17 one-pan dinners that’ll make weeknights a breeze

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Let’s talk about making weeknight dinners a whole lot easier (and tastier) with some one-pan wonders. We’re cutting down on dishes and still serving up meals that get everyone running to the table. These 17 skillet dinners are all about simplicity and flavor, perfect for anyone looking to streamline their kitchen routine without skimping on taste.

Mexican ground beef skillet recipe with melted cheese.
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Shredded turkey with sweet potatoes and black beans in a skillet.
Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Turn your leftover turkey (or chicken) into a weeknight win with this sweet potato skillet. Mixed with sweet potatoes, black beans, and greens, it’s a colorful, grain-free meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Easy, healthy, and hearty, it’s exactly what you need to power through the week with ease.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Ground beef pasta skillet garnished with parsley.
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This ground beef pasta skillet is all about bringing comfort to your table quickly and easily. Made in under 30 minutes with any pasta you have, it tastes like it’s been simmering all day. It’s the perfect pick-me-up after a long day, proving that quick can still be incredibly hearty.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese with ground turkey in a pot.
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Level up your comfort food game with this turkey mac and cheese. Packed with spinach, peppers, and cheddar, it’s a healthier twist that’s still all about that cozy vibe. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a weeknight hero, proving you can whip up a hearty meal without spending all night in the kitchen. Plus, one skillet means super easy cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Smoky Steak Potato & Pepper Skillet

Steak peppers and potato skillet with a metal serving spoon.
Smoky Steak Potato & Pepper Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dinner’s done easy and tasty with this smoky steak potato and pepper skillet. Just toss everything in one pan and let the oven do its magic. In 40 minutes, you’ve got a meal that’s sure to impress without the stress. It’s the perfect blend of simplicity and flavor, making your weeknight dinner routine a walk in the park.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Steak Potato & Pepper Skillet

Greek Shrimp Skillet

Shrimp skillet dinner with kalamata olives, tomatoes and feta.
Greek Shrimp Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This Greek shrimp skillet is your 30-minute ticket to a Mediterranean feast. With tomatoes, spinach, olives, feta, and a burst of lemon, it’s a simple yet flavorful dish that keeps cleanup to a minimum. It’s the perfect way to shake up your dinner routine with something light, quick, and bursting with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet

Thai basil cashew chicken in a cast iron skillet.
Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bring some Thai flair to your dinner table with this cashew chicken skillet. Loaded with fresh basil and a savory sweet sauce, it’s a one-pan meal that’s all about big flavors and minimal cleanup. Perfect over rice, it’s the kind of dish that makes weeknight cooking feel like a mini adventure. Plus, it’s quick to make, so you can kick back sooner.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground beef and sweet potato skillet.
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spice up your week with this ground beef and sweet potato skillet. It’s a one-pan meal that’s as easy to make as it is to love, packed with southwestern flavors. Great for meal prep or a last-minute dinner, it’s a flavorful solution to the weeknight dinner dilemma. Plus, it’s a hit with the whole family, making seconds a common request.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Ground beef cabbage stir fry in a bowl with chopsticks.
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Mix up your dinner routine with this ground beef and cabbage skillet. Inspired by Asian flavors and packed with aromatic spices, it’s a textured, light, and savory meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Easy to make and even easier to clean up, it’s a weeknight winner that keeps things interesting.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Vegetable Bean Skillet

Cast iron skillet with beans and vegetables.
Vegetable Bean Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dive into this vegetable bean skillet when you need a meatless meal that doesn’t skimp on heartiness or flavor. Loaded with fresh veggies and beans, it’s a one-pan wonder that’s perfect for those busy nights. Ready in a snap, it proves that quick dinners can still be nourishing and full of taste.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Bean Skillet

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ground beef stir fry in a skillet.
Ground Beef Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Keep weeknights simple and delicious with this ground beef stir fry. Loaded with veggies and tossed in a homemade garlic ginger sauce, it’s a one-pan meal that beats takeout any day. It’s quick, healthy, and guaranteed to be a hit, making dinner something to look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground pork and purple cabbage stir fry in a white pan.
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This pork and cabbage stir fry is a quick and tasty way to get dinner on the table. Using ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms, it’s tossed in an Asian inspired sauce for a meal that’s bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect blend of ease and taste, proving that quick cooking doesn’t mean skimping on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Spicy udon noodle stir fry in a bowl with chopsticks.
Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Turn up the heat with this spicy udon noodle stir fry. It’s an under-30-minute meal that’s loaded with umami and a ginger-garlic sriracha sauce, making it a weeknight game changer. Quick, easy, and bursting with flavor, it’s a dish that’ll make you forget all about takeout.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Mexican ground beef skillet recipe with melted cheese.
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Taco night just got easier with this Mexican ground beef skillet. Ready in 30 minutes and cooked in just one pan, it’s a flavorful, no-fuss meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s the kind of dinner that makes everyone happy, with minimal cleanup for you.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

Lamb ragu with cavatappi pasta in a white skillet.
Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spice up your dinner with this lamb ragu. It’s a one-skillet wonder that brings the heat with harissa paste and keeps things hearty with cavatappi pasta and crushed tomatoes. Not only is it bursting with flavor, but it’s also easy enough to tackle on a busy weeknight. Who knew fancy could be so fuss-free?
Get the Recipe: Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Beef and broccoli stir fry served with white rice on a white plate.
Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Whip up a quick dinner with this shaved beef and broccoli stir fry. It’s fast, flavorful, and rivals any takeout with its crave-worthy sauce. Perfect for those nights when you’re short on time but still want a meal that packs a punch. Plus, it’s so easy, you’ll be sitting down to eat in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

White skillet with buffalo ground turkey and cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This buffalo turkey cauliflower skillet is a game changer. With just four ingredients, it’s not only easy to make but also packs a healthy punch. Perfect for meal prep or a quick dinner, it’s the kind of dish that makes weeknights a breeze. Spicy, satisfying, and ready in no time, it’s a minimal effort, maximum flavor kind of deal.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Garlic chicken bites with peppers and mushrooms in a skillet.
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Get dinner on the table fast with this garlic chicken bite skillet. Featuring chicken, mushrooms, onions, and peppers, it’s a 20-minute meal that’s all cooked in one pan. It’s the perfect pick for when you need something quick, easy, and full of flavor. Plus, the fresh herbs add that extra punch, making weeknight cooking a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

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