This post may contain affiliate links which means I will get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for details.
All flavor and no fuss, these light summer dinner recipes will keep you full and satisfied when the weather is hot but you still want something that’s filling.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
From pasta dishes to meaty mains and light salads, these light summer dinner recipes are easy to make, filling, and won’t sit heavy on your stomach.
One Pot French Onion Pasta
Pasta dishes are filling and you can easily make them to where they’re not too heavy. This one is a one pot dinner idea that’s bursting with flavor.
The tender noodles get seasoned with a French onion flavoring and topped with parmesan cheese to create a delicious meal.
Get The Recipe: One Pot French Onion Pasta
TikTok Ramen Noodle
An easy to make pasta dish that uses ramen noodles, this flavor packed meal comes together in just minutes giving you a quick and easy light summer dinner.
Get The Recipe: TikTok Ramen Noodle
Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi
A simple dinner that brings in that plump juicy shrimp, this scampi dish is one that’s light and easy to make for your summer meals.
Get The Recipe: Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi
Instant Pot Chicken Bites
Take advantage of the instant pot’s quick cook time and make a light summer dinner that even the kids will love.
Seasoned chicken chunks take only a few minutes to cook in the instant pot and you can pair them with a dipping sauce and side dish.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Bites
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Nigerian Salad
Ready to enjoy in just 10 minutes, this Nigerian salad is loaded with veggies and flavor. The exotic salad is colorful, full of nutrients, and filling but not too heavy for summer.
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Salad
Easy One Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese
The added bacon turns a traditional mac and cheese dish into one that’s even more flavorful and great for your light summer dinner recipes. Add some bread to make it more filling but it’ll be just as good on its own.
Get The Recipe: Easy One Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese
Baked Salmon
Salmon dishes are often light and perfect for enjoying during the warm summer months. With a flavorful adding of mayo and cheese, it’s a dish that’s delicious.
Get The Recipe: Baked Salmon
Spicy Kani Salad
A spicy salad that’s light and crispy, this is a great option for when you want something that’s not heavy on the stomach.
It’s often served as a side dish but you can certainly make it into a meal that comes together in just minutes.
Get The Recipe: Spicy Kani Salad
TikTok Juicy Chicken
Seasoned chicken breast is a light summer dinner that you can serve with a side of your choice. This no fail chicken recipe was a hit on TikTok because of how flavorful and easy it is to make.
Get The Recipe: TikTok Juicy Chicken
Chilis Shrimp Taco
Make these copycat shrimp tacos for the family and you it’ll be a flavor packed light summer dinner everyone can enjoy.
With the juicy shrimp and seasonings, these tacos are filling but not heavy and offer up some delicious flavors for summer.
Get The Recipe: Chilis Shrimp Taco
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
A simple dinner idea, make garlic butter steak bites in the instant pot for a quick and easy dinner that’s light for the family.
Get The Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Chicken Lettuce Wraps With Peanut Sauce
These chicken lettuce wraps bring in some fresh summer veggies, tender chicken, and a flavorful peanut sauce that brings it all together.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Lettuce Wraps With Peanut Sauce
Authentic Nigerian Fried Rice
Rice cooked in savory spices and flavors, this Nigerian fried rice is packed with colorful veggies, chopped beef liver, and served with chicken.
Get The Recipe: Authentic Nigerian Fried Rice
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Sandwiches are always a good option for a light summer dinner. These sliders are easy to make with a combination of Hawaiian rolls, cheese, sliced turkey, bacon, and ranch.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Italian Zucchini Boats
Use up your summer zucchini bounty and make delicious Italian zucchini boats with them. Loaded with veggies and Italian flavors, they’ll be a go to summer dinner that’s light and flavorful.
Get The Recipe: Italian Zucchini Boats
The Best Vegan Meatloaf
Since you’re skipping the greasy beef and using lentils, this vegan meatloaf gives you a filling dinner idea that’s not too heavy on the stomach and perfect for summer.
Get The Recipe: The Best Vegan Meatloaf
Vegan Tacos
Lentils substitute the meat and you can add your favorite toppings for a light summer dinner recipe that’s delicious and easy to make.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Tacos
Beet Flatbread
Make a healthy flatbread for summer and load it up with beets, nuts, veggies, and a combination of other flavors to make a delicious light meal for summer.
Get The Recipe: Beet Flatbread
Sheet Pan Tofu and Veggies
Great for summer, this tofu and veggies dish is made on a sheet pan for an easy summer meal. It’s light, healthy, and loaded with flavor.
Get The Recipe: Sheet Pan Tofu and Veggies
Air Fryer Salmon
A simple seasoned salmon dish that’s easy to make in the air fryer, this salmon is a light and healthy dinner idea for summer.
Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon
Jalapeno Chicken Salad
Add a little spice to your chicken salad and enjoy a light summer dinner recipe that’s bursting with flavor. With the addition jalapenos, it’s a flavorful meal to enjoy as a sandwich or on lettuce boats.
Get The Recipe: Jalapeno Chicken Salad
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
Lentil Salad with Nooch Dressing
A tasty lentil salad tossed with Nooch dressing turns into a light summer dinner recipe the whole family can enjoy on hot night.
Not only is this salad light, but it’s filling and takes only 10 minutes to put together.
Get The Recipe: Lentil Salad with Nooch Dressing
Salmon Tacos
Coming together in just 15 minutes, these salmon tacos are light yet filling making them perfect for those warm summer days.
Get The Recipe: Salmon Tacos
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
If you’re looking to fire up the grill, this chicken dish is bursting with flavor. Add your favorite summer sides to make a light yet filling dinner idea for summer.
Get The Recipe: Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
A light and refreshing meal for summer, this salad is loaded with roasted corn, creamy cotija cheese, tangy lime, and a hint of chili powder mixed with grilled chicken.
Get The Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
Sign up now to receive our exclusive e-cookbook filled with top-rated recipes for FREE!
These light summer dinner recipes don’t require much work and are packed with flavor.
The satisfying summer dinner recipes are great for weeknights or weekends when you want something that’s light but also filling.
25 Summer Salmon Recipes So Good, Youโll Swear Youโre Oceanside
Whether youโre grilling or cooking up a fancy weeknight dinner, these summer salmon recipes bring coastal vibes to every bite. Theyโre light, flavorful, and fresh.
Read it here: 25 Summer Salmon Recipes So Good, Youโll Swear Youโre Oceanside
25 Summer Cocktail Recipes Worth Mixing Up
These summer cocktail recipes are definitely worth mixing up. From tropical flavors to fruit flavors, these cocktails are great for sipping on and serving at your summer gatherings.
Read it here: 25 Summer Cocktail Recipes Worth Mixing Up
Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.
Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Interested in more recipe ideas? You’ll love these related recipes: