30 Lazy June Dinner Ideas to Make Every Night This Month

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Crispy Grilled Chicken, Chicken Parm Meatballs

Your favorite herb-packed salad dressing, but make it pasta sauce. "The sauce is similar to pesto in how it’s made," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen writes, "but the garlicky, herby flavors are reminiscent of green goddess dressing. The exact mix of herbs you use doesn’t need to be precise, but a combination of tarragon, basil and chives is a good place to start." (The dollop of ricotta on top doesn't hurt either.)

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Greek Wedge Salad, Whole Roasted Carrots

Minimal prep, modest cooking time and almost no cleanup? I call that a win-win-win. (TBH, if those boxes aren't checked, I'm not turning on the oven.) You could use the tahini-honey glaze on another kind of fish, like halibut or cod, if salmon isn't your thing. It'd play well with chicken or pork, too.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, one pan
• Serves: 2
• Pairs Well With: Maple Candied Bacon, Sweet Potato Rösti

Mild mozzarella, juicy tomatoes and fresh basil are a timeless combination. But did you know that the caprese treatment works with other fromage? “When I said I love to eat cottage cheese in a savory manner, this is exactly how,” recipe creator Jessica Merchant writes. “Burst tomatoes, fresh basil, balsamic drizzle, some flaky salt. Dare I say, this almost tastes like...pizza?”

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Easy 5-Ingredient Corn Soup, Double Truffle Fries

With a store-bought rotisserie chicken on your side, the dinner options are endless. Here, it's shredded and tossed in bottled Buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing to create 20-minute wraps that don't require a moment of cooking (well, besides toasting the tortillas to make them pliable).

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Skillet Steak with Asparagus and Potatoes, All-Year-Round Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Whoever said soup was reserved for cold weather never had the pleasure of eating this mind-blowingly simple meal that comes together in a blender—and without a moment of cooking. Don't skip the crusty, cheesy baguette on the side; it's the ideal pairing for dipping.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, sheet pan recipe, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Quick-Pickled Onions, Harissa and Honey-Roasted Carrots

A whole chicken? Fine. A whole chicken with potatoes and spinach, finished with tangy yogurt and pretty pomegranate arils? Divine. The entire dish can be prepped for cooking in about five minutes, and any leftovers will keep in your fridge for up to four days.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook,
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Rodney Scott’s Honey-Butter Fish, Grilled Flank Steak with Lemon-Herb Sauce

It's incredible what a difference fresh herbs and lemon zest can make. They're crucial for zhuzhing up this foolproof salad starring canned white beans. (Read: That means you don't need to go through the time and effort of making them from scratch.) Smash the beans over toast, serve them atop greens or wash them down with white wine.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta, Scallion and Chive Flatbread

It's buttery and bright like the O.G., but contains a fraction of the carbs, thanks to spiralized zucchini being used in place of pasta. Even better, you'll only need ten ingredients to pull off the dish, and most of them are likely in your kitchen right now. Make it as low-lift as possible by using store-bought zoodles instead of cutting your own.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Seasoned Steamed Eggplant, Spicy, Crunchy Sesame Cucumber Salad

This 20-minute powerhouse proves that you don't need to use every ingredient in your fridge and pantry to make a knockout June dinner. The recipe only calls for seven components—and that's including salt and olive oil. Serve the chicken with plain, coconut or miso-infused rice.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Yellow Tomato Gazpacho, Prosciutto Bites

'Tis the season to stuff every farmers market squash you can get your hands on into your roomiest tote bag. This one-pan skillet pasta is the best way to show off your haul. Substitute zucchini if you'd like—just be generous with the ricotta. (It'd be great topped with crispy prosciutto or crumbled bacon, too.)

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein,
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Corn and Tomato Salad with Feta and Lime, Sweet and Spicy Cornbread

Despite its gourmet appearance, this elegant June dinner idea is only 25 minutes away (and it's guaranteed to garner oohs and ahhs from all your guests). You can cook the skirt steak on the grill if the weather's right, but the recipe calls for charring it under your broiler instead for fuss-free prep.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Stuffed Eggplant, Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers Recipe with Tzatziki Sauce

This lightning-fast pasta is inspired by macarona bi laban, an Arabic dish that stars a glossy, garlicky yogurt sauce. The O.G. sauce is complemented by nutty tahini for good measure. If you want to go all out, top each plate with hashweh, an herby spiced Lebanese stuffing of rice, meat and nuts.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Ginger Jasmine Rice, Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables

Foolproof, fast and nutritious, this is arguably the most flexible weeknight dinner of all time. Prepare the herb crumb and store it in the fridge a few days ahead to save time. You can also customize it to suit your tastes (or make use of whatever's already in your pantry), like swapping in crumbled potato chips as a salty substitute for breadcrumbs.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Bacon, Fig and Ricotta Tartines, BLT Galette

When summer's tastiest peaches are ripe for the taking, why worry about cooking? Simply slice, season and assemble them on a plate with fresh mozzarella and torn basil. Add heirloom tomatoes or prosciutto to the mix if you'd like, and mix the easy vinaigrette dressing ahead.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Salt and Vinegar Roasted Potatoes with Feta and Dill, Caesar Pasta Salad

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, especially those who'll get to sink their teeth into these tender, juicy skewers. Don't let the meat intimidate you, even if you're a steak newbie: These are practically foolproof (and the chimichurri is even simpler).

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa, Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)

Caramelized plantains, fresh produce and a sweet-and-sour lime-maple dressing unite for an unexpected salad your guests will ask for seconds of. Black-eyed peas give the dish a boost of plant-based protein, so it can hold its own as a main with ease.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, high protein
• Serves: 1
• Pairs Well With: Chili Crisp Burrata Salad with Arugula, Apple and Walnuts, Spicy Lemon-Ginger Chicken Soup

Recipe creator Sarah Soon Ahn's take on grilled cheese is inspired by her family's tradition of pairing leftover pasta with kimchi. “The spicy kick of the kimchi elevates the creamy richness of the mac and cheese to a whole new level,” she writes. “It’s now a ritual in our household to enjoy them together after every Thanksgiving—a fusion of comfort food and Korean flavors that we cannot get enough of.”

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Healthy Zuppa Toscana, Grilled Caprese Skewers with Halloumi and Sourdough

Thanks to store-bought flatbread (and whatever veggies are hiding in your crisper drawer), this summer pizza goes from oven to table in about 15 minutes flat. The recipe calls for a summery mix of zucchini, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes, but you could add just about any produce you'd like.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Ranch Potato Salad, Light and Tangy Coleslaw

Celebrate Juneteenth with this summery crowd pleaser, which works with catfish, flounder, trout and grouper alike. “Just half an hour in the buttermilk will sweeten the fish and keep it deliciously moist,” recipe creator Dora Charles explains. “In the old days, we’d fry the fish in Crisco, but now it’s usually vegetable oil with maybe a little bacon grease or butter for flavor.”

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Potato Salad with Fried Capers, Classic Macaroni Salad

The spatchcocked bird cooks to perfection in an hour, you won't have to dirty your entire kitchen to make it (since it's cooked on the grill) and the leftovers will make a mean chicken salad. Need I say more? Wait, you don’t know how to spatchcock chicken? It’s as easy as removing the backbone.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, slow cooker recipe, high protein
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: Easy Pretzel Buns, Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw

It’s officially summer, meaning the weather is perpetually hot. Are you turning your oven on to make this barbecue essential? I think not. Let the Crockpot do all the heavy lifting with this summer slow cooker masterpiece, then serve the sammies with plenty of coleslaw and mac and cheese.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Mediterranean Pasta Salad, Chilled Cucumber Salad

The cooling, cucumber-kissed yogurt sauce is the ultimate match for light turkey burgers dappled with herbs, onion and crushed red pepper flakes. Serve 'em with Greek salad, or potato chips or French fries if you're feeling decadent.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, vegan, no cook
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Chicken Satay with Coconut-Peanut Sauce, Vegan Slow-Cooker Detox Coconut Soup

I usually reserve these vegan handhelds for a picnic, since they can be made up to two days ahead without turning soggy in the fridge. (Good looking out, hearty collards.) But they're substantial enough to serve for dinner as well, courtesy of protein-packed hummus and peanut butter dip.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: 8
• Pairs Well With: Bitter Greens Salad with Herby Ranch Dressing, Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Savory pie is always invited to dinner. Use multicolored heirloom carrots for a rustic look; they'll make the tart so pretty that your guests won't realize you started with store-bought puff pastry and jarred pesto. P.S.: "The secret to success with this tart—and any vegetable tart—is to par-cook the carrots and crust before assembling and baking once more," Gillen explains. "This allows some of the water content to evaporate from the vegetables, ensuring a flaky, crisp final result."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, gluten free
• Serves: 2
• Pairs Well With: Italian Sangria Cocktail, Garlic Bread

It's a 30-minute meal that tastes like you're dining on the French Riviera, minus the hassle of a long flight. If that isn't très chic, I don't know what is. Pass the aioli and a hunk of crusty baguette for dunking, s'il vous plaît. And trust me, you can conquer mussels on the first try.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Cauliflower Rice, Crispy Tofu Bites

It’s hot and humid, so you’re craving something crisp and cool. Enter these fish-free poke bowls, which require zero cooking and are photogenic to boot. (Your Instagram followers are about to be so jealous.) In case you need help cutting the watermelon, I have you covered.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Arugula Salad with Whole-Lemon Vinaigrette, Swedish ‘Pizzasallad’ Cabbage Slaw

You'll be shocked how easy chippy-caliber fish and chips are to make at home. For impossibly crispy white fish (take your pick of hake, haddock or sole), chill it after breading to allow the egg and flour to set. This will help the coating adhere as it fries. Trade preserved lemon for finely grated lemon zest if you'd prefer.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6
• Pairs Well With: French Onion Sheet Pan Chicken, White Sangria Ice Pops

This is a buttery, charred dish that's best served with a glass of white wine on the patio—or better yet, a glass of white wine garnished with a sangria ice pop. You can thank me once you taste it (or after your notoriously picky eater asks for a second helping). I won't tell if you bookmark it now to make in the off-season with canned corn.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: 15-Minute, One-Pot Pasta Limone, Easy Dinner Rolls

I love all no-cook meals, but those that are ready to devour *this* quickly—like, 15-minutes-touch-of-a-button fast—are hands-down my favorites. All you need is a blender (countertop or immersion) or food processor and a boatload of ripe summer produce to put this stunner on the table.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It:
• Serves: 4
• Pairs Well With: Mozzarella Bites, Chicken Parm Meatballs

You made it to the end of June—congrats! Your reward? Homemade pizza, cooked in a trusty cast iron skillet for easy cleanup and impeccably crispy edges. "It has everything you want (cheese, fluffy crust, garlic) and a bit of what you need (green vegetables), because balance is my number one motto," Gillen says.