In the dog days of summer, the last place I want to be is in a sweltering kitchen (my top choice is probably on a float in an infinity pool, TBH). To minimize the whole standing-over-a-hot-stove thing, I rely on “dump” dinners: easy meals you essentially plop onto a sheet pan, skillet, slow cooker or Instant Pot and let the oven—or aforementioned appliance—handle most of the work.
The one challenge with dump dinners is that they're often heavier, heartier dishes, like casseroles and stews. But there's a whole world of options that are crisp and refreshing, even on the most blazing days of July and August. After trying several recipes over the years and scanning some of the top-reviewed recipes from PureWow's archives (and favorite food bloggers), these are my picks for the best summer dump dinners.
Let me know in the comments if you have any favorites, riffs or twists that I should try. I'm always on the lookout for fresh ideas.
