Sit back and relax this July because we've got dinner covered! This seasonal meal plan allows you to spend more time enjoying warm summer nights.
Your July Meal Plan
Day 1: Sheet-Pan Chicken Parmesan
Main Ingredients: Chicken breast, marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, broccoli
Level: Beginner
This quick and easy recipe gets dinner on the table in under an hour. Like most Italian recipes, it’s best served with pasta or garlic bread.
“Saucy chicken, melty mozzarella and crisp-tender broccoli—all in one pan. What could be better?” —Recipe contributor Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
Day 2: Farmers Market Enchiladas
Main Ingredients: Corn tortillas, zucchini, enchilada sauce, Monterey Jack cheese
Level: Intermediate
Who needs meat? These 5-star, contest-winning enchiladas are packed with flavor, especially if you roast the veggies beforehand.
“These vegetarian enchiladas use a lot of garden favorites in a quick weeknight meal. Feel free to substitute with whatever vegetables you have from your garden: yellow summer squash, eggplant and corn—all taste great!” —Recipe contributor Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah
Day 3: Skillet Mac and Cheese
Main Ingredients: Pasta, Velveeta, half-and-half cream
Level: Beginner
This skillet mac and cheese takes a few more minutes than the boxed stuff, but the final result is worth it. You can even get creative with the toppings.
“This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much.” —Recipe contributor Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
Day 4: Slow Cooker Memphis-Style Ribs
Main Ingredients: Baby back ribs, paprika, white vinegar
Level: Beginner
These slow-cooker ribs are prepared in a snap and the leftovers can be used for pulled pork sandwiches. The dish pairs well with noodles, rice or corn.
“After my dad and I had dinner at the legendary Rendezvous Restaurant in Memphis, I was inspired to create a slow-cooked version of tasty dry-rub Memphis ribs. Smoked paprika in the rub mimics the flavor that the ribs would get from being grilled over hot coals.” —Recipe contributor Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin
Day 5: Saucy Mediterranean Chicken with Rice
Main Ingredients: Chicken breast, rice, tomato paste
Level: Beginner
Ready in 30 minutes, this curry-inspired dish has just the right amount of kick. You can freeze leftover sauce on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
“The hints of Mediterranean flavor in this chicken dish make it a family favorite.” —Recipe contributor Tabitha Alloway, Edna, Kansas
Grilled Veggie Pizza
Cuban Sandwich
Day 8: Slow Cooker Jerked Short Ribs
Main Ingredients: Beef short ribs, apricot preserves, cider vinegar
Level: Beginner
This easy weeknight dinner lets your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. Serve the fork-tender meat over mashed potatoes.
“Sweet and spicy jerk seasonings give these saucy ribs an unforgettable taste! They’re great in the summer because they don’t heat up the kitchen.” —Recipe contributor Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Day 9: Chicken and Shrimp with Lemon Cream Sauce
Main Ingredients: Fettuccine, asparagus, shrimp, chicken breast
Level: Beginner
This elegant dish tastes like it came out of a restaurant. The lemon cream sauce is light and delicate with a nice garlic flavor.
“My kids love this creamy pasta. Whenever I make it, I know that they will happily clean their plates.” —Recipe contributor Joe Milholland, Smelterville, Idaho
Day 10: California Burger Wraps
Main Ingredients: Ground beef, lettuce leaves, avocado
Level: Beginner
A lettuce-wrap burger offers all the best parts of a burger—a juicy patty, crisp toppings and a delicious sauce—without the bun.
“I love the way these fresh flavors blend. It’s a snap to throw these wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns if you like.” —Recipe contributor Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa
Day 12: Cacio e Pepe
Main Ingredients: Parmesan cheese, black pepper, spaghetti
Level: Beginner
Cacio e pepe translates to “cheese and pepper.” It’s the grown-up version of buttered noodles, and it’s so easy to make.
“This classic pasta dish (literally, cheese and pepper) depends on quality ingredients to really shine. Make sure your cheese is finely grated—it’s best to buy a block and grate it yourself—and add it gradually in order to prevent clumping.” —Recipe contributor Lindsay Mattison, Hillsboro, Oregon
Day 13: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Main Ingredients: Pork roast, kaiser rolls, beef broth
Level: Beginner
The homemade sauce is the star of this dish. Similar to barbecue sauce, it’s tangy with some heat. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to suit your needs.
“I like to share this dish at potlucks because it can be made ahead, which I especially appreciate during the busy holiday season. The sweet-and-spicy sauce is always a hit.” —Recipe contributor Martha Anne Carpenter, Mesa, Arizona
Day 14: Texas Chili Fries
Main Ingredients: Beef stew meat, frozen french fries, chili seasoning
Level: Beginner
This recipe is similar to nachos, which means you can go crazy with the toppings. You can also use whatever type of fries you have on hand: waffle fries, curly fries or even tater tots!
“The delicious chili goes together in minutes and then cooks while you run errands. The only way to make it even better is to pour it over crisp french fries and sprinkle with cheese to make Texas chili fries.” —Recipe contributor Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Day 15: Spicy Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
Main Ingredients: Turkey breakfast sausage, Cajun seasoning, white rice
Level: Beginner
This hot and bold dish is on the table in just 30 minutes. Pile on the hot sauce if you like it spicy. Or omit it altogether.
“I created this easy skillet dish to use up the boil-in-a-bag rice in my cabinet. The result packs a lot of flavor.” —Recipe contributor Sonali Ruder, New York, New York
Day 16: Chicken Taquitos
Main Ingredients: Chicken, corn tortillas, onion
Level: Beginner
This easy three step meal is the perfect dinner on a busy weeknight. You can fill them with any meat, but chicken complements the savory cheese filling.
“These crispy chicken taquitos can be baked or deep-fried. Serve them with your favorite dippers like sour cream, salsa or guacamole.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry
Day 18: Corn Dog Casserole
Main Ingredients: Hot dogs, cornbread mix, celery
Level: Intermediate
A corn dog casserole mimics the flavor of the fair food classic, without the fuss.
“Reminiscent of traditional corn dogs, this fun main dish really hits the spot on summer days. It’s perfect for the game day parties my husband and I often host. It tastes especially good right from the oven.” —Recipe contributor Marcy Suzanne Olipane, Belleville, Illinois
Day 19: Brazilian Pork & Black Bean Stew
Main Ingredients: Polish sausage, pork ribs, ham hock, chorizo links, black beans
Level: Intermediate
Feijoada is a black bean stew with variations of pork and beef. With four different types of meat, this slow-cooker meal is a labor of love that’s even better as leftovers.
“During high school, I spent a year in Brazil and fell in love with the culture and food. One of my favorite dishes was feijoada, a stew served over white rice. I introduced this easy recipe to my family, and it has become one of our favorite comfort foods.” —Recipe contributor Andrea Romanczyk, Magna, Utah
Day 20: Spaghetti and Meatball Skillet Supper
Main Ingredients: Spaghetti, turkey meatballs, tomatoes
Level: Beginner
This isn’t your simple spaghetti and meatballs. Lemon, artichoke hearts and cannellini beans add depth and brightness to the one-pot meal.
“I developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness.” —Recipe contributor Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Day 21: Jimmy's Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Main Ingredients: Chicken thighs, sriracha sauce, lime juice, mini pretzel buns
Level: Advanced
There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy this potluck-style meal as a weeknight dinner. Juicy chicken thighs take on the spicy citrus flavor of the dipping sauce. It packs quite the punch!
“I simmer chicken thighs in a spicy-sweet sauce, shred them and then pile ’em high on pretzel buns to create an incredibly addictive party food.” —Recipe contributor James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Day 22: Grilled Pork Chops with Smokin' Sauce
Main Ingredients: Pork loin chops, ketchup, hot pepper sauce
Level: Beginner
The smoky sauce combined with the spiced dry rub make for an unforgettable grilling experience. Using a spice grinder makes the seasonings more flavorful.
“While growing up, my husband always had pork chops that were pan-fried or baked, but he knew they could be better. So he combined his love of grilling with the desire to create his own signature sauce, and the result was this recipe.” —Recipe contributor Vicky Drnek, Rome, Georgia
Day 23: Cheeseburger Quesadillas
Main Ingredients: Ground beef, cheddar cheese, bacon, flour tortillas
Level: Beginner
The cheeseburger quesadilla takes all the flavors of your favorite cheeseburger and packs them into the portable package of a quesadilla.
“I created these fun cheeseburger-quesadilla mashups in honor of my family’s two favorite foods. They are so yummy and easy to make!” —Recipe contributor Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Day 24: Salmon Steak
Main Ingredients: Salmon steaks, butter, lemon juice
Level: Beginner
The tender salmon absorbs the bright citrus and aromatic herbs, resulting in a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
“After our children were married and gone, I prepared salmon steaks often for my husband and myself, especially on our anniversary. It was one of our favorites. We found that one of the nicest ways to enjoy each other’s company was to have a lovely meal together.” —Recipe contributor Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Day 25: Cajun Sirloin with Mushroom Leek Sauce
Main Ingredients: Mushrooms, sirloin steak, Cajun seasoning
Level: Beginner
Tired of seasoning your steak with just salt and pepper? This Cajun garlic sauté is a fresh take on a weeknight meal.
“In 30 minutes you‘ll have a restaurant-quality steak with a bold Cajun flair. The best part? You can skip the drive, the wait and the bill!” —Recipe contributor Joshua Keefer, Delaware, Ohio
Day 26: Green Spaghetti
Main Ingredients: Spaghetti, poblano peppers, cream cheese
Level: Intermediate
Green spaghetti is a traditional Mexican pasta dish consisting of tender spaghetti enveloped in a rich poblano pepper sauce.
“A fun alternative to other pasta sauces, this southwestern-style mix of peppers, cilantro and sour cream brings an unexpected zing to your dinner table.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Day 27: Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Main Ingredients: Chicken breast, Parmesan cheese, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes
Level: Beginner
This recipe yields a flavorful one-pot meal, made by simmering chicken breasts in a creamy Parmesan sauce. Sun-dried tomatoes and basil add Tuscan-inspired Italian flavors.
“This creamy, rich chicken dish is special enough to serve to company. Even better, it comes together in only 45 minutes.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Day 28: Sausage and Kraut Buns
Main Ingredients: Smoked sausage, sauerkraut, pretzel sausage buns
Level: Beginner
This sweet and tangy slow-cooker meal is easy to prep during the week. This hand-held meal is a winner.
“This recipe has become a regular at our church potlucks. Let’s just say I’m in trouble if I show up at a get-together and they don’t appear! For a fun dinner spin, try these sausage and kraut sandwiches over mashed potatoes.” —Recipe contributor Patsy Unruh, Perryton, Texas
Day 29: Sauteed Scallops & Shrimp Pasta
Main Ingredients: Shrimp, scallops, angel hair pasta, frozen peas
Level: Beginner
This delicate and elegant pasta with white wine sauce is a night-out meal from the comfort of your home.
“I created this tempting seafood pasta for my wife. It’s a terrific meal served with crusty sourdough. If you don’t like spice, skip the red pepper flakes.” —Recipe contributor George Levinthal, Goleta, California
Barbecue Brisket
Day 31: Pesto Corn Salad with Shrimp
Main Ingredients: Shrimp, corn, cherry tomatoes, basil, avocado
Level: Beginner
This bright and fresh meal is a new way to prepare shrimp. Pesto adds a zesty garlic flavor to summer veggies.
“This recipe showcases the beautiful bounty of summer with corn, tomatoes and delicious basil. Prevent browning by spritzing the salad with lemon juice.” —Recipe contributor Deena Bowen, Chico, California