These Yummy Summer Recipes Will Make Backyard Dinners A Breeze

Summer has arrived and kids know that it brings with it long afternoons, bike rides, and squirt gun fights. But as parents try to help their families enjoy some laid-back summer fun, they find that the workload for moms and dads hasn’t gone anywhere. Just when kids are hitting the hammock for some well-deserved rest and relaxation, parents often feel like they’re trapped on the same endless treadmill of household responsibilities – cue exhaustion.

One great way to bring summer fun to the whole family is to bring dinner outside. The backyard dinner combines the fresh air and sunshine that summer promises, with simple, classic meals that kids love to eat and parents love to prepare.

Whether straight from the grill or chilled from the refrigerator, we’ve selected some summer recipes for easy outdoor dining built around RAGÚ^® Old World Style^® Traditional Sauce. From sunny Caprese Farfalle to Rustic Italian Bowls, each of these is a perfect solution for busy families – a flavorful meal featuring a delicious tomato sauce made with quality ingredients like olive oil and vine-ripened tomatoes. Nothing compares to simple, satisfying meals enjoyed with family in the evening breeze.

Caprese Farfalle

Talk about summer in a bowl. Fresh mozzarella, basil and tomatoes come together with RAGÚ^® Old World Style^® Traditional Sauce for a simple take on the traditional caprese salad. Kids will dive in for the pasta and the tiny mozzarella pearls, and you’ll love the short list of ingredients and 10-minute prep time.

Rustic Italian Bowls

The “bowl” concept, a hearty salad of customizable ingredients, was purpose-built to make parents’ lives easier (um, yes please!), and this Rustic Italian Bowl recipe is a great combination of flavors that kids love and ingredients that just sing in the summertime. It’s easy to add your family’s favorite items, cut the ones that create problems for your picky eaters, and add simple flourishes like chopped basil that bring summer to your table. For instance, you can grill your own chicken if you’ve got the time, use store-bought rotisserie chicken if you don’t, or skip the chicken entirely for the vegetarian experience. This dish is the perfect combination of classic flavors and the solutions that suit your family. Fatto!

Italian Sausage Sandwiches

Few things are as simple and satisfying as a summer sandwich. Adapt these versatile stand-bys to your family’s taste, with either hot or sweet Italian sausage. With crusty bread and RAGÚ^® sauce, your tastebuds can transport you to a villa swept by the sea breeze while you stay right in the shady spot between the kitchen door and the sprinkler setup. Summer bliss.

Skillet Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan has earned a spot in the American culinary pantheon, and for good reason – it’s a delicious combination of common household ingredients. On the other hand, breading and frying your chicken while you simmer down your tomato sauce can be a tall order on a hectic summer evening, so this updated Chicken Parm features skillet-simmered chicken and RAGÚ^® Old World Style^® Traditional Sauce to keep your nightly schedule on track and the chef outside at the table with the kids. We love a new twist on an old favorite!

Farmer’s Stack

One of the best things about summer is the availability of fresh produce. Yet the eternal challenge of getting your kids to eat their vegetables looms as large as ever. This recipe takes full advantage of the bounty at the farmers market while appealing to kids by combining polenta patties with veggie toppings, sauce and cheese. Substitute your family’s in-season favorites and even the pickiest eaters will be satisfied. Polenta has proven to be the secret weapon in many home chefs’ arsenals. In this case, you can even prepare the polenta patties the night before to simplify your evening schedule.

Veggie-Stuffed Pasta Shells

With RAGÚ^® sauce, fluffy shells and creamy ricotta, this dish is a classic of old world flavors that is so well-suited to the modern time crunch. Stuff the shells when you have a few free minutes – they’ll keep until you’re ready to prep dinner. When the time is right, put them in a skillet on top of RAGÚ^® Old World Style^® Traditional Sauce and simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through. All the comfort of a hearty traditional recipe that leaves plenty of time to enjoy a summer evening with the family.

Give yourself a break this summer and enjoy some yard time with the kids. With quick, delicious family recipes, you can enjoy beloved traditional flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.

RAGÚ^® sauce helps busy families enjoy more time together thanks to the delicious taste of RAGÚ^® Old World Style^® Traditional Sauce. For more quick and delicious recipes, visit Ragu.com.