We’ve officially reached the part of high summer when it’s too warm to cook dinner in a hot kitchen. No one wants to come home from work at the end of the day and sweat over their food. We’re avoiding turning on the oven at all costs, but there are still plenty of delicious meals you can make quickly on the stovetop that don’t heat up your kitchen. Using your slow cooker and air fryer creates even less heat.
So, in our quest to keep kitchens cool for the rest of the summer, we’re sharing some super quick and easy dinners utilizing these methods. From quick, fresh, and light pastas to two of our favorite slow-cooker sandwiches, these recipes are great options for a variety of occasions, from weeknight dinners to summer entertaining. We’ve also got two air-fryer recipes that are so easy and pack in so much flavor that they might even earn permanent spots in your regular dinner rotation. So, don’t preheat that oven and enjoy these meals without all the extra heat.
Spaghetti with Grated Tomato Sauce
When your garden is overflowing with ripe tomatoes and it’s too hot to turn on the oven or spend hours over the stovetop making a homemade sauce, this simple spaghetti is the recipe you'll come back to again and again. To make this sauce, all you need to do is grate the tomatoes—yes, with a grater! It creates a silky, vibrant sauce that comes together in minutes with pantry staples like garlic, olive oil, and pasta. The result is a fresh, flavorful dinner that's perfect for warm summer evenings.
Get the recipe for Spaghetti with Grated Tomato Sauce.
Air-Fryer Fajitas
These sizzling fajitas will be a hit with the whole family, and making the steak and the veggies in the air-fryer is a great way to keep from heating up your kitchen. It also makes cleanup a breeze. (No oil splatters on the stovetop!) That’s a win-win. Serve with your favorite toppings: We’re partial to queso fresco, pico de gallo, and pickled jalapeños.
Get the recipe for Air Fryer Fajitas.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork with Cabbage Slaw
Another way to keep your kitchen cool during the summer is by turning to your trusty slow cooker. Pulled pork is a slow-cooker classic, and the results are delicious every time. Plus, pulled pork is great for a variety of dishes, from straightforward sandwiches to nacho toppings to soups, and more. This recipe is extremely easy and requires very little work. So it’s the perfect summer dinner all the way around.
Get the recipe for Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork with Cabbage Slaw.
Easy Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Another super fast dinner option that’s perfect for a summer evening is this easy Shrimp Scampi Pasta. You can make this classic Italian dish in about a half hour, so it’s great for a busy weeknight, too. Aside from cooking the pasta, all that’s required is cooking the shrimp in a pan with a simple sauce. Then toss it all together for a refreshing meal.
Get the recipe for Easy Shrimp Scampi Pasta.
Air-Fryer Salsa Verde Enchilada Pie
Store-bought shortcuts like rotisserie chicken and salsa verde mean you can have cheesy, warm enchiladas faster, and the air-fryer cuts the bake time for our traditional salsa verde enchiladas down from 20 to just 6 minutes. Instead of heating up your kitchen, the air-fryer does everything your oven does without heating up the whole house. Just grab some ramekins, layer up the ingredients, and air fry!
Get the recipe for Air Fryer Salsa Verde Enchilada Pie.
Grilled Tomato and Shrimp Toasts
Make the most of fresh summer tomatoes by letting them sit in a quick marinade, which helps their sweetness come through. When paired with quickly grilled shrimp and crisp toasted bread, these toasts are the perfect light warm-weather dinner, especially served with a green salad or air-fryer roasted veggies, so you don’t need to turn on your oven at all.
Get the recipe for Grilled Tomato and Shrimp Toasts.
Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken Sandwiches
Our new favorite slow-cooker recipe for summer meals is this Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. With just five ingredients (plus your favorite toppings), these sandwiches deliver incredible flavor with very little prep. Serve it with a few of your favorite summer sides, and you've got an easy, family-friendly dinner. It’s also a great option for summer gatherings, so you don’t have to heat up your kitchen trying to feed a whole crowd.
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken Sandwiches.
