Who wants to be cooped up inside chopping and blending when you could be outside taking in the gorgeous sunny weather? Not us. And we can imagine you feel the same.

With that in mind and maximizing long summer nights on the agenda, here are 10 go-to dinner ideas you can whip up and set on the patio table—then get on with savoring your summer evenings. Enjoy!

1. Light and summery

In a fun, festive format, Veggie Loaded Summer Potato Salad Jars are crunchy, nutritious, low-cal and refreshing, drizzled in a creamy, citrus-Tahini dressing. These will be a hit on the party table, too. Serve with barbecued chicken or tofu.

2. A healthier burger

We’ve modernized this crowd-pleaser—the health-conscious version of a cheeseburger and fries. Prep Lightened Up Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup the night before, pop it in the slow cooker after breakfast and dinner is ready when you are. Add kale or spinach to boost the nutrition factor. Serve with a side salad.

3. Potato Pizza 

A thin crust pizza recipe top with bacon, veggies, a delicious blend of mozzarella and ricotta cheese, and nutritious little potatoes.

4. Succulent seafood combo 

This one is beautiful: colorful skewers with shrimp, zucchini, and Boomer Gold Creamers. Serve with a nutty, vibrant-hued green pea pesto and, if you can find them at the grocery store or farmers’ market, curly garlic scapes.

5. Tex-Mex 

Add some South of the Border spice to your week with Tex-Mex Veggie Hash: an herb and protein-packed scramble of tofu, Little Potatoes, peppers, kale and black beans. Serve with tortillas or thick-cut toast.

6. Avocado special 

Velvety avocados are at their peak in summer. Try Crispy Potatoes with Garlic Lemon Avocado Aioli to enhance your favorite seasonal staple. A little heat enhances our bold Something Blue Creamers and the aioli is seriously addictive. We like this one with seafood or grilled halibut.

7. Meal-in-one casserole 

Loaded Potato & Ranch Chicken Casserole couldn’t be easier. It’s a calorie-conscious, Tex-Mex-inspired, all-in-one meal with boneless chicken breast cubes, Ranch dressing, and Mexican cheese. (Bacon is optional or use turkey bacon as a healthier alternative.) Garnish with diced green onion. If you like, serve with a Mexican-style slaw.

8. Creamy (light) 

Pretty much everyone loves buttery scalloped potatoes, but they are heavy. We’ve revisited the classic with this take: Light Creamy Dill Scalloped Potatoes. The result: a fraction of the fat, but still as decadent tasting. Serve with poached fillet of sole or turkey meatloaf (No. 7, above).

9. Barbecued veg 

Pair BBQ Potatoes and Vegetable Medley with steak and you can make the whole meal on the barbecue. Use your grill basket to cook seasoned Terrific Trio Creamers, sweet bell peppers, garlic cloves and zucchini, then drizzle with Balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Serve immediately.

10. Classic contrast 

Pairing a pleasantly aggressive blue cheese with sweet honey is traditional Italian. Garnished with fresh rosemary, Gorgonzola and Honey Roasted Potatoes not only looks tantalizing on the plate, it’s a delicious study in flavor and texture contrasts. Our fun fingerling potatoes add a playful dimension. Serve with beef or salty pulled pork.

Try one or two of these recipes this weekend and get your family fueled up and back to your all your summer activities!

DO YOU HAVE A FABULOUS GO-TO DINNER RECIPE? WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT!

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Photo Credit:  The Cookie Writer