5 Dinners for When You’re Short on Time

Perfect for hot nights, too.

By
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva is a trained chef, registered dietitian, recipe writer, and food photographer, specializing in modern Jewish cuisine. She runs Nosh with Micah, her personal blog.
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Published August 04, 2025
Micah Siva
A closeup of a sandwich with lettuce and filling part of a Simply Recipes promotion

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

August is here! I cannot believe how quickly this summer is flying, and while I’m loving the hot weather, I’ll be ready for a little more normalcy and schedule come the beginning of the “school year.”

My kiddo is off of daycare this week (send help!), so I’m planning to make quick, kid-friendly suppers that I can eat at the kitchen table, on the porch, or even at the beach. Luckily, my parents are in town visiting from Canada, so I’m also factoring in their preferences when it comes to meal times.

That means I’m making more chicken breasts, more shareable meals, and more simple suppers to keep the focus on family, not the kitchen.

  • Salmon Macaroni Salad

    Salmon Macaroni Salad

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    If there’s one thing that I can also count on for a quick dinner, it’s tinned fish. Unlike the tinned fish of my childhood (and many tuna casseroles), it has gotten quite the glow-up over the past few years with a plethora of options. I love to use lightly smoked salmon in this recipe, whether from a high-end brand like Fish Wife or a budget option from Trader Joe's.

  • Grilled Chicken Nachos

    Grilled nachos topped with diced tomatoes red onions melted cheese and shredded chicken on foil

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    I see your girl dinner of 2024, and raise you a game-time snacky dinner. There’s nothing I love more than munching on cheesy nachos, right off the baking pan or foil, meaning there’s no dishes in sight. These are not your average nachos, with a BBQ chicken twist. I’m going to serve these with ranch dressing (of course) and a big plate of crudité. Cheers to a dish-free dinner!

  • Chickpea Panini

    Chickpea Panini on a Plate with a Lemon Wedge

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    We’re taking supper to the beach tonight, so I’m packing a picnic with our favorite snacks, drinks, and these chickpea sandwiches. While the name is “panini,” these are actually unpressed, served nestled into a crispy baguette. I love the tang of soft goat cheese in these, and the filling is also great on a salad!

  • Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

    Plate of cooked chicken bites with a garnish, served with a spoon

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    Recipe developer Coco Morante says, "Lots of garlic, a good amount of butter, and some boneless, skinless chicken thighs are all you need to make a delicious main dish for dinner tonight. There are endless possibilities for simple additions, but even stripped down to these essential ingredients, it’s still a slam dunk." I'm serving this with microwave rice and steamed broccoli.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below

  • Chickpea Spinach Rice

    Skillet of chickpea and spinach rice, surrounded by a cutting board of feta and chopped dill, wine glasses, and serving plates

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    I love a one-pot meal that uses primarily pantry ingredients and helps me use up some of those leftover herbs that are past their prime, and this recipe checks all the boxes. I’m going to serve this as the base of a grain bowl, topped with grilled halloumi and avocado. Who knows, I might even throw in some baby spinach if I’m feeling crazy! 

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