27 Easy Dinners to Keep Your August Meltdowns at Bay

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27 Easy Dinners to Keep Your August Meltdowns at Bay

If you’re tired of staring blankly at your fridge, wondering what on earth to cook, these easy dinners are the secret sauce to surviving a month without losing your sanity. They’re perfect for those sweltering August days when the idea of cooking makes you want to weep. Think of it as your first aid kit in the kitchen, ready to rescue you from the brink of takeout despair.

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Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Close-up of a creamy pasta salad sprinkled with paprika and garnished with chopped herbs in a white bowl.
Tuna Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up this Tuna Macaroni Salad with a combo of elbow macaroni, canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, and a dash of relish. It’s so straightforward that you could probably make it while multitasking — like, say, helping with homework or unwinding after a day’s work. This salad is all about being practical and flexible, letting you throw in whatever you’ve got in the fridge. It’s a no-sweat, no-tears kind of meal that’s perfect for those nights when you want to eat and relax, helping you manage the daily grind without dropping the ball on feeding yourself or your family.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad

Reuben Bowls

A bowl of coleslaw with creamy dressing, garnished with green onions, served in a ceramic bowl with a fork.
Reuben Bowls. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Reuben Bowls are what you need if you’re craving something hearty but not looking to spend all evening in the kitchen. They mix browned deli corned beef with coleslaw or shredded cabbage, add some tang with sauerkraut, and top it all off with melted Swiss cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, these bowls serve a delicious meal without the hassle of cooking from scratch or the dread of clean-up. They’re the epitome of throwing something together that looks and tastes like you tried harder than you did.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A fresh Caesar salad with chicken, croutons, tomatoes, and dressing, served in a large white bowl with a fork.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Here’s a dish with a fancy name but a simple game: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. With pre-cooked chicken, pasta, and Caesar dressing, you can toss this salad together faster than you can say “dinner is served.” It’s ready in just 25 minutes, which is perfect for those evenings when you’re basically running on empty. This dish champions making mealtime easy, fitting seamlessly into your life when you’re balancing a million little things. It’s light, quick, and fills the gap without hassle.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Loaded Tater Tots

A close-up of loaded tater tots topped with melted cheese, bacon, chopped green onions, and a drizzle of creamy sauce being added from a white spoon.
Loaded Tater Tots. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Loaded Tater Tots are all about bringing some joy to your table with minimal effort. Who says you can’t have a little fun with dinner? Bake the tater tots until they’re crispy, then pile on cheese, bacon, and green onions. It’s a dish that’s as easy to make as it is to love, ready in just 35 minutes. Perfect for a casual night in or when you’re hosting friends for a game night. It’s the sort of meal that asks very little of you. Plus, everyone loves a good tater tot, right? Just pop them in the oven, and dinner will be ready to go by the time you’ve picked a movie.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Tater Tots

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If your week has felt more like a marathon, this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is the comfort food you need. It combines noodles, tuna, peas, and cheese in a dish that bakes itself in the oven. In under an hour, you’ve got a hearty meal that’s about as low-maintenance as dinner can get. It’s a straightforward, no-frills way to feed yourself or your family, perfect for those evenings when even boiling water seems like too much. This casserole is a solid standby for those packed weeks without resorting to takeout every night — just the way we like it during a busy month.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Spinach Chicken Bake might just be your new favorite. Layer chicken, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella in a dish, and let the oven handle the rest. In about 30 minutes, you’ve got a delicious, hearty meal that didn’t require you to do much more than some simple layering. It’s perfect for those nights when you’re trying to juggle a thousand things and still want to eat something that feels home-cooked. This bake is all about making your life easier, so you can still enjoy a great meal without missing a beat in your busy schedule.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken

Grilled chicken pieces with a glossy glaze, garnished with chopped herbs, served on a beige plate.
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Grilled Hot Honey Chicken is all about making your evenings smoother. Picture this: chicken marinated in a sweet and spicy honey glaze, grilled to perfection. It’s ready in just 40 minutes, or you could be a real-time traveler and prepare the marinade the night before. Who says you can’t have a great meal and still catch up on your favorite series? It’s a win-win for any night, especially when you’re trying to keep dinner prep easy throughout the month.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Honey Chicken

Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

A dish of seasoned shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage slices, and potato chunks garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Hit up this Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil when you’re looking for a dinner that screams minimal effort but still feels like a feast. Toss shrimp, corn, sausage, and potatoes onto a sheet pan, season with Old Bay, and throw it in the oven. This meal cooks itself in under an hour, which is great when your day’s been more jam-packed than this pan. It’s seafood made simple, leaving you with just one pan to clean afterward — because the last thing anyone needs after a long day is a mountain of dishes. And honestly, isn’t that just the best way to glide through a hectic month?
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Two shake and bake pork chops on a plate.
Shake and Bake Pork Chops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Here’s a pro tip: keep Shake and Bake Pork Chops in your back pocket for those “can’t even” kind of nights. Coat some mayo on these chops, toss them in breadcrumbs, and let your oven handle the heavy lifting. In just 25 minutes, you’ve got chops that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside — almost like you planned it that way. It’s perfect for dodging those kitchen marathons and making something great without breaking a sweat. This is easy dining at its finest, folks.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

A casserole dish filled with tater tots, shredded chicken, and corn, topped with melted cheese and green onions.
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is the kind of dish that gets kids and adults excited. It’s crammed with shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, creamy soup, spices, and veggies, all under a layer of crispy tater tots. Just pop it in the oven for less than an hour, and bam, dinner’s served. It’s the superhero of casseroles, saving your dinner plans on those hectic nights when you barely have time to think. Plus, it’s just fun to say — tater tot casserole. Come on, who wouldn’t smile at that?
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Turn to Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole when you want big flavors without a big to-do. This dish throws together ground meat, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, rice, vegetable or chicken broth, and cheddar cheese into a casserole that cooks in the oven for about 45 minutes. Think of it as the lazy person’s guide to gourmet. Who knew you could impress your dinner guests or just please your hungry family without flaring up your own kitchen stress? This dish is all about keeping dinner calm and cool.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Spice things up with Sausage Curry without turning your kitchen into a hot zone. It’s a hearty, comforting dinner option combining lean protein from sausage with vegetables in a rich, creamy Indian-inspired curry sauce. Toss ingredients into a pot, stir in a curry sauce, and let it simmer. It’s ready in 45 minutes, and you’ve got yourself a dish that makes dinner feel like an adventure — not an ordeal. Serve it with rice or naan, and watch how a simple meal can excite your routine. Perfect for breaking the monotony without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s as easy as it is quick, the Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is your go-to. Mix ground beef, sautéed onions and mushrooms, cauliflower rice, and a creamy cheese sauce to create a delicious and filling main dish. It all comes together in one skillet in 30 minutes. It’s like the universe’s way of saying, “Hey, take it easy tonight.” Great for those evenings when you want to keep things simple but still feel like you’ve got your life together.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Twice Baked Potato Casserole is your comfort food hero. It combines the flavors of bacon, potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese and seasonings into a simple baked casserole that you have to bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It’s as easy as it sounds, no hidden tricks. Great for those nights when you need something hearty but don’t want to spend the evening chained to the stove. This casserole’s got your back, making sure you end the day on a high note with minimal kitchen time.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken is all about making your dinner routine as easy as finding your favorite streaming show on a Friday night. You toss chicken thighs, creamy Dijon mustard sauce, fresh spinach, and crispy bacon into a pan, and about 30 minutes later, dinner is served. This dish is a great mix of flavors without the hassle of multiple pots and pans. Plus, who doesn’t want the bonus of easy clean-up? It’s perfect for those nights when you need something both easy and a bit more special to cap off your day — just the right kind of dinner to make your month a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Let’s talk about Fried Cabbage with Bacon. It’s basically your low-effort, high-reward kind of meal. You chop some bacon, throw in the cabbage, and fry them up together until everything’s nice and crispy. It takes about 30 minutes and is a straightforward dish with no surprises — just good, honest flavors. Perfect for those evenings when you can’t face a big kitchen clean-up but still want a meal that’s more rewarding than your average takeout. The dish makes is a smart strategy for staying sane during a hectic month.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Baked Ravioli

A close-up of a cheesy baked ravioli garnished with herbs, with a fork lifting a portion to show the melted cheese.
Baked Ravioli. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Baked Ravioli is your cheat code for a no-stress dinner. Grab some frozen ravioli, slather it with your favorite marinara sauce, sprinkle plenty of cheese on top, and let the oven handle the rest. While it’s baking, you’re free to do whatever — or absolutely nothing. It’s ready in about an hour, and you’ve barely lifted a finger. This dish is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for those nights when even the thought of cooking is too much. It’s basically the dinner equivalent of autopilot, which is exactly what you need when you’re trying to keep things easy all month long.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli

Broccoli Casserole

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese in it.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Broccoli Casserole is the kind of dinner you turn to when you want to convince everyone that greens can be good. It’s a simple mix of fresh broccoli, creamy sauce made with mushroom soup, eggs, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and lots of cheese. You layer everything in a dish, top it with some crackers for crunch, and bake it until it’s bubbling and golden. It’s ready in no time, and the leftovers are just as good the next day. This is the dish that keeps on giving — minimal effort, maximum reward. It’s a great choice for those nights when cooking feels like too much, but eating well doesn’t.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is like the superhero of easy dinners. You steam the broccoli and cauliflower, mix them with a cheesy sauce, and bake it all for about 30 minutes. You can prep this ahead and pop it in the oven when you’re ready. It’s filling, hearty, and barely asks anything of you — just how we like it. Perfect for those days when you feel like cooking is a mountain too high to climb. It’s a dish that says, “Hey, let’s keep dinner easy tonight,” which is pretty much the dream during a packed month.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage is the dish you turn to when you want something good but don’t want to make a big deal about dinner. It’s all cooked in one pan — sweet, crunchy cabbage and rich sausages come together with a splash of apple cider vinegar for a little extra zing. It’s done in 25 minutes, saving you a lot of cooking time. This is the go-to meal for keeping things straightforward and stress-free, which is a lifesaver when your calendar is as packed as a subway at rush hour. It’s about making dinner easy because who needs more complications?
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the quick fix for your dinner dilemmas. You just cut up some chicken, pan-fry them until golden, and toss them in a garlic butter sauce that you can whip up in minutes. The whole thing is ready in about 20 minutes, and it’s perfect for when you’re starving but don’t want to wait. It’s a simple, no-nonsense kind of meal that gets you to the good part quickly. Think of it as your dinner shortcut on those frantic days, great for those evenings when you want to impress with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is the hero of a hectic weeknight. Picture this: chicken seared golden, then doused in a garlicky, creamy Parmesan sauce. This dish isn’t just quick — it’s ready in about 30 minutes and also cuts down on your clean-up time. Just one skillet, and you’re set, making it a star player for easy dinners that keep your evenings smooth. You know what’s better than a good dinner? One that doesn’t keep you tied up in the kitchen when you’d rather be binge-watching your favorite series. It is a keeper for those tough months without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is all about making life easier. You’ve got juicy chicken thighs meeting a creamy sauce with mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes — it’s a full meal that promises to be on the table in 30 minutes. No running around, no last-minute store trips. It’s just straightforward goodness, perfect for when your calendar is a battlefield of appointments and deadlines. If you’re looking for a way to win at dinner without playing the evening marathon in the kitchen, this dish has got you covered.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is like that reliable friend who always shows up when you need a boost. It’s simple: tender chicken thighs in a creamy, tangy, sun-dried tomato sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, and you only need one pan, which means minimal clean-up and maximum relaxation. It’s perfect for those days when the thought of cooking is more exhausting than your day job. With this dish, you’re not just cooking but smartly managing your time. Grab a pan, and let’s make dinner something to look forward to without all the drama.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is like the easy button for your kitchen. Just throw sausages and a mix of colorful veggies onto a sheet pan, slide it into the oven, and boom — 30 minutes later, you’ve got a complete meal that tastes great and requires nearly zero effort. Perfect for those nights when you feel like cooking is just another chore on your endless list. It’s a one-pan wonder that leaves you more time to chill out instead of clean up. Honestly, it’s almost like cheating at the dinner game — but hey, we’re all about smart moves here.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fajita Baked Chicken is practically a mini celebration on a tray. Just marinate chicken with fajita spices, toss it in the oven with some cream cheese and sweet peppers, and you’re about 30 minutes away from a dinner that’ll make everyone happy. It’s as easy as it gets and really good, especially when your day’s been anything but. This dish is a lifesaver for when you need a delicious dinner that doesn’t ask too much from you. It’s like pressing the easy button on your day. So, give yourself a break and let the oven do the heavy lifting tonight.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is your ticket to a no-stress, flavorful meal. Start with some cauliflower rice (zap it in the microwave to keep it quick), brown some beef and onions, toss in the spinach, and top with sour cream and cheddar. Bake it until everything’s bubbly and delicious, and you’ve got a filling and fast meal ready in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for those nights when you need something hearty but easy, showing you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen for a great and filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

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