24 Great Summer Dinner Ideas For Families

Warm weather may mean it's time to break out the BBQ, but it also means putting some of those standby soups, stews, and other cold-temperature dishes on the back burner for the season. Finally! If you're searching for Summer dinner inspiration for your family, look no further. These 24 recipe ideas feature seasonal ingredients and are sure to satisfy both kids and parents, no matter how busy your schedules during the warmer months! Read through to get a look at some of our favorite dishes that are just begging to be gobbled up all season long.

01
Pasta Primavera
Culinary Hill

Pasta Primavera

This light take on Pasta Primavera will have your kids asking for seconds, and, er, maybe even thirds!

02
Tropical Hot Dogs
POPSUGAR Food

Tropical Hot Dogs

Skip the mustard and ketchup and go for tropical toppings instead with these pineapple, pepper, and cilantro-topped hot dogs.

03
Mexican-Style Chicken Sliders
POPSUGAR Food

Mexican-Style Chicken Sliders

Head south of the border with a lighter patty recipe using ground chicken and a variety of spices. Our Mexican-style chicken sliders will have lil ones shouting ole!

04
Pasta With White Beans and Tomatoes
Good Life Eats

Pasta With White Beans and Tomatoes

This simple pasta recipe has seasonal favorites like arugula and white beans for creaminess. Adding sausage is a fun way to break away from the usual meatballs.

05
Spring Veggie Frittata
POPSUGAR Food

Spring Veggie Frittata

This veggie-packed recipe for a Spring frittata swaps out much of the expected cheese for seasonal greens — a great "breakfast for dinner" recipe.

06
Zesty Taco Salad
POPSUGAR Food

Zesty Taco Salad

Give family taco night a healthy, lighter spin with an easy recipe for Zesty Taco Salad.

07
Whole Wheat Orzo With Artichokes and Peas
POPSUGAR Food

Whole Wheat Orzo With Artichokes and Peas

A hearty, healthy dinner that's ready in just 15 minutes is sure to perk up the ears of most any busy mama. Flavorful artichokes and English peas play the starring role in this veggie-packed orzo recipe.

08
Salmon Teriyaki
POPSUGAR Food

Salmon Teriyaki

An Asian-inspired salmon teriyaki is made especially for Summer with the addition of crunchy, green snow peas.

09
Brainy Salmon Burger
POPSUGAR Food

Brainy Salmon Burger

Ground beef does not a burger make! Jessica Seinfeld shares a recipe for Salmon Burgers that are more than a fish on a bun. They're omega-3 fatty acid-filled brain boosters!

10
Oven-Baked Fish Sticks
The Cookie Rookie

Oven-Baked Fish Sticks

These crispy oven-baked fish sticks will be a surefire crowd-pleaser as soon as they hit the table!

11
Baked Cheeseburger Sliders
The Cookie Rookie

Baked Cheeseburger Sliders

Put a healthy spin on this tried-and-true kid favorite with a baked cheeseburger slider recipe your kids will love, sans too much oil.

12
Crock-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Fit Foodie Finds

Crock-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Dive into a warm bowl of Asian-inspired Crock-Pot honey garlic chicken that makes for the perfect weeknight meal.

13
Taco Beef and Kale Bowls
Inspiralized

Taco Beef and Kale Bowls

A hearty taco beef and kale bowl means that even Taco Tuesday gets the healthy treatment.

15
Baked Honey Mustard Chicken
Creme de la Crumb

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

Baking chicken instead of frying is already a healthy move — this honey mustard chicken is a great way to start making baking a habit in the most delicious of ways.

16
General Tso's Chickpeas
Well Plated

General Tso's Chickpeas

General Tso's chicken just got a healthy reboot with this chickpea twist that eliminates the usual main ingredient: fried chicken.

17
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Pinch of Yum

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Not only can this fried rice be whipped up in 15 minutes, but it's also a lot lighter than traditional rice, as the recipe calls for cauliflower instead!

18
Cauliflower Burgers
Pinch of Yum

Cauliflower Burgers

These colorful cauliflower burgers are all veggie without sacrificing taste.

19
Turkey Tacos
Culinary Hill

Turkey Tacos

These turkey tacos are sure to spice up your family's Taco Tuesday (or Wednesday or Thursday or Friday!) and only take about 15 minutes to whip up.

20
Zucchini Noodle Veggie Lo Mein
GI 365

Zucchini Noodle Veggie Lo Mein

Ditch take-out lo mein and spiralize some of your family's favorite veggies to make your own version of lo mein with so much less salt but all of the flavor.

21
Cheesy Chicken Baked Avocados
How Sweet Eats

Cheesy Chicken Baked Avocados

These mouth-watering Cheesy Chicken Baked Avocados put a healthy spin on your kids' favorite meal of the day.

22
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Dinner at the Zoo

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

We can't get enough of these delicious Stuffed Zucchini Boats — which are jam-packed with nutritious goodness — during the Summer months.

23
Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
Le Creme de la Crumb

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

There's a good chance your kids order a version of this Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry when you're out to family dinner. Try putting your own spin on the classic at home!

24
Chipotle Lime Salmon
Spicy Southern Kitchen

Chipotle Lime Salmon

Little adventurous eaters will love chowing down on this Chipotle Lime Salmon that hits all the right notes.