By August, our motivation is somewhere between melting into the couch and googling “can popsicles count as dinner?”
The HEAT is relentless, the dishes feel never-ending, and don’t even get us started on the school supply lists creeping into our inbox.
If you’re anything like us, you’re one “what’s for dinner?” away from hiding in the laundry room.
That’s why this list exists.
We’re talking about low-effort, high-reward dinner recipes for when you’re too sweaty to care and too tired to pretend. These are the meals we reach for when we can’t deal.
When the AC is struggling, the kitchen feels like a punishment, and even slicing an avocado feels dramatic.
Picture this:
Cold pasta salad straight from the mixing bowl (been there, loved it)
Skillet meals you can finish before someone asks for another snack
Wraps, bowls, tacos, and anything that lets people make their own plates (bless)
And yes, a few options that might technically count as breakfast-for-dinner because at this point, rules are made to be broken
Last August, Matthew actually served cereal and watermelon for dinner. No one complained. Our son thought it was hilarious. I didn’t have to cook. We called it a win! 🥰
So here it is, 31 lazy-girl dinner recipes to get you through the stickiest month of the year. No oven meltdowns, no hour-long prep, no judgment. Just easy, cool meals that keep you fed without breaking a sweat.
Trust us, you’re going to love EVERY BITE. And your AC bill might even thank you too.
"This Caprese Tortellini is made with cheese Tortellini tossed with sauteed garlic and tomatoes in extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella and spices. This fresh tortellini caprese pasta is perfect for summer!"
Super Fresh Grilled Shrimp Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
"A simple salad made almost entirely on the grill! We’re grilling up romaine lettuce, shrimp, corn and bell peppers, and using it in this fresh grilled shrimp salad. Top it all off with my 4 ingredient honey mustard vinaigrette!"
"Hummus Pita Pizzas 3 Ways – making vegan pizza at home is super easy when you use hummus and pita bread as your base. Add your favorite toppings and bake!"
"Here at Food Dolls, we’re all about celebrating the beauty of avocado toast! There’s something so satisfying about this simple yet versatile dish—it’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a delicious healthy snack any time of day."
"The classic BLT gets an upgrade with this easy recipe for BLT Wraps with Avocado and Mozzarella. This is the perfect low-fuss summertime meal. Crispy bacon gets paired with juicy tomatoes, fresh lettuce, slices of avocado, creamy fresh mozzarella cheese, and a touch of mayonnaise. It is a medley of well-loved ingredients, and a perfect way to serve ripe end-of-summer tomatoes."
"Tuna stuffed avocados are a delicious low-carb, keto, Whole30 and paleo-friendly lunch or snack recipe. A simple combination of tuna salad and avocados, they’re easy to make, loaded with healthy protein, healthy fats and will keep you satiated long after lunch is over."
"These cheesy chicken quesadillas are easily a new favorite recipe for me! They’re easy, really flavorful, and packed with veggies and cheese, and shredded chicken. They resemble a chicken fajita with the bell peppers and onions, but they’re packed with cheese."
"Pasta with peas, parmesan, lemon and spinach is a healthy, budget-friendly recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes! This recipe makes it easy to make a delicious dinner with little effort."
"Most diners have on their breakfast menu something called "The Mess." I love The Mess, if it's done right. I'm all about cooking for two without breaking the bank, so I'm excited to share with you a delightful twist on a classic: the Best Diner Style Breakfast Egg Scramble Recipe. "
"Bring these quick and easy Buffalo wing-inspired tacos to the table in under 20 minutes thanks to a few smart supermarket shortcuts! Topped with crunchy slaw and creamy blue cheese."
"Bright, fresh, comforting, and customizable, these quick and easy Grilled Chicken Pita Wraps are the Weeknight Wonder your dinner routine has been missing. Made with just 10 simple ingredients and only 15 minutes of active time in the kitchen, this Greek-inspired chicken souvlaki wrap recipe uses some easy store-bought shortcuts to get that takeout fake-out flavor in a jiffy!"
"This fresh Margherita flatbread comes together in just 20 minutes with a handful of ingredients! It’s the perfect quick and easy summertime dinner to use up all those ripe tomatoes from the garden!"
"This Cold Peanut Noodle Salad is the perfect meal prep for summer! No need to reheat, it’s light but filling, and the flavors are oh so fresh. It’s topped off with a homemade tangy, sweet, and creamy Peanut Lime Dressing to make everything finger-licking good. So have a salad for lunch this week, and enjoy it."
"Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers are so easy to make on the grill if you’re camping, vacationing, or just looking for an easy dinner with even easier cleanup!"
"These Caprese Chicken Orzo Bowls are SO yummy – made with fresh ingredients like basil, juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and melt in your mouth orzo, these bowls are SO simple to whip up and so delicious! "
"Learn how to make a quick summer tuna pasta salad that comes together in a flash! Loaded with tons of tender, peppery arugula, flaky tuna, and zesty pepperoncini. Dress it with the most addicting lemon ranch dressing. This is sure to become a go-to summer lunch recipe!"
"Flavorful Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw are ready in just 30 minutes and will wow the whole family! Well-seasoned, sautéed shrimp are nestled in warm tortillas and topped with slaw, cilantro, sliced avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime. Guaranteed to be a new favorite!"
"What's the best way to enjoy this gorgeous summer weather? A girl's night on the deck of course! So grab your best girlfriends and enjoy this Summer Antipasto Platter!"
You’ve got the recipes, but a few smart tricks can take your meal plan from “surviving summer” to “actually kind of crushing it.” Here’s how we keep our kitchen (and sanity) cool in August.
plan around what’s fresh (or almost too ripe)
When produce starts looking suspicious, that’s your dinner cue. Build your meal around one fresh ingredient that needs to go.
Soft peaches? Slice and serve with cottage cheese or yogurt
Wrinkly tomatoes? Toss in a salad or roast quickly in the air fryer
Wilted greens? Sauté with garlic and olive oil and call it a side
Sometimes the fridge decides what’s for dinner. We just roll with it.
keep your kitchen cool
If the oven feels like a personal attack, skip it. There are plenty of ways to keep dinner chill, literally.
Use the air fryer instead of baking
Set up the slow cooker outside or in the garage
Grill everything you can, including the veggies
Prep meals early in the day before it gets too hot
Keep a “cold dinner night” on rotation (salads, wraps, snack boards)
Low heat = low stress.
repurpose leftovers like a pro
Leftovers shouldn’t be a guilt trip, they should be a shortcut. Here’s how we use ‘em up without feeling like we’re eating the same thing twice.
Grilled chicken → wraps, tacos, grain bowls, or quesadillas
Pasta salad → next-day lunch or base for a dinner salad
Cooked veggies → toss into eggs or mix with rice and dressing
Think of it as a lazy-girl remix. Less cooking, more winning.
easy no-cook sides to fill the plate
Some nights it’s just a handful of baby carrots and ranch. Other nights you might pull off something cute. Either way, here are our go-to side options.
Watermelon salad with feta and mint
Bagged greens with lemon vinaigrette
Fruit skewers with whatever’s left in the fridge
Baby tomatoes with mozzarella and balsamic
Corn on the cob (microwaved or grilled)
Veggie tray with store-bought hummus
If it’s cold, colorful, and doesn’t involve a pan, it’s fair game.
you made it, lazy-girl legend ❤️
If you’ve made it to the end of this list, first of all, go you. That’s 31 days of not crying over a hot stove or panic-scrolling takeout apps at 6:42 PM. Honestly, we’re proud of you!
Dinner in August doesn’t need to be impressive. It needs to be real, doable, and chill enough to survive with your hair in a bun and a kid asking for more ranch.
And if that means cereal on the patio or tortellini straight from the fridge… we fully support that life.
Don’t forget to leave a comment&follow us on Pinterest. We’d LOVE to know which lazy-girl dinner saved your sanity this month.
We’re in this sweaty, snack-filled season together.
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