It’s that time of year when some days are hot, some days are cool, and the only constant is that every day is packed with busy schedules. We’re here to help with some of our favorite weeknight meals that are ready in less time than takeout.

Penne alla Vodka (pictured above)

You’re only 25 minutes away from sitting down to the table with this take on a classic Italian-American comfort dish.

Cold Peanut Soba Noodles with Chicken

Dress up leftover store-bought rotisserie chicken — just a cup stretches to feed four — with a spicy peanut sauce, vegetables and nutty soba noodles for a refreshing meal on a hot night.

Grilled Vegetables with Couscous

The star of this easy vegetarian meal is a super quick yogurt sauce made with grilled peppers and garlic, leading everyone to believe you spent more than 30 minutes in the kitchen.

Stovetop Lasagna

A quick trip to the broiler brings out the flavors of a dish that baked for hours, but it only takes 30 minutes to put together this shortcut lasagna.

Shrimp Tacos

Ree uses shrimp as the base for this self-serve taco bar, which cuts down on cook time for a meal that’s ready in just 16 minutes. If you’re feeling ambitious, prep the coleslaw ahead of time and let the flavors develop in the fridge for a few hours.