We're keeping it easy and breezy here this week with lightning-fast ramen, fancy sandwiches, and a grilled steak salad. I want to shout out the clam pizza, especially. One of my favorite local spots made an exceptional one, and, amazingly, this 25-minute version—using canned clams!—tastes remarkably similar. Want more cooking inspo? I recently shared my favorite cookbooks of the year (so far).

Jenna Helwig

Food Director

Dairy-Free

Chicken Meatballs with Quick-Pickled Cucumber

Sesame, soy, and vinegar come together to glaze these tender meatballs with deliciousness. Served with rice and quick-pickled cucumbers, it's a deceptively simple meal that delivers big flavor. A final sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds adds a hit of texture.

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Vegetarian

Fancy Tomato Sandwiches

I love a BLT as much as the next (non-vegetarian) gal, but these tomato sandwiches are flat-out fantastic. Chive-flecked salted butter is spread on baguettes and then layered with sharp cheese, juicy tomatoes, peppery arugula, and, ahem, store-bought crispy fried onions. Of course, you could always slide in a slice or two of bacon.

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Clam Pizza

Store-bought pizza dough and a couple cans of chopped clams get you halfway to dinner in this recipe that will make you feel like you're dining at the seashore. All you really have to do is season the clams, stretch the dough, and whip some heavy cream to serve as the rich base for the briny seafood.

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Dairy-Free

On the Grill

Steak Salad with Herby Dressing

In this hearty main-dish salad, half of a chimichurri inspired-dressing is used to marinate steak while a grill preheats. The other half dresses a salad of creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, crunchy radishes, and crisp greens. Feel free to use any lettuce and veggies you have on hand.

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Vegan

One-Pot

Thai Peanut Butter Ramen

When I first realized that you could use the noodles in a ramen packet without the seasoning envelope, my whole world changed. Now I keep a few packets on hand at all times to make recipes like this one. With only eight mostly pantry ingredients you can have a slurp-worthy supper on the table in 20 minutes flat.

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Bonus!

Caramelized Shallot Dip

I once made this dip when we hosted family friends, and the visiting 12 year-old practically licked the bowl clean. I think that's all the endorsement this recipe needs.

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