Cold dinner recipes are perfect for when you want something quick, refreshing, and easy to make. These meals are light yet satisfying and can cool you down on a hot day or give you a simple dinner option anytime. I've put together a list of amazing cold dinner recipes that are full of flavor and simple to prepare. You can make these delightful dinners yourself and enjoy a tasty meal without much fuss!
Cold Dinner Recipes
Each recipe in this list brings its own special touch to the table, from crisp salads and chilled pastas to cool wraps and sandwiches.
Whether you're in the mood for something light like a zesty lemon-infused salad or something a bit more filling like a creamy pasta dish, there's something here for every taste. Plus, these dishes are not only delicious but also so easy to put together.
Taco Pasta Salad
Step right up to a bowl of yum with this Taco Pasta Salad! It's a fun mix of tasty pasta and zippy taco flavors that everyone will love. With crunchy veggies, cheesy goodness, and a little kick, it's a hit for dinner or a potluck. Quick to whip up, this dish is a winner for both busy days and chill times with friends. So, enjoy a big spoonful and smile!
Ingredients
- 6 cups cooked rotini pasta
- ¼ cup olive oil, divided
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup salsa, divided
- ½ tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salpicón De Pollo
Give a try to the Salpicón de Pollo for a refreshing twist on your usual meals! This colorful salad combines juicy chicken with crisp vegetables and a tangy citrus dressing, making it a tasty and healthy choice. Quick to prepare and beautifully vibrant on any plate, it’s perfect for a satisfying meal on a warm day. Enjoy its delightful mix of flavors and textures that are sure to please the palate.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded chicken breast
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 small white onion, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 2 jalapeño peppers, chopped
- 1 large carrot, cut into ribbons
- 4 cups lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup olives, pitted and sliced
For Dressing
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Healthy Mediterranean Grain Bowl
Try the Healthy Mediterranean Grain Bowl for a fresh, nutritious meal. It's full of good grains, fresh vegetables, protein, and fats that are good for your heart. This meal is easy to make, great for meal prep, and tasty too. It brings together simple ingredients in a delicious way that's good for your body.
Ingredients
For the Bowl:
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked (or 3 cups cooked)
- ¾ cup feta cheese
- 1 large cucumber, diced small
- 2 red bell peppers, diced small
- ½-1 lb. chicken breast, raw – diced into pieces
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can of garbanzo beans, drained
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
Italian Meat Pinwheel Sandwiches
Explore the swirls of flavor with these Italian Meat Pinwheel Sandwiches, a creative take on classic Italian ingredients. Wrapped tight with layers of savory meats, cheese, and a hint of greens, each bite is a delightful journey. Simple to make yet impressively delicious, they’re perfect for picnics, lunches, or any time you crave a touch of Italy in a fun, edible form.
Ingredients
- 4 flour tortillas, 10 inch
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup of pepperoncini (optional)
- 1 tomato, diced
- 3 leaves romaine lettuce, chopped
- 12 slices hard salami
- 12 slices ham
- 12 slices provolone cheese
- 32-64 slices pepperoni
Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe
Savor the cool delight of Watermelon Gazpacho on a hot day, a no-cook soup that bursts with the sweet and tangy flavors of summer. With fresh, ripe watermelon and a dash of herbs, it's a refreshing blend that brings a piece of Pondicherry's French-inspired cuisine right to your table. Simple, vibrant, and utterly delicious, this gazpacho recipe is a summer must-try that promises to refresh and impress in every spoonful.
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced watermelon
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup diced tomato
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 1 red pepper, seeds discarded
- 2 garlic cloves
- 5 – 6 Italian basil leaves
- 5 – 6 fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Tuna Pasta Salad
This Tuna Pasta Salad is so easy and tasty. It mixes tuna with pasta, sweet corn, soft avocado, and juicy tomatoes. It’s quick to make for lunch or a light dinner. The dressing is light and gives it a yummy taste and this salad makes eating fun and simple.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad:
- 250g pasta shells (or other small pasta of choice)
- 100g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado (200g), diced
- 1 ½ spring onions, finely sliced
- 185g can tuna in spring water, drained and flaked
- 1 corn cob (150g)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
- Juice and zest of half a lemon
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked pepper to taste
Italian Pressed Sandwich
This Italian Pressed Sandwich is filled with tasty meats, cheese, and peppers. It's perfect for a picnic or a quick snack. Making it is fun, and eating it is even better. Every bite is full of yummy flavors!
Ingredients
- 1 lb loaf of ciabatta, halved lengthwise to separate the top and bottom
- 7 oz prosciutto
- 8 oz thinly sliced salami
- ½ cup packed basil leaves
- 16 oz jarred roasted red peppers, thinly sliced, patted dry
- 1 lb fresh mozzarella balls, thinly sliced, patted dry
Vinaigrette
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Avocado Chicken Salad
This Avocado Chicken Salad is a refreshing twist on a classic dish. It combines creamy avocado with tender chicken, creating a deliciously light and satisfying meal. Perfect for a healthy lunch, this salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that is sure to please!
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups green leaf lettuce, torn
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
- 11 ounce can corn, drained
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- ⅓ cup minced red onion
Dressing
- ¾ cup cilantro, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons minced red onion
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
Shredded Chicken Lettuce Wraps With Peanut Sauce
Wrap your taste buds in joy with these light and flavorful Shredded Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Drizzled with a dreamy peanut sauce, each bite is a perfect mix of fresh, crunchy, and nutty. It's a delightful dish that brings a touch of excitement to any meal!
Ingredients:
For the Peanut Sauce:
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped or grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
For Serving:
- 1 head bibb or butter lettuce
- 2 cups cooked, pulled rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- Fresh cilantro, green onions, and lime slices for garnish
Best Easy Italian Chopped Salad Recipe
Enjoy a yummy Italian chopped salad! It's full of fresh veggies, tasty cheese, and slices of salami, all mixed up with a tangy dressing. This salad makes your meals exciting and fresh any time you have it!
Ingredients
- 3 medium romaine hearts, chopped
- 2-3 cups baby spring greens (like spring mix, or baby romaine)
- 2-3 Roma tomatoes, diced, or use Compari, Grape, or Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 small cucumber, diced, or half English cucumber
- ½ medium red onion, sliced thin (place in ice water while preparing the rest of the salad)
- ½-1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained (see notes for easy garbanzo bean marinade)
- 1 can artichoke hearts, quartered, brined or marinated
- 6-8 ounces quality salami, diced or sliced
- 6-8 ounces provolone, diced, or use mozzarella if preferred
- ½ cup pepperoncini rings or slice whole pepperoncinis
- ⅓ cup kalamata olives, rough chopped, or use your favorite olives, black or green
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- Kosher salt and Pepper to taste
Zesty Italian Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (if preferred not to use, increase red wine vinegar by + 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed, about ½ large lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼-½ teaspoon black pepper
