The same problem arises every year when the weather gets hot: feeding a large group of people while maintaining ease (or the appearance of ease, anyway). Cooking a five-course meal while carrying three bags of shopping in 90-degree heat? I don’t think it’s a particularly appealing task.
Try one of these 66 simple summer dinner party ideas when you want to host but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. They include everything from simple appetizers and sides to stunning desserts that look and taste amazing. Broiler s’mores, grilled melon with tahini, chile oil, and sesame seeds, seared scallops with citrus-shallot salad, and much more are on my menu.
1. Seared Scallops with Citrus-Shallot Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, gluten free, <10 ingredients
- Serves: 4
This cool recipe appears elegant, but it’s really quite easy. That’s how cunning scallops are; they take around two minutes on each side to sear to a golden brown. Katherine Gillen, a former senior culinary editor at PureWow, writes, “If you pat them well with paper towels before seasoning and cooking, you’ll be rewarded with a caramelized, flavorful brown crust every time.”
2. Shrimp Rolls with New England-Style Dressing
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
- Serves: 4
I definitely don’t have the money to buy lobster rolls anytime I feel the need, which is frequently in the summer. “These shrimp rolls can satisfy your craving without blowing your entire grocery budget,” claims Gillen. “They have all the elements you’re looking for: buttery buns, fresh herbs and a creamy yet light New England-style dressing that has just the right amount of mayonnaise.”
3. Tomato and Yellow Zucchini Risotto
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegan, dairy free, gluten free
- Serves: 4
This beautiful, hidden vegan risotto is the perfect way to use up all that seasonal, fresh fruit. The secret to achieving a creamy texture without using butter or cheese is to cook the squash for a sufficient amount of time; patience and heat make it rich and jammy. the greater your knowledge.
4. Roasted Salmon Tacos
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, dairy free
- Serves: 8
Although it’s not a common taco filling, salmon is a pleasant, light, yet substantial option in hot weather. Hold off until you sample the cashew lime crème and grilled pineapple salsa. Before preparing the crema, allow at least two hours for the cashews to soak. Taking up this task the night before is a smart move.) You will never again use a seasoning package from the store.
5. Zucchini & Tomato Ragù
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, vegan
- Serves: 6
It is the stylish Italian cousin of ratatouille and is delicious on toast or pasta. For a very easy summer salad, I love tossing something like this into couscous.
6. Creamy Sweet Corn Pappardelle
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegan, dairy free, beginner-friendly
- Serves: 4
You wouldn’t realize it at first bite that this delightful summertime entertaining idea is vegan. Without using real cream, the “milk” from the cobs combined with the sweet, juicy corn kernels creates the ideal cream sauce. For a finish reminiscent of cheese, add a generous amount of nutritional yeast.
7. Skillet Chicken Fajitas
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
- Serves: 8
These babies will be ready in approximately fifteen minutes after the chicken has marinated. Simply add the tortillas and extra guacamole (perhaps this version with roasted poblano corn?). There isn’t a fee for that in my home.
8. Bacon Jalapeño Smashburgers
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
- Serves: 4
Burgers are widely available, but these are prepared with chicken rather than beef, cook quickly, and don’t require a grill if you don’t have one. (You may also use a plain old cast iron skillet or an indoor grill pan.)
9. Lemongrass-Ginger Coconut Grilled Steak
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, high protein, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
- Serves: 6 to 8
This flavorful, umami-rich steak takes ten minutes to cook after marinating. How does that sound for easy entertainment? I have some suggestions if you’re anxious about chopping it: Take note of the grain’s stripes and cut into them rather than along them. Your slices will be soft and not chewy in this manner.
10. Lamb Chops With Buckwheat and Black Pepper Strawberries
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, special occasion-worthy, one pan
- Serves: 4
An entrée made with just one skillet and seven ingredients? Hold my heart still. This one uses strawberries to counterbalance all the savory flavors with a burst of seasonal sweetness. According to recipe developer Abra Beren, “you’re using the juice in the berries to deglaze the flavorful fond into the sauce and creating one less pan to wash by using the same pan to roast the lamb chops and sear the strawberries.”
