Happy summer! This weeknight dinner menu plan is packed with 50 delicious recipes to make your weeknights even easier and tastier.
Happy official summer! There’s something about this time of year that puts everyone in a good mood, and that energy carries right into the kitchen. Summer is in full culinary swing with beautiful produce at farm markets, long evenings on the patio and so many wonderful reasons to gather around the table.
One of the best things you can do for yourself this season is to plan dinner. When you know what’s on the menu for the week, everything seems calmer and more enjoyable. No more standing in front of the refrigerator at 5 o’clock wondering what to make! This week’s menu has 48 delicious recipes to choose from, so whether you follow it day by day or mix and match to suit your family, there’s plenty of inspiration to keep dinner fresh and exciting all week long.
Isn’t this a lovely dinner? And it comes together in about 20 minutes, making it my kind of meal for a busy Monday!
We love all the bright, fresh Mediterranean flavors in this pasta. It is very satisfying and easy.
To complete the meal, we like to serve crusty bread with a quick herbed olive oil for dipping.
To make the oil dip, combine 1/3 cup olive oil with a good pinch of dried oregano, rosemary, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Add 1 to 2 finely crushed cloves of fresh garlic, mix well, and serve in a small dish. It tastes just like the dipping oil you find in a good Italian restaurant!
I also love this oil drizzled over pasta or served with grilled fish or chicken. It’s incredibly versatile and takes minutes to pull together.
🌿 Tip Box: This dipping oil doubles beautifully as a quick pasta sauce. Toss it with warm pasta, a handful of cherry tomatoes and a sprinkling of Parmesan for an almost instant weeknight dinner.
Mediterranean pasta
Arugula salad with shaved parmesan, pepitas, in a lemon vinaigrette
Crusty Bread with Olive Dipping Oil (recipe above)
I love salmon cake. I ate them as a child, and they hold such a warm place in my heart. But this Air Fryer Salmon Cake is nothing like it was years ago. They are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and full of flavor!
If you’ve never tried salmon cake, or haven’t had it since childhood, this is the recipe that will win you over.
And please don’t leave out the homemade tartar sauce. It takes minutes to make and is so much better than anything you’ll find in a jar.
🌿 Tip Box: Canned salmon works beautifully in this recipe. Look for wild-caught salmon for the best flavor. Drain it well, but keep the bones; They are rich in calcium. Break them into the salmon with a fork to crumble them and then mix the salmon into the cake.
Delicious Air Fryer Salmon Cake with Homemade Tartar Sauce
Lemon Orzo
Honey mustard coleslaw
Sliced ​​fresh tomatoes
These Baked Chicken Legs with Garlic and Dijon are the kind of recipe you’ll be making on repeat. The chicken comes out very tasty and nicely browned. The classic dill pickled potato salad and crisp wedge salad round out the meal nicely, and the homemade strawberry cobbler provides a sweet and easy finish to the evening.
This is an easy, messy meal to share with friends. Everything comes together without much effort, which means more time at the table enjoying good company.
For an extra layer of flavor, try this balsamic marinade on drumsticks. 1/2 cup olive oil, juice of one lemon, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 cloves fresh garlic Fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine glass fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine glass fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine powder It also makes a wonderful drizzle over roasted vegetables. This is a keeper!
🌿 Tip Box: Make the balsamic marinade the night before and marinate the chicken legs overnight in the refrigerator. The longer they marinate, the deeper and more delicious the flavor will be.
Baked Chicken Legs with Garlic and Dijon
Dill Pickled Potato Salad
A classic veggie salad
Easy Homemade Strawberry Cobbler
We’re big fans of chili here, and when I need something hot and comforting, I turn to this recipe. I make it on the stovetop and let it simmer low and low, giving it time to come up with all those delicious flavors. We serve it in a large, shallow bowl with sour cream, chopped red onion, grated cheddar and a handful of crispy air-fryer tortilla strips on top.
It is very easy to make tortilla strips. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees. 4 Stack the tortillas and cut them into strips with a pair of scissors. Toss them lightly in the oil and air fry in single-layer batches for about 4 minutes, turning halfway through, until lightly golden. Sprinkle with a little salt and serve immediately.
Baked ranch rice and a Southwestern salad round out this meal nicely.
🌿 Tip Box: Chili tastes better the next day when the flavors have had time to settle and cool. Make a big pot and plan on the leftovers. It reheats wonderfully on the stovetop over low heat.
Simple and excellent chili
Baked Ranch Rice
Southwestern salad
All the fixins
Oven-baked ribs are so easy and turn out wonderfully tender. We often finish them on the grill to give them a smoky flavor and a bit of char. This is a simple technique that makes them feel really special. A classic baked potato makes this a satisfying and easy Friday night dinner.
And if you make one thing this week, make it Panzanella Salad. I could eat it every day all summer long. Those big chunks of crusty bread drenched in tomato and vinaigrette are just irresistible.
🌿 Tip Box: For the best panzanella, let the bread sit in the dressing for 10 minutes before serving. The bread absorbs all those wonderful flavors, and the whole salad comes together beautifully.
Oven Roasted Country-Style Ribs
Restaurant-Style Baked Potatoes
Panzanella Salad: Tuscan Bread Salad
I love dinners where I don’t have to take care of things in the kitchen when company comes over. This Cracked Chicken Roll Up Lasagna is perfect for that. I can assemble everything ahead of time, have it in the oven for when company arrives, and then put the finishing touches on it before we sit down. Caesar salad with homemade dressing is all it needs.
For dessert, I’m making a tart cherry galette. It’s my go-to dessert when friends come over for dinner. I always get rave reviews and the crust gets the highest praise every time. The beauty of galette is that it’s rustic and forgiving, and it works beautifully with almost any fruit. Cherries are popping up at our local farm market right now, so that’s what I’m putting in this.
🌿 Tip Box: A galette crust can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Pull it out about 15 minutes before you’re ready to roll it out and fill it. It makes entertainment so easy!
Cracked Chicken Roll Up Lasagna
Caesar salad with homemade salad dressing
Sour cherry galette with vanilla ice cream
Chicken taco soup is a year-round staple in our house. It’s one of those super-easy, dump-and-cook recipes that everyone at the table loves. Rich, hearty and full of flavor, it’s the kind of meal that never gets old. Sweet Cream Cornbread is what I call a “doctor-the-box” recipe, meaning I start with a box mix and add a few simple ingredients that take it to another level. It is the perfect complement to this soup.
Top the soup with air-fryer tortilla strips from Thursday’s menu.
🌿 Tip Box: Top your chicken taco soup with sour cream, shredded cheddar, sliced ​​avocado, and fresh lime. A handful of crushed tortilla chips on top adds a wonderful crunch!
Best Chicken Taco Soup
Sweet Cream Cornbread
A mixed salad with a simple lime vinaigrette
.These Lemon Cookies with Lemon Cream Filling are almost too pretty to eat! Wouldn’t half a dozen of them in a little box and tied with a yellow bow make the cutest gift? They are as beautiful as they are delicious.
I just got a new set of pastry tips, and I can’t wait to use them on these gorgeous cookies. I think they won’t last long here!
🌿 Tip Box: While the lemon cream filling, the large star tip (8B) gives these cookies a beautiful bakery look. Refrigerate the filled cookies for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the filling to firm up and hold its shape.
Lemon Cookies with Lemon Cream Filling
This guide is ongoing How to Freeze Summer Herbs A practical, helpful resource for making the most of your fresh summer herbs all year round.
This Showstopper Rolled Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Balsamic Glaze As stunning on the table as it is delicious.
This Mini Cherry Pies in a Mason Jar They are as charming as they are delicious, making the sweetest personalized desserts for summer entertaining.
This Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce Elegant enough for company but simple enough for a relaxed weeknight dinner.
This Amazing Philly Cheesesteak Melt Pure comfort food.
This No-Bake Chocolate Tart Rich, silky, and requires zero oven time.
Frito Cowboy Cabbage A fun and crunchy side dish that disappears quickly.
This Bacon Green Bean Bundles A classic side dish that never fails to impress at the dinner table.
This Vietnamese Spring Roll Salad All the fresh, bright flavors of a spring roll in one beautiful bowl.
This Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas Rich, cheesy, and the kind of meal the whole family craves over and over again.
This 20 Minute Beef Broccoli Lo Main Comes together faster than takeout and tastes better.
This Ramen Noodle Salad It’s one of my all-time favorites with its wonderful crunch and bright, tangy dressing.
This Grilled Mozzarella Pesto Sandwich Melty, herby and absolutely satisfying for a light lunch or easy dinner.
This Cherry Clafotis A classic French dessert that is rustic, elegant and surprisingly easy to make.
This Bacon Onion Tomato Pie A delicious, satisfying slice that works beautifully for dinner or a lazy weekend brunch.
This Corn Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette A bright and fresh summer side that pairs well with everything off the grill.
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Full of flavor and perfect for summer grilling.
This Tomato Peach Cherry and Burrata Salad with Herb Vinaigrette A wonderful summer salad that celebrates the best of the season.
This Cheesy Potato Casserole Hot, creamy and the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish.
This Raspberry Lemon Cake Bright, beautiful and tastes like celebration.
This Basil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce It’s fresh, flavorful, and comes together for a perfect weeknight dinner.
This Magnolia Bakery Blueberry Jamboree A dreamy, layered dessert that’s sure to be the star of any summer gathering.
This Sweet Corn and Zucchini Pie A wonderful way to celebrate summer garden at its best.
This Watermelon and feta salad with mint and balsamic lime drizzle Cool, refreshing and very pretty on the summer table.
This Macaroni Coleslaw Salad A classic potluck favorite that everyone always goes back for seconds.
I hope this week’s menu gives you some great ideas and makes dinner time a little easier and a lot tastier. Summer is such a beautiful season to cook, and I love sharing it with you here. Get those recipes, make your list and enjoy every bite. If you have any easy recipes or tips, please share them with us in the comments.
Have a great week guys…
