Crunchy bite-sized pieces of fresh vegetables, herbs, and ham, combined with a light and creamy dressing, make this ham pasta salad a standout! Be the belle of the buffet or the big wig of the barbecue with a bowl of this elevated summer standard.

Ham Pasta Salad

I’m not sure about you, but I don’t want to spend a lot of time working in a steamy kitchen when it’s hot outside. But we all have to eat, so pasta salad often becomes my go-to in the summertime.

It only takes a few minutes to boil the pasta, and once you’ve drained it, all the hot work is done. Rinse that pasta in cool water, chop up some vegetables and ham, and stir it all together with dressing. If you ask me, meat, vegetables, and pasta equals a full meal.

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Chilled cubes of watermelon tossed with lemon juice, salt, and a hint of spice are topped with thin ribbons of basil in this watermelon basil salad. Whether you eat it as is or top it with goat cheese or feta, it is destined to be a surefire summer hit!

Watermelon Basil Salad

Packing a surprising amount of flavor, this light and refreshing summer salad is a perfect choice to accompany anything grilled. And since it’s grilling season, this is a salad recipe you want in your back pocket.

This is best the day it’s made, but is still very tasty if eaten within a day or two. Wait to top with cheese right before serving for the best results.

Watermelon salad is mercifully easy to make when you know how to cut watermelon. And if you don’t know, check out that link for easy step-by-step instructions.

Basil is such a great natural pairing with watermelon. Both are fragrant and floral but the basil brings a little peppery zing to complement the sweet melon.

You can choose to scatter a little feta or goat cheese on top of the salad for a little briny deliciousness just before serving, but that’s strictly optional. I love the creamy, saltiness with the sweet watermelon.

Watermelon salads go into heavy rotation around here when it’s wa

Parmesan cheese, black pepper, butter, and olive oil combine to make this version of the classic simple and sublime Parmesan pasta. Its ease to prepare is matched only by its perfection.

Parmesan Pasta

Nothing beats pasta when it comes to turning out a quick meal that makes everyone happy. But this pasta dish is a particular stand out in that category.

Whether you serve it as a stand-alone vegetarian main dish with a Strawberry Spinach Salad or pair it with a meat dish like Baked Italian Chicken, it’s sure to please.

Cacio e Pepe

This recipe is a gentle riff on the classic Italian dish cacio e pepe which literally translates as cheese and pepper. The original dish uses only pasta, black pepper, salt, and Pecorino Romano cheese.

There are so many reasons to love this dish; simplicity of preparation, perfect balance of flavors, and budget-friendliness, just to name a few.

Our version makes use of Parmesan cheese both because it’s our preference and what we had on hand and I don’t like making special trips to the store unless I have to.

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Bright and colorful, this flavorful Asian cabbage salad is full of freshness and crunch. You’re going to turn to this again and again during grilling season.

Asian Cabbage Salad

Different from the ever popular ramen cabbage salad that has crumbled ramen noodles in it, this is a fun variation on the classic. This multi-colored riff has no ramen, but still packs plenty of texture and fun.

Asian Coleslaw

This recipe makes use of classic Asian flavors to create a slaw that is terrific with a multitude of options.

I use this salad much as I would a standard coleslaw addition to almost any meal. It is an excellent accompaniment to grilled chicken, fish, pork, and beef.

But don’t stop there! It’s great with sub sandwiches or fried chicken or fish, too!

Cabbage Salad Recipe

To make this summer staple salad, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Napa or green cabbage
• purple cabbage
• carrots
• green onions
• sliced almonds
• sesame seeds
• Sweet Sesame Dressing

The versatile sweet sesame dressing used is the same one that goes into our Asian Salmon Salad. You can even use some of it to marinate fish or chicken to grill to go with this salad!

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Go on and name a salad that is more universally loved than a classic Caesar salad. Crisply fresh Romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, a hint of sunshiney lemon, salty Parmesan cheese, and garlicky croutons all help make one of the best-known salads legendary.

Classic Caesar Salad

All by itself, Caesar salad has enduring appeal because of the simplicity of assembly and its flavor packed dressing. It can accompany just about any main dish with aplomb.

But if you add a few pieces of air fried crispy chicken or leftover Crispy Italian Oven Chicken pulled from the bone-as I so often do- it becomes a meal! You can enjoy this combo for a lunch that will keep you satisfied without making you feel like you need a long winter’s nap afterward!

Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

To make the best easy Caesar salad recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Romaine lettuce
• Creamy Caesar dressing
• lemon
• Parmesan cheese
• croutons

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