Looking for a light meal that leaves you satisfied but not feeling blah? It’s hard to come up with new ideas when you’re tired of eating the same old thing. Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there. We’ve come up with a list of 31 light dinner ideas for you to try that are great for warmer weather and the summer months.
This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.
Best Light Dinner Recipes for the Whole Family
Chickpea Stuffed Peppers
These chickpea stuffed peppers are delicious and nutrient dense. They’re quick and easy to prepare.
Tahini Pasta
This creamy tahini pasta is luscious yet light. It’s quick and easy to make.
Cold Italian Pasta Salad
The best Gluten-free and vegan cold Italian pasta salad with tri-colored pasta, fresh veggies, and a healthy homemade Italian dressing! Super easy and quick lunch or dinner for summer.
Grilled Chili Lime Chicken
Grilled Chili Lime Chicken that’s a delicious healthy entree for your next bqq or cookout! It’s gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free; perfect for pleasing the crowd and awakening the taste buds!
Grilled Chicken Spinach Salad
This grilled chicken spinach salad with strawberries is bursting with flavor and perfect for light, refreshing summertime meal. The salad is topped with grilled chicken, feta, strawberries, pecans, and homemade strawberry balsamic vinaigrette for the perfect bite.
Quick and Easy Tuna Fried Rice
This is the best tuna fried rice! Made with canned tuna, white rice, eggs, vegetables and a delicious homemade sauce that you can make as spicy or mild as you like. This recipe is easy to make and is ready in just 15 minutes.
Chicken Burrito Bowl
With fresh tomatoes and shredded cheese, spicy jalapeno and cool avocados, mixed with black beans and cauliflower rice, this Chicken Burrito Bowl provides every taste you could ever look for!
BBQ Chicken
Create a mouthwatering dinner using this easy Glazed BBQ Chicken Breasts recipe. The smoky sweetness of barbecue sauce perfectly complements the juicy tenderness of the chicken, resulting in a satisfying and sumptuous feast for your taste buds.
Air Fryer Cod
Air Fryer Cod is simple to make and creates a tender piece of cod with a crispy breaded layer on the outside. This cod works perfectly on its on, as a fish fry on a bun with tarter sauce or on Cod Fish Tacos! You will love how easy this recipe is!
Italian Meatball Salad
Light, refreshing, yet totally satisfying, this Italian meatball salad is the perfect summer meal to enjoy with the fam.
Santa Fe Salad
This Santa Fe salad (Southwest salad) is what dreams are made of! It’s loaded with juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, avocado, corn, and black beans, and pairs perfectly with Southwest dressing. It’s protein-rich and full of flavor!
Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad
Indulge in this delightful Balsamic Grilled Chicken and Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad! Packed with succulent, tender chicken on a bed of greens, velvety goat cheese, and additional toppings, all drizzled with a refreshing balsamic dressing.
Blackened Fish Tacos with Mango Slaw
Fish filets are coated in a Cajun-style blackened seasoning, served in soft warm tortillas and topped with a fresh and tasty cabbage mango slaw.
Lemon Pasta
This light and delicious lemon pasta is full of flavor, creamy and easy to make!
Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto pasta salad is light, full of summer flavor and great for leftovers!
Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs
These baked chicken meatballs are the perfect lighter dinner as the weather gets warmer. Packed with tons of flavor and coated in a lemon garlic herb butter sauce. Pair with your favorite sides!
Garlic Shrimp Scampi
Easy shrimp scampi with garlic and herbs is perfect for an easy summer dinner! Family favorite with rice!
Foil Baked Salmon
This baked salmon is super simple to make and perfect every time with minimal effort.
Greek Chicken Bowls
Greek Chicken Bowls are light, easy, and customizable. These bowls are packed with a Greek seasoned chicken, orzo, tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, and a light and zest tzatziki sauce.
Nicoise Salad
This fresh and delicious salad is tossed in a light and bright vinaigrette for a must-try summer recipe!
Thai Lettuce Wraps
Easy to make, light and fresh, these Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps are full of flavor and always a hit!
BLT Salad
BLT’s are a classic. Why not turn it into a BLT salad for a lighter refreshing meal? Same great taste not so heavy.
Healthy Deconstructed Burger Bowl
Savor the essence of a burger in a bowl! Enjoy a grilled burger, fresh veggies, cheese, and pickles, all in one tasty deconstructed burger bowl. A quick, satisfying twist on a classic favorite.
Chicken Salad with Grapes
This sweeter twist on chicken salad with grapes, pecans, celery, poppy seeds, and hints of lemon and honey is perfect as a side dish or on a sandwich!
Deconstructed Sushi Bowls
These easy Deconstructed Sushi Bowls allow you to enjoy all of your favorite sushi flavors in a quick and easy 30-minute meal.
Ahi Tuna Ceviche
Fresh tuna ceviche is a super light meal for the summer months and so full of flavor. Fresh ahi tuna is marinated in lime juice and tossed with a delicious mango pineapple salsa!
Grilled Cheese Pita Sandwich
This Mediterranean-inspired grilled cheese pita sandwich combines the comforting flavors of traditional grilled cheese with a fresh twist!
Veggie Burrito Bowl with Black Beans
This veggie burrito bowl recipe boasts a medley of jalapeno peppers, onions, peppers, and warm spices, complemented by hearty brown rice, sweet corn, and a secret ingredient for added satisfaction.
One Pan Egg Roll in a Bowl
This Egg Roll in a Bowl is the perfect light and healthy dinner that’s a breeze to make and is sure to please.
Air Fryer Maple Salmon
Air Fryer Maple Salmon “Candy” Bites. It’s an easy and fun way to enjoy this great fish. Plus, add extra black sesame and scallions for a gourmet touch adults will love too!
Easy Beef Empanadas
This simple Beef Empanadas recipe allows you to whip up delightful packets bursting with cheesy taco essence effortlessly! Utilizing a ready-made pie crust, you simply need to prepare the savory ground beef mixture, assemble them into empanadas, and bake. These empanadas serve as an exciting option for a weeknight meal or as an ideal starter for gatherings like game days, Super Bowl celebrations, or Cinco de Mayo festivities!
We hope our collection of summer recipes has given you a stock pile of recipes to rotate through this summer!