The Easy Dinner Trend Taking Over Summer

The Easy Dinner Trend Taking Over Summer

A bowl of chef salad with lettuce, sliced boiled eggs, diced tomatoes, cubed cheese, sliced cucumbers, diced ham, and avocado chunks. Whole tomatoes and an avocado are nearby. A striped cloth is partially visible at the bottom.

Cold dinners have become a thing lately and in the midst of a summer heat wave, it’s easy to see why! Scroll social media and you’ll find endless pasta salads, wraps, and sandwiches that require little (if any) cooking. These are some of my favorites!

A bowl of chef salad with lettuce, sliced boiled eggs, diced tomatoes, cubed cheese, sliced cucumbers, diced ham, and avocado chunks. Whole tomatoes and an avocado are nearby. A striped cloth is partially visible at the bottom.

The best cold dinners for hot days.

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

By the end of a hot summer day, I don’t want to turn on the oven. And on a really hot day, I don’t even want to eat something warm. A cold sandwich piled with juicy ripe tomatoes or a salad loaded with crisp veggies is the move.

Now, some of the recipes below do require a little bit of cooking, whether it’s boiling eggs or baking chicken. Usually I do this in the morning when the kitchen is cooler. Then I get a head start on putting together dinner! 

A bowl of avocado chicken salad with grapes, and celery, with a fork and a halved avocado beside the bowl.
Avocado Chicken Salad
Creamy avocado and Greek yogurt make this chicken salad feel fresh instead of heavy. Serve it on toasted bread, tucked into lettuce cups, or scoop it up with crackers for an easy dinner that comes together in minutes.
Check out this recipe
Two caprese sandwiches stacked on top of each other
Caprese Sandwich
Peak summer tomatoes don't need much help. Layer them with fresh mozzarella, basil, and a good spread on crusty bread for a sandwich that proves simple ingredients really can make the best meals.
Check out this recipe
healthy Italian Pasta Salad in a bowl with pepperoni and healthy vegetables
Italian Pasta Salad
Pasta salad isn't just for potlucks. This version is hearty enough to be dinner, with plenty of bold flavors that make it just as good straight from the refrigerator the next day.
Check out this recipe
Two slices of bread topped with arugula, healthy egg salad, chopped tomatoes, and fresh herbs on a light surface.
Healthy Egg Salad
Egg salad is one of the easiest high-protein lunches and dinners you can make ahead. Serve it on toast, in wraps, over greens, or with crisp vegetables for dipping.
Check out this recipe
the best quinoa salad recipe
Quinoa Salad
This is one of those recipes that somehow gets better after a night in the refrigerator. It's packed with fresh vegetables and makes an excellent base for grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas if you want an even heartier meal.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Caesar wraps on a plate with pretzels
Chicken Caesar Wrap
Take everything you love about a Caesar salad and tuck it into a wrap! It's satisfying enough for dinner but still light enough for a hot summer evening.
Check out this recipe
A bowl of chef salad containing lettuce, sliced boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, cubes of ham and cheese, avocado chunks, croutons, and a drizzle of green dressing. An avocado half and a jar of dressing are in the background on a gray surface.
Chef Salad
A great chef salad is a complete meal. Loaded with protein, crisp vegetables, and plenty of texture, it's one of the easiest ways to clear out the refrigerator while making dinner feel intentional.
Check out this recipe


from Well Plated by Erin Clarke https://ift.tt/EZnFHW6

Comments