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    Home » Summer Recipes

    22 Easy Set It and Forget It Dinners You’ll Be Making All Summer Long

    Published: Jul 10, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Summer is the perfect time for easy dinners that require minimal effort. With these 22 simple set-it-and-forget-it recipes, you can enjoy delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. From slow-cooked favorites to quick oven bakes, these dishes will keep you satisfied all season long.

    Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
    Photo Credit: Busy Day Dinners.

    This Greek chicken sheet pan dinner brings together a tasty mix of ingredients inspired by fresh Mediterranean flavors. It's a simple meal that you can prepare without much effort, making it perfect for summer evenings. Each bite is packed with flavor, making it a satisfying choice for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, mushrooms, and spinach with pasta in a rich tomato sauce. This dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends. It's easy to prepare and will quickly become a favorite in your home.

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    Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

    Apricot Chicken Slow Cooker.
    Photo Credit: Peters Food Adventures.

    Apricot Chicken in the slow cooker is a great choice for dinner this summer. It's simple to prepare with fresh apricots and uses everyday ingredients. The Sweet Thai Chili Sauce adds a nice flavor that everyone will enjoy. This dish is perfect for warm evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Roasted Lemon-Rosemary Chicken and Cauliflower

    Roasted Lemon-Rosemary Chicken and Cauliflower.
    Photo Credit: Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen.

    One-pan roasted lemon-rosemary chicken with cauliflower is full of flavor and simple to prepare. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish combines juicy chicken with tender cauliflower, all infused with the bright taste of lemon and the aromatic touch of rosemary.

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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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Thirty Something Supermom.

    This recipe is a simple way to prepare a tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's perfect for summer evenings when you want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing. With minimal effort, you can have a satisfying meal ready to go, making it a great choice for busy days.

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    Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

    Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    Boneless chicken thighs are seared and then simmered gently in a delicious sweet and sour sauce until they're super tender. This dish is packed with vibrant bell peppers and juicy pineapple, making it a tasty alternative to takeout. It's perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Mississippi Pot Roast

    Mississippi Pot Roast.
    Photo Credit: TropRockin.

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast is incredibly tender and packed with flavor. It's perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without putting in a lot of effort. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can enjoy a hearty meal that everyone will love. This pot roast is sure to become a favorite at your dinner table.

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    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken

    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken thighs get a flavorful upgrade with this easy recipe that features a homemade jerk seasoning. It's a simple way to add some spice to your dinner routine. Perfect for summer, this dish is all about minimal effort and maximum flavor.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    This chili is warm and full of flavor, and it's super simple to prepare. Just toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do its thing. It's perfect for those hot summer days when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili

    Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Beefy slow cooker hot dog chili is a great way to elevate your hot dog experience. Whether you're grilling your hot dogs or warming them up in the crockpot with the chili, this topping adds a hearty and flavorful twist. It's a simple way to enjoy a classic favorite, making your summer meals even better.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables is an easy way to whip up a healthy and filling meal. This dish is great for busy weeknights when you need something quick and tasty. Just toss everything on a sheet pan, let it cook, and you have a complete dinner ready to enjoy.

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    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

    Chicken thighs and pineapple sauce in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken is a simple dish that combines sweet and spicy flavors. With just four ingredients, this chicken recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It's an easy option that requires minimal effort, making it a great choice for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Baked BBQ Chicken

    Baked BBQ Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This recipe is a great choice for a weeknight dinner. Juicy chicken thighs are covered in a tasty glaze that adds a lot of flavor. It's simple to prepare and perfect for those warm summer evenings.

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    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Dinner can be simple with this honey mustard chicken made in a crockpot. The combination of mustard, honey, and garlic creates a delicious flavor that requires very little prep and cleanup. It's perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker Jambalaya Pasta

    Slow Cooker Jambalaya Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Slow Cooker Jambalaya Pasta is packed with delicious ingredients and requires minimal effort. With chicken, smoked sausage, shrimp, vegetables, and a rich broth all simmering together, this dish brings the classic flavors of jambalaya to your table without the usual fuss. It's a simple and satisfying meal that's perfect for any night of the week.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Turkey Tenderloin

    Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Turkey Tenderloin.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow cooker pulled BBQ turkey tenderloin is a simple and tasty meal for any weeknight. The turkey tenderloins cook slowly in a flavorful homemade BBQ sauce, making them tender and juicy. Once it's done, just shred the turkey and mix it with the sauce for delicious sandwiches, wraps, or whatever you like.

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    More Summer Recipes

    • Grilled chicken skewers.
      Grill Like a Pro: 18 Easy Ideas for Your Labor Day Cookout
    • Grilled steak.
      22 Easy Grilling Recipes for a Chill Labor Day
    • Cowboy beans.
      20 Southern Summer Recipes to Try Before Fall
    • Pesto tortellini.
      20 Easy Summer Pasta Recipes That Are Bursting with 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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