4 Delicious Summer Side Dishes You Can Make Ahead Of Time for Cookouts

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of rotini pasta
• Grape tomatoes
• 1 English cucumber
• Roasted red peppers
• Feta cheese
• Kroger brand creamy Italian dressing
• Salad Supreme seasoning

Instructions:

Boil the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse well with cold water to prevent sticking and to cool it down. Chop the tomatoes, cucumber, and roasted red peppers.

Combine the pasta, chopped veggies, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour the entire bottle of creamy Italian dressing over the pasta mix.

Add a generous amount of Salad Supreme seasoning and mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight for best results.

Serve in a colorful dish for a visual pop.

2. Key lime poke cake

For dessert, I love to bring a sweet treat like this key lime poke cake, which is perfect for lime lovers.

Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 lime (zested)
• 1/2 cup Nellie and Joe’s Key West lime juice
• Cool Whip (or whipped topping)
• Lime wedges and strawberries for garnish

Instructions:

Prepare the cake mix according to package instructions and bake in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Once baked, cool for 5 minutes, then poke holes all over the cake using a knife sharpener or similar tool.

Mix condensed milk, heavy cream, lime zest, and lime juice in a bowl until thickened. Pour the filling over the cake, spreading evenly to cover all holes.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour (the longer, the better).

Spread Cool Whip over the top, create a swirl pattern for a nice look, and garnish with lime zest, lime wedges, and strawberries.

3. Zesty parmesan bacon dip

A must-have at any function is a good dip. This zesty parmesan bacon dip is ideal for poolside snacking.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayo
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 package zesty Italian dressing seasoning mix
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Black pepper to taste6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• 3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• Assorted veggies and naan dippers for serving

Instructions:

In a bowl, combine mayo, sour cream, Italian dressing mix, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Stir in most of the crumbled bacon and shredded parmesan cheese, reserving some bacon for garnish.

Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Garnish with reserved bacon and extra parmesan. Serve with veggies and naan dippers.

4. Smashed potato salad

This viral smashed potato salad is a unique twist on the classic potato salad.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs baby yellow potatoes
• Olive oil
• Sea salt and black pepper
• 3/4 cup mayo
• 2 tbsp mustard
• Chopped pickles (sweet and spicy)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
• Lemon juice
• Dried dill

Instructions:

Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain and cool slightly.

Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, smash with a glass jar, drizzle with olive oil, and season with sea salt and pepper. Bake at 425°F for 40-45 minutes until crispy.

In a bowl, mix mayo, mustard, pickles, chopped eggs, lemon juice, and dried dill. Fold the roasted potatoes into the dressing. Transfer to a casserole dish, garnish with extra dill, cover, and refrigerate.

Easy summer side dishes

Enjoy these delicious and easy summer side dishes that are perfect for any occasion! Let me know in the comments if you try any of these recipes and what you think. Have a fantastic summer!

Next, check out these 4 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes That My Family Is Loving.