Summer is the ideal time for family fun, and what better way to finish off a busy day with a meal everyone is sure to love? We share our top 25 easy kid-friendly dinner recipes that will leave your summer nights completely stress-free and enjoyable.
Everything from quick pasta & rice bowl recipes to mouthwatering tacos and burgers is designed to highlight fresh seasonal ingredients to keep your children happy and thoroughly fed with healthy meals. Without you spending much time in the hot kitchen.
Because I know I’d much rather be out enjoying fun summer activities with my children. I want that for you, too!
These lazy summer meals are easy for anyone to prepare, whether at home or a campsite, and filled with flavors kids love. Prepare to fall in love with many new family favorites that will streamline your dinners!
Summer Dinner Ideas For Kids (Adults Will Want To Eat Too!)
When I think of summer meals of my childhood, I think of hamburgers and hot dogs and corn on the cob.
While these are still some of our favourites, I like to mix things up. Try some new flavours, while still sticking to simple sticking to simple kid-friendly dinner ideas, and delicious recipes that don’t take more than 30 minutes. Or meals I can make ahead, and just pop in the oven or on the BBQ or grill.
Perfect for family vacation dinners, picnics, BBQs, parties, or busy weeknights. Just switch out veggies for one’s your kids will eat if there’s something they won’t eat. Easy peasy.
Teriyaki Chicken Sushi Bowls
In our household, self-made sushi bowls are favorites, for each one can add to their taste rice; we could not miss out on something like that. What is more, this Teriyaki Chicken Sushi Bowl is so mouthwatering and easily adaptable for families.
The chicken cooks in about 15 minutes, then it’s simply a matter of slicing veggies and seaweed strips, adding coleslaw, and you have an amazing meal. It goes well with firm tofu too.
Visit the recipe: Teriyaki chicken sushi bowls
Cold Italian Pasta Salad
Cold Italian Pasta Salad is what my youngest devours day in and day out. Admittedly, it’s that easy to recycle for my kid’s taste. A great last minute summer dinner you could easily whip up while the craving hits, for barbeques, picnics, vacation meals, or busy weeknights is simply a premium store bought Italian dressing.
Pasta salads are an ideal meal during summer days with kids.
Get the recipe: Cold Italian Pasta Salad
Pizza Grilled Cheese
There is something about grilled cheese that is so comforting when eaten for dinner-pulled into cheesy garlic butter crust with all your favorite pizza toppings pepperoni, add a salad on the side, or some veggies and dip for a complete easy dinner meal.
It is a fun recipe that both you and your kids are going to want to make over and over again during the summer and for many more to come.
Get the recipe: Pizza Grilled Cheese
Easy Pineapple Pork Chops
Pork chops are often quite a hit in my family, even with the picky palettes. But, give them an ultra tangy sweet-sour sauce constructed with pineapple, over rice, and you have just elevated this nice and easy summer dinner to a whole other level. It’s a simp
Get the recipe: Easy Pineapple Pork Chops
Check out our top 25 Chicken Casserole Recipes (even better than mom used to make)
Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
Taco Tuesday, here we come! Rotisserie chicken is one of my family’s favorite meal hacks for busy weeknights or weekends. These chicken tacos can be on the table in under 30 minutes. Just add in any of your favorite taco toppings for a delicious meal your whole family will enjoy.
Get recipe:Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
Quick Coconut Shrimp Noodles
Coconut Shrimp Noodles are flavored by garlic, fish sauce, spices, and my favorite coconut milk topped with a squeeze of lime juice. Really chewy rice noodles coated in a rich and creamy sauce plus juicy shrimp. Try to prepare this fast and simple dish in less than 20 minutes. It’s packed with umami goodness and also gluten free and dairy free recipe.
The noodles are finished up in a large pan and perfect for serving family-style right there at the table.
Get The recipe:Quick Coconut Shrimp Noodles
Chicken Alfredo Pasta
I have prepared a quick flavor burst in pasta to pack in summers. And this Chicken Alfredo is yum, mainly because I am not a big fan of tomato sauce, perfect for lunchtime or dinner. My kids dive into alfredo pasta like they haven’t eaten for days.
Get the recipe: Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Take the headache out of vacation or weekly meal planning.
Walking Tacos
Nothing could be more iconic picnic, birthday party, or summer camping fare than good old walking tacos. Seasoned ground beef, fresh veggies, cheese, sour cream, and salsa tossed over a bed of Doritos-eaten right from the bag.
Recipe: Walking Tacos
Crunchy Baked Chicken Nuggets
To me, chicken nuggets are a real classic for family meals. These crunchy baked chicken nuggets are wayyy better than store-bought or fast food. Chicken breast pieces coated in crunchy cornflake batter keep the inside juicy. Great for those weeknights too, as they take less than 30 minutes to prepare!
Recipe: Crunchy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Big Mac Sliders
Extending the theme, Big Mac sliders are another recipe that takes an institution of restaurant food and improves upon it at home.
Super simple to make as the “burger” is all cooked together in a slab. And just add sweet potato fries, french fries, or a side salad.
A pan of sliders is bound to feed the hungry crowd. So bring this easy summery recipe out at your next barbecue or even a weeknight dinner.
Recipe: Big Mac Sliders
Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
Sheet pan meals save families, especially when trying to put together easy summer meals.
Sheet Pan Fajitas are a burst of color and texture with seasoned steak, bell peppers, onions, and avocado wrapped in tortillas.
This summer recipe is a deliciously balanced dinner easily customizable to suit your family’s palette.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
Rainbow Tofu Kabobs
Want to jazz up your meatless Monday? The colors of these Rainbow Tofu Kabobs will get your kids on track for vegetable consumption. Just swap out with veggies they will eat.
Marinate with umami flavoring of soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil, and throw on the grill. They make great party food.
Get the recipe: Rainbow Tofu Kabobs
Silly Chili Macaroni
Chili and macaroni in one pasta dish isn’t something to argue. Yeah, sure! A really easy dinner that is child-friendly and good for summer, involving cans of your favorite bought-in chili, macaroni, and cheese. Really, who could beat that for speed or goodness? In our house, Stagg’s chili reigns supreme.
Get the recipe: Silly Chili Macaroni
You may like many more such fun & kids approved casserole recipes which are quick to throw in the oven.
Salmon Patties
Salmon grilled and summer are like peas and carrots. But I admit that sometimes I feel the need for something a little different, and that’s why I added these gorgeous gluten-free salmon patties to my repertoire.
I’ve even used canned ones in a pinch.
Get the recipe: Salmon Patties
Chicken and Rice Casserole
There is Chicken and Rice Casserole, the epitome of a comfort food, but just as enjoyable eaten straight off the BBQ as a foil packet meal at a campsite.
Simple yet inexpensive ingredients packed into a hearty meal.
Get the recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole
Tuna Pasta Salad
This tuna pasta salad is a classic summer dish your family will always want in repeated supply. Albacore tuna and perfectly al dente pasta come together with just a touch of creamy dressing, making for easy summer dinners, picnics, barbecues, vacation meals, camping with friends, and road trips. This family-inspired recipe is a classic tuna salad, generously creamy, cooling, and down-for-a-bite all at once.
Try the recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad
Oven Baked Nachos (16 or More Topping Ideas)
Sustaining a summer family tradition, nacho Fridays offer countless topping options and configurations that make it easy to accommodate the most picky eaters in the family.
Then simply pop them in the oven for about 10 minutes, or throw them into a foil pan, cover with foil (or turn them into a foil packet meal) and heat over a campfire, BBQ, or grill-a quick summer dinner anytime and anywhere.
Try the recipe: Oven Baked Nachos (16 or More Topping Ideas)
Saucy Baked Chicken Legs
Do you need to feed a hungry bunch on a budget? Saucy baked chicken legs marinated in a honey mustard & curry sauce fit the bill.
The flavor: crazy-good sweet, salty, and umami rich! So good, it will have everyone wondering if you ordered takeout. Grill ’em or throw ’em in the oven, serve them with a simple green salad or roasted new potatoes for a casual summer dinner.
Try the recipe: Saucy Baked Chicken Legs
Garlic Pasta With Broccoli
Pot meals are parents’ saviors during summertime – in fact, any time. It takes only 15 minutes to prepare this pasta with broccoli-the no-fail, easy-to-fix pot. Simple and quick, with little fancy.
Get the recipe: Garlic Pasta With Broccoli
Mini Pizza Burgers
I don’t know about you, but anything “pizza” will have my kids running to the table in no time.
Mini Pizza Burgers are a fun crossover between a burger and pizza. Take an English Muffin, top with pizza sauce, ground beef and your favourite pizza toppings, and voila, an easy meal your kids will actually not complain about.
Get the recipe: Mini Pizza Burgers
Ground Turkey Egg Roll Bowl
Deconstructed meals get bonus points in my book because I rarely have the time and patience to be rolling endless tiny rolls. With the Ground Turkey Egg Roll Bowl, it is not necessary.
So very delicious. Just everything you really love about egg rolls minus the labor.
Get the recipe: Ground Turkey Egg Roll Bowl
Mediterranean Chicken Thighs and Veggies-Sheet-Pan Style
Whoever made sheet pan meals a thing deserves an award.
I love just throwing chicken thighs on a pan with the seasonal veggies all drizzled with balsamic dressing.
Then, sprinkled with briny olives, salty feta, and a side of orzo, it’s the new summer favorite meal that we are going to make on repeat. And so easy to swap out the roasted veggies for ones my kids will eat.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Thighs and Veggies-Sheet-Pan Style
Leftover Hot Dog Fried Rice
Summer and hot dogs are like peanut butter and jelly…. you can’t have one without the other in the fun-in-the-sun season.
We don’t eat them much, but it seems that grilling hot dogs on the BBQ, especially with friends, just makes me feel like my summer is complete.
So, by all means, a leftover hot dog fried rice recipe would be the cherry on top. Try it for your next summer feast.
Get the recipe: Leftover Hot Dog Fried Rice
Easy Chicken Gyros
Nothing says summertime quite like Greek food, and Easy Chicken Gyros certainly qualifies.
This Greek flair cooking, Chicken Gyro Recipe has juicy pieces of yogurt-marinated chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy tzatziki, all wrapped in soft pita flatbread. I’m salivating over it. You can even..
You can even cook the meat as chicken skewers over the grill.
Perfect for busy weeknights, this 20-minute meal offers amazing flavors that the whole family will love.
Easy to make ahead and perfect for meal prep, it’s a simple and delicious dinner that can be customized to fit your family’s tastes.
Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Gyros
Easy Meatballs (Dairy-Free & Egg-Free)
Making easy meatballs can provide an excellent homemade meal, quick and enjoyable, approved by kids (and adults too). Goes well with either pasta or rice, or lovely as appetizers at BBQs, picnics, or weeknight dinners.
Once you try how good and easy they are, you will never want store-bought meatballs again.
Get the recipe: Easy Meatballs (Dairy-Free & Egg-Free)
Final Thoughts: One Easy Summer Dinner For Kids (And Their Adults)
With the advent of summer nights, a quick compilation of easy dinners would only enhance your evenings with a touch of fun and the least amount of stress.
These 25 recipes for the whole family contain those quick number recipes that are so tasty, you can please anyone at the dinner table.
These lighties and heavies are all made to amply support an effortless summer approach to cooking-they may just hold a new favorite recipe.
So throw on your grill, rally your favorite ingredients, and let these recipes inspire your family dinner for the night. Cheer these meals along with moments spent together and truly make this summer a summer to remember.