 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per pound of ground beef will make your meatloaf extra tender. It’s pure science, and it really works!
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole and Pan-Fried Garlic Bacon Broccoli is sure to be a fantastic Sunday dinner, and we’re finishing the evening off with sweet mixed berry crisps topped with vanilla ice cream. He loves crisps recipes and ice cream is his favorite. He eats with a fork.
Garlic Parmesan Meatloaf
Loaded mashed potato khichdi
Pan-Fried Garlic Bacon Broccoli
Mixed berry crisp With vanilla ice cream
Muffins never last long around our house, and these Mixed Berry Muffins are no exception! Nothing beats a hot, just-baked muffin with a good cup of coffee. I plan to set aside a couple to enjoy now, but the rest will go straight into the freezer next week when we have family from out of town. The perfect little treat to have on hand!
Mixed Berry Muffin
This Cracked Corn Salad There’s a fresh, crowd-pleasing summer side that quickly disappears into any cookout or gathering.
This Best Chicken Chesapeake Recipe (with Maryland Crabs) A beautiful combination of tender chicken and sweet Maryland crab that tastes really special.
Crispy Smashed Potato Salad Takes everything you love about smashed potatoes and turns them into the most irresistible summer salad.
This French Onion Slow Cooker Dump Chicken With rich French onion flavor and almost zero effort, it’s pure weeknight magic.
French-inspired chicken pot pie Takes a beloved classic and elevates it with elegant French flavors that make it feel like something truly special.
This Raspberry Peach Cake A stunning summer dessert that celebrates two of the season’s most beautiful fruits.
Steakhouse Potato Romanoff Creamy, cheesy and deeply satisfying, this potato dish steals the show at any dinner table.
Neiman Marcus cake A legendary dessert that lives up to every bit of its reputation, rich, indulgent and utterly unforgettable.
Lobster Pot Pie Humble comfort food turns a classic into something truly luxurious and worthy of a special occasion.
Baked Artichoke Hearts with Seasoned Breadcrumbs An easy, elegant side or appetizer that delivers big, delicious flavor with very little fuss.
Eggs Benedict Quiche with Hollandaise Sauce Takes two brunch favorites and combines them into one spectacular dish perfect for entertaining.
Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta with Bacon A rich, satisfying pasta that brings together the sweet flavors of summer corn with smoky bacon and tender chicken.
This Spaghetti Salad A fun, delicious twist on pasta salad that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings.
Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie Recipe A lovely classic British comfort dish with a golden, flaky crust and creamy, savory filling.
Creamy Southern Pea Salad A cool, crisp and satisfying side that brings a little Southern charm to any summer table.
This The most delicious Chopped Italian Grinder Sandwich Recipe Full of bold Italian flavors and makes for a most satisfying lunch or casual dinner.
Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake It is the ultimate no-bake summer dessert that is loved by everyone from kids to adults.
Rice Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies A delightful twist on the classic, with a wonderful crunch in every bite.
This An irresistible Mediterranean pasta salad It bursts with fresh, vibrant flavors and makes a beautiful addition to any summer spread.
Simple Berry Cheese Tart (An Easy Puff Pastry Dessert) An elegant yet effortless dessert that looks like it came straight from a French patisserie.
This Coleslaw Orzo Salad Fresh, creative twists on two summer favorites that work beautifully as a side dish or light lunch.
Key lime pound cake It brings bright, tangy citrus flavors to a soft, buttery pound cake that’s pure summer on the plate.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad All the flavors of your favorite loaded baked potato in a fun, crowd-pleasing salad form.
This Banana Icebox Cake A cool, creamy, no-bake dessert that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Bacon Onion Tomato Pie A delicious, Southern-inspired pie that celebrates the best flavors of summer in every single slice.
Tortellini Pasta Salad A hearty, flavorful salad that works beautifully as a side dish or a satisfying light meal.
Chef John’s Hot Sloppy Joe Dip Classic Sloppy Joe takes all the bold, saucy flavors and turns them into the most addictive party dip.
Giada’s Sheet Pan Layerless Lasagna Delivers all the rich, comforting flavors of traditional lasagna with a fraction of the effort, making it a brilliant weeknight dinner.
I hope this week’s menu gives you plenty of delicious inspiration, whether you’re firing up the grill, roasting a chicken, or sitting down over a comforting bowl of pasta with someone you love. There’s something on this menu for every night of the week, and I can’t wait to hear which dishes become new favorites at your table. As always, I’m so grateful you’re here.
Happy cooking, friends!
