The last days of summer are best spent around a table filled with good food and people you enjoy. These 35 easy recipes are made for sharing, with simple mains, sides, and desserts that keep everyone satisfied without extra stress. Pick a few favorites and say goodbye to summer with a spread that feels relaxed, filling, and easy to enjoy together.
Fresh Strawberry Pie. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Cherry Crumb Bars
A buttery crust holds a thick cherry filling topped with a golden crumb that bakes into neat slices. These bars are easy to pack, share, and serve without making a mess. Bring a tray of these to your end-of-summer gathering and treat everyone to a sweet bite that feels homemade.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Crumb Bars
Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Fresh fruit turns tender and sweet on the grill, with a smoky edge that makes each skewer taste special. A drizzle of brown sugar caramel gives them a dessert feel without needing much work. Pass these around at your end-of-summer gathering and watch how fast they disappear.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Zucchini, squash, and tomatoes simmer into a rustic dish that feels hearty yet simple to serve. The vegetables blend together with rich flavor while still staying light on the plate. Make this ratatouille for your end-of-summer gathering and serve a side that guests will remember.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Banana Boats
Bananas stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows melt into a gooey treat after a few minutes on the grill. They are simple to prepare and always bring smiles to both kids and adults. Add these banana boats to your end-of-summer gathering and give everyone a fun dessert to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Banana Boats
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Baby bok choy cooks up with charred edges and tender centers that take in a smoky taste. The prep is quick, and the result is a fresh side that feels different from the usual dishes. Serve this at your end-of-summer gathering and surprise guests with a vegetable that stands out.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Kefta Kebabs
Ground meat seasoned with spices gets shaped into skewers and grilled until smoky and juicy. They bring bold flavor while staying easy to hold and eat outside. Make these kebabs for your end-of-summer gathering and serve a main dish that feels fun and filling.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Grilled S’mores Pizza
A crisp crust turns into dessert when topped with Nutella, melted marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers. The grill adds a smoky note that makes the flavors blend like a campfire favorite. Serve this s’mores pizza at your end-of-summer gathering and give dessert a playful twist.
Get the Recipe: Grilled S’mores Pizza
Veggie Pasta Salad
Tender pasta mixes with fresh vegetables, a tangy dressing, and a bit of cheese for balance. The flavors stay even better if made ahead, making it perfect for feeding a crowd. Bring this salad to your end-of-summer gathering and enjoy a side that holds up well on the table.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pasta Salad
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Whole strawberries set in a light glaze inside a crisp crust make a dessert that feels simple yet special. Each slice is juicy and easy to serve without falling apart. Make this strawberry pie for your end-of-summer gathering and offer a sweet finish that everyone will want.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Pie
Miso Glazed Salmon
Salmon brushed with a savory miso glaze grills until tender, flaky, and full of rich flavor. The glaze caramelizes just right, giving the fish depth without needing extra work. Cook this salmon for your end-of-summer gathering and give guests a main dish that feels easy but impressive.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon
Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
Fresh corn brushed with chipotle butter grills until smoky, juicy, and just the right amount of charred. The seasoning gives it a bold flavor while still keeping it easy to serve and eat in your hands. Make this corn for your end-of-summer gathering and add a side that guests will not leave behind.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
Harvest Quinoa Salad
Nutty quinoa mixes with roasted squash, feta, cranberries, and peppers to make a colorful salad that is hearty yet light. Each spoonful balances sweet and savory while staying fresh and satisfying. Bring this to your end-of-summer gathering and serve a salad that will stand out on the table.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad
Cherry Bavarian Custard
This custard is light and airy like mousse, with cherry flavor that shines in every slice. It sets firm enough to hold its shape but stays soft and smooth once on the spoon. Make this for your end-of-summer gathering and bring a dessert that looks fancy without taking much work.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Bavarian Custard
Asian Marinated Steak
A simple marinade of garlic, soy, and sesame gives steak a bold taste before it even touches the grill. The high heat locks in juices and leaves smoky edges that make each bite rich and satisfying. Grill this for your end-of-summer gathering and serve a main dish that will impress with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Asian Marinated Steak
Lemon Kale Salad
Crisp kale softens slightly under a tangy lemon dressing, while parmesan shavings add salt and balance to the greens. The salad comes together in minutes yet looks fresh and full on the table. Make this for your end-of-summer gathering and enjoy a side that is simple and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad
Blueberry Peach Crisp
Juicy peaches and blueberries bake together under a golden oat topping until bubbling and crisp. The contrast of soft fruit and crunchy topping makes it both comforting and light. Serve this at your end-of-summer gathering and share a dessert that everyone will ask about.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Peach Crisp
7 Layer Bars
Layers of chocolate, caramel, coconut, and nuts bake into bars that are rich, chewy, and full of flavor. They are quick to prepare and cut neatly into pieces that are easy to share. Bring these bars to your end-of-summer gathering and let guests grab a sweet treat without fuss.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Bars
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Chicken slow cooks in smoky barbecue sauce until tender enough to shred and pile on buns, salads, or potatoes. It makes feeding a group simple while still packing big flavor. Make this for your end-of-summer gathering and serve a main dish that will keep everyone full and happy.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Banana Nice Cream Sandwiches
Frozen bananas blend into a creamy filling that gets pressed between graham crackers for a fun frozen snack. They are light, sweet, and ready in minutes without special tools or fuss. Make these for your end-of-summer gathering and keep guests cool with a playful treat.
Get the Recipe: Banana Nice Cream Sandwiches
Tomato Basil Biscuit Cups
Flaky biscuit dough forms little cups filled with warm tomatoes and fresh basil for a bite-sized snack. They are fun to grab, easy to hold, and surprisingly filling for their size. Serve these at your end-of-summer gathering and give guests finger food that will disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Biscuit Cups
Frosted Banana Bars
Ripe bananas turn into soft and moist bars that get topped with smooth frosting for a simple dessert. They keep their texture well, even if made ahead, and taste better chilled. Make these bars for your end-of-summer gathering and bring a treat that always pleases a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Chunks of chicken and vegetables soak in a lemon marinade that keeps them juicy and bright once grilled. The charred edges add smoky depth that makes the citrus pop even more. Make this for your end-of-summer gathering and serve skewers that vanish off the platter.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Traditional Peach Kuchen
Sweet peaches bake into a soft cake that stays moist and tender with fruit in every slice. The flavors feel warm and homemade without taking much effort. Bake this kuchen for your end-of-summer gathering and bring a dessert that will remind guests of comfort at its best.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Peach Kuchen
Twix Copycat Bars
Buttery shortbread, thick caramel, and smooth chocolate come together to make a treat that tastes like the classic candy bar. They slice evenly into bars that are simple to pack or share with a group. Make these for your end-of-summer gathering and watch guests light up when they see them.
Get the Recipe: Twix Copycat Bars
Homemade Smoky Baked Beans
Beans simmer slowly in a sweet and smoky sauce until they turn rich and flavorful. They pair perfectly with grilled foods and stay hearty enough to fill a crowd. Cook this for your end-of-summer gathering and serve a side dish that everyone will dig into.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Smoky Baked Beans
Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Roasted asparagus and tangy goat cheese top a crisp crust that bakes until golden and light. The flavors blend into a pizza that feels fresh but still filling. Bring this pizza to your end-of-summer gathering and share a main dish that guests will enjoy by the slice.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza
Miso Glazed Chicken
A sweet and savory miso glaze coats chicken that caramelizes as it grills over the heat. The result is juicy meat with a flavor that feels rich and special without being hard to make. Cook this for your end-of-summer gathering and serve a dish that will stand out on the table.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Chicken
Beer Boiled Brats
Bratwurst simmer in beer before hitting the grill, turning smoky, juicy, and full of flavor. They cook quickly and pair well with simple buns and toppings for easy serving. Grill these brats for your end-of-summer gathering and give guests a classic favorite they will love.
Get the Recipe: Beer Boiled Brats
Tomato Quinoa Salad
Fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and nutty quinoa make a salad that is light yet filling. The flavors stay fresh even after sitting out, which makes it perfect for gatherings. Make this salad for your end-of-summer cookout and bring a dish that is refreshing and simple to share.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Dessert Nachos
Crispy chips get layered with chocolate, fruit, and whipped cream for a sweet platter that looks fun and festive. The mix of crunchy and creamy makes each bite exciting without being heavy. Serve this at your end-of-summer gathering and let everyone dig into dessert together.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Avocado Tomato Salad
Creamy avocado and juicy tomatoes come together with fresh greens for a salad that is simple yet full of flavor. A quick dressing ties it all together and makes it easy to serve in a big bowl. Make this for your end-of-summer gathering and enjoy a salad that will be gone fast.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Chicken, rice, cheese, and vegetables cook together in foil, sealing in flavor while keeping cleanup easy. Each packet serves as its own meal, which makes it simple to feed a group. Try these foil packets at your end-of-summer gathering and enjoy a filling dish without the mess.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Potatoes roast until crisp and golden before being tossed with tender spinach and warm garlic. The mix gives you a side that is hearty yet balanced with greens. Make this for your end-of-summer gathering and serve comfort food that feels fresh at the same time.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Baked Kale Chips
Kale leaves bake into crispy chips that crunch with every bite and carry a hint of salt. They are fast to make and stay crisp long enough to set out for snacking. Put these on the table at your end-of-summer gathering and watch them get eaten by the handful.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Mango Custard
Ripe mango blends into a smooth custard that chills into a creamy, light dessert. It holds bold fruit flavor while staying easy to serve in bowls or slices. Make this custard for your end-of-summer gathering and bring a fruity dessert that can be made ahead.
Get the Recipe: Mango Custard