Kitchen Tips How To Meal Planning and Menus The Ultimate Quick & Easy Crowd-Pleasing Summer Menu Flaunt your cooking skills with this perfectly curated summer menu with popular and easy-to-cook items. By Vicky McDonald Vicky McDonald Vicky McDonald is a Seattle-based editor with over 15 years of experience in the media industry. She currently works as an editor for ParentMap.com. Prior to that, she was a senior content manager at Allrecipes. She loves baking, developing new recipes, and growing vegetables. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Updated on June 29, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Summer is all about outdoor parties around the grill with your family and friends. We've taken the hard work out of cooking for your summer crowd by offering a menu of simple, party-worthy recipes that let you maximize your enjoyment with minimum effort. Appetizers Caprese on a Stick | Ready in 15 minutes This 15-minute recipe couldn't be easier and is a great way to show off those juicy ripe tomatoes and fresh basil. Caprese on a Stick | Photo by KGora. Watermelon Fire and Ice Salsa | Ready in 15 minutes This watermelon salsa is more refreshing than a fresh tomato salsa. It takes a zippy 15 minutes to make, and will feed a crowd of 30 people. Photo by CookinBug. Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta | Ready in 25 minutes Strawberries, goat cheese, grilled bread, and balsamic — it looks and tastes fancy, but takes just 25 minutes to make. Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta | Photo by jrbaker. Main Course Sesame Grilled Salmon | Ready in 25 minutes A simple and quick marinade makes this grilled salmon taste special. Photo by Nicolette. Sides Grilled Zucchini | Ready in 20 minutes Zucchini is at its peak and tastes sweet and succulent cooked on the grill with some balsamic and fresh herbs. It doesn't get any simpler than this. Photo by Wyattdogster. Awesome Pasta Salad | Ready in 40 minutes This pasta salad is what every party needs. It's ready in 40 minutes and bursting with summer flavor. The Sporadic Cook Dessert Grilled Peaches and Cream | Ready in 20 minutes While the grill is still hot, put on some fresh peaches for the ultimate quick dessert. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. All American Trifle | Ready in 40 minutes Fresh summer fruit, store-bought pound cake, and some fresh cream, and voila — dessert is served. Meredith Fruit Galore Sponge Cake | Ready in 15 minutes This may look like it came from a fancy pastry shop, but is in fact store-bought cake, frozen whipped topping, and some colorful summer fruit. Photo by Melissa Goff. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit