Go-To Summer Meals with Dairy When It’s Too Hot to Cook

Is it just me, or do you also struggle to find motivation to cook dinner when summer temps are at their peak? Yep, I’ll admit it: Standing over a hot stove at the end of the hot day isn’t the most appealing activity. The summer heat also cuts some of my usual appetite, so my go-to dinner recipes when the weather is cooler feel too heavy. Instead, I’m drawn to quick, easy, cooling meals with dairy. And much to my kids’ disappointment, this doesn’t mean I’m serving popsicles for dinner! Even when the temp registers 99°F in the afternoons, serving a nutritious and balanced meal is still important to me. So, what’s my solution?

Key Takeaways on Summer Meals with Dairy

Hot summer days call for quick, cooling meals that require little to no cooking but still provide protein, fiber, healthy fats, and important nutrients.
Dairy foods like mozzarella and burrata add creamy flavor, protein, and staying power to simple summer meals like pasta salad and tomato-peach salad.
Seasonal ingredients, including tomatoes, peaches, basil, and simple vinaigrettes, can make no-cook meals feel fresh, colorful, and satisfying.

I lean into my repertoire of recipes that call for simple ingredients that require little to no cooking yet are still good sources of key nutrients like protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Summer produce and herbs are my inspiration—and I switch it up by shopping for what looks best at the farmer’s market that week. That’s how I developed these two recipes: Caprese Pasta Salad and Summer Tomato-Peach Burrata Salad, both of which have become favorite go-to summer meals in our house.

Colorful and Refreshing Summer Meals with Dairy

Caprese Pasta Salad

This recipe is a great way to beat the heat. At this point in the summer, it makes a weekly appearance in my kitchen. Juicy cherry tomatoes, cool mozzarella, fresh basil, and a high-quality, slightly peppery EVOO are a flavor combination that always tastes like, well, summer. Turning it into a pasta salad transforms it into a satisfying meal. And one that holds up well for a few days, so it also doubles as a quick and easy lunch on busy days. The secret, though, is to use a pasta that’s fiber- and protein-rich. One serving of some brands of these pastas, like Carbe Diem, can meet most of your daily fiber needs, while other brands, like Barilla Protein+, have 42% more protein per serving than their regular pasta.

Summer Peach-Tomato Burrata Salad

This is another go-to, and it’s especially ideal when I need a no-cook option. Peak-season tomatoes and juicy peaches surround creamy burrata in this colorful summer salad, while a simple vinaigrette made with lemon, jarred pesto, and a touch of honey ties the sweet and savory flavors together. I like to serve it with toasted baguette slices to make it more of a meal—and for scooping up every creamy, juicy bite. For something a little heartier, add prosciutto or another cured ham, or serve it with chilled cooked shrimp.

While I may be skipping the cooking, I’m certainly not skimping on nutrition. Both peaches and tomatoes contain carotenoids, a family of beneficial plant compounds. Tomatoes are particularly rich in lycopene, while peaches provide carotenes like beta-carotene. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can also help support healthy skin—a perk I especially appreciate this time of year. And burrata pumps up the protein count on this salad for more staying power.

Both dishes check all my summer boxes—quick, cool and refreshing, with little to no cooking required. They’re also nutritionally substantial enough to stand alone as a smaller meal or serve as the base of a more complete meal. Pair either with something simple, like a grocery store rotisserie chicken, or slice leftover steak or grilled chicken on top, and dinner is done.

Common Questions on Summer Dairy Meals

Q: What can I make for dinner when it’s too hot to cook?
A: Try no-cook or low-cook meals like Caprese pasta salad, tomato-peach burrata salad, rotisserie chicken with salad, or chilled grain bowls.

Q: How do I make summer meals more filling?
A: Add protein-rich ingredients like dairy, chicken, shrimp, beans, or high-protein pasta, along with fiber-rich produce and healthy fats.

Q: Is burrata good in summer salads?
A: Yes. Burrata adds creamy texture, protein, and richness that pairs well with summer tomatoes, peaches, basil, pesto, and toasted bread.

Carolyn Williams, PhD, RD, is a leading culinary nutrition expert and 2017 James Beard Journalism Award winner who’s developed a knack for breaking down complex science into practical takeaways and tips for consumers. The author of a best-selling cookbook, Meals That Heal: 100+ Everyday Anti-Inflammatory Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less, Carolyn is a sought-after expert and speaker on anti-inflammatory eating and managing chronic inflammation through lifestyle, including the role that inflammation plays in autoimmune diseases and mental health. Carolyn is also the co-creator and co-host of the top-rated podcast Happy Eating whose episodes explore the connection that one’s mental wellness has to various diet and lifestyle trends.