Summer days are a whirlwind of fun and excitement for kids, but all that adventure can leave them hot, tired, and absolutely ravenous by the end of the day. As a parent, I understand the struggle of finding quick and satisfying meals to refuel their little bodies. I also know the last thing I want to do on a hot day is spend time in a hot kitchen! That’s why I’ve gathered a collection of fantastic summer meal ideas that are not only easy to prepare but also perfect for those moments when my kids are in need of a quick and refreshing pick-me-up.
From crisp and refreshing salads to mouthwatering grilled delights and delightful chilled treats, these recipes will have my kids happily replenished in no time, ensuring they’re ready for more summer fun. So, join me in discovering these simple and tasty summer meal ideas that will keep our hot, tired, and hungry little ones smiling from ear to ear!
Table of Contents
4 Categories of Summer Meals:
I’ve organized the meal ideas below into 4 categories:
- Kid Friendly: These are meal ideas that are sure to winners with even picky eaters!
- Crock-Pot: These meals are perfect when you’ll be on the go all day and want to come home to an already cooked meal!
- Make-Ahead: The meals in the category can be made up to 24 hours ahead and then either eaten cold, or re-heated quickly just before meal time.
- Easy-to-Assemble: These meals are exactly as described- They take very little thought or effort to prepare
Recipes?
I am not including recipes for these meal ideas. Instead, I’m giving a set of quick instructions on how I would prepare them. If you want a detailed recipe, simply google the meal idea and I’m sure you’ll find one.
Printable List?
If you’d like a printable list of the meals, click HERE. This also includes a few bonus meal ideas, a bingo board-style planner, and a panty inventoryhttps://summermealplan.plannerpack.co sheet.
Kid-Friendly Summer Meal Ideas
Big Salads
Gather salad ingredients such as lettuce, fresh veggies cut into small pieces, hard boiled eggs, diced ham, chia seeds, croutons, and dried fruit.
Let kids assemble their own salads (salad bar style).
Top with their favorite salad dressing
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup:
For the grilled cheese sandwiches, butter two slices of bread, place slices of your favorite cheese (e.g., cheddar, American, Swiss) between them, and grill in a pan until both sides are golden and the cheese is melted.
For the tomato soup, heat canned or homemade tomato soup on the stove until warm and serve with the grilled cheese sandwiches for dipping.
Chicken Quesadillas with Salsa:
Shred cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works well) and mix it with shredded cheese.
Spread the chicken and cheese mixture on half of a tortilla, fold it in half, and cook in a skillet until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Serve with salsa on the side for dipping.
Pasta with Marinara Sauce and Garlic Bread:
Cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions.
Heat store-bought or homemade marinara sauce on the stove.
Serve the pasta with the marinara sauce and garlic bread on the side.
Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups with Cucumber and Apple Slices:
Lay out slices of deli turkey and place a slice of cheese on each one.
Roll up the turkey and cheese slices and serve with cucumber and apple slices on the side.
English Muffin Pizzas with a Side of Mixed Veggies:
Split English muffins in half and toast them lightly.
Spread pizza sauce on each muffin half, then sprinkle shredded cheese and your favorite toppings (e.g., sliced pepperoni, diced bell peppers).
Broil in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve with a side of mixed steamed vegetables.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels with Fruit Skewers:
Roll out a sheet of puff pastry and layer thinly sliced ham and cheese on top.
Roll the pastry tightly and slice into pinwheels.
Bake in the oven according to the puff pastry package instructions until golden and puffed.
Serve the pinwheels with fruit skewers made with a variety of fresh fruits.
Burgers & Fries
Shape the ground beef into patties and season with salt and pepper.
Cook the burger patties on a grill or stovetop pan until desired doneness, flipping halfway through.
Prepare frozen french fries according to package directions
Mini Turkey Meatballs:
In a bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and dried herbs.
Roll the mixture into small meatballs and cook them in a skillet with a little oil until browned and cooked through.
Serve the mini turkey meatballs as an appetizer or with pasta and marinara sauce for a complete meal.
Loaded Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream and Bacon Bits:
Bake russet potatoes in the oven until tender.
Slice the potatoes open and fluff the insides with a fork.
Top each potato with a dollop of sour cream, sprinkle with crispy bacon bits, and garnish with chopped green onions.
Serve the loaded baked potatoes as a satisfying main dish or side.
Pita Bread Pizzas with a Variety of Toppings:
Split pita breads in half to create pockets.
Spread pizza sauce inside each pocket and fill with your favorite toppings, such as sliced vegetables, cooked chicken, and shredded cheese.
Bake the pita bread pizzas in the oven until the cheese is melted and the toppings are heated through.
Serve the pizzas hot as a customizable and quick meal option.
Crock Pot Summer Meal Ideas
BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw:
Shred cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works well) and mix it with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Spoon the BBQ chicken onto slider buns and top with coleslaw.
Serve with extra coleslaw on the side.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches:
Place pork shoulder and barbecue sauce in the crock pot.
Cook on low for several hours until the pork is tender and easily shredded.
Serve on buns with coleslaw.
Teriyaki Chicken:
Add chicken thighs, teriyaki sauce, and your choice of vegetables to the crock pot.
Cook on low until the chicken is cooked through and the flavors are well combined.
Serve over rice.
Beef Tacos:
Place seasoned beef, such as ground beef or shredded beef, in the crock pot.
Cook on low until the beef is tender and flavorful.
Serve with tortillas, lettuce, cheese, and salsa.
Lemon Garlic Chicken:
Add chicken breasts, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs to the crock pot.
Cook on low until the chicken is moist and infused with flavors.
Serve with steamed vegetables and rice.
Vegetable Curry:
Combine a variety of vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and cauliflower, with curry paste and coconut milk in the crock pot.
Cook on low until the vegetables are tender and the curry flavors develop.
Serve over rice.
Salsa Verde Chicken:
Place chicken breasts, salsa verde, and diced green chilies in the crock pot.
Cook on low until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
Serve in tacos, burritos, or over rice.
Hawaiian Meatballs:
Combine frozen meatballs, pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and a sweet and tangy sauce in the crock pot.
Cook on low until the meatballs are heated through.
Serve as an appetizer or over rice.
Barbecue Ribs:
Season pork ribs with a dry rub and place them in the crock pot.
Slather with barbecue sauce and cook on low until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
Finish on the grill or broiler for a caramelized crust.
Buffalo Chicken Sliders:
Add chicken breasts and buffalo sauce to the crock pot.
Cook on low until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
Serve on slider buns with coleslaw and blue cheese dressing.
Lemon Herb Salmon:
Place salmon fillets in the crock pot and season with lemon juice, herbs, and butter.
Cook on low until the salmon is flaky and infused with flavors.
Serve with roasted vegetables or a side salad.
Make Ahead Summer Meal Ideas:
Caprese Salad with Grilled Chicken:
Slice fresh tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, and arrange them on a plate.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze or a mix of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Grill or pan-fry chicken breasts until cooked through, slice, and place on top of the Caprese salad.
Greek Salad with Grilled Pita Bread:
In a large bowl, combine chopped cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar
Mexican Quinoa Casserole:
Combine quinoa, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and spices in a casserole dish.
Top with shredded cheese and bake until bubbly.
Reheat portions as needed.
Mini Meatloaves:
Mix ground beef or turkey with breadcrumbs and seasonings.
Shape into individual-sized meatloaves and bake.
Refrigerate for easy reheating.
Greek Yogurt Chicken Skewers:
Marinate chicken pieces and skewer them.
Grill the skewers until the chicken is cooked.
Serve with a side of Greek yogurt sauce.
Enjoy hot or cold.
Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers:
Cook quinoa and mix it with black beans, diced tomatoes, and spices.
Stuff the mixture into bell peppers.
Bake the stuffed peppers until tender.
Refrigerate for later consumption.
Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Potato Salad:
Season chicken drumsticks and bake until cooked through.
Serve with a side of homemade potato salad.
Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs with Rice:
Skewer marinated chicken pieces and vegetables.
Grill the kebabs until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender.
Serve with a side of rice.
Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread:
Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions and drain.
Mix the cooked pasta with marinara sauce and layer it in a baking dish.
Top with shredded cheese and bake until bubbly and golden.
Serve with freshly baked garlic bread.
Quiche:
Prepare a pie crust or use a pre-made one.
Whisk together eggs, milk, and your choice of fillings such as cheese, vegetables, and cooked meat.
Pour the mixture into the pie crust and bake until the quiche is set.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Make-Ahead Taco Salad:
Cook ground beef with taco seasoning until browned and fully cooked.
Let the beef cool and refrigerate until ready to use.
In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sliced olives, and any other desired toppings.
When ready to serve, add the cooked ground beef and mix well.
Serve with your favorite dressing and tortilla chips on the side.
Easy to Assemble Summer Meal Ideas:
BLT Wraps with Avocado:
Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Lay out tortillas and spread a layer of mayonnaise or ranch dressing on each one.
Top with lettuce, sliced tomatoes, avocado slices, and the cooked bacon. Roll up the tortillas to form wraps.
Tuna Salad Sandwiches with Carrot Sticks:
Mix canned tuna with mayonnaise, diced celery, and a splash of lemon juice.
Spread the tuna salad on slices of bread and top with lettuce leaves.
Cut carrot sticks and serve them alongside the sandwiches.
Margherita Pizza with a Side Salad:
Top individual pizza crusts or naan bread with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese slices, and basil leaves.
Bake in the oven until the cheese melts and the crust is crispy.
Serve with a side salad made with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette dressing.
Veggie Omelet with Whole Wheat Toast:
In a non-stick skillet, sauté your favorite vegetables until tender.
Whisk eggs with a splash of milk and pour the mixture into the skillet.
Cook until the eggs are set and fold the omelet in half.
Serve with a side of whole wheat toast.
Black Bean and Corn Salad with Tortilla Chips:
Combine black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, and chopped cilantro in a bowl.
Toss with lime juice, olive oil, and seasonings.
Serve with tortilla chips for scooping.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Corn on the Cob:
Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers and grill until cooked.
Grill corn on the cob until tender and slightly charred.
Serve the grilled shrimp skewers with the corn on the cob.
Veggie Wraps with Hummus:
Spread hummus onto a whole wheat wrap.
Fill the wrap with your favorite sliced vegetables, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, and lettuce.
Roll up the wrap tightly and cut it in half.
Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice Noodles:
Sauté chicken strips with teriyaki sauce in a skillet until cooked through.
Add a variety of sliced vegetables and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
Cook rice noodles according to package instructions and toss them with the stir-fried chicken and vegetables.
Chicken and Vegetable Fajitas with Guacamole:
Marinate chicken strips with fajita seasoning and cook in a skillet until done.
Sauté sliced bell peppers and onions until tender.
Serve the cooked chicken and vegetables in tortillas and top with guacamole.
Veggie Stir-Fry with Rice:
Heat oil in a pan and add your favorite chopped vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas).
Stir-fry the vegetables for a few minutes until they are tender-crisp.
Serve over cooked rice and drizzle with soy sauce or your favorite stir-fry sauce.
Breakfast for Dinner:
Cook protein such as bacon or sausage
Prepare toast, pancakes, hashbrowns or waffles
Serve with fresh fruit or fruit smoothies
In conclusion, these quick and refreshing summer meal ideas are a lifesaver for those moments when your kids come home hot, tired, and hungry after a day of summer adventures. With simple steps and delicious flavors, these meals will provide the nourishment and energy your little ones need to recharge and keep the fun going.
Want the Free Printable List of 44 Summer Meal Ideas?
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