15 Chilled Make-Ahead Dinners for Scorching Days
When the temperature rises, the last thing anyone wants is a hot meal, let alone turning on the oven or stove. Instead, prepare for the heat by making meals in advance that don't need reheating. These cold make-ahead dishes, including pasta and quinoa salads, sandwiches, and lettuce wraps, require minimal effort when it's time to serve. Stay cool, satisfied, and nourished with these refreshing summer-ready meals.
No-Cook Chicken Lettuce Wraps
These crisp lettuce wraps use pre-cooked deli chicken, so you can skip the cooking step. Prepare the chicken salad ahead of time and simply spoon it into lettuce leaves when you're ready to serve.
Simple Asian Noodle Salad
"This salad was amazing! It has great flavor, and you can make it in advance. I swapped soba noodles for spaghetti and used snow peas instead of sugar snap peas because that's what I had. It turned out wonderfully and was really filling," says Dinogo Allstar Bibi.
Authentic New Orleans Muffuletta
Surprisingly, you can make this hearty New Orleans sandwich ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a couple of days without it getting soggy. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, press it down with a pot, pan, or cans to help the flavors meld. Jenn, the recipe creator, mentions that you can keep the tangy olive salad used in the recipe refrigerated for up to a month.
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Salad
Buffalo chicken doesn’t always have to be a spicy, filling dish. Nikki, the recipe contributor, suggests serving it on toasted hoagie rolls with melted Cheddar or Jack cheese. However, you can also enjoy it cold with tortillas or lettuce wraps, as many reviewers have shared.
Southwestern Quinoa Salad
"This is so refreshing! I highly recommend letting it sit overnight for the flavors to blend," says home cook Vanessa. "It's healthy and delicious!" Top this quinoa salad with fresh avocado just before serving.
Broccoli and Ramen Noodle Salad
This make-ahead salad is packed with crunchy goodness from broccoli slaw, ramen noodles, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. For an added protein boost, toss in some rotisserie chicken.
Ultimate Ham Pasta Salad
Our Ultimate Ham Pasta Salad is a creamy blend of mayonnaise and sour cream, delivering both comfort and freshness with the addition of red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes.
Egg Salad with Crunchy Celery
This egg salad consistently receives five-star reviews for its simplicity and timeless flavor. Whether served as a sandwich, spooned onto avocado halves, or nestled in hollowed-out tomatoes, it's a foolproof choice.
Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
"This salad tastes amazing! I made it with leftovers in mind, so I waited to add the cucumber until right before serving — it turned out perfect. It's also great with a handful of frozen peas tossed in at the last moment," says home cook Ruth Stephens about this chilled, creamy pasta salad.
Chef John's Gazpacho
Gazpacho stays fresh for a few days in the fridge, and one taste of Chef John's flavorful, refreshing recipe will make you want to keep a batch ready throughout the summer. Pair it with a sandwich or a hearty cold salad.
Greek Pasta Salad I
This make-ahead pasta salad is packed with sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, crumbled feta, black olives, and pepperoni, all drenched in Mediterranean flavors from dried basil, oregano, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
Sesame Noodle Salad
"This recipe has quickly become a summer staple! I also like to add broccoli and carrot slaw for a veggie boost. It's super quick and easy to make on a hot day," says home cook AlexD.
Pecan Chicken Salad
Rotisserie chicken saves the day once again in this easy, no-cook chicken salad that lasts up to three days in the fridge. Recipe creator and Dinogo Allstar thedailygourmet suggests serving it on toasted croissants or with butter lettuce.
Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
Switch up your usual chicken salad with this hearty, plant-based option. "You can prepare the chickpea salad in advance and then turn it into a sandwich by drizzling olive oil on the bread and adding the salad mix on top. You can adjust the ingredients depending on what veggies you have on hand," says home cook straawberrycandy32.
Chicken Quinoa Salad
Packed with vegetables and chicken, this quinoa salad is served warm but is just as tasty when eaten cold. Home cook Julia Wooters recommends adding fresh lemon juice to keep it light and refreshing.
More Chilled Dishes:
- 30 No-Cook Summer Meals to Chill Out a Heat Wave
- 50 Cold Lunch Ideas
- 27 Cold Noodle Recipes for Refreshing Dinners
- Browse all Summer Recipes.
Evaluation :
5/5