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Photo: Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly Raibikis
You just need 20 minutes of active time in the kitchen to whip up any of these simple dinners. Each of these flavor-packed dinners serves at least four, so everyone at the table can get in on the deliciousness. Plus, all of your favorite summer ingredients—from tomatoes to zucchini noodles—give these meals a seasonal touch. Recipes like our Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas and Caprese Pasta Salad are simple, tasty meals that your family will crave all summer long.
01of 15Sheet-Pan Shrimp FajitasView RecipePhotographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly RaibikisFajitas make an excellent weeknight meal. These come together faster than ever, using quick-cooking shrimp and veggies all on one sheet pan so you can focus on family rather than cleanup.
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Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas
View Recipe
Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly Raibikis
Fajitas make an excellent weeknight meal. These come together faster than ever, using quick-cooking shrimp and veggies all on one sheet pan so you can focus on family rather than cleanup.
02of 15Pesto Chicken Quinoa BowlsView RecipeThis pesto chicken quinoa bowl is packed with herbs from the basil pesto and the Italian spice mix and gets a slight kick of heat from the red pepper. If you enjoy the flavor profile, this dish can also be made with orzo in place of quinoa.
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Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowls
This pesto chicken quinoa bowl is packed with herbs from the basil pesto and the Italian spice mix and gets a slight kick of heat from the red pepper. If you enjoy the flavor profile, this dish can also be made with orzo in place of quinoa.
03of 15Crispy Fish Taco BowlsView RecipeThe adobo sauce in a can of chipotles lends earthy heat to the crema that tops these bowls. Don’t toss out the unused peppers! Freeze them in an airtight container and pull them out to add to sauces, marinades or chili.
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Crispy Fish Taco Bowls
The adobo sauce in a can of chipotles lends earthy heat to the crema that tops these bowls. Don’t toss out the unused peppers! Freeze them in an airtight container and pull them out to add to sauces, marinades or chili.
04of 15Grilled Peach & Brie Smothered ChickenView RecipeThis super-fast and healthy smothered chicken tastes best on the deck with a chilled glass of gewürztraminer. The fruity white pairs nicely with the peaches here.
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Grilled Peach & Brie Smothered Chicken
This super-fast and healthy smothered chicken tastes best on the deck with a chilled glass of gewürztraminer. The fruity white pairs nicely with the peaches here.
05of 15Tomato Ricotta TartView RecipeJacob FoxThis simple tart showcases gorgeous, multicolored heirloom tomatoes. Aged balsamic vinegar has a beautiful syrupy texture because the longer it ages, the more evaporation takes place. Balsamic glaze can be used in its place, but keep in mind it often has added sugar.
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Tomato Ricotta Tart
Jacob Fox
This simple tart showcases gorgeous, multicolored heirloom tomatoes. Aged balsamic vinegar has a beautiful syrupy texture because the longer it ages, the more evaporation takes place. Balsamic glaze can be used in its place, but keep in mind it often has added sugar.
06of 15Sheet-Pan Poblano-&-Corn Chicken FajitasView RecipePhotographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Christine Kelly, Food Stylist / Karen RankinThese sheet-pan poblano-and-corn chicken fajitas are seasoned with mild ancho chile powder, paprika and cumin. The chicken and vegetables cook on a sheet pan under the broiler so you can forget working over a hot stove or grill to get dinner on the table fast. Plus, with only one pan, cleanup is a breeze!
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Sheet-Pan Poblano-&-Corn Chicken Fajitas
Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Christine Kelly, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin
These sheet-pan poblano-and-corn chicken fajitas are seasoned with mild ancho chile powder, paprika and cumin. The chicken and vegetables cook on a sheet pan under the broiler so you can forget working over a hot stove or grill to get dinner on the table fast. Plus, with only one pan, cleanup is a breeze!
07of 15Grilled Shrimp Boil Foil PacketsView RecipeJohnny AutryHere, we put all the components of a classic shrimp boil into foil packets for cute, individually portioned meals. Be sure to choose extra-large, shell-on shrimp, which stay plump and juicy during the 15 to 20 minutes on the grill.
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Grilled Shrimp Boil Foil Packets
Johnny Autry
Here, we put all the components of a classic shrimp boil into foil packets for cute, individually portioned meals. Be sure to choose extra-large, shell-on shrimp, which stay plump and juicy during the 15 to 20 minutes on the grill.
08of 15Sweet & Savory Hummus PlateView RecipeFresh veggies with dip, juicy fruit and even a sweet treat make up this easy-to-make picnic dinner that’s great for packing up or enjoying at home. Plus, this combo excludes the most common allergens and food intolerances (it’s free from dairy, eggs, soy, nuts and gluten) so just about everyone should be able to enjoy it without worrying.
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Sweet & Savory Hummus Plate
Fresh veggies with dip, juicy fruit and even a sweet treat make up this easy-to-make picnic dinner that’s great for packing up or enjoying at home. Plus, this combo excludes the most common allergens and food intolerances (it’s free from dairy, eggs, soy, nuts and gluten) so just about everyone should be able to enjoy it without worrying.
09of 15Caprese Pasta SaladView RecipePhotographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine KeelyThis light and fresh caprese pasta salad is brought together with a bright and tangy dressing, with fresh mozzarella pearls adding creaminess to every bite.
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Caprese Pasta Salad
Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
This light and fresh caprese pasta salad is brought together with a bright and tangy dressing, with fresh mozzarella pearls adding creaminess to every bite.
10of 15Baked Fish Tacos with AvocadoView RecipeInstead of deep-frying, the fish fillets in this quick-and-easy 5-ingredient recipe are coated with a flavorful seasoning blend and baked. Several varieties of flaky white fish can be used for these tacos. When you go to the market to purchase fish, the best strategy is to be flexible and choose the variety that looks freshest that day.
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Baked Fish Tacos with Avocado
Instead of deep-frying, the fish fillets in this quick-and-easy 5-ingredient recipe are coated with a flavorful seasoning blend and baked. Several varieties of flaky white fish can be used for these tacos. When you go to the market to purchase fish, the best strategy is to be flexible and choose the variety that looks freshest that day.
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Balsamic Chicken Pasta Bake with Zucchini Noodles
12of 15Chicken, Avocado & Quinoa Bowls with Herb DressingView RecipeArrange the toppings individually on these protein-packed grain bowls so each bite has a contrasting taste and texture. Make big batches of the salad dressing, quinoa and roasted chicken thighs and you’ll have healthy meal-prep lunches or dinners for days. Though the chicken thighs take just 15 minutes to prep, you can also make the salads with leftover chicken or store-bought cooked chicken to make prep even faster.
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Chicken, Avocado & Quinoa Bowls with Herb Dressing
Arrange the toppings individually on these protein-packed grain bowls so each bite has a contrasting taste and texture. Make big batches of the salad dressing, quinoa and roasted chicken thighs and you’ll have healthy meal-prep lunches or dinners for days. Though the chicken thighs take just 15 minutes to prep, you can also make the salads with leftover chicken or store-bought cooked chicken to make prep even faster.
13of 15Salmon Tacos with Pineapple SalsaView RecipeAn easy-to-make slaw served on the side of these salmon tacos makes for a filling and fast weeknight dinner. If you prefer more heat in these fish tacos, simply add a pinch or two of chipotle chile powder or cayenne with the chili powder.
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Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
An easy-to-make slaw served on the side of these salmon tacos makes for a filling and fast weeknight dinner. If you prefer more heat in these fish tacos, simply add a pinch or two of chipotle chile powder or cayenne with the chili powder.
14of 15Fruit, Veggie & Cheese PlateView RecipeThis healthy fruit, veggie and cheese plate is easy and affordable to pull together for a fun snack-style dinner at home or can be packed up and enjoyed as an outdoor picnic.
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Fruit, Veggie & Cheese Plate
This healthy fruit, veggie and cheese plate is easy and affordable to pull together for a fun snack-style dinner at home or can be packed up and enjoyed as an outdoor picnic.
15of 15Turkey, Cheese & Veggie PlateView RecipeThis colorful picnic dinner idea features tasty munchies you don’t need utensils for and mild flavors that kids prefer, like deli meat, cheese and crunchy raw veggies. It’s easy to assemble this complete menu, and adults will enjoy it as much as the kids. The menu calls for store-bought hummus and cookies, but you can easily make them yourself (see Tips, below).
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Turkey, Cheese & Veggie Plate
This colorful picnic dinner idea features tasty munchies you don’t need utensils for and mild flavors that kids prefer, like deli meat, cheese and crunchy raw veggies. It’s easy to assemble this complete menu, and adults will enjoy it as much as the kids. The menu calls for store-bought hummus and cookies, but you can easily make them yourself (see Tips, below).
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