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.

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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

Pizza salad flatbreads topped with salami, picked peppers and cheese

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

Two juicy prawn and 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

Pile of banana ice cream sandwiches

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

A dessert plate serving 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

Very-berry oat crumble in a blue bowl and plate

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

Bacon loaded nachos on a platter with a hand taking a piece

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

A wooden board with two chicken and halloumi burgers on it next to a plate of halloumi and a bowl of sauce

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

BBQ ribs on a board next to chive dip and corn on the cobs

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

Three burgers stuffed with 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

Puy lentils with sausages and mixed summer vegetables

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

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

Aubergine & chickpea curry with rice in a white bowl

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

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

Sausage rolls on a board

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

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

Bacon, pea & basil macaroni in a silver pan

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

Pot off chicken with artichokes and olives

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

Ratatouille bake with goat's cheese sauce and layered courgette topping

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

Cannellini bean & fennel ragu in a silver pan

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

Lamb meatball kebab skewers with wraps

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.

Barbecued meatball kebabs

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

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What are your favourite summer comfort food recipes? Let us know below...

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