15 stovetop meals that’ll have you skipping takeout

Photo of author

| Published:

These stovetop meals are about to have you skipping takeout without a second thought. They’re quick, they’re easy, and they hit the spot every time. Perfect for when you want a great meal without the hassle or the hefty restaurant price tag.

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up this Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach in only 30 minutes right on your stovetop. It combines shrimp, grape tomatoes, and spinach in a rich garlic sauce, making it a standout choice for those who love a quick, flavorful meal. This dish is versatile and is great on its own or paired with pasta or rice.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Scallops with parsley and garlic in a skillet.
Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Lemon Garlic Scallops are a perfect example of what you can achieve in just 30 minutes on the stovetop. These scallops are seared to golden perfection and simmered in a lemon and garlic sauce, whipping up a sophisticated dish you’ll want to try out. It’s also a nutrient-rich choice, filled with protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Create a Creamy Tuscan Chicken dish in 40 minutes on your stovetop. This recipe perfectly combines chicken thighs, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy sauce. It’s designed for evenings when you need a meal that’s simple yet feels upscale, and it even includes nutrients such as iron and vitamins from the spinach.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make sure to check out how stovetop cooking transforms simple ingredients into a meal with these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Ready in 20 minutes, they feature chicken in a garlic butter sauce. It’s quick to prepare and pairs perfectly with rice or salad, making for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Experience the greatness of stovetop cooking with this Cabbage and Sausage recipe, ready in just 25 minutes. This dish combines the hearty flavors of sausage with the crisp texture of cabbage, creating a delicious and quick dinner option. It’s a great go-to for a filling stovetop meal on a tight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a quick stovetop meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. It combines pan-seared chicken thighs and a creamy mushroom sauce, great for serving with rice or pasta. This dish is a smart choice for a busy evening, creating a balance of lean protein and nutrients without a long cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make this Fried Cabbage with Bacon in just 25 minutes on your stovetop. This dish mixes crunchy cabbage and crispy bacon for a quick meal that brings both vegetables and protein to your table. It’s an effective solution for a nutritious dinner that you should try at least once.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet with chicken in a tomato sauce with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In 30 minutes, you can create this one-of-a-kind stovetop meal of Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. It features chicken in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. This one-pan meal is straightforward and efficient for busy evenings. It’s a practical choice for adding a touch of creativity to your typical chicken dinners without extensive cooking or kitchen time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry with rice in a bowl with a fork.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage Curry is an impressive stovetop meal you’ll want to try out. For all its flavor, you can prepare this in less than an hour. It features sausage chunks and vegetables in a creamy curry sauce, plus it’s adaptable with your favorite spices. Great when served with potatoes, rice, or on its own.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Whip up Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts in just 30 minutes. This stovetop dish combines tender chicken thighs and artichoke hearts in a creamy sauce, crafted to be an easy yet impressive option for any weekday. With heart-healthy ingredients, it’s designed for both convenience and nutrition on a tight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Creamy Dijon Chicken combines chicken thighs, spinach, and bacon in a rich Dijon sauce. It’s an efficient way to prepare a flavorful and balanced meal quickly on your stovetop. This 30-minute dish ticks all the boxes of a quick, delicious meal, so you won’t want to miss adding this to your weeknight meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Broccoli Fritters

A stack of broccoli fritters on a plate.
Broccoli Fritters. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Broccoli Fritters come together in 35 minutes on your stovetop, creating a quick way to turn vegetables into a meal you won’t want to miss. It’s a great way to include more greens in your diet, and you can serve them with dips like Greek yogurt or sour cream to enhance the flavor.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Green Chile Chicken

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Green Chile Chicken is a 20-minute meal that mixes shredded chicken and green chiles in a creamy sauce. It’s a smart, fast solution for a flavorful meal, and it’s great for making good use of leftover chicken. Serve on its own, alongside some rice, or in tortillas.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare Creamy Garlic Chicken in just 30 minutes for a simple yet impressive meal worth making. This recipe involves pan-frying chicken breasts in a garlic, cream, and Parmesan sauce. It’s a practical choice for any night, allowing you to serve something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is a rich stovetop meal ready in 30 minutes. It’s a hearty choice that brings together ground beef and cauliflower rice in a creamy sauce, perfect for those seeking a filling meal. Quick to cook, this dish is practical for busy days when you can’t do long prep time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.