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Wildly Delicious Weeknight Dinners For July

Get through the dog days of summer with these new and classic recipes.

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chicken with gnocchi, tomatoes, and cheese in a red skillet
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Summer is in full swing and things are starting to heat up. And we mean really heat up. July is THE month summer really starts to feel real. With June’s summer solstice behind us, the countdown until Labor Day is on, so soak it all up now. Join us as we BBQ up a storm, take all our meals outdoors (picnics! beach days! camping!), and eat as much summer produce as we can. We’ve got 50+ recipes to help inspire you to make dinner this July—one for every day of the month, and then some.

We’ve included a good mix of entirely new recipes here, like our Caprese chicken gnocchi skillet, our pot sticker panzanella, and our sticky soy steak skewers, as well as some old favorites, like our Tex-Mex chicken fajita foil packs. Craving something full of all the best summer fruits and veggies? Try our sheet-pan BBQ pineapple chicken, our grilled zucchini carbonara, or our peach balsamic grilled chicken. Want an easy summer comfort food meal? Our summer stuffed shells, or our pierogi casserole are always winners. Feeling overwhelmed by all the grilled meats this time of year and want more meatless options? Our black bean tostadas, our BBQ pulled mushrooms, or our zucchini lasagna roll-ups will hit the spot.

We’re also taking inspiration from the BIG holiday in July—Independence Day. There’s no better time to throw a big party, so bring out the grill and all of your favorite potluck sides. Check out our giant party sub, our chicken burgers, or our smash burger tacos for twists on classics that’ll make your BBQ stand out from the rest. Want even more inspiration? Peruse our galleries of our best 4th of July appetizers, side dishes, and red, white & blue desserts too.

Garlic Parmesan Summer Squash Pasta

garlic parmesan summer squash pasta
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Fresh seasonal veggies are often the star of summer pasta recipes, which inspired this garlic Parmesan summer squash pasta. The noodles are coated in plenty of Parmesan and a buttery garlic sauce, and tossed with sautéed summer squash and zucchini.

Get the Garlic Parmesan Summer Squash Pasta recipe.

Pot Sticker Panzanella

deep fried dumplings tossed with soy and chili marinated tomatoes and cucumbers
PHOTO: LINDA XIAO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

In this panzanella salad riff, the dumplings start crispy and chewy, but after a few minutes of swimming with soy- and chili-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers, they soak up some extra flavor, adding a bit of textural contrast to the dish.

Get the Pot Sticker Panzanella recipe.

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Caprese Chicken Gnocchi Skillet

chicken with gnocchi, tomatoes, and cheese in a red skillet
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you love Caprese but wish it could be more of a main course, then let me introduce this protein-filled, carb-forward skillet. In this recipe, I’m adding in pan-roasted chicken and store-bought gnocchi as Caprese’s newest co-stars.

Get the Caprese Chicken Gnocchi Skillet recipe.

Steak Fajita Power Bowls

sliced steak with grilled peppers, corn, avocado, and black beans over rice
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Brown rice is topped with tender steak, fajita-style peppers and onions, black beans, corn, and sliced avocado in these protein-packed bowls for an easy, quick lunch that will be the envy of all your coworkers.

Get the Steak Fajita Power Bowls recipe.

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Smash Burger Tacos

the ultimate comfort food hybrid with a crispy, juicy, thin beef patty, melty american cheese, and all the classic burger fixings loaded onto a toasted flour tortilla
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

These fully loaded smash burger tacos are the ultimate comfort food hybrid with a crispy, juicy, thin beef patty, melty American cheese, and all the classic burger fixings loaded onto a toasted flour tortilla. You’ll never have to choose between burger night or taco night again!

Get the Smash Burger Tacos recipe.

Sheet-Pan BBQ Pineapple Chicken

chicken drumsticks and thighs with pineapple and jalapenos
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Has there ever been a combination more harmonious than pineapple and BBQ sauce? I don’t think so! Sweet and tangy with just a hint of spice, this chicken dinner is practically guaranteed to make you everyone’s favorite person at the cookout.

Get the Sheet-Pan BBQ Pineapple Chicken recipe.

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Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

garlic butter shrimp pasta in a white bowl, topped with parmesan
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Shrimp pasta is what dreams are made of, but this one—tossed in a Parmesan white wine sauce—really takes the cake. Buttery, garlicky shrimp are tossed in the simple but satisfying sauce with angel hair pasta before being topped with fresh herbs for a summer dinner ready in under 30 minutes.

Get the Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta recipe.

Giant Party Sub

bundt cake bread filled with sliced salami, ham, provolone, tomatoes, lettuce, and pepperoni
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Looking for the most creative and GENIUS way to feed your party guests? Let us introduce this giant party sub that uses a simple hack of baking bread in a Bundt pan to turn a classic sandwich into a party centerpiece that will steal the show at any picnic or summer potluck this July.

Get the Giant Party Sub recipe.

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Green Goddess Grilled Chicken

green goddess grilled chicken drizzled with green goddess dressing.
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Summer cookouts call for food with bright herbs, creamy sauces, and tons of char, and this green goddess grilled chicken is bringing all that and more. Chicken thighs are tossed in a simple green goddess dressing and grilled immediately for a no-wait, no-fuss dinner that hits all those alfresco dinner vibes.

Get the Green Goddess Grilled Chicken recipe.

Chicken Burgers

chicken burger topped with sauce, lettuce, sliced red onion, and tomato
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Excuse us while we say our goodbyes to beef burgers forever (JK, we’ll always love a classic burger). But can we talk about how good a chicken burger can be when it’s done right? Far from dry or bland, this chicken burger is juicy, flavorful, and oh-so satisfying when that burger craving hits.

Get the Chicken Burgers recipe.

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Queso Mac & Cheese

mac and cheese topped with sliced avocado and jalapenos
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Get ready for a fiesta in your mouth with this creamy, spicy mac & cheese. Serve this side dish alongside hot dog tacos for a twist that'll have everyone asking for seconds!

Get the Queso Mac & Cheese recipe.

Sticky Soy Steak Skewers

marinated pieces of sirloin steak in soy and chili garlic sauce, skewered with red onion, and brushed with a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

In this skewer recipe sirloin steak meets soy and chili-garlic sauce, alongside red onion, and is grilled until medium-rare while being brushed with a sweet and savory honey-garlic glaze. The result is a tender, slightly spicy charred grilled steak stacked with grilled onion and sticky sauce.

Get the Sticky Soy Steak Skewers recipe.

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Roasted Ricotta Stuffed Peppers

roasted ricotta stuffed peppers
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

To turn this staple budget dinner into a vegetarian-friendly version I can get behind, I developed this roasted ricotta stuffed peppers recipe. Sautéed garlicky zucchini is folded into couscous, salty Pecorino and ricotta, and lots of mozzarella for a dinner that makes for great meal prep.

Get the Roasted Ricotta Stuffed Peppers recipe.

One-Pan Coconut-Lime Chicken

one pan coconut lime chicken
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

For this one-pan dinner I went for a spicy-sweet coconut milk sauce that is full of lime juice, jalapeño, ginger, and both tomatoes and tomato paste. The result is a super tender, flavorful chicken with a golden brown crust, coated in what just may be your new favorite sauce.

Get the One-Pan Coconut-Lime Chicken recipe.

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Vegan Crunchwraps

vegan crunchwrap supreme filled with cooked lentils, avocado, tomatoes, and vegan cheese sauce
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN

If you love the idea of Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap but can’t do the meat and dairy, let me introduce your next fast food copycat obsession: this vegan Crunchwrap. Creamy chipotle vegan queso dip and meaty lentils make for a satisfying filling while a quick trip in a hot skillet adds crunch to every bite.

Get the Vegan Crunchwraps recipe.

Blackened Shrimp Bowls

blackened shrimp bowls with grilled corn, avocado, lime, and cilantro
ANDREW BUI

An ideal summer meal, these blackened shrimp bowls have it all. With seasoned, blackened shrimp, fresh veggies, fire-roasted corn, and a brown rice base, these grain bowls are the perfect quick lunch that will satisfy you (and make all your coworkers jealous).

Get the Blackened Shrimp Bowls recipe.

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Dirty Martini Pasta

a pot of cooked spaghetti in a cream sauce with pieces of green olives, chopped parsley, and parmesan
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This dirty martini-inspired pasta is in a category all on its own. My rendition takes inspiration from a classic pasta al limone by using heavy cream as the base for the luscious and decadent sauce. And, just like a dirty martini, we supplement the dish with olives and brine.

Get the Dirty Martini Pasta recipe.

Creamy Three-Cheese Spaghetti

spaghetti in a creamy three cheese sauce
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This ultra-creamy, cheesy spaghetti is as simple and comforting as you can get; all you need is a few basic ingredients and 20 minutes. The three cheeses combine with heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic, and a sprinkling of even more cheese for the ultimate weeknight pasta dinner.

Get the Creamy Three-Cheese Spaghetti recipe.

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Fried Chicken Caesar Sandwich

fried chicken caesar sandwich
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you find yourself ordering a chicken Caesar wrap every lunch break, then let me introduce you to your next Caesar-inspired obsession: my fried chicken Caesar sandwich. Trust me—biting through the buttery, sweet brioche to meet the salty Caesar dressing dripping over crispy chicken is nothing less than a masterpiece of a mouthful.

Get the Fried Chicken Caesar Sandwich recipe.

Summer Couscous Salad

summer couscous salad with cucumber, tomato, avocado, and feta
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

A summer salad should be simple with minimal effort, allowing the summer produce to really shine. This couscous salad does just that. Filled with cucumber, avocado, tomatoes, and corn, this salad really does scream summer.

Get the Summer Couscous Salad recipe.

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