5 Easy Summer Dinner Recipes

Looking for 5 easy summer dinner recipes? The best thing about summer cooking is how easy it is to add fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables to the dinner table. These recipes offer great options and will help include a variety of fruits and vegetables to your diet. Eating well is simple with these easy summer dinner recipes.

1. Skillet Salad. In a large skillet, combine one cup of cooked lean beef, one can of white beans and two cups of uncooked instant brown rice. Add one cup of chicken broth and one cup of water and cook, covered, over medium heat until water is fully absorbed (about 20 minutes). Serve over 16 ounces of fresh chard. Serves four for a perfect, light and easy summer dinner.
2. Pitas. Cook one pound of beef or chicken strips as directed on package. Cover each of four pitas with spinach, four ounces of meat, freshly sliced cucumbers, freshly diced tomatoes, and one tablespoon of hummus. This summer dinner recipe serves four.
3. Easy Quesadillas. Preheat oven at 400 degrees. Cook one pound of chicken and drain. Combine with two cans of black beans, one cup of fresh corn, 1/2 cup of fresh tomatoes and 1/2 cup of onions. Arrange four tortillas on a baking sheet and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of cheese. Spoon meat mixture on top and top with another 1/2 cup of cheese and salsa, if desired. Bake for 10 minutes. Serves four for a delicious summer dinner.
   
4. Broccoli Potato Soup. Prepare two cup of instant mashed potatoes as directed on package. Combine four cups of freshly chopped broccoli, one chopped onion and four cups of vegetable or chicken broth in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add one cup of evaporated milk and the instant mashed potatoes. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until soup thickens. Add more milk or water if mixture becomes too thick. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Sprinkle one tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese over each serving. This comforting, easy summer dinner serves four.
5. Stuffed Potatoes. Scrub four potatoes and cut in half. Boil until fork-tender (about 15 minutes). In a large skillet, combine one and 1/4 cup of cooked ground beef, one cup of freshly chopped broccoli, 1/2 cup of chopped onion, 1/2 cup of freshly diced carrots and 3/4 cup of hot water. Bring to a boil for about five minutes, then reduce heat. Combine 3/4 cup of milk and one tablespoon of flour into the skillet and mix well. Add pepper to taste. Stir in 1/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and stir, cooking over low heat for five minutes. Place two potato halves on each plate, mash in the potato and add 1/8 of the mixture into each potato half. This perfect dummer dinner recipe serves four.