Three Easy Italian Meals (Which Are Perfect for Summer Weeknights)

At Diforti, we’ve got strict requirements for what makes a good weeknight meal during the summer. We’re always rushed for time after a long day at work, and we certainly don’t want to spend hours slaving away over a hot stove when it’s sunny and warm outside! For us, an ideal summer weeknight dinner is one that can be prepared quickly, with little hands-on work – and, of course, lots of bold Italian flavour. Fortunately, authentic Italian food often fits all of our requirements. Check out these fresh, fast Italian meals, perfect for cooking up on a weeknight.

Roasted Chicken and Olives

Roasting chicken thighs is a fantastically easy way to cook a tasty dinner, and pairing them with classic Italian ingredients makes the whole dish even better. We love recipes like this Italian Chicken Bake, in which chicken thighs are quickly seared until golden and crispy and then roasted with excellent Italian olive oil, juicy Roma tomatoes and briny Sicilian olives. Once the chicken is done roasting, you sprinkle it with torn fresh mozzarella for a creamy contrast. If you use a cast iron skillet for the dish, it’s a one-pan-and-done dinner. This recipe also makes great party food – if you’re hosting a dinner but don’t want to cook anything too complicated, just throw some chicken thighs in the oven and you’ve got yourself an incredible meal.

Spaghetti with No-Cook Tomato Sauce

During the summer, tomatoes are in season and they’re at their sweetest and most succulent. What better way to showcase their luscious beauty than in a simple No-Cook Tomato Sauce? All you have to do is chop up some ripe tomatoes, toss them with minced garlic, basil, high-quality extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, and let the whole thing marinate for awhile. Serve the sauce with spaghetti and top with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and toasted almonds for a hearty, satisfying meal. You can also swap in one of our infused olive oils to add another layer of flavour to the sauce: white truffle, lemon and chili are all great choices. Who knew that you could make such a delicious tomato sauce without the need for hours of slow-simmering and stirring?

Pesto-Crusted Fish

Opening up a jar of vibrant pesto is one of the surest ways to a super-quick, flavourful meal. We love spreading it on fish before cooking, as in this Pesto-Baked Cod recipe. Plus, you can roast some courgette, aubergine, peppers and tomatoes on the same tray as the fish to minimise washing up and get in your veggies!

These three recipes are easy options when you’re low on time and energy, but if you really don’t feel like cooking, why not throw together a simple antipasti platter and call it dinner? Better yet, try our Classic Antipasti Selection to really cut back on effort. From simple roasted chicken to toss-and-eat pasta sauce, Italian cuisine has a plethora of options for those looking for no-fuss dinners – so there’s no reason not to eat well on a weeknight!

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