If These Recipes Aren’t on Your Labor Day Menu, You’re Doing It Wrong

Long weekends are made for good food, and Labor Day is basically the grand finale of summer cookouts. From smoky grilled mains to sides that disappear in minutes, the right spread makes all the difference. If these aren’t on your Labor Day menu, you’re doing it wrong—because these recipes bring the flavor, the fun, and the perfect excuse for one last backyard feast.

Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

A bowl of peach pasta salad with the dressing in a pitcher. — Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This refreshing summer salad is made with fresh peach slices, sweet corn, juicy grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and your favorite pasta. It’s one of my go-to cold pasta dishes to beat the heat.
Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

Five Minute Mini Raspberry Tarts

A tray of raspberry tarts in phyllo cups. — Five Minute Mini Raspberry Tarts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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Thanks to premade tart shells, these mini raspberry tarts come together in just five minutes and taste like raspberry cheesecake.
Get the Recipe: Five Minute Mini Raspberry Tarts

Mexican Corn Pasta Salad With Tomatoes

A bowl of creamy pasta salad with penne, corn, diced tomatoes, green herbs, and a creamy dressing, garnished with parsley. A fork rests in the bowl on a light-colored surface. — Mexican Corn Pasta Salad With Tomatoes. Photo credit: Talking Meals.

This Creamy Mexican Corn Pasta Salad is a comforting, creamy and smoky recipe that’s bursting with flavor and texture! Make ahead and enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Pasta Salad With Tomatoes

Spiral Hot Dogs

Nothing says summer like grilled hot dogs. Improve an American classic with spiral hot dogs for a crispy surface that’s delicious.
Get the Recipe: Spiral Hot Dogs

Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

A side dish of pesto pasta next to fresh parsley. — Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This easy parsley pesto pasta salad with walnuts is a great summertime salad and incredibly simple to make for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

Cold Rice Noodle Salad With Chicken

Refreshing and flavorful, an Asian cold noodle salad tossed with veggies, cold noodles, and lime dressing—perfect for lunch or summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cold Rice Noodle Salad With Chicken

Smash Burgers With Special Sauce

Two Smash burgers in buns with sauce. — Smash Burgers With Special Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

There’s nothing better than a juicy hamburger with crispy edges, a SMASH Burger. All it needs is some cheese and SPECIAL SAUCE.
Get the Recipe: Smash Burgers With Special Sauce

Lemon Blueberry Bars With A Shortbread Crust

Squares of lemon bars topped with whipped cream and fresh blueberries are arranged on a sheet of parchment paper. The bars have a golden crust and a vibrant yellow filling. — Lemon Blueberry Bars With A Shortbread Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

These Lemon Bars with blueberries are sweet and tart, resting on a buttery shortbread crust. Perfect for potlucks or parties.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Bars With A Shortbread Crust

Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust

A top-down view of a partially eaten blackberry pie with a lattice crust on a wire cooling rack. The pie has a crispy golden-brown crust with juicy, dark purple filling. A bowl of whipped cream is placed nearby. Crumbs and a piece of pie are visible on the table. — Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Enjoy a delicious Blackberry Pie with a buttery crust and a sweet-tart filling. Perfect for summer gatherings or a cozy dessert.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Blackberry Pie With Double Crust

Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

Skirt steak sliced on a cutting board. — Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Infused with tequila, soy sauce, and brown sugar, this skirt steak recipe yields juicy and flavorful meat every time.
Get the Recipe: Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

Bbq Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce

BBQ pork chops with peach sauce on a plate. — Bbq Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This naturally sweet barbecue sauce can be made with fresh or frozen peaches and it adds a ton of flavor to tender grilled pork chops.
Get the Recipe: Bbq Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce

Taco Chicken, Chicken Marinated In Taco Seasoning

Grilled chicken breast slices topped with a creamy white sauce, served on a decorative plate with a fresh lime wedge on the side—perfect for those seeking healthy grilled dinners. — Taco Chicken, Chicken Marinated In Taco Seasoning. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With just a packet of taco seasoning and lime juice, you can make tender and flavorful Taco Chicken. It’s an easy week night dinner you can cook on the grill for a healthy dinner. Also great if you want to make into chicken tacos.
Get the Recipe: Taco Chicken, Chicken Marinated In Taco Seasoning

Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

A black bowl filled with creamy macaroni salad topped with crispy bacon bits and chopped parsley, placed on a gray cloth next to a wooden spoon. — Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With all the classic flavors of creamy ranch dressing, salty bacon, and cheddar cheese, this ranch pasta salad is a refreshing crowd pleaser, the perfect summer potluck food.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Sweet Broccoli Apple Pasta Salad

A glass bowl filled with pasta salad mixed with broccoli florets, red onion slices, carrots, and celery, with a serving spoon inside the bowl. — Sweet Broccoli Apple Pasta Salad. Photo credit: On My Kids Plate.

This broccoli apple salad is the perfect recipe for a summer potluck, party or BBQ. Apple cider vinegar and creamy yogurt make a delicious dressing.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Broccoli Apple Pasta Salad

American Flag Cake

A sheet cake decorated like the American flag with blueberries and star-shaped white frosting for the stars, and rows of raspberries and white frosting for the stripes, on a granite countertop. — American Flag Cake. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

This American Flag Cake is the perfect dessert for Labor Day! It’s an easy vanilla sheet cake topped with frosting and berries.
Get the Recipe: American Flag Cake

Classic Southern Macaroni Salad

Classic Southern Macaroni Salad is a summertime comfort food, which is great if you’re craving Southern flavors this summer.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Macaroni Salad

Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

Pork removed from a skewer on a platter. — Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender pieces of pork are paired with juicy chunks of peaches for a fresh summertime take on classic Pork Kabobs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

Easy Grilled Ranch Chicken Recipe

Three skewers of ranch chicken — Easy Grilled Ranch Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fire up the grill and make some easy chicken kabobs the whole family will love. This super easy grilled ranch chicken recipe is a game changer.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Ranch Chicken Recipe

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

A white platter full of grilled chicken drumsticks and thighs. — Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chicken Drumsticks on Grill are cooked over indirect heat for the most tender and juicy drumsticks or thighs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

A pork tenderloin sliced and covered in bbq sauce. — Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This simple Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin recipe is super simple to make without sacrificing flavor or spending hours over a hot grill!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad

Pesto caprese pasta salad is a huge hit at parties! Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. Fresh and done in 20 min!
Get the Recipe: Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad

Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

A large bowl of shrimp orzo salad. — Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This cold lemon orzo salad recipe effortlessly marries shrimp, citrus, garlic, and fragrant basil for a quick and easy summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

Tuna Salad Recipe With Pasta (Ready In 15 Minutes!)

A close-up of a wooden spoon holding creamy bowtie pasta salad with green peas, red onion pieces, and a sprig of fresh dill. The background shows a bowl filled with more of the pasta salad. — Tuna Salad Recipe With Pasta (Ready In 15 Minutes!). Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

This creamy Tuna Salad Recipe with Pasta is tangy, crunchy, oniony, and delightful! Perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Salad Recipe With Pasta (Ready In 15 Minutes!)

Seafood Foil Packets With Old Bay

Two shrimp boil packs with toasted bread. — Seafood Foil Packets With Old Bay. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Shrimp boil foil packets are an easy way to get the great flavor of a shrimp boil without standing over the stove. A terrific summertime meal, ready in 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Seafood Foil Packets With Old Bay

The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

A grilled pork chop next to a sweet potato on a plate. — The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Perfect, juicy grilled pork chops in less than 20 minutes! You never need to have dry pork chops again! (Easy recipe!)
Get the Recipe: The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

Grilled Potato Wedges In Just 20 Minutes

Someone dipping a potato into a bowl of sauce. — Grilled Potato Wedges In Just 20 Minutes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This easy, 20-minute grilled potato wedges recipe makes light and pillowy potatoes that are crispy on the outside.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Potato Wedges In Just 20 Minutes

Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe

A close-up of a grilled chicken breast topped with cooked, diced onions and peppers on a white plate, perfect inspiration for flavorful chicken thighs recipes. — Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

This grilled jerk chicken recipe is one of our favorite grilling recipes of all time. We love this dinner and make it for guests often!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe

Easy Caprese Orzo Salad

This Easy Caprese Orzo Salad recipe is the perfect summer lunch. Click here for all of the details and the simple recipe!
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Orzo Salad

Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

A large bowl of pasta salad. — Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This irresistible antipasto pasta salad is EASY to make with a simple homemade dressing, an Italian inspired pasta that’s great for summertime.
Get the Recipe: Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

Easy Strawberry Cobbler Recipe

A strawberry cobbler in a baking dish with two serving dishes next to it. — Easy Strawberry Cobbler Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

The Best way to enjoy strawberries is with a strawberry cobbler. Strawberries baked with slightly sweet biscuits are a Southern tradition.
Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Cobbler Recipe

Strawberry Jam Cake With Strawberry Frosting

Strawberry Poke Cake in a baking pan. — Strawberry Jam Cake With Strawberry Frosting. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Loaded with fresh strawberry sauce and a cream cheese whipped topping, this updated Strawberry Poke Cake will be your new go-to dessert.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Jam Cake With Strawberry Frosting

Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing

A plate of creamy pasta salad with bowtie noodles, cherry tomatoes, peas, and cubes of ham, served on a blue-green plate with a light blue cloth underneath. — Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing. Photo credit: Southern Plate.

This creamy and cheesy ham pasta salad recipe is the perfect summer supper, with tender smoked ham, fresh veggies, and ranch dressing.
Get the Recipe: Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

This four ingredient Creamy Italian Pasta Salad is one quick spring pasta salad recipe. An easy creamy Italian dressing is a fast Alfredo pasta.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

Fresh Blueberry Pie Recipe That Is Not Runny

A freshly sliced blueberry pie topped with dollops of whipped cream is displayed on a metal pie dish. The deep purple filling contrasts with the golden crust, and the pie is partially cut, showcasing the juicy blueberries. — Fresh Blueberry Pie Recipe That Is Not Runny. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This fresh blueberry pie recipe is easy and tastes so much better than canned pie filing. So simple to make blueberry pie filling like a pro!
Get the Recipe: Fresh Blueberry Pie Recipe That Is Not Runny

Raspberry White Chocolate Bars

Six Dessert Bars are shown on parchment paper. These blondies have a golden-brown base with swirls of vibrant red raspberry sauce and visible chunks of white chocolate throughout. — Raspberry White Chocolate Bars. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Raspberry White Chocolate Bars are a blondie with white chocolate mixed in and topped raspberries. Almond meal and browned butter make these magical.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry White Chocolate Bars

Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

Delicious pesto pasta salad with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes in a glass bowl. — Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Easy to make basil pesto pasta salad with bow tie pasta is a flavorful, colorful side that’s great for summer picnics or cookouts. It’s one of my favorite easy pasta salad recipes.
Get the Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows

A metal plate holds a piece of chocolate sheet cake topped with chopped nuts, served alongside two scoops of vanilla ice cream also sprinkled with nuts—a perfect back to school dessert. In the background, there's a baking tray with more chocolate cake and two bottles of Coca-Cola. — Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This cola cake is made with the iconic soda, mini marshmallows, and unsweetened cocoa powder for extra rich chocolate flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweetly Southern Coca-Cola Cake With Marshmallows

Easy Salmon Pasta with Cream Cheese

Close-up of creamy rotini pasta mixed with flakes of smoked salmon, garnished with chopped chives, and a gold fork twirling some pasta. — Easy Salmon Pasta with Cream Cheese. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

This Salmon Pasta with Cream Cheese is a creamy, flavorful dish that is ready in just 20 minutes. It’s simple but feels indulgent & without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta with Cream Cheese

Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Tray of sliced sheet cake topped with creamy white frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans, with a serving spatula partially under one piece and a knife resting beside the tray. — Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Hummingbird Sheet Cake has ripe bananas, pineapple, and cinnamon for that tropical taste. And you top it all off with a rich cream cheese frosting and crunchy pecans.
Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad

A bowl of creamy macaroni salad with kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, green peas, and fresh cilantro garnish—just like one of grandma’s favorite spring dishes. — Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Zesty Mexican macaroni salad with a creamy, tangy dressing, fresh vegetables, and a perfect kick of spice is a twist on a classic favorite of easy pasta salad recipes.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad

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