Summer Meals for Large Family is a time of year where the days are longer, and the weather is warmer, which makes it the perfect time to enjoy delicious meals with your family. When it comes to cooking for a large family, it can be challenging to come up with recipes that are not only quick and easy but also nutritious and delicious. However, with a little bit of planning and creativity, you can make summer meals for your family that everyone will love.
In this article, we will provide you with some amazing recipes that are perfect for summer meals for large families. These recipes are not only easy to make, but they are also healthy, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa
- One-Pot Pasta Primavera
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers
- Grilled Vegetable Salad with Feta Cheese
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Corn and Black Bean Salad
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon
- Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs
- Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Salsa
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
- Watermelon and Feta Salad
- Grilled Veggie Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce
- Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
- Grilled Pizza with Arugula and Prosciutto
Grilled Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa
Grilled chicken tacos with avocado salsa are a perfect summer meal for a large family. These tacos are easy to make, and the ingredients are readily available. To make the tacos, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 avocados, diced
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/4 cup of red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
- 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Brush the chicken with the mixture and place it on the grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- While the chicken is resting, make the avocado salsa by mixing the avocados, tomato, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Warm the tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds on each side.
- Slice the chicken and assemble the tacos by placing the chicken on the tortillas and topping them with the avocado salsa.
One-Pot Pasta Primavera
One-pot pasta primavera is an easy and quick recipe that is perfect for a large family. This recipe is not only healthy but also packed with vegetables and flavors. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of pasta
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of broccoli florets
- 1 cup of sliced carrots
- 1 cup of sliced bell peppers
- 1 cup of sliced zucchini
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Add the broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini to the pot and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, pasta, salt, and pepper to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the pasta is cooked.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it is melted and well combined.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Lemon garlic shrimp skewers are a delicious and healthy summer meal that is perfect for a large family. This recipe is easy to make, and the flavors are amazing. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Thread the shrimp onto skewers and brush them with the lemon garlic mixture.
- Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Grilled Vegetable Salad with Feta Cheese
Grilled vegetable salad with feta cheese is a healthy and delicious summer meal that is perfect for a large family. This salad is packed with grilled vegetables and topped with tangy feta cheese. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 2 bell peppers, seeded and sliced
- 2 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise
- 1 eggplant, sliced lengthwise
- 1 red onion, sliced into rounds
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups of mixed greens
- 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush the bell peppers, zucchinis, eggplant, and red onion with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
- Place the vegetables on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are tender and charred.
- Remove the vegetables from the grill and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Arrange the mixed greens on a large platter and top them with the grilled vegetables.
- Sprinkle the feta cheese over the vegetables
- Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the salad and serve.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
BBQ pulled pork sandwiches are a classic summer meal that is perfect for feeding a large family. This recipe is easy to make, and the flavors are amazing. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds of pork shoulder
- 1 cup of barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup of chicken broth
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 12 hamburger buns
Instructions:
- In a slow cooker, combine the pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the pork on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours until it is tender and falls apart.
- Use two forks to shred the pork.
- Toast the hamburger buns and assemble the sandwiches by placing the pulled pork on the buns.
Corn and Black Bean Salad
Corn and black bean salad is a healthy and flavorful summer meal that is perfect for a large family. This salad is easy to make, and the colors and textures are amazing. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 2 cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups of frozen corn, thawed
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese pasta salad is a light and refreshing summer meal that is perfect for a large family. This salad is easy to make, and the flavors are amazing. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of pasta
- 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, diced
- 1/2 cup of fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon
Honey mustard glazed salmon is a healthy and flavorful summer meal that is perfect for a large family. This recipe is easy to make and the flavors are amazing. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, mix the honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Brush the mixture over the salmon fillets.
- Bake the salmon for 12-15 minutes or until it is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs
Mediterranean chicken kabobs are a delicious and healthy summer meal that is perfect for a large family. This recipe is easy to make, and the flavors are amazing. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1 red onion, cut into chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 zucchini, sliced into rounds
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken breast, red onion, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and zucchini.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken and vegetables and toss to coat.
- Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and grill the kabobs for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Salsa
Grilled pork chops with peach salsa are a flavorful summer meal that is perfect for a large family. This recipe is easy to make, and the flavors are amazing. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 4 pork chops
- 2 peaches, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush the pork chops with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
- Grill the pork chops for 4-5 minutes on each side or until they are cooked through.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, combine the diced peaches, red bell pepper, and red onion.
- Pour the balsamic mixture over the peach mixture and toss to combine.
- Serve the grilled pork chops with the peach salsa on top.
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Slow cooker chicken fajitas are an easy and delicious summer meal that is perfect for a large family. This recipe is easy to make, and the flavors are amazing. To make this recipe, you will need the following:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 onion, sliced into strips
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of chili powder
- 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 cup of chicken broth
- Flour tortillas
- Toppings such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and sour cream
Instructions:
- In a slow cooker, combine the chicken, bell peppers, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the chicken broth over the mixture and stir to combine.
- Cook the mixture on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve the fajitas with flour tortillas and your desired toppings.
Conclusion
Summer meals for a large family can be easy, healthy, and delicious. From grilled meats to fresh salads, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just trying to feed your family, these recipes are sure to please. So fire up the grill, chop up some veggies, and enjoy a delicious summer meal with your loved ones.
FAQs
- Can I use a different type of pasta for the vegetable pasta soup recipe?
Absolutely! Any type of pasta will work in this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite type of pasta or whatever you have on hand.
- Can I substitute chicken for the pork in the grilled pork chops with peach salsa recipe?
Yes, you can definitely use chicken instead of pork in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Can I make the slow cooker chicken fajitas ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the slow cooker chicken fajitas ahead of time and reheat them when you’re ready to serve. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Can I use a different type of meat in the Mediterranean chicken kabobs recipe?
Yes, you can use any type of meat in this recipe. Chicken is a great option, but you could also use beef, lamb, or even tofu.
- Can I make the corn and black bean salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the corn and black bean salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just be sure to stir it well before serving.