31 Easy August Dinner Recipes to Make Every Night This Month

Corn and tomatoes are in season, which means we’re using them in as many meals as humanly possible. Meet us at the farmers market with the biggest tote bag you own to stock up, then make this 35-minute crowd-pleaser.

Sure, ground beef is a traditional, affordable filling for stuffed peppers, but store-bought rotisserie chicken allows you to pull them off without ever turning on the stove. Call it a warm-weather miracle.

This 35-minute vegetarian gem has fancy dinner party written all over it. (Couscous just sounds fancy, you know?) Sweet summer peaches and nutty tahini curb the acidity and sharpness of the kalamata olives and red onion.

When corn on the cob is in season, it really doesn't take much to turn the kernels into something delicious. Case in point: This summer soup, which only calls for fresh corn, potatoes and a few pantry staples. Ta-da.

PSA: You can—and should—use your slow cooker in the summertime. Allow dinner to basically cook itself without turning your kitchen into a sauna. Plus, the less time you spend cooking, the more time you have to hang outside in the (OK, equally hot, but more fun) sun.

The crisp, caramelized halloumi cheese almost steals the spotlight from the juicy summer tomatoes—almost. In case you've never tried it, halloumi is a briny, semi-hard cheese that can be grilled or pan-fried without melting, so it's prime for adding protein without relying on meat.

Some nights, boring old chicken breasts just don't cut it. These thighs are crispy, juicy and basically impossible to overcook. (BTW, the corn-poblano salad would pair well with salmon, nachos, salsa or even a basic green salad.)

Bless you, store-bought flatbread. Once again, you (and creamy, dreamy burrata cheese) save dinnertime in 35 minutes. The spicy sausage on top is precooked, so you basically just need to bake the pie until the cheese melts.

Reserve this beauty, made with spiralized summer zucchini, for the true dog days of summer, when it’s too hot to turn on any kitchen appliance. Finish it with feta cheese, grilled chicken or crispy tofu to make it more filling.

We love salmon, but tilapia is significantly cheaper. Turn a few fillets into shatteringly crisp nuggets of bliss with a coating of flour, egg and store-bought taco seasoning. The recipe calls for baking the fish, but you can fry it instead if you're feeling ambitious.

How do you create a silky, luxurious sauce without a drop of heavy cream, you ask? Parmesan cheese, butter and starchy pasta water can get the job done. Feel free to substitute broccoli rabe with spinach or kale, if that's what you have on hand.

Behold: the fanciest lazy dinner (or lunch) of all time. Just toast the bread, layer the toppings and grill the sandwich for a few minutes per side until the cheese melts. If you're not a prosciutto fan, substitute crispy pancetta or smoky bacon.

A few pantry staples and eggs unite to give zucchini, corn, peas and tomatoes new life. This simple bake is an epic (and photogenic) way to use up all the less-than-perfect summer produce in your fridge.

You can also call this ooey-gooey sandwich, "heaven on a plate." The tartness of the berries and sweetness of the peach cut the richness of all *three* cheeses (that's goat, fontina and Emmentaler).

Burgers and hot dogs are tasty and all, but let’s face it: They’re kind of a snooze-fest after the 15th cookout of the summer. These skewers are just as easy to prepare, but will spice up the menu—literally.

An abundance of in-season zucchini means finding creative ways to use it, like as a substitute for pasta or tortillas. These guys boast all the cheesy goodness of traditional enchiladas, minus some of the carbs.

Why wait for Tuesday? One bite of this tropical delight and you'll want to make every night taco night. Bonus points for pairing them with homemade guac and tortilla chips.

Believe it or not, this decadent bowl of vegan risotto doesn't contain a drop of dairy. The key is cooking the zucchini long enough so that it breaks down and turns luxuriously creamy. We promise it's worth the wait.

Canned beans are a total lifesaver if you're shopping on a budget. They're cheap, ready to eat and loaded with protein and fiber. Here, chickpeas are mashed with a few pantry staples to create a surprisingly satisfying 15-minute, no-cook sammy.

We're betting you have nearly all the ingredients you need in your kitchen right now. Four corn cobs should be enough, but you can still prepare the skillet in the off season with canned or frozen kernels (or any time you're feeling lazy).

This Maghrebi and Israeli baked egg dish features a zesty sauce of canned crushed tomatoes, bell pepper and dry spices, so be sure to serve it with plenty of crusty bread for dipping.

Wanna know a secret? You can make a dinner party-worthy meal to enjoy alfresco in just one hour. Oh, and you'll only have to scrub one dirty pan after dinner. We'll meet you on the patio with a bottle of white—you can thank us later.

These are a far cry from the hockey puck-like veggie burgers you've had in the past. Canned black beans keep the patties moist and tender. (The generous dollop of guac on top doesn't hurt either.)

Summertime and the grilling's easy. It's even *easier* if you cook your veggies in foil packets instead of in a grill basket and season the chicken with nothing but a few staples, like whole-grain mustard and fresh lemon juice.

What’s the forecast? Oh, right, another scorcher—what a surprise. No worries: You’re not turning on the oven tonight. Once you try it (and love it), keep this make-ahead dish in mind for your next picnic or barbecue.

Cost-conscious shoppers and lazy cooks alike are well aware of canned tuna's magical properties. Save yourself a few bucks by combining hot sauce and melted butter to make the Buffalo sauce instead of buying a bottle from the store.

There's nothing we love more than a quick, easy meal that leaves you with one dirty dish to clean. Even better, the recipe only calls for eight ingredients, many of which you probably have on hand right now. Might we suggest pairing the pasta with fresh garlic bread?

Who knew the modest, timeless sandwich could look so classy? The four-ingredient crust for this savory pie is a cinch to put together, but you can easily substitute store-bought pie crust or frozen puff pastry to save time.

Baked potatoes are a last-minute dinner staple at our house, since they're so easy to prepare (and even easier on the wallet). This spin on them is a little fancier, but just as simple to pull off. Plate them with dressed greens or a bowl of brothy soup to make 'em feel like more of a meal.

Fish is often grilled or sautéed quickly over high heat, but this recipe slows down the process. Keeping the barbecue at a low temp and cooking the fish in an open foil packet allows it to soak up as much smoky flavor as possible. Choose from trout, catfish, red snapper or branzino.

Meat, spuds, cheese and minimal greens—it's a salad after our own heart. The potatoes will soak up the spicy chorizo juices while they roast, but they're also tossed in a zingy lime vinaigrette for good measure.