Summery 20-Minute Dinners Meal Plan

There's still plenty of summer left to enjoy, but by mid-August, I'm looking for dinners that make the most of these warm evenings without keeping me in the kitchen.

This week's Summery 20 Minute Dinners Meal Plan is filled with fresh, easy meals made for busy late-summer days. Think crisp lettuce wraps, easy tacos, a quick pasta, New England-inspired shrimp rolls, and a colorful Southwest chicken salad to finish the week.

And because every week deserves something sweet, we're adding a batch of chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars-perfect for lunchboxes, afternoon treats, or sharing over the weekend.

Most of these dinners come together in about 20 minutes, with simple serving ideas and a little make-ahead prep to make the week even easier.

Three image collage featuring lettuce wraps, chicken tacos, and shrimp rolls for summery 20 minute dinners meal plan.

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Meal Plan Menu

Monday: Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
Tuesday: Easy Chicken Tacos
Wednesday: 20 Minute Sausage Pasta
Thursday: New England Shrimp Rolls
Friday: Southwest Chicken Salad
Treat: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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Meal Plan Menu
20 Minute Dinners Menu & Serving Ideas
This Week's Recipes
Make the Week Easier
Print This Week's Meal Planner
Find More Quick Meal Plan Ideas
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20 Minute Dinners Menu & Serving Ideas

Here's what's on the menu this week:

Monday: Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
Serve these savory-sweet beef lettuce wraps with steamed rice, sliced cucumbers, or a quick Asian-inspired slaw. Meal prep: Chop the vegetables and mix the sauce ahead; the beef cooks in minutes when you're ready for dinner.
Tuesday: Easy Chicken Tacos
Add warm tortillas and your favorite toppings-shredded lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, salsa, or corn. Meal prep: Cook or shred the chicken ahead and refrigerate the toppings separately for an almost instant taco night.
Wednesday: 20 Minute Sausage Pasta
A simple midweek pasta that needs little more than a green salad and perhaps some crusty bread. Meal prep: Slice the sausage and prep any vegetables ahead so everything is ready for the skillet.
Thursday: New England Shrimp Rolls
These cool, creamy shrimp rolls are made for an August evening. Serve with potato chips, sliced tomatoes, corn on the cob, or a simple cucumber salad. Meal prep: Make the shrimp filling earlier in the day and refrigerate until serving.
Friday: Southwest Chicken Salad
A colorful, fresh Friday dinner filled with satisfying Southwest flavors. Serve as-is or add warm tortillas or chips alongside. Meal prep: Prep the chicken and vegetables ahead and keep the dressing separate until just before serving.
Treat: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Soft, chewy, and easy to make in one pan, these cookie bars are a sweet treat to enjoy all week. Bake them ahead and keep them covered at room temperature-or tuck a few away for the freezer.

Have a beautiful summery week!

Signature of Stephanie Wilson, founder and recipe creator and writer at 31Daily.com

RELATED: More 31Daily Dinner Ideas >>

This Week's Recipes

This week's quick and simple dinners are perfect as we head into late August.

Dinner Menu

Plate of Korean beef lettuce wraps filled with ground meat, sliced radish, avocado, green onions, and mint, served with a mound of white rice, a bowl of red sauce, and a pair of black chopsticks on the side.

Easy Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps Recipe

These Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps are a quick and flavorful meal perfect for warm weather. Made with seasoned ground beef, fresh pear, garlic, and sesame, they're tucked into butter lettuce cups and topped with crunchy vegetables and gochujang. Light, fresh, and ready in 20 minutes-ideal for easy summer dinners or entertaining.

Easy Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Three easy chicken tacos on a plate with lime wedges and avocados in the background.

Easy Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Easy 20-minute Chicken Tacos with tender seasoned chicken and creamy avocado cilantro sauce. Choose the air fryer, skillet, or oven for a quick weeknight dinner.

Easy Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Square image of easy sausage pasta in a white bowl with vegetables and parsley garnish.

20 Minute Sausage Pasta Recipe

This Sausage Pasta with Broccoli and Zucchini is a 20-minute wonder that's easy to make with simple ingredients. Delicious, quick and easy, and full of simple flavor.

20 Minute Sausage Pasta Recipe

A classic New England shrimp roll on a toasted bun, garnished with chopped herbs and served with lemon wedges and crispy potato chips, delivers the ultimate seafood experience.

New England Shrimp Rolls

These New England Style Shrimp Rolls are a simple summer seafood sandwich made with tender chilled shrimp, a light lemony mayo dressing, and buttery toasted buns. They're easy to make ahead and perfect for warm-weather lunches, dinners, or casual entertaining.

New England Shrimp Rolls

A bowl of southwest chicken salad with grilled chicken, avocado, cherry tomatoes, greens, yellow bell pepper, and sprouts on a wooden board, with corn on the cob and chips in the background.

Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe

Enjoy this zesty Southwest Chicken Salad with grilled chicken, mixed greens, corn, cherry tomatoes, avocados, and crispy strips. Plus, a healthier southwest salad dressing.

Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe

Treat for the Week

Two chocolate chip cookie bars on a plate with a glass of milk in the background.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe (Vonnies)

Soft and chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars made in one bowl with plenty of chocolate chips. No chilling or scooping-just mix, spread, and bake in a 9-inch square baking pan.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe (Vonnies)

Make the Week Easier

A few minutes of prep over the weekend can make these already-quick dinners even simpler. Wash and chop salad vegetables, prep taco toppings, make the shrimp filling, and bake the cookie bars ahead. Then most nights are simply a matter of cooking the main dish and bringing everything to the table.

And don't forget our new printable Meal Planner PDF. Use it to keep this week's dinners, grocery needs, and prep notes together in one place-then print another for next week and make meal planning part of your weekend routine.

Printable Meal Planner with open spaces for breakfast, lunch, and a grocery list.

Print This Week's Meal Planner

Keep the week organized with a printable meal planner featuring Monday through Friday's dinners already filled in. There is plenty of blank space to add your family's breakfasts, lunches, weekend meals, and personal notes.

Download the Weekly Meal Planner

Find More Quick Meal Plan Ideas

For more healthy dinner inspiration, browse my past weekly meal plans!

See more Meal Plans →

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