19 one-pan meals you’ll want to make again and again

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These 19 one-pan meals you’ll want to make again and again offer a practical way to cook. They are ideal for busy people who need to save both time and effort. With just one pan, you can create a full meal and significantly cut down on cleanup. It’s a straightforward approach that makes home cooking more accessible and less daunting. And, with a wide range of dishes to choose from, you’re sure to find new favorites to add to your rotation.

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon 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.

This one-pan dish includes shrimp cooked in garlic sauce, paired with spinach and grape tomatoes. The cooking time is only 30 minutes, ideal for a fast dinner. The garlic sauce gives the shrimp a rich flavor while keeping the preparation simple. The one-pan method makes the cleanup straightforward. Quick to make and easy to clean, this dish is one you’ll want to revisit.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish blends Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes in a single pot. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and comforting meal. The one-pot design simplifies both the cooking and cleaning processes. The soup is hearty enough to serve as a complete meal. Due to its simplicity and quick prep time, you’ll likely make this dish a regular part of your weekly dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

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

This dish pairs cabbage and sausage in a single cooking pan. With a total cooking time of less than 30 minutes, it’s a quick option for any mealtime. The one-pan method cuts down on cleanup, making life easier. It’s filling enough to serve as a stand-alone meal, and its quick prep makes it a dish worth repeating. This is a convenient and quick recipe, suitable for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Creamy Dijon Chicken

Pan of creamy dijon chicken with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe features chicken with a Dijon mustard sauce, cooked in a single pan. The cooking time is 30 minutes, making it a quick choice for dinner. The one-pan approach makes both cooking and cleaning more manageable. The Dijon mustard sauce adds a distinctive flavor to the chicken. Its quick cooking time and straightforward preparation make it a meal you’ll want to prepare frequently.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

This one-pan meal features chicken thighs in a Tuscan sauce. The dish is ready in 40 minutes, ideal for a quick dinner. The use of a single pan simplifies both cooking and cleanup. Because of its quick cooking time and easy cleanup, this meal is one you’ll want to make regularly. The Tuscan sauce provides a flavorful complement to the chicken.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

Chicken breasts and a mushroom sauce are cooked together in one pan. This meal is ready in 30 minutes, making it a great choice for weeknight dinners. Using just one pan means that cleanup is straightforward. The quick prep and cooking time make this a practical dish you’ll turn to again and again. The mushroom sauce enhances the flavor of the chicken, making it a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage, vegetables, and curry sauce come together in this one-pan recipe. It takes less than an hour to prepare, making it a suitable option for weeknights. One pan means fewer dishes, easing the burden of cleanup. The curry sauce adds complexity to the dish without requiring extra effort. Because of its convenience and flavor, this dish will likely become a regular in your meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon garnished with parsley in a pot.
Fried Cabbage With Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan meal brings together cabbage, bacon, and onion. With a 25-minute total cooking time, it’s a quick and practical choice. The dish is filling enough to serve as a complete meal. Because it uses just one pan, cleanup is a breeze. Its speed and ease of preparation make this a go-to option for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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

Boneless chicken thighs come to life in a sun-dried tomato sauce, all in one convenient pan. Ready in about 30 minutes, this recipe is a quick fix for dinner. The sauce does double duty—adding rich flavor while keeping the chicken moist. And when it comes to cleanup, the one-pan approach really shines. You’ll find yourself coming back to this dish, not just for its flavor, but also for its ease and efficiency.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

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

This dish is ideal for utilizing leftover chicken thighs. In just 20 minutes, you can prepare this one-skillet meal. It’s a quick and convenient way to repurpose leftovers. And, if you don’t have leftover chicken on hand, no problem; you can use rotisserie chicken. The green chile adds a flavorful twist, making it a dish you’ll want to make again. The one-skillet design simplifies the cooking process and makes for easy cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy

Curry salmon with coconut milk and bok choy in a bowl with a fork.
Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan recipe features salmon, coconut milk, and bok choy. It takes just 30 minutes to prepare and cook. The homemade curry paste adds depth to the dish. Using one pan means less time spent on cleaning. Quick to prepare and easy to clean up, this meal is sure to become a regular.
Get the Recipe: Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan meal combines sausage and vegetables, all roasted together for ease. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a quick option for busy nights. Prep is simple, and one pan means less cleanup. The vegetables and sausage make a balanced meal. Because of its convenience, this is a dish you’ll likely make often.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

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.

This one-pan meal features chicken thighs cooked with artichoke hearts and a creamy sauce. The dish takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. The artichokes add a unique texture and flavor to the meal. Cooking everything in one pan simplifies the process and minimizes cleanup. The convenient cooking time and straightforward preparation make it a meal you’ll likely make again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower risotto in a pan.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Sara Nelson.

This one-pan dish features cauliflower and mushrooms in a risotto-style preparation. The cooking time is about 30 minutes, making it another quick dinner option. With one pan, you minimize the need for additional cleaning. The mushrooms add a complementary earthy flavor to the cauliflower. The quick cooking time and minimal cleanup make this a meal worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Zuppa Toscana

A bowl of keto zuppa Toscana with a spoon in it.
Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Inspired by Olive Garden’s popular dish, this one-pot soup is made lower-carb by using radishes instead of potatoes — but you’d never know the difference. The entire meal takes 1 hour to prepare. The soup is hearty and can serve as a complete meal on its own. Using just one pot, cleanup becomes easier. With its convenient preparation and hearty flavor, it’s a recipe you’ll turn to often.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan dish combines ground beef with cauliflower rice, cheddar cheese, and mushrooms. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a practical choice for busy weeknights. The cauliflower rice provides a lighter base, while the cheese adds a touch of richness. One pan is all you need, making cleanup simple. Quick to prepare and easy to clean, this dish is destined for your regular meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

This dish features chicken breasts cooked in a creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce, all in one pan. With a cooking time of about 30 minutes, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners. The garlic sauce adds flavor to the chicken while keeping it moist. The one-pan approach simplifies both preparation and cleanup. Quick and convenient, it’s a meal you’ll want to make repeatedly.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Lemon Garlic Scallops

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

This quick, one-pan dish cooks scallops in a lemon garlic sauce. The meal is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a solid choice for a fast yet impressive meal. The lemon garlic sauce complements the natural sweetness of the scallops. The one-pan technique allows for easy cleanup. Its quick cooking time and minimal cleanup make this dish a practical and repeatable option.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Sticky Sauce Chicken

Sticky sauce chicken, broccoli, and sesame seeds in a pot.
Sticky Sauce Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan dish features cubed chicken thighs and a quick sauce. With a total cooking time of less than 30 minutes, it’s a fast option for any day of the week. The sauce uses coconut aminos and fish sauce, and it thickens in the pan you cook the chicken in. Optional garnishes like sesame seeds and parsley can be added for extra flavor. Because of its speed and simple cleanup, this recipe is a practical choice you’ll make again.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Sauce Chicken

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