*This post is sponsored by Hormel. As a member of the Hormel Extended Family Blogger team, I receive free products and information. All opinions are my own.

I don’t know about you, but I struggle with my meal planning in the summer. When the weather is hot, the last thing I want to do is turn on my oven – but I tire quickly of my “go-to” summer dishes (aka – grilled hamburgers and turkey sandwiches!)

Hormel has a few great ideas for you, featuring some of their tasty products. Check them out and see if one will work for your family.

• Make a cold pasta to help you beat the summer heat—give your pasta salad a distinct twist with a colorful addition of pesto and tasty pestoHormel® bacon: Bacon and Pesto Pasta Salad with HORMEL® Fully Cooked Bacon and Peloponnese® olives.

I love the idea of using a pesto in a pasta salad. What a fun twist on a summer classic! This would be great to bring to a summer barbecue.

cobb• Forget the fast food! For a quick and wholesome snack, pack this tasty Cobb Salad Lettuce Wrap featuring HORMEL® Chunk Chicken and HORMEL® Real Bacon Bits.

We have come to love lettuce wraps at our house. I think putting the ingredients of a classic Cobb salad inside the lettuce wrap is such a clever idea.

• Keep it light this summer with a Warm Chicken and Orange Salad. Take this dish—featuring saladHOUSE OF TSANG® Stir-fry Oil and HOUSE OF TSANG® SAIGON SIZZLETM—from your pantry to your table in just 15 minutes.

There is a salad very similar to this at one of our favorite casual dining restaurants. I am eager to try this recipe at home! We have tried the House of Tsang sauce on our stir-fry and it is wonderful!

What recipes do you enjoy cooking in the summer? Leave a comment with your favorite hot-weather dinner idea!