Dinner Tonight: August 2018

July 31, 2018
Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett
Serve up easy, delicious dinners every night (in 45 minutes or less!) with these healthy, family-friendly recipes. 
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Ricotta-Spinach Pasta

Credit: Photo: José Picayo

Ready in less than 20 minutes, Ricotta-Spinach Pasta is the perfect solution for a quick and easy Meatless Monday dish.


Ricotta-Spinach Pasta Recipe
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2 of 31

Maple-Glazed Salmon

Credit: Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Combine a sweet glaze, homemade spice rub, and healthy salmon fillets to create a guest-worthy meal in just 20 minutes.


Maple-Glazed Salmon Recipe

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Grilled Cheeseburger Nachos

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Lucy Barr; Food Styling: Liz Mervosh

It was determined in our test kitchen that it is legitimately impossible to be anything other than happy while eating these cheeseburger nachos—do with that information what you will. The cookout-inspired food mashup is as perfect served as a fun, grilled snack for guests (especially during tailgating season) as it is an easy, throw-together meal to use up leftovers from a weekend get-together. So while the cheeseburger recipe provided here does produce an extremely moist and flavorful patty, you can certainly use leftover cooked burgers if you already have them on hand. Same idea applies to the nacho toppings; we went with a blend of typical Tex-mex toppers and backyard cookout accouterments, but you can vary things up however suits you. Your baking sheet will only be on the grill for a few minutes (just long enough for the cheese to melt) so you shouldn’t experience any issues with the pan warping or taking on grill marks. However, for easy clean-up, you can certainly go ahead and wrap your pan in aluminum foil. 


Grilled Cheeseburger Nachos Recipe
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Baked Ziti and Summer Veggies

Credit: Photo: John Autry and Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Add pops of color to this 40-minute baked ziti with summer veggies like squash, zucchini, and tomato.


Baked Ziti and Summer Veggies Recipe

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Summer Squash and Corn Chowder

Credit: Photo: John Autry; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Enjoy a low-calorie soup in the summertime by making this satisfying chowder with the season's best produce. Top with cheese and bacon for kid appeal.


Summer Squash and Corn Chowder Recipe

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Chicken-Peanut Chow Mein

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Asian ingredients like sesame oil, soy sauce, and ginger boost the flavor in this 20-minute stir-fry. Chow mein noodles are often labeled chuka soba. If you can't find them in the Asian section of the supermarket, substitute spaghetti or linguine.


Chicken-Peanut Chow Mein Recipe
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Filet Mignon with Arugula Salad

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Arugula, a peppery salad green, makes a tasty bed for tender, simply seasoned pan-seared steak.


Filet Mignon with Arugula Salad Recipe

8 of 31

Creamy Watercress-Cucumber Soup

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling Karen Ranken; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Cool, creamy, and loaded with fresh flavor, this is just about the most perfect summer soup we could imagine. Plus, it’s a great no-cook recipe for when the heat of summer hits and you want to keep your kitchen cool. While a large blender helps here, you could certainly prepare the soup in two batches and stir them together at the end. Serve as a light lunch or appetizer with crusty bread—or for a more substantial meal, this chilled watercress-cucumber soup is a delicious partner to our Ultimate Grilled Tomato Sandwich. In order to get sour cream that “swirls” into the soup (instead of sinking to the bottom), you’ll need to thin it out with a bit of water. In a small bowl, simply whisk together a 2-to-1 ratio of sour cream and water, and you’ll be good to go.  


Creamy Watercress-Cucumber Soup Recipe

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Smothered Enchiladas

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Spiced ground beef wrapped in tortilla, covered in cheese, and smothered with a homemade sauce? Yeah, we'll have that.


Smothered Enchiladas Recipe
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10 of 31

Pan-Seared Shrimp Po' Boys

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Serve a classic New Orleans shrimp po'boy featuring a homemade, five-ingredient tartar sauce made with pantry staples.


Pan-Seared Shrimp Po' Boys Recipe

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Mongolian Beef

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Forget the fast food--this take on Mongolian Beef delivers all the flavor without the insane sodium and fat levels. Serve this bold, Asian-inspired beef favorite over wide rice noodles with a side of steamed or roasted broccoli.


Mongolian Beef Recipe

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Southwestern Pork Lettuce Wraps

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling Karen Ranken; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

These easy lettuce wraps make for a perfectly light and lovely summer supper that won’t heat up your kitchen. We use a quickly grilled pork tenderloin here, but you could easily substitute any other protein you feel like tossing on the grill (like steak, chicken, or shrimp) or even smoked, pulled pork leftover from yesterday’s barbecue. Simply set out your components in separate bowls and let everyone assemble their lettuce wraps as they please for a fun family meal. 


Southwestern Pork Lettuce Wraps Recipe
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Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Serve a zesty chicken taco salad drizzled with a chipotle chile, cumin, and cilantro dressing. The smokiness of the chipotle brings out the rich flavors of the roasted chicken breasts.


Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

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Mushroom and Provolone Patty Melts

Credit: Photo: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Your family won’t believe this comforting sandwich is light. For the kids, use beef broth instead of beer, and try mild wheat bread.


Mushroom and Provolone Patty Melts Recipe

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Farfalle with Tomatoes, Onions, and Spinach

Credit: Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Give your family a taste of the Mediterranean with this simple pasta recipe. Add grilled chicken for an even heartier meal.


Farfalle with Tomatoes, Onions, and Spinach Recipe
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Salmon with Hoisin Glaze

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie Clark

This five-ingredient salmon recipe requires just over 15 minutes to prepare and is guaranteed to please friends and family. Serve with garlicky-spicy snow peas on the side.


Salmon with Hoisin Glaze Recipe

17 of 31

Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

This casserole is perfect for a busy week when getting in and out of the kitchen needs to be a snap. The marrying of flavors in one pot from the ground sirloin, fresh vegetables, aromatic seasonings, and rigatoni make for a satisfying pasta dish with an easy cleanup.


Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole Recipe

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Cider-Glazed Chicken with Pecan Rice

Credit: Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

With chicken cutlets and boil-in-bag rice, this unique take on the chicken-and-rice dinner couldn’t be easier (or faster!) to make.


Cider-Glazed Chicken with Pecan Rice Recipe
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Chicken and Herb White Pizza

Credit: Photo: John Autry and Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Instead of the usual tomato sauce, make a white sauce for your pizza and top with shredded chicken and fresh oregano, chives, and parsley.


Chicken and Herb White Pizza Recipe

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Chicken and Black Bean-Stuffed Burritos

Credit: Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

These skillet-grilled burritos come together in a flash thanks to store-bought rotisserie chicken. Keep this meal light by serving with a fresh green salad.


Chicken and Black Bean-Stuffed Burritos Recipe

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Garlic-and-Herb Oven-Fried Halibut

Credit: Beau Gustafson

Batter your fillets in crunchy, Japanese-style breadcrumbs called panko. They bake up so crispy, you'll swear these tender halibut fillets are deep-fried.


Garlic-and-Herb Oven-Fried Halibut Recipe
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Sweet-Spicy Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

This colorful, 20-minute chicken and veggie stir-fry features a sweet-spicy sauce and a topping of dry-roasted peanuts, which add delicious crunch.


Sweet-Spicy Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe

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Lemon-Grilled Chicken Breasts

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Fresh lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil are all that's needed to deliver big flavor to grilled chicken. Learn how to make this simple, 30-minute marinade for Lemon-Grilled Chicken Breasts--it might just become your go-to marinade and basting sauce.


Lemon-Grilled Chicken Breasts Recipe

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Ultimate Grilled Tomato Sandwiches

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling Karen Ranken; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Toasty bread, juicy tomatoes, melty cheese, and smoky bacon—what’s not to love? These decadent grilled sandwiches are the perfect place to put your ripe summer tomatoes, and pair beautifully with a light, refreshing summer soup. While you could certainly prepare them in a skillet on the stove, going to the grill takes these superb summer sandwiches to the next level. 


Ultimate Grilled Tomato Sandwiches Recipe
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25 of 31

Orange-Sauced Chicken

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Orange-sauced chicken is a super fast supper idea that is rich with flavor, but only has around 200 calories per serving.


Orange-Sauced Chicken Recipe

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Zoodles with Shrimp and Green Goddess Dressing

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling Karen Ranken; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Using a blend of spiralized summer squash and zucchini “noodles,” this light and bright summer entree is as refreshing as they come. We absolutely love the fresh flavors this simple green goddess dressing packs into the dish; any leftover dressing would be great for dipping veggies into for an easy snack. Taking advantage of already steamed shrimp from the seafood counter of your favorite grocery store keeps this vibrant dish entirely no-cook and incredibly speedy. And to save a few extra minutes, you can grab containers of pre-spiralized vegetables from the produce section. In order to prevent sogginess, wait until it’s time to eat before assembling the components of your zoodle bowl.  


Zoodles with Shrimp and Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

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Caprese Wraps with Chicken

Credit: Photo: John Autry; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Pick up a rotisserie chicken and assemble this hearty sandwich for a quick and easy weeknight meal.


Caprese Wraps with Chicken Recipe
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 Heirloom Tomato Salad with Chicken and Couscous

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling Karen Ranken; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Not only does this vibrant salad taste like summer on a plate, but it’s also a fantastic make-ahead recipe that doesn’t require heating up the kitchen. While this is certainly not a meal that will weigh you down, store-bought rotisserie chicken makes the tomato salad hearty enough to serve as a satisfying entree. Soaking the couscous is a genius trick that yields a perfect fluffy texture—no cooking necessary. Plus, the overnight soaking means your couscous will be chilled and ready to go when you’re ready to assemble the salad. Plan ahead to take advantage of this savvy meal prep move. 


 Heirloom Tomato Salad with Chicken and Couscous Recipe

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No-Cook Shrimp Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

Credit: Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling Karen Ranken; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

 Picking up already steamed shrimp from the seafood counter of your favorite grocery store is a great time saving trick—and it can help keep your oven turned off during the summer months. Thus, these no-cook noodle bowls are packed with fresh flavors and textures, but take mere minutes to assemble. They’re just the low-effort, highly refreshing weeknight-friendly recipe you need during the hottest days of the year. 


No-Cook Shrimp Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce Recipe

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Parmesan Chicken and Rice

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Rice and broth are added to sauteed chicken, onion, garlic, mushrooms and parmesan for a simple entree that requires only one pan.


Parmesan Chicken and Rice Recipe
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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett

All the flavors of a favorite casserole come together in the comfort of mac and cheese. Serve King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese to your family, and it will become a quick favorite.


King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
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