21 Easy Dinners That Won’t Leave You With A Sink Full Of Dishes

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Cleaning up after dinner shouldn’t take longer than making the meal itself. These recipes keep things simple by using just one skillet, one sheet pan, or one pot, so you’re not left dealing with a sink full of dishes. They come together quickly, without a lot of extra steps or unnecessary cleanup. Some are cooked entirely in the oven, others on the stovetop, but all of them make dinner easier without sacrificing flavor.

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

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.

Ground beef and cabbage cook together in one skillet with bold spices and a light, savory sauce. Everything comes together in 30 minutes, and you won’t be stuck scrubbing a sink full of dishes afterward. This is a great way to get a hearty, no-mess dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas

Shrimp and steak fajitas with peppers and onions.
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Steak and shrimp cook up on one sheet pan, keeping things simple while still delivering on flavor. Toss everything with seasoning, let the oven do the work, and dinner is ready in under 20 minutes. It’s a perfect way to enjoy a great surf-and-turf meal without the extra mess.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas

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.

Leftover turkey (or chicken) gets a second life in this quick skillet meal. Sweet potatoes, black beans, peppers, and onions cook together in one pan, making cleanup a non-issue. Everything is ready in under 30 minutes, and there’s nothing extra to wash.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Greek Shrimp Skillet

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

Shrimp, tomatoes, spinach, feta, and Kalamata olives come together in one pan for a quick Mediterranean-inspired meal. Fresh oregano and lemon add extra brightness, and since everything happens in the same skillet, there’s no extra cleanup slowing you down.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

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.

Ground turkey, cauliflower, and buffalo sauce cook up in one pan for a bold, no-mess meal. With only four ingredients, this one keeps things simple while still delivering plenty of flavor. Great for busy nights when you don’t have time for extra dishes.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

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

Lamb, crushed tomatoes, and harissa cook together in one skillet for a bold, spicy pasta dish. Cavatappi soaks up all the sauce, and there’s no extra pot to clean. This is a great way to shake up dinner without making a mess.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

Steak, Potato & Pepper Skillet

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

Steak, potatoes, and peppers roast together in the oven, all in one skillet. No extra pots, no extra steps—just an easy, no-mess dinner that practically cooks itself.
Get the Recipe: Steak, Potato & Pepper Skillet

Skillet Zucchini Pizza

White pesto pizza with zucchini on a wooden surface.
Skillet Zucchini Pizza. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This pizza skips the baking sheet and goes straight into a hot skillet, giving it a crispy yet chewy crust. Pesto, mozzarella, zucchini, and ricotta bring in fresh flavors while keeping things simple. No extra dishes, just great pizza.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Zucchini Pizza

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

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

Taco-seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, and peppers cook in a single pan for an easy, no-mess meal. Everything is ready in 30 minutes, and you’re not left scrubbing pots and pans. This is a great way to get dinner done fast with minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef 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.

Southwestern spices, ground beef, and sweet potatoes cook together in one skillet for a quick and easy meal. It makes great leftovers, and since it’s a one-pan dish, cleanup is a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Gnocchi with ground pork, tomatoes, mozzarella and spinach in a cast iron skillet.
Baked Skillet Gnocchi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Gnocchi, ground pork, tomatoes, spinach, and mozzarella come together in one skillet and bake to perfection. No need to boil the gnocchi separately—just one pan, one meal, and barely any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi

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.

Ground chicken, fresh basil, and cashews cook together in a quick, savory-sweet sauce. Everything happens in one pan, so there’s no pile of dishes waiting for you afterward.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet

Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken

Maple mustard chicken breasts with brussels sprouts, squash and cranberries.
Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken breasts, Brussels sprouts, squash, and cranberries roast together on a single sheet pan. Toss everything in seasoning, stick it in the oven, and let dinner handle itself. No extra mess, no extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken

Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Pork chops with purple cabbage and apples on a baking sheet.
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pork chops, red cabbage, potatoes, and apples roast together on one pan for an easy meal with no extra dishes. This is a perfect choice for a busy night when you don’t have time for a complicated cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions

Skillet lamb chops with tarragon mustard sauce and cipollini onions.
Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Lamb chops and cipollini onions sear in the same pan for a simple, no-mess dinner. A tarragon honey mustard sauce ties everything together without adding extra work or dishes.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions

Chorizo Spinach Skillet Pizza

Chorizo Spinach Skillet Pizza slice.
Chorizo Spinach Skillet Pizza. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This skillet pizza is thicker than a regular pie but easier than deep dish. A quick homemade tomato sauce, spicy chorizo, spinach, and plenty of cheese all bake in one pan. It’s a great way to make pizza night easier without giving up great flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chorizo Spinach Skillet Pizza

Spicy Mango Chicken Skillet

Spicy mango chicken skillet with jalapeños.
Spicy Mango Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken, mango, and jalapeños cook together in one skillet for a spicy-sweet dinner. Serve it over rice for a great meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes with barely any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Mango Chicken 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.

This one-pot mac and cheese uses ground turkey, real cheddar, and fresh veggies for a grown-up version of the classic. Everything cooks in one pan, making it an easy dinner without the usual mess.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

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

Chicken, mushrooms, onions, and red peppers cook in one pan in just 20 minutes. No extra steps, no extra dishes—just an easy, no-mess dinner that actually tastes great.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Vegetable Bean Skillet

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

Fresh vegetables and two kinds of beans cook together in one skillet for a quick, meatless meal. This is a great choice when you want something hearty but don’t want to clean multiple pots and pans.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Bean Skillet

Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage

A serving spoon in a cast iron skillet with polenta and sausage.
Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cheesy polenta, golden brown sausage, and fresh cranberries all cook in one skillet for a low-maintenance dinner. No extra pots, no unnecessary steps—just a great, no-mess meal that gets dinner done without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage

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