85 Easy Summer Recipes to Make in a 13×9 Pan

Cherry Rhubarb Crunch

My husband's grandmother gave me this recipe, along with a bundle of rhubarb, when we were first married. I had never cared for rhubarb, but after trying this dessert, I changed my mind. Now my children dig in too! —Sharon Wasikowski, Middleville, Michigan

Cowboy Cornbread

This cornbread is richer and sweeter than others I’ve tried, and especially luscious alongside ham and beans. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

Caribbean Chipotle Pork Sliders

Our favorite pulled pork sliders combine the heat of chipotle peppers with a cool tropical coleslaw. The robust flavors make these a big hit with guests. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida

Cinnamon-Sugar Peach Kuchen

My comforting cinnamon peach kuchen showcases fresh summer fruit. You can use other stone fruits, too, such as plums or nectarines. This is one of those homey desserts that begs for a scoop of ice cream on top! —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Chicken-Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers

Here's a different take on traditional stuffed peppers. I substituted chicken for the beef and used Cubanelle peppers in place of the green peppers that are usually featured in such a dish. —Ron Burlingame, Canton, Ohio

Nectarine Plum Cobbler

I live in northern Manitoba, where fresh nectarines and plums are usually available only at summer’s end. I make the fruit filling and freeze it for use all winter. My family really enjoys this recipe, and it’s wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream. —Darlene Jackson, The Pas, Manitoba

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas

This is not a drill. These buffalo chicken enchiladas—filled with tender rotisserie chicken, lots of cheese and, of course, Buffalo sauce—are a craveworthy, easy and delicious meal. The entire family will ask for them again and again. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri

Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

I prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana

Saucy Barbecue Shrimp

This old, rustic Cajun dish is one of our family favorites. Don't remove the shells from the shrimp—the beauty of this dish is peeling the shrimp and dipping it in the sauce. We've doubled and even tripled this barbecue shrimp to feed crowds and it's always perfect! —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Brownies

Everyone loves these peanut butter chocolate chip brownies. It's hard to eat just one! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Meatball Sliders

These meatball sliders feature pesto-filled meatballs, pasta sauce and two types of cheese, all baked inside Hawaiian sweet rolls. They're a pleasure to eat!

Blueberry, Apple and Pineapple Dump Cake

I call this B.A.P. dump cake. I usually take it to our church potluck and it is the first dessert to go! Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra sugar over the nuts. —Mitzi Erthal, Godfrey, Illinois

Pear and Apple Coffee Cake

The mix of apples, pears and sour cream gives this coffee cake a moist texture. —Debbie Vanni, Libertyville, Illinois

Cheddar and Chorizo Strata

Stratas are a wonderful way to use up bits and pieces of leftovers you have on hand. You can make them meatless, or replace the cheeses with whatever is available. This can be made a day before baking. If you like more heat, use pepper jack cheese. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

Curry-Kissed Coconut Fudge

If you love Thai flavors and love fudge, you'll adore this creamy coconut fudge sprinkled with a hint of sweet curry powder. —Sarah Meuser, New Milford, Connecticut

Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake

It always seems like my rhubarb goes bad in a hurry, so I was looking for a simple way to combine two of my favorite flavors in an incredibly easy dessert. I added extra spices to enhance the flavor of this strawberry-rhubarb dump cake for a sweet treat my whole family loved! —Jessica Bridge, Grand Junction, Colorado

Lemon Raspberry Buckle

I've given a fresh summery twist to the classic blueberry buckle everyone loves by replacing the blueberries for raspberries (my favorite) and adding sweet and tart lemon curd. This berry buckle cake recipe tastes great with vanilla ice cream! —Jenna Fleming, Lowville, New York

Bacon Cheeseburger Slider Bake

I created this dish to fill two pans because these sliders disappear fast. Cut the recipe in half if you want one batch. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Homemade Confetti Cake

This is a moist and fluffy vanilla cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped vanilla buttercream. It's almost impossible not to feel happy when you see the fun pop of rainbow confetti! —Courtney Rich, Highland, UT

No-Fuss Chicken

This recipe could hardly be simpler to prepare. The chicken gets a wonderful tangy taste, and no one will know you used convenient ingredients like a bottle of salad dressing and onion soup mix...unless you tell them. —Marilyn Dick, Centralia, Missouri

Vegetable & Cheese Focaccia

My family eats this flavorful bread as fast as I can make it. Sometimes I add different herbs, red onion or crumbled bacon. It's one of my best recipes! —Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland

S'mores Brownies

My family simply adores my daughter's fudgy s'mores brownies. The cinnamon graham cracker crust and the dark chocolate brownies bring our passion for s'mores to a whole new level! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

A hearty tomato-meat sauce, garden-fresh zucchini and oodles of cheese make this zucchini pizza casserole the ultimate family-friendly dinner recipe.

Mixed Berry Tiramisu

Because I love tiramisu, I came up with this deliciously refreshing twist on the traditional coffee-flavored Italian dessert. Fresh softened berries star with crisp ladyfinger cookies and mascarpone cheese. Serve it from a glass bowl or in clear dishes to show off the luscious layers. —Najmussahar Ahmed, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars

To make a dairy-free dessert, I created chocolate peanutty bars. My kids and their friends gobble them up. I've written about it on my blog, joyfulscribblings.com. —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, Kansas

Amish Breakfast Casserole

We enjoyed hearty breakfast casseroles during a visit to an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the women told me the ingredients right off the top of her head. I modified it a bit to create this version that my family loves. —Beth Notaro, Kokomo, Indiana

Berry Dream Cake

I use cherry gelatin to give a boxed cake mix an eye-appealing marbled effect. It's so festive-looking. Top it with whatever fruit you like! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee

Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

I won a baking contest at Purdue University with this recipe for lemon bars with cream cheese frosting. I think you’ll love the dreamy topping. —Michael Hunter, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Macadamia Sunshine Bars

Your guests will be delighted with my bars. They are packed with nuts and dried fruit. I think that when you take a bite of this treat it’s like a mini-vacation to a Polynesian paradise. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Chicken Chiles Rellenos Strata

This versatile bake can be made as an entree, a brunch option or a potluck dish. It's one of the easiest meals to assemble on a busy weeknight. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bars

These peanut butter energy bars are made with natural ingredients, and there's no baking required! You can substitute sunflower seeds for the walnuts. Want more fiber? Add a little wheat germ. —Amy Crane, Richland, Michigan

Raspberry-Almond Coffee Cake

This fruity raspberry almond coffee cake is an awesome brunch treat. If you can’t find raspberries, try blueberries or strawberries. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Spinach ‘n’ Broccoli Enchiladas

I like to top this wonderful meatless meal with lettuce and serve it with extra picante sauce. It's quick, easy, filled with fresh flavor and definitely satisfying! —Lesley Tragesser, Charleston, Missouri

Raspberry Crumble Bars

To give these fresh, fruity bars even more crunch, add a sprinkling of nuts to the yummy crumb topping. Everyone will want to indulge. —Leanna M. Thorne, Lakewood, Colorado

Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight

This is a simple chocolate dessert recipe for any type of potluck occasion, and the pan always comes home empty. —Diane Windley, Grace, Idaho

Grits & Sausage Casserole

You could call this the "so good casserole" because that's what people say when they try it. It's a southern specialty.—Marie Poppenhager, Old Town, Florida

Rainbow Jello Cubes

Make your next party a hit with rainbow layer Jell-O. A sweet, fun and nostalgic treat for all ages. With patience and a little attention to detail, you’ll create a stunning dessert that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat.

Rhubarb Dumplings

I love to try new recipes. When I served these at a recent family gathering, I got lots of compliments. —Elsie Shell, Topeka, Indiana

Nutty Oven-Fried Chicken

The pecans that give this dish its unique nutty flavor are plentiful in the South, and so is chicken. I love to make and serve this simple oven fried chicken dish because the chicken comes out moist, tasty and crispy. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida

Fudgy S’mores Brownies

I combined the perfect summer snack with my favorite brownie recipe to get these s'mores brownies. They're sure to wow at your next big party. —Judy Cunningham, Max, North Dakota

Cuban Sliders

These Cuban sliders are packed with ham, cheese and pickles and baked with a buttery, Dijon mustard topping.

Blueberry Kuchen

Our blueberry kuchen recipe will let your sweet summer berries shine!

Italian Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini

I've always had to be creative when getting my family to eat vegetables, so I decided to make stuffed zucchini using the pizza flavors that everyone loves. It worked! We like to include sausage for a main dish but it could be a meatless side too. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

White Chocolate-Strawberry Tiramisu

Our strawberry tiramisu recipe is a twist on a classic tiramisu, using ladyfingers as the base structure for a delicious dessert with flavors reminiscent of a strawberry cassata cake. Fresh strawberries are the star of this tasty treat that's topped with creamy layers of luscious flavor. Be forewarned; you may want to keep the entire dessert for yourself!

Raspberry Custard Kuchen

Back where I grew up in Wisconsin, people have been baking this German treat for generations. We love it for breakfast or as a special dessert. It's no fuss to fix and impressive to serve. —Virginia Arndt, Sequim, Washington

Mexican Chicken Wings

I make these spicy appetizers for parties and football games and never have any leftovers. The hot wings contrast nicely with the cool but zippy dip. When the wings run out, we use the extra cilantro dip on tortilla chips. —Barbara McConaughey, Houlton, Wisconsin

Jersey-Style Hot Dogs

I grew up in northern New Jersey, where hot dogs with grilled potatoes were born. It's a combo you’ll love. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Apple Dumplings with Crescent Rolls

When you don't have time to make them the traditional way, apple dumplings with crescent rolls make for an easy and delicious dessert. Forget fussing with a crust, just roll these up and pop them in the oven.

Crouton Tomato Casserole

This old-fashioned side uses lots of delicious tomatoes and seasonings that give it an Italian twist. Every time I serve it, someone asks for the recipe. —Norma Nelson, Punta Gorda, Florida

New Orleans-Style Spicy Shrimp

We have family members who attended college in New Orleans. This shrimp captures their favorite flavors from the Big Easy, with the right touches of spice and heat. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York

Artichoke Ratatouille Chicken

I loaded all the fresh produce I could find into this speedy chicken dinner. Serve it on its own or over pasta. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

Barbecue Baked Beans

These barbecue baked beans are a meaty twist on everyday baked beans, with a touch of sweetness too. Try this family-friendly recipe for any backyard barbecue or picnic.

Chicken Salad-Stuffed Peppers

We love this recipe because it combines the fresh flavor of summer bell peppers and chicken salad. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina

Lemon Chiffon Blueberry Dessert

This cool and creamy no-bake dessert is perfect for hot summer days. I sometimes replace raspberries for half of the blueberries to make it look more patriotic. —Jodie Cederquist, Muskegon, Michigan

Tex-Mex Summer Squash Casserole

Mild-flavored yellow squash gets a big boost from flavor-packed chiles, jalapenos and red onion. This side dish also works with zucchini. —Tommy Lombardo, Euclid, Ohio

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

This nutritious yet economical summer meal makes the most of my home-grown peppers. I like to top it with sour cream and serve with tortilla chips and salsa, but it’s wonderful on its own, too. —Kimberly Coleman, Columbia, South Carolina

Chewy Honey Granola Bars

There's sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. To save a few for later, wrap individual bars and place in a resealable freezer container. When you want a satisfying treat on short notice, just grab one and let it thaw for a few minutes. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont

Baked Honey-Glazed Chicken

When I was a young girl, this was my oldest sister's Sunday dinner. The tradition has continued, as I make this dish twice a month and my four daughters serve their families with this favorite dish. It has an old-fashioned subtle flavor and the chicken is crisp and brown. —Pat Dube, Phoenix, Arizona

Lemon Chicken & Rice

This bright and savory lemony chicken and rice recipe is delicious, easy to prepare and so incredibly satisfying that it will have you rethinking your list of go-to comfort foods.

Taco Bubble Pizza

Your entire family's going to be requesting this Taco Bubble Pizza recipe! Lucky for you, it's a cinch with tomato soup, taco seasoning and refrigerated biscuits. Set up a taco bar and let everyone add his or her favorite toppings. —Dawn Schutter, Titonka, Iowa

Makeover Spinach and Artichoke Casserole

Spinach never tasted better than it does in this creamy, colorful dish that I've lightened up a bit with reduced-fat ingredients! —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod

After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Zucchini Pork Chop Supper

My mom gave me a recipe for zucchini casserole and I added the meat because I was trying to make a one-dish supper. I look forward to fresh zucchini now. —Linda Martin, Rhinebeck, New York

Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast

This baked barbecue chicken breast will be the star of the show at your next backyard BBQ.

Seafood Casserole

This baked seafood casserole is simple to put together. Shrimp, crab, vegetables and rice are combined in a single dish, bathed in a rich sauce and topped with crunchy, golden bread crumbs.

Bacon and Egg Casserole

Bacon and egg casserole features all your favorite classic breakfast ingredients in one dish. Serve it as the centerpiece of a brunch spread or a meal-prep dish for the week.

Baked Chicken Fajitas

I can't remember when or where I found this oven-baked fajitas recipe, but I've used it nearly every week since. We like it with hot sauce for added spice. —Amy Trinkle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Colorful Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

When we have houseguests, we make broccoli and cheese strata the night before so in the morning we can relax and visit while it bubbles in the oven. —Gale Lalmond, Deering, New Hampshire

Stuffed Iowa Chops

Here's a hearty dish for big appetites. The corn and apples make a tasty stuffing for the chops. —Judith Smith, Des Moines, Iowa

Blueberry-Lemon Upside-Down Cake

I was young when I married, so I watched my mother-in-law to learn baking. This cake with fresh blueberries is one of her beauties. —Bonnie Roberts, Newaygo, Michigan

Orange Chicken

I found this recipe several years ago while looking for a new way to prepare chicken. It's become our favorite dinner entree. —Betty Sexton, Blairsville, Georgia

Veggie Sausage Strata

As a retired home economics teacher, I've made quite a few recipes through the years. This hearty casserole is a favorite in my family. —Dorothy Erickson, Blue Eye, Missouri

Jamaican Salmon with Coconut Cream Sauce

We try to eat salmon a lot because it's so healthy, and I love thinking of new ways to make it different and delicious. This dazzler is easy and is my go-to meal for company. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California

Greek Zucchini & Feta Bake

Looking to highlight your meal with something light, indulgent and golden on top? Turn to this Greek-style egg bake. —Gabriela Stefanescu, Webster, Texas

Garlic-Ginger Turkey Tenderloins

This good-for-you entree can be on your dinner plates quicker than Chinese takeout—and for a lot less money! Ginger and brown sugar flavor the sauce that spices up the turkey as it bakes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chicken Tamale Casserole

Everyone will love the layers of flavor in this chicken tamale casserole: a tender cornbread base, chicken bathed in enchilada sauce and a topping of gooey cheese, all combined into one comforting dish.

Spinach & Chicken Phyllo Pie

For a brunch showstopper, we make chicken pie with phyllo and spinach. Our kids go for it, too, especially when we serve it with a minty fruit salad. —Katie Ferrier Gage, Houston, Texas

Glazed Chicken Wings

I received this easy wing recipe from a cousin on Vancouver Island during a visit there a few years ago. They're an appealing appetizer, but also a favorite for Sunday lunch with rice and a salad. —Joan Airey, Rivers, Manitoba

Fiesta Breakfast Bake

I get a kick out of making breakfast for a crowd when I have weekend guests, and my family also loves breakfast for dinner. I created this dish by combining my family's favorite southwestern flavors in an all-in-one-pan recipe.—Whitney Gilbert, Smithville, Missouri