Fresh breeze and sunshine are perfect for a summer picnic! Get your blanket, cooler, and picnic food ready. The best summer picnic food ideas are not just simple and easy to prepare, but delicious. Here are some of the best picnic dishes to pack and will taste better in the sunshine.

Tomato-Melon Chicken Salad by Taste of Home

What you need:

• 4 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• ¼ cup minced fresh basil
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 9 cups torn mixed salad greens
• 4 grilled chicken breasts (4 oz. each), sliced

How to prepare it:

1. In a large bowl, add the tomatoes, watermelon, and raspberries, mix to combine.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the basil, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. 
3. Drizzle over tomato mixture; toss to coat. 
4. Divide salad greens among 6 serving plates, top with tomato mixture and chicken.

Sheet-Pan Italian Subs by Lauren Miyashiro

Total prep time: 55 minutes

Yields: 14 servings

What you need:

• 4 tbsp. melted butter, divided
• 2 loaves sliced bread, white or sourdough
• 1 lb. deli-style sliced ham
• 1/2 lb. salami
• 1/2 lb. sliced mozzarella
• 1/2 lb. sliced provolone
• 2 c. baby spinach
• 1 (8-oz.) jar pepperoncini, drained and sliced

How to prepare it:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Brush inside a half sheet pan with half of the butter, then lay out bread in a single layer, overlap the slices to look like shingles. (Make sure to cover the entire sheet pan) Press down the bread to flatten slightly. 
2. Top bread with mozzarella, then ham, spinach, salami, pepperoncini, and provolone on top. Shingle another layer of bread on top, then brush with the remaining butter. Put another sheet pan on top of bread and weigh it down with a heavy skillet. 
3. Put in the oven and bake until the sandwich is pressed for about 10 minutes and starting to turn golden. Remove the sheet pan and bake for about 20 minutes more until the top bread is golden.
4. Garnish with parsley and sprinkle with Parmesan. Cut into squares.

Pimento Pasta Salad by Delish

Total prep time: 15 minutes

Yields: 6 servings

What you need:

• 1 lb. elbow macaroni
• 3 jars pimento peppers, drained
• 2 c. shredded Cheddar
• ¾ c. mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• kosher salt
• ¼ c. Chopped chives

How to prepare it:

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, add macaroni, peppers, cheddar, mayonnaise and cayenne pepper. Mix well. Season with salt to taste.
3. Garnish with chives and serve.

Marshmallow Fruit Dip by Makinze Gore

Total prep time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Yields: 12 servings

What you need:

• 2 (8-oz.) blocks cream cheese, softened
• 1 (7.5-oz.) jar marshmallow crème
• Juice of 1 orange (about 3 tbsp.)
• Assorted fruit, for serving

How to prepare it:

1. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and marshmallow crème until no lumps remain, then stir in orange juice. 
2. Refrigerate until ready to serve for at least an hour. 
3. Serve with fruit.

Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade by Taste of Home

Total prep time: 20 minutes

Yields: 12 servings

What you need:

• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1/2-pound fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 2 cups)
• 12 cups cubed watermelon (about 1 medium)
• 1 can (12 oz.) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 3 tbsp. lemon juice
• Ice cubes

How to prepare it:

1. Dissolve sugar in boiling water. 
2. In a blender, add strawberries and watermelon in batches, cover and process until blended. 
3. Strain the blended fruit with a fine mesh strainer and transfer to a large pitcher. 
4. Stir in lemonade concentrate, lemon juice and sugar water. 
5. Serve over ice.

If you want to have some refreshing cocktails to enjoy outdoors, check out these Summer Fresh Cocktails to Celebrate the Season. If you're a Mickey Mouse fan, check out America's Favorite Mice Wine Glass Charms. This fun set of 8 charms for wine lovers are perfect on your glasses. This is a great set of wine charms for any occasion.

Don't miss the beautiful summer warmth, head to the nearest park or in the backyard and bring out the picnic blanket! These easy to prepare and delicious summer picnic food ideas that will surely please a crowd. Happy picnicking!