Family Friendly Summer Recipes: Main Dishes, Sides & Desserts

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What are some of your favorite summer recipes? Share them below!

 

I don’t know about you, but at the end of a long summer day, the last thing I want to do is stand in a hot kitchen and cook! “Quick & easy” is the name of my summer cooking game!

 

 

I polled some of my mom friends for their favorite summer recipes. I asked for: 

  • EASY
  • KID/FAMILY APPROVED
  • HOMEMADE
  • HEALTHY (is a bonus!)
  • MAIN DISHES, SIDES, DESSERTS AND/OR SNACKS

Below are links and recipes shared by other mamas to make your kitchen lives a little less hectic this summer.

 

 

MAIN DISHES

 

 

Tacos/Taco Salads

No recipe— be creative! 

(courtesy of fellow STLMom, Jessie Austermann)

 

bowls on a marble countertop filled with taco toppings for summer recipes

 

 

Instant Pot Hawaiian Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

(courtesy of fellow STLMom, Ashley Ariñez)

 

 

Rotisserie Chicken

Served a variety of ways throughout the week (courtesy of my neighbor with three active boys)

  • Chicken nachos
  • Chicken salad
  • Chicken pasta salad
  • Pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches

 

 

French Lentil Bolognese

(courtesy of MOShrooms Regenerative Microfarm)

 

 

Crock-pot Fajitas

(courtesy of a former co-worker)

  • Chicken
  • Jar of salsa
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
  • Shred chicken.
  • Sauté some peppers and/or onions.
  • Combine on shells with desired toppings & enjoy! 

 

 

Tomato Pie 

(courtesy of: Momma Sharon)

  • Note: This is an oven recipe, but it sounded so good that I couldn’t pass it up!

 

 

Chicken Pasta Salad

(courtesy of my mama)

Mix together dressing ingredients in large bowl.

    • 1/2 cup light mayo
    • 1/2 cup light sour cream
    • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
    • 2 tsp vinegar
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1/4 tsp pepper

Add the following ingredients.

    • 2 cups cooked multi-colored rotini noodles
    • 10oz diced chicken, cooked
    • 1 1/2 cups broccoli, raw
    • 1/2 cup sweet red pepper, raw
    • 1/2 medium green pepper, raw
    • 1/4 cup green onions, diced
    • 4oz mild cheddar cheese cubes
    • bacon bits (optional)

Combine, chill, and serve!

 

 

 

 

SIDES/SALADS

Caprese Salad

(courtesy of fellow STLMom, Melissa Grace)

 

 

Balsamic Cucumber Salad

(courtesy of my friend on a low carb mission!)

  • Cucumber (cut-up into bite size pieces)
  • Sharp white cheddar (cubed)
  • Cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • Marinate in balsamic vinegar. Enjoy!

 

 

Spinach Salad

(courtesy of my sister, Lauren)

  • 1/2 pound fresh spinach, torn into small pieces
  • 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, torn small
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 pound fried bacon, crumbled
  • Dressing (make the day before)
    • 1/2 cup mayo
    • 1/4 cup sugar
    • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • Toss right before serving & enjoy!

 

 

Mexican Style Street Corn

(courtesy of my fave food blog – The Skinnyish Dish)

 

 

 

SNACKS

 

 

Frozen Grapes 

(courtesy of my neighbor with three active boys)

  • Wash grapes with water then freeze. Tastes like a grape popsicles!

 

Candied Grapes

(courtesy of peeps I follow on Instagram)

  • Note: I use sugar-free Jell-O mix to make them zero points on WW

 

Easy Watermelon Slush

(courtesy of my Pinterest research)

 

Zoo Trail Mix

(courtesy of more Pinterest research)

 

 

a white bowl filled with strawberries on a cloth dish towel on a white table to represent summer recipes you can make for dessert

 

DESSERTS

 

Strawberry Lemonade Dump Cake

 

Jell-O Ice Pops

 

No Bake Berry Dessert Lush