Sarah Lienard
No matter what the season, there are times when only comfort food will do – but it needn’t mean resorting to stodgy stews and heavy winter desserts. We’ve rounded up our top 20 summertime dishes that are full of flavour, packed with seasonal ingredients, and seriously comforting too.
Find more seasonal dinner inspiration in our round-up of summer takeaway recipes, summer slow cooker recipes and summer traybake ideas.
Hosting a summer party? Check out our range of summer party food ideas and summer dessert recipes.
1. Pizza salad flatbreads
Looking for a speedy dinner which ticks all the comfort boxes? Have a go at packing classic pizza flavours into a salad, then using as a topping for flatbreads. Easy to make and ready in 25 minutes, they’re full of big flavours and textures. Pizza salad flatbreads
2. Juicy prawn & lemongrass burgers
Bite into these light seafood burgers flavoured with fragrant lemongrass and chilli, plus quick pickled cucumber for added tang. Best enjoyed al fresco – a great pescatarian option for when you’re hosting a barbecue. Juicy prawn & lemongrass burgers
3. Quick banana ice cream sandwich
For a seriously indulgent, super-comforting dessert, it’s hard to beat an ice cream sandwich. Bake peanut butter cookies and blitz frozen bananas with cream and vanilla to make this impressive speedy dessert, then get stuck in! Kids will think they’ve hit the jackpot. Quick banana ice cream sandwiches
4. Club Tropicana ice cream cake
Tuck into a nostalgic sweet treat with this retro Club Tropicana ice cream cake, featuring layers of mango and raspberry sorbet, sponge, cream and chocolate. You can make it ahead of a dinner party, ready to slice and top generously with whipped cream and cherries. Clup Tropicana ice cream cake
5. Very-berry oat crumble
Crumbles are an irresistible dessert all year round, but this oaty bake really lets the flavour of summer shine through. Use up any fruit you have to hand, such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, redcurrants or blackcurrants – use frozen if you can’t find fresh.Very-berry oat crumble
6. Bacon nachos with cheese sauce
These fully loaded nachos are the ultimate comfort food – ideal for sharing with the family during a movie night or a sunny afternoon in the garden. Top crispy tortilla chips with smoked streaky bacon, spring onions, jalapenos and an oozy cheese sauce.Bacon nachos with cheese sauce
7. 15-minute chicken & halloumi burgers
These brilliant burgers are piled high with juicy chicken, halloumi, roasted red peppers and your choice of hummus, tzatziki or soured cream and chive dip. The best bit? They’re on the table in just 15 minutes.15-minute chicken & halloumi burgers
8. Stickiest ever BBQ ribs with chive dip
These ribs are seriously sticky, smothered in a sweet, spicy sauce and slow-roasted before being finished on the barbecue. Serve with a homemade soured cream and chive dip to cut through the glaze.Stickiest ever BBQ ribs with chive dip
9. BBQ pulled pork
Few dishes scream summer more than barbecued pulled pork. This classic American pork shoulder dish is slow cooked and shredded, before being piled into soft brioche buns. Add your choice of toppings – coleslaw and pickles will go down a treat – and finish with lashings of smoky BBQ sauce.BBQ pulled pork
10. Sausage, roasted veg & puy lentil one-pot
Pack three of your five-a-day into one dish with this filling one-pot, bulked out with Mediterranean vegetables and puy lentils. We opted for pork sausages but you could swap for your favourite vegetarian sausages for a meat-free meal.Sausage, roasted veg & puy lentil one-pot
11. Grilled salmon tacos with avocado salsa
These colourful fish tacos can be on the table in just 35 minutes. We’ve filled crisp shells with flaked salmon fillets, creamy avocado, tangy red onion and a garlicky yogurt sauce for a flavour-packed meal.Grilled salmon tacos with avocado salsa
12. Aubergine & chickpea curry
Craving a curry? This vegan dish is sure to please. Fresh tomatoes and coconut milk simmer down into a satisfying, spiced sauce while chickpeas make it extra filling. Take it to the next level with a side of homemade naan and mango chutney.Aubergine & chickpea curry
13. Eton mess cheesecake
This incredible dessert is the epitome of summer decadence. The creamy cheesecake with a crumbly biscuit base is piled high with mini meringues, in-season strawberries and a scattering of edible flowers. Definitely one to Instagram!Eton mess cheesecake
14. Caramelised onion & thyme sausage rolls
These homemade sausage rolls may look impressive, but they’re actually a doddle to make. Caramelised onion chutney and mustard adds a touch of heat and tang to the pork sausage filling. They’re perfect finger food to enjoy al fresco in the garden or pack up as part of a picnic spread.Caramelised onion & thyme sausage rolls
15. Tomato & courgette risotto
Use up a glut of summer vegetables in this classic Italian rice dish. We’ve added a touch of mascarpone for an extra creamy texture, and a generous sprinkle of grated cheese – go for parmesan or a vegetarian alternative.Tomato & courgette risotto
16. Bacon, pea & basil macaroni
Serve up a bowl of this colourful pasta bake for a really comforting dinner. We’ve given the classic macaroni cheese a seasonal upgrade, adding peas, leeks and crisp streaky bacon – plus a scattering of fresh torn basil for a final hit of flavour.Bacon, pea & basil macaroni
17. Chicken Provençal with olives & artichokes
Chicken casserole has to be one of the most comforting meals there is, and we’ve created this summer-inspired one-pot to showcase ripe plum tomatoes in a herby, garlicky sauce. Serve with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the juices.Chicken Provençal with olives & artichokes
18. Baked ratatouille & goat’s cheese
Let late summer vegetables shine in this aubergine, pepper and courgette bake. This ratatouille-inspired dish is layered with a rich cheese sauce to create a luxurious vegetarian dinner. Serve alongside a crisp green salad, fluffy baked potatoes or crusty garlic bread.Baked ratatouille & goat’s cheese
19. Cannellini bean & fennel ragu
Cooking for two? Look no further than this hearty bean stew using in-season fennel and ripe cherry tomatoes. We’ve added pan-fried pancetta for extra flavour, but it’s just as delicious without if you’re after a vegetarian alternative.Cannellini bean & fennel ragu
20. Barbecued meatball kebabs
Make the most of sunny days and fire up the barbecue to make these Middle Eastern-style meatball kebabs. Harissa, mint, coriander and ras el hanout pack in plenty of spice to the lamb mince mixture, ready to be wrapped up in flatbreads with a generous drizzle of tahini sauce.
Read more
Summer comfort food recipe collection
Vegan comfort food recipes
Healthy comfort food recipes
Healthy vegetarian comfort food recipes
8 summer slow cooker recipes
Top 20 summer baking ideas
What are your favourite summer comfort food recipes? Let us know below…
