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Summer is just around the corner, warm, sun-filled days and long nights are almost here. Today I’m sharing 25 of my favorite early summer recipes that are close to effortless and so delicious. Think big, colorful salads, easy skillet dinners, a fun sandwich, and even my go-to summer drink. These are the fresh recipes I start craving this time of year. They’re easy enough for weeknights, but still special enough for summer gatherings!
I might be sharing this roundup a tad early, but I’m just too excited for summer. Living in Miami now—and even spending time in Austin this week—it already feels like summer is here. I could not be happier. I love this time of year, and lately I’ve been enjoying cooking more than ever.
Here in Miami, I’ve been making so many fun, fresh recipes, and I can’t wait to share them with you all soon. Everyone around me has been eating them up! Truly, nothing makes me happier than cooking for the people I’m surrounded by each day. That’s really where it all started, and it still brings me so much joy.
Every June, I usually share one big summer recipe roundup. Last year’s roundup had over 50 recipes! These posts are always popular. But this year, I thought it would be fun to share a smaller collection. These are my favorite easy, early summer recipes to kick off the season.
The list below is a mix of late spring and early summer recipes. It’s filled with color, fresh ingredients, and quick cook times. Think big salads, easy dinners, flavorful pastas, simple desserts, and a few fun drinks too.
I hope you all enjoy this collection as much as I enjoyed putting it together. It’s always fun to look back through older recipes and rediscover them. These help me to see how much my cooking—and even my style—has evolved over the years.
25 Easy Early Summer Recipes
Simple Roasted Sungold Cherry Tomato Pasta
A creamy, summery pasta with goat cheese, crispy prosciutto, and sweet, roasted cherry tomatoes!
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BLT Caesar Pasta Salad
There isn't a better dish to make on hot nights when you want something a little more filling than just a salad.
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Prosciutto Peach Pizza
Made in under a half hour, the combination of sweet peaches, savory cheese, and salty prosciutto is always a summertime favorite!
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Street Corn Pasta Salad
A quintessential summer pasta salad, quick to make and totally delicious…a dip you’ll crave time and time again!
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Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken
This chicken is made in under an hour, uses just one skillet, and is beyond delicious. It’s creamy, garlicky, packed with corn, and finished with fresh herbs and parmesan. Perfect cozy, summer dinner for any night of the week.
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Mexican Street Corn Dip
All the flavors of street corn mixed into the creamiest corn-filled dip. Quick, easy, and so delicious with tortilla chips on the side!
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20 Minute Korean Beef Sesame Noodles
Every bite is filled with saucy noodles, veggies, caramelized meat, and just the right amount of spice!
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Cheesy Zucchini Chicken and Rice Bake
Made entirely in one pot in under an hour using healthy vegetables and herbs…so darn easy, and so darn delicious!
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Easy sheet pan Tomato Herb Pizza
It’s savory, a touch spicy, and the perfect mix of summer flavors that everyone will LOVE!
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Roasted Tomato Basil and Feta Orzo
For a quick + simple dinner. Every bite bursts in your mouth, it’s hard to beat this simple summer pasta.
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Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata
Simple to throw together, fresh, and flavorful…and it doubles as the prettiest centerpiece!
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One Pot Lemon Butter Ricotta and Zucchini Pasta
Made in under 30 mins, uses just one pot, and is a great way to use up that summertime zucchini!
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Lemon Chicken Skewers with Creamy Feta Sauce
It doesn’t get more delicious…simple, healthy, extra colorful, super flavorful, and so delicious!
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Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad.
Salty, spicy pretzel chicken and sweet honey mustard dressing…quick and delicious!
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Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad
Summer on a plate…simple to throw together, but so fresh and flavorful!
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Sheet Pan Jalapeño Pineapple Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Garlic Sauce
All made on just one sheet pan and in under 30 minutes!
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Easiest One Pan Caprese Pesto Orzo Bake
All made in one pan, no boiling water, no extra dishes, just mix, bake, eat, and enjoy…simple but delicious!
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BLT Pasta Salad
Simple to toss together, super flavorful…one of those recipes everyone LOVES…serve this up at your next backyard dinner!
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20 Minute Florentine Butter Chicken with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
Keep things colorful + easy with this 20 Minute skillet chicken. Serve with mashed cauliflower, or angel hair pasta, or keep it super simple and serve with crusty bread to soak up all that sauce!
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Spicy Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Corn Polenta
Topped with fresh basil and served with crusty bread and a big arugula salad!
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Pesto Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad Wraps
Colorful, simple, wholesome, delicious, perfect for Memorial Day…or just for lunch or dinner!
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Toasted S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches
Every bite has toasted marshmallows, fudge sauce + sweet vanilla ice cream…the perfect summer treat!
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Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing
Soft buttery dough swirled with blueberry jam and frosted with warming maple vanilla icing!
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No Churn Strawberry Jam Ice Cream
The perfect easy summer dessert to keep stocked in the freezer for the hottest days of the year.
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Nonnie’s 6 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake
The go-to summer dessert…super easy, yet so delicious…and SO SIMPLE. This is everyone's favorite summertime ice cream cake!
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Blackberry Lavender Naked Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream
Every bite is layered with fresh berries, hints of lavender, and sweet vanilla cake. The perfect berry-filled cake for any and all occasions.
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Easy Ginger Blackberry Peach Cobbler
The sweetest way to use ripe batches of summer berries and peaches…serve warm with vanilla ice cream!
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Creamy Fruit Popsicles
The healthier dessert we all need to have stashed away in our freezers this summer!
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Salty Pretzel Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake
Nostalgic banana pudding recreated in vanilla ice cream cake with a salty pretzel crust – YUM!
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Blackberry Lavender Ice Cream Sandwiches
Every bite is layered with fresh berries, hints of lavender, and sweet vanilla ice cream…the perfect summer treat!
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Blueberry Lemon Thyme Smash
A simple and quick spring or summer cocktail.
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This post was originally published on May 13, 2026
