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    Home » Summer Recipes

    21 Easy Set It and Forget It Dinners We’re Making All Summer Long

    Published: Aug 8, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy easy and hassle-free dinners that let you spend more time outdoors. These 21 simple recipes are designed to be set up and left to cook, making weeknight meals a breeze. From slow-cooked favorites to quick oven bakes, these dishes will keep your evenings relaxed and delicious.

    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are simple to prepare and full of flavor, taking just 5 minutes to get ready. Each pack includes cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon, creating a complete meal all in one. Using frozen cod helps ensure the fish stays perfectly cooked.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Chili

    Ground Beef Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Ground Beef Chili is a simple dish you can prepare in a slow cooker. Packed with beans, corn, and peppers, it brings a taste of the Southwest to your table. It's a healthy option that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for those warm summer days when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans

    Crockpot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    Crockpot chicken with potatoes and green beans is a simple dinner that you can prepare with minimal effort. Everything cooks together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. This dish is perfect for those warm summer days when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Beergarita Chicken Tacos

    Beergarita Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Crockpot Beerarita Chicken Tacos feature tender shredded chicken cooked in a delicious blend of beer and margarita flavors. This dish is perfect for a simple taco night, bringing a fun twist to your usual tacos. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a tasty meal that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers are a great option for a simple dinner. Filled with ground turkey, rice, enchilada sauce, black beans, and corn, these peppers are both healthy and filling. They cook up nice and tender, making for a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy. Plus, they can easily be made vegetarian or vegan if you prefer. Best of all, you can put them together quickly and let the slow cooker do the work.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Roast Beef is a quick and easy dinner option that everyone will love. In just 50 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious meal featuring a tasty herb crust on the outside and juicy, tender meat on the inside. With only a few simple ingredients, this dish is perfect for a summer evening.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Rosemary Lemon Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Rosemary Lemon Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Mommy Evolution.

    Lemon and rosemary come together beautifully in these slow cooker chicken thighs, creating a dish that's sure to please everyone at the table. The fresh citrus flavor adds a nice zing, while the rosemary brings a lovely scent that fills the kitchen. This is a great option for dinner any night of the week.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal is a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking it. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that's full of flavor. It's a great option for a relaxed dinner, letting you enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Gumbo

    Slow Cooker Gumbo.
    Photo Credit: The Cagle Diaries.

    Slow Cooker Gumbo is a great choice for a comforting meal packed with the rich flavors of New Orleans. It's easy to prepare and lets you enjoy a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. This dish brings together a mix of ingredients that create a hearty and satisfying experience, perfect for any night of the week.

    Get the Recipe

    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies

    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    A tender turkey breast roasted with garlic and butter rests on a mix of delicious low-carb vegetables, making for a straightforward and fulfilling meal. This one-pan dinner is loaded with protein and is perfect for enjoying throughout the week.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken is a great option for a simple dinner that feels like takeout without the extra calories. This easy recipe is gluten-free and skips added sugar and MSG, making it a healthier choice. It's a dish that everyone in the family can enjoy, perfect for those busy summer nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    Ground beef and crispy bacon come together in this chili, creating a hearty and satisfying dish. With a variety of tasty toppings, it's perfect for summer dinners when you want something easy and filling. This chili is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

    Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    An easy dinner option for busy nights is here with this Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken recipe. This dish puts a fun spin on regular chicken, making it a hit with the whole family. It's simple to prepare and perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want to keep things light and easy.

    Get the Recipe

    One Pot Burrito Bowl

    Burrito bowl.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    These Mexican burrito bowls are simple to prepare and can be made in just one pot in about 30 minutes, which means less time cleaning up afterward. They're a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Enjoy a flavorful meal that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
    Photo Credit: Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen.

    Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a warm and cozy dish that's perfect for winding down after a long day. Pair it with some crusty bread to soak up the cheesy goodness, and you've got a satisfying meal. It's simple to prepare and lets you enjoy a hearty soup without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With only four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it prepped in just five minutes and on the table in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a great way to save time while still enjoying a delicious meal. It's a hearty pasta sauce that captures all the classic flavors, but you can whip it up quickly using simple ingredients you probably already have at home. Perfect for busy summer nights, this dish lets you enjoy a comforting dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

    Slow cooker country style ribs served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Cheerful Cook.

    This is my favorite recipe for super easy, fall-apart ribs. The simple ingredients and steps make it the perfect go-to dinner when you don't have a lot of time to cook.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika

    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features tender chicken cooked in a rich paprika sauce with garlic and onion. It's a comforting and tasty option for dinner that requires minimal effort. Perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils
    Photo Credit:Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup is a nutritious dish that's full of protein from red lentils. With its comforting spices, this soup is simple to prepare using an Instant Pot, Crockpot, or on the stove. It's a great option for a healthy meal that you can enjoy any time.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let it cook on its own. It combines chicken, vegetables, and plenty of sauce, all in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    More Summer Recipes

    • Grilled pineapple upside down cake.
      28 Light and Fruity Desserts That Were Made For Summer
    • Pasta salad.
      20 Best Salad Recipes for Summer
    • Taco pasta salad.
      18 Summer Pasta Recipes That Skip the Heavy Sauces
    • Caprese orzo pasta salad.
      19 Pasta Salads Bursting With Summer Flavor
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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