Some nights you’ve got the patience of a saint, and other nights you just need dinner to stop being dramatic. That’s where these one-pan wonders come in. No juggling multiple pots or scrubbing a mountain of dishes after. Just straightforward meals that cook in one pan while you do literally anything else. Great for nights when “minimal effort” is the only thing on your to-do list.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach are a kind choice for a fresh and simple meal. Shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, and onions simmer together in a light garlic coconut milk sauce, creating a light but still filling dish. It’s ready in about 25 minutes, which makes it great for busy evenings. Serve it with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles; cleanup is easy with just one pan. This recipe is a quick way to put a healthy meal on the table without the stress, and the leftovers make a thoughtful next-day lunch.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole gives you the hearty flavors of stuffed peppers without the extra steps. It combines ground beef, rice, and bell peppers in one pot, topped with cheddar cheese, making it a perfect meal for busy nights. You’ve got a comforting dinner ready in 45 minutes. You can adjust the recipe by changing the cheese or adding extra veggies. This recipe is a great way to keep things simple, giving you more time to unwind after dinner instead of washing dishes.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the perfect go-to when you’re short on time but still want a homemade meal. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have juicy, golden chicken pieces coated in a buttery garlic sauce, and with only one pan, cleanup is a breeze. Serve them with a side of veggies for a balanced meal, or make extra for wraps or salads throughout the week. It’s an easy and thoughtful way to prep for busy days ahead, keeping dinner quick but still comforting and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Ground beef, cabbage, and rice cook together in one pan with tomatoes and seasonings, cutting down on prep time and cleanup. Everything simmers until the rice is tender and the flavors come together, giving you the taste of classic cabbage rolls without the extra work.
Get the Recipe: Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup
This one-pot soup starts with sautéed onions, carrots, and celery before adding broth, beer, and a quick roux for thickness. Sharp cheddar cheese melts in at the end, creating a smooth, creamy texture. It’s ready in about 30 minutes, making it a simple option for a hearty dinner with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup
Baked Ravioli
Baked Ravioli is perfect for busy nights if you’re after an easy, no-mess dinner. Think of it as lasagna’s simpler cousin. Cheese ravioli, marinara sauce, and melted cheese come together in one baking dish. After about an hour, you have a comforting meal with hardly any cleanup. It’s a great option to make dinner ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you’re ready. This one-pan dinner is a real time-saver, giving you more time to relax after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a one-pan meal that’s both quick and full of flavor. Tender chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach are cooked in a creamy sauce. All ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a great option for weeknights when you want something comforting without spending much time in the kitchen. With everything cooking in one pan, there’s less cleanup, and the dish comes together easily. This recipe brings a bit of relaxation to your evenings while still making you feel like you’ve got a special meal on the table.
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Creamy Dijon Chicken
Creamy Dijon Chicken is a great way to comfort a busy weeknight without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s all about tender chicken thighs and crispy bacon in a smooth mustard sauce that comes together in just 30 minutes. If you’re cooking for more people or planning ahead for leftovers, doubling this recipe is easy and keeps you well. This meal brings a big flavor without the mess, making it a kind option for those hectic nights when you want something quick and homemade.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil is an easy and flavorful dinner that brings shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes together in one pan. With everything roasting in the oven, you’ve got a great meal ready in under an hour, and cleanup is minimal. It’s a great recipe for busy weeknights when you need something simple but filling. You can also adjust the seasoning to suit your mild or a little spicy taste. This one-pan meal helps you get dinner on the table without the extra effort, making it a perfect go-to for hectic days.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is an option for nights when you need something fast and stress-free. Toss sausage and your favorite veggies on a sheet pan and pop it in the oven. You’ve got a full meal ready to eat in 30 minutes. It’s a flexible recipe that lets you use whatever veggies you have. Cleanup is quick, with just one pan to wash. This dish makes weeknight cooking easy and affordable, giving you more time to relax and enjoy a comforting, homemade dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Reuben Bowls
Reuben Bowls are a great choice when you need a quick, easy dinner. Corned beef, sautéed cabbage, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese come together in one pan, topped with Thousand Island dressing. It’s ready in 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or a quick lunch. This recipe is even faster to make if you have leftover corned beef. With everything done in one pan, it’s a simple meal that doesn’t leave you with a pile of dishes. This dish is about getting a comforting dinner on the table without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls
Cabbage and Sausage
Cabbage and Sausage is a simple one-pan meal ready in just 25 minutes. The cabbage adds a nice crunch, while the sausage brings great flavor. It’s a quick and hearty option that doesn’t require much effort, perfect for busy nights. Add potatoes or rice if you’re feeding more people or want to make it more filling. Budget-friendly and easy to scale, it’s a great way to get dinner on the table without much effort. Plus, with only one pan to clean, you’ll save time on dishes, too. Perfect for an easy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is your go-to for a quick, one-pan meal on those busy evenings. In 30 minutes, chicken thighs in a creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes. It’s perfectly served with pasta, rice, or even on its own if you keep things simple. What’s great is that it all comes together in one pan, so cleanup is fast. Leftovers? No problem — they heat up well and keep their flavor, so you’ve got a great lunch the next day. It’s a great dinner option that doesn’t require much but delivers a lot.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
For nights when time is tight, Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts is here to help. In 30 minutes, you’ll have tender chicken thighs, and artichoke hearts simmered in a creamy sauce made in one pan. It’s a practical and simple meal, making it great for weeknights when you want something delicious but don’t have much time. Leftovers keep well, so it’s perfect for making ahead or enjoying the next day. This dish helps take some of the stress out of cooking while giving you a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
Sausage Curry
Sausage Curry is a great choice if you need a cozy, one-pan meal that’s easy to make. With sausages, sweet potatoes, and carrots all cooked in a flavorful curry sauce, it’s ready in about 45 minutes. Serve it with rice or naan for a complete, filling meal. The best part is you only need one pan, so cleaning up is easy. Leftovers last a couple of days and reheat quickly, making this a great meal prep option. Perfect for when you need something hearty without too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a great meal for weeknights when you want something comforting but don’t have much time. You get tender chicken and mushrooms in a creamy sauce, ready in about 30 minutes. It’s flexible enough to serve with pasta, rice, or just by itself. You can add some mustard or spinach, but it’s delicious. Plus, with only one pan to clean, you’ll have more time to relax after dinner. It’s a comforting meal that’s quick to make and easy to clean up.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken makes dinner easy when you’re short on time but still want something comforting. Chicken breasts are cooked in a creamy sauce with garlic and Parmesan, all done in 30 minutes. You can pair this with pasta, rice, or even a quick salad, depending on what you have at home. What’s great about this one-pan dish is that cleanup is fast, which is perfect for nights when you want to relax. It’s a kind, thoughtful meal that brings a little comfort without requiring much work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a great pick for a quick, low-carb meal that still feels hearty. Ground beef, cauliflower rice, and cheese all cook together in one pan, making it an easy weeknight option. You can swap the cauliflower rice for regular rice if that works better for you, and the whole thing comes together in just 30 minutes. With just one pan to clean, this is a great choice for a comforting dinner without much work. Simple, filling, and perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice