Summer Dishes for Lazy, Lovely Evenings

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From sizzling skewers to creamy pasta bakes, these Easy Summer Recipes cover every craving without breaking a sweat. Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps and Grilled Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce keep things bright and bold, while Crazy Good French Onion Noodle Casserole and Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole bring the comfort. Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad, Easy Chicken Fajita Foil Packets, and the crisp Easy Tomato Tart with Puff Pastry round out this mix of effortless mains, sides, and summery favorites!

Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad

A colorful plate featuring assorted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella slices, red onion, basil leaves, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad A fresh, no-fuss tomato salad loaded with summer flavor. This one leans into juicy heirlooms, fresh herbs, and a tangy kick you’ll want to mop up with bread.
Get the Recipe: Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad

Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps

A plate of fettuccine pasta with grilled shrimp, peas, and fresh basil.
Photo Credit: Chocolates & Chai.

Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps Bright lemon and buttery garlic shrimp make this pasta a weeknight win. It feels fancy but comes together fast.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps

Easy Chicken Fajita Foil Packets

Cooked chicken pieces, green and red bell peppers, onions, a lemon wedge, and fresh cilantro.
Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

Easy Chicken Fajita Foil Packets A grill-and-go favorite. Toss seasoned chicken, peppers, and onions in foil and let the magic happen. Zero cleanup required.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Fajita Foil Packets

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Creamy spaghetti with grated lemon.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Lemon Ricotta Pasta Creamy, zingy, and ready in minutes, this lemon ricotta pasta is proof that summer dinners don’t need to be complicated.

GET THE RECIPE: Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Perfectly Perfect Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks

Close-up of chicken drumsticks coated in red barbecue sauce on a grill.
Perfectly Perfect Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Perfectly Perfect Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks Sticky, saucy, and just the right amount of charred. These drumsticks were made for paper plates and second helpings.
Get the Recipe: Perfectly Perfect Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks

Cheesy Ham and Pea Pasta Bake

A portion of creamy pasta with ham and peas.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Cheesy Ham and Pea Pasta Bake Comfort food meets summer convenience. This pasta bake is rich, creamy, and a hit with anyone under your roof.

GET THE RECIPE: Cheesy Ham and Pea Pasta Bake

Crazy Good French Onion Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with noodle casserole, topped with crispy fried onions and parsley, sits on a wooden table next to a whole onion and fresh parsley.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

Crazy Good French Onion Noodle Casserole The name doesn’t lie. French onion soup meets cozy noodles and a crispy topping you’ll fight over.

GET THE RECIPE: Crazy Good French Onion Noodle Casserole

Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

A portion of creamy chicken spaghetti.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta Spicy meets creamy in this one-pot wonder. It’s weeknight comfort with a Cajun kick.

GET THE RECIPE: Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Marinated Tomatoes

A glass jar filled with pickled tomatoes, herbs, and liquid sits next to a fork and a striped fabric.
Photo Credit: Peter’s Food Adventures.

Marinated Tomatoes Juicy tomatoes soak up garlic, herbs, and olive oil until they practically demand a slice of crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Tomatoes

Creamy Tomato and Sausage Penne

Two pasta bowls filled with penne and chunks of sausage and tomatoes.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

Creamy Tomato and Sausage Penne This one’s a pantry hero. Tomato, cream, and sausage turn a simple penne dish into something worth repeating.

GET THE RECIPE: Creamy Tomato and Sausage Penne

Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Zinfandel Reduction

A platter of medium-rare sliced pork loin garnished with parsley.
Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Zinfandel Reduction. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Zinfandel Reduction Sunday dinner vibes without the stress. This pork loin roasts up tender, and the wine sauce feels just a little extra.
Get the Recipe: Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Zinfandel Reduction

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs

A dish with mac and cheese topped with bread crumbs.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs Three cheeses and a buttery topping make this the mac and cheese your family will insist you make again.

GET THE RECIPE: Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs

Easy Tomato Tart with Puff Pastry

An assortment of colorful tomato slices, herbs, and a green basil leaf garnish.
Photo Credit: Salted Mint.

Easy Tomato Tart with Puff Pastry Store-bought puff pastry makes this look impressive with half the work. Ripe tomatoes and caramelized onions do the rest.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tomato Tart with Puff Pastry

Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop

A white plate with creamy pasta topped with a grilled scallop and garnished with a sprig of rosemary, set next to a peach-colored napkin.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop Delicate noodles, velvety butter sauce, and one show-off scallop. This is your dinner party flex.

GET THE RECIPE: Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop

Grilled Chicken Satay Skewers With Peanut Sauce

Chicken skewers coated in a creamy, tan-colored sauce, garnished with a sprig of green cilantro.
Photo Credit: Strength and Sunshine.

Grilled Chicken Satay Skewers With Peanut Sauce Juicy skewers with Thai-inspired flavor and a creamy peanut sauce you’ll want to drizzle on everything.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Satay Skewers With Peanut Sauce

Strawberry Oreo Ice Cream

A glass bowl with scoops of strawberry ice cream, a sliced strawberry, and cookie crumbles on top.
Photo Credit: Screaming for Ice Cream.

Strawberry Oreo Ice Cream Creamy, crunchy, fruity—this no-churn favorite tastes like summer vacation.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Oreo Ice Cream

Canned Tuna Spaghetti

A portion of tuna spaghetti.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Canned Tuna Spaghetti Don’t sleep on tuna. This speedy pasta dish is light, fresh, and way more fun than you’d expect.

GET THE RECIPE: Canned Tuna Spaghetti

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Noodles with creamy cheese sauce and crunchy panko.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese Creamy stovetop mac with a crispy finish. It’s also got a muffin variation for fun-size cravings.

GET THE RECIPE: Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Shrimp and Chorizo Spaghetti

A portion of shrimp and chorizo pasta on a plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Shrimp and Chorizo Spaghetti Spicy sausage, tender shrimp, and bright lemon make this a weeknight showstopper.

GET THE RECIPE: Shrimp and Chorizo Spaghetti

Four Cheese Stuffed Shells

A skillet with pasta shells.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Four Cheese Stuffed Shells Pillowy pasta packed with cheese and baked until bubbly. Weeknight? Holiday? Doesn’t matter.

GET THE RECIPE: Four Cheese Stuffed Shells

Italian Creamy Beef Ragu Recipe

A plate of penne pasta with creamy tomato sauce, ground meat, and basil leaves. A fork is beside the plate.
Photo Credit: The Pasta Project.

Italian Creamy Beef Ragu Recipe Slow-cooked comfort with tomatoes, beef, and a whisper of cream. Pair it with your best twirl-ready pasta.
Get the Recipe: Italian Creamy Beef Ragu Recipe

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

A bowl of pasta topped with meat sauce, melted cheese, and chopped herbs sits on a wooden table. A gold fork rests beside the bowl, with garlic cloves and peppercorns scattered nearby.
Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole Retro in the best way. Think creamy noodles, seasoned beef, and a golden, cheesy top.

Get the Recipe: Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

Creamy Scallop Spaghetti

A portion of creamy scallops with spaghetti.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Creamy Scallop Spaghetti Elegant and easy. Pan-seared scallops, silky cream sauce, and noodles that catch every drop.

GET THE RECIPE: Creamy Scallop Spaghetti

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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