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Tired of doing dishes? These 21 one pan meals are your new best friend

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By Leah Ingram

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I can’t believe it took me so long to come around to this notion of meals that cook in one pan or pot. Not only are they super easy to cook but also they are even easier to clean up. The 21 recipes here include Crock Pot slow cooker dishes, air fryer main dishes as well as skillet meals. I think you’ll love them all and want to try them today.

A skillet filled with a creamy chicken and pepper dish, featuring chunks of chicken and green pepper slices in a rich, white sauce.
Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

Two cooked chicken thighs on a red dish, a bowl of cherry tomatoes behind, and a slow cooker in the background.
Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

When I talk about making fried chicken in my slow cooker, the word “fried” is a euphemism. I’m not really frying anything. However, the end result tastes like fried chicken.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

Pork Loin in the Crock Pot

A person eating shredded chicken with a fork, served on a white plate with roasted sweet potatoes in the background.
Pork Loin in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

It’s always the perfect time of year to pull out our slow cooker and make a meal. With this Pork Loin in the Crock Pot recipe, once the pork is done, we can shred it like pulled pork and use it in other recipes later in the week, such as pork tacos.
Get the Recipe: Pork Loin in the Crock Pot

Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Plate of chicken with a creamy sauce, served with potatoes and carrots, garnished with parsley.
Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This recipe for Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken is such a classic. It has only six ingredients and includes those easiily found in your pantry or refrigerator.
Get the Recipe: Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast

A loaf of sliced bread, a butter dish with a stick of butter, a bowl of eggs, a small jug of milk, a small jar of jam, and a dish of brown sugar arranged on a table.
Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

What is this Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast like? Well, have you ever had bread pudding? This dish is a cross between softer French Toast and bread pudding.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast

Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers

A plate of white rice topped with chunks of chicken and sliced green bell peppers, all cooked in a creamy yellow sauce.
Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

With prep and cooking time, we were able to make this Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers in about 20 minutes. That’s not an exaggeration.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers

Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken

A cast iron skillet filled with cooked chicken pieces and topped with sliced peaches.
Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

I love finding ways to work peaches into a dinner when they’re in season during the summer.That’s why this peach whiskey barbecue chicken recipe works so well. It’s sweet and savory in all the right kinds of ways.
Get the Recipe: Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken

One Pot Steak and Black Beans Chili

A bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and avocado slices, accompanied by pieces of cornbread.
One Pot Steak and Black Beans Chili. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

One of the reasons I love this one pot steak and black beans chili recipe is because of its versatility. You can follow the recipe exactly as written and cook it on the stovetop in a single pan. Or, you can dump all of the ingredients in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Leave out the meat and you’ve got a delicious vegetarian chili.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Steak and Black Beans Chili

Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes

A fork piercing a piece of a seasoned roasted potato.
Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes . Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

We’ve taken what would have been a basic steak and potatoes dish and given it a modern and spicy twist. Seasoned potatoes get roasted up and the tender steak bites cook in a rich sweet and spicy smoky sauce made with honey, chipotle and garlic. Everything cooks in one pan.
Get the Recipe: Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes

Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole

A plate of chicken with rice garnished with parsley on a white surface with an orange napkin, wooden utensils, and ingredients nearby.
Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole is such an easy weeknight dinner. It includes cheesy, yummy broccoli with seasoned chicken on top, served on a bed of a rice and pasta blend. Bake it in the oven and, voila, the tastiest casserole ever!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole

Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

A bowl of rice with corn and herbs on a striped cloth with garnishes on the side.
Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole Recipe has just five ingredients. And you can make it with rice, chicken and cheese you have leftover from other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

One Pot Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole

A close-up of a plate of cheesy sausage jambalaya, featuring sliced sausage, melted cheese, and rice, garnished with herbs.
One Pot Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This one pot Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole recipe is a quick, delicious dinner you can whip up in one pan. Plus, it is guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters. It’s amazing how a cheesy dish can do that.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Cheesy Sausage and Rice Casserole

Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

A close-up of creamy macaroni and cheese garnished with parsley.
Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This sausage and pepper pasta dish is a hearty, one-dish dinner that allows you to get supper on the table in under 30 minutes. Plus, the pasta and sauce hit all the right notes for a comforting Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

Easy Pasta Puttanesca

A pan full of spaghetti and tomatoes on a tablecloth.
Easy Pasta Puttanesca. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Pasta Puttanesca is a classic Italian quick sauce that may be the fastest pasta dish you’ll ever make. It is ideal for busy nights when you want a hearty Italian meal that doesn’t require a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca

Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks

Close-up of a stack of medium-rare, seasoned steak slices, showcasing a pink and juicy interior with a seared crust.
Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

One of the reasons we love the idea of cooking ribeye steak in the air fryer is how fast you can get it done. Prep time is about 10 minutes, primarily because, except for the steak, you’re working with four ingredients only.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ribeye Steaks

Steak in the Air Fryer

Close-up of a fork holding a piece of medium-rare cooked beef steak, with visible seasonings and a slice of lemon in the background.
Steak in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Using your air fryer to cook steak is a great option when you want a grilled flavor without having to fire up the grill. Plus, look at how delicious the end results is.
Get the Recipe: Steak in the Air Fryer

Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

A close-up of chopsticks holding a piece of glazed, grilled chicken. The chicken appears juicy and well-cooked.
Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

There are a couple of reasons we think you’re going to love learning about how to make BBQ drumsticks in the air fryer. One, is that it is much neater than cooking them on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Close-up of a stack of seasoned, grilled chicken drumsticks, with one drumstick partially eaten, revealing moist, cooked meat inside. A lemon wedge and herbs are visible in the background.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

You can get the taste of fried chicken without oil or the mess when you make these chicken drumsticks in the air fryer. Prep and cooking time is 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Close-up of a dish featuring seasoned strips of chicken, red and yellow bell peppers, green peppers, and onions.
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

If you’ve ever gone out for Mexican food and ordered fajitas, you can smell them on the way to your table before they even arrive. This recipe for air fryer chicken fajitas provides the same olfactory and taste buds experience. Plus, it’s fast and easy for a busy night dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Salmon in the Air Fryer

A fork holding a piece of cooked salmon, with more salmon filets, lemon slices, and seasoning shakers in the background.
Salmon in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

One of the beauties of cooking salmon or any seafood in the air fryer is that it is pretty difficult to do it wrong. Many air fryers have a seafood setting that you can select.
Get the Recipe: Salmon in the Air Fryer

Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie

Close-up of a roasted chicken with crispy, golden-brown skin seasoned with herbs and coarse salt, on a wooden cutting board.
Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This recipe for how to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer will change your mind about supermarket rotisserie chicken forever. It is far cheaper and far more delicious.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

A wooden board with seasoned chicken wings, a bowl of white dipping sauce with lemon slices, and celery and carrot sticks.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

The process for making these Air Fryer Chicken Wings is so simple. It has very few ingredients, takes very little time to cook and you end up with delicious, crispy chicken wings.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings

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