18 easy stovetop dinners for the reluctant and culinary-challenged chef in all of us

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Let’s face it — not everyone is born with a natural talent in the kitchen, and that’s perfectly fine. These easy stovetop recipes are great for anyone who breaks out in a cold sweat at the thought of complicated recipes. Seriously, these meals are so straightforward that even the most reluctant chef can pull them off without setting off the smoke alarm.

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. 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.

Take your taste buds on a trip to Italy with just a pan and 30 minutes. Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach brings together shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, and a punch of garlic in a sauce that’s all kinds of good. It’s a straightforward meal that won’t leave you with a mountain of dishes, showing that you don’t need to be a pro to cook something great. This is the perfect pick for a laid-back yet flavorful meal. Anyone who sees cooking as rocket science will appreciate easy stovetop dinners. Dive in, the water’s fine, and so is the cooking process!
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

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.

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is where comfort food meets convenience on your stovetop. Ground beef, cauliflower rice, cheddar cheese, and mushrooms come together in a creamy, dreamy skillet that’s ready in just 30 minutes. It’s a no-stress, one-skillet wonder that makes dinner time a breeze and clean-up even breezier. Perfect for those evenings when you’re too tired to do much but still want something good. If you can stir, you can make this dish — it’s that simple. So, yes, even the most reluctant chefs can shine with this easy stovetop dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup with vegetables and herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tortellini Soup is practically a hug in a bowl. With chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, and fresh veggies all swimming in a flavorful broth, this dish is ready to comfort you in just 40 minutes. It’s easy enough to make that you won’t be chained to the kitchen, making it a top choice for easy stovetop dinners. Perfect for when you need something hearty but don’t feel like putting in too much effort. Just dump the ingredients in and let the stove do its thing. Even if you forget something, it’ll still turn out pretty great.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

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

Sometimes simple is best, and this Cabbage and Sausage recipe is proof. Just a few ingredients like cabbage, onions, sausages, apple cider vinegar, and some spices, and you’re 25 minutes away from a hearty meal. It’s easy, fast, and keeps the washing up to an almost laughable minimum. This dish is a solid choice for anyone looking for easy stovetop dinners, especially when you just can’t face anything more complex than turning on a burner. Plus, messing this one up is hard unless you forget you’re cooking!
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Sausage Curry

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

Shake up your dinner routine with this easy Sausage Curry. Just sausages, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, and a rich curry sauce come together in less than an hour. It’s all done in one pan, which means minimal clean-up and maximum flavor. This dish is a perfect solution for those reluctant chefs among us, showing that a great meal doesn’t require fancy skills, just a willingness to throw everything into a pan and give it a good stir. So, grab your spoon, and let’s make dinner something to look forward to without the sweat and tears!
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are your shortcut to a quick and filling meal. Just grab some chicken, butter, and garlic, and in about 20 minutes, you’ve got crispy bites that are juicy inside. Perfect for those days when even scrolling through a food delivery app feels like a chore. It’s a stovetop dish that turns minimal ingredients into a meal that’ll make everyone think you tried. Plus, you won’t be left with a mountain of dishes. So, when cooking feels like a giant leap, this recipe makes it a small step. You don’t need to be a pro to whip up something great on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Reuben Bowls

A bowl of coleslaw with creamy dressing, garnished with green onions, served in a ceramic bowl with a fork.
Reuben Bowls. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Reuben Bowls mix simplicity with big taste. Start with corned beef, add sauerkraut, coleslaw, and Swiss cheese into a bowl, and forget about the complexities of sandwich assembly. Ready in 30 minutes, this one-bowl wonder is for laid-back evenings or when your couch calls your name louder than the kitchen. It’s an easy stovetop dinner that convinces even the most kitchen-shy folks that they can cook something hearty without turning their kitchen into a disaster zone. So, if you’re dodging the kitchen, this dish gently coaxes you back without too much commitment.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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

With chicken thighs paired with artichoke hearts, lemon, and a creamy sauce, you’ve got a dinner that’s easy to make and feels a little fancy. Who says you can’t whip up something a bit upscale on your stovetop? Ready in less than 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for when you want to impress but can’t be bothered with anything too complicated. It’s a great example of how easy stovetop dinners can save your evening, perfect for those who might be hesitant about cooking. Just follow the steps, and you can’t go wrong — seriously, it’s almost too easy to mess up!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce makes dinner easy. This dish involves chicken thighs, mushrooms, cream, and herbs all simmering together on one part of your stove. It’s ready in 30 minutes, and you’ll feel like a competent chef without the fancy skills. This meal is a smooth move for anyone who wants to seem like they know their way around a kitchen when they really just know how to turn on the stove. It’s a stovetop dinner that’s easy to master for those who typically face kitchen challenges with a little more hesitation than gusto.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Lemon Garlic Scallops

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

Lemon Garlic Scallops are all about bringing a touch of class without the mess. You just need scallops, garlic, lemon, and about 20 minutes. It’s the kind of dish that looks like you’ve put in way more effort than you actually did. Perfect for impressing a date or just making your Tuesday feel a bit more special. It’s a foolproof recipe for anyone pretending to be a whiz with seafood when their usual dinner is reheated leftovers. Plus, there’s hardly any clean-up, so you can relax after eating without dreading the sink.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken brings bold Mediterranean vibes right to your stovetop with chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and cream. It cooks in 30 minutes, making it a great go-to for a busy night. This dish is like that reliable friend who’s always ready to hang out with no plans needed. It’s straightforward, delicious, and doesn’t ask much from you, which is exactly what we all need after a long day. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want to feel a bit fancy but not at the expense of your relaxation time.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

White Bean Soup

A bowl of white bean soup with carrots and croutons.
White Bean Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

White Bean Soup is comfort in a bowl waiting to happen. With white beans, veggies, and a dash of lemon, it cooks in one pot over 40 minutes. It’s the kind of meal that’s perfect when you need a little pick-me-up without a lot of hassle. Great for busy evenings or when you’re sick of the usual dinner routine but not quite ready to break out a cookbook. This soup is your easy answer to the question, “What’s for dinner?” without causing a kitchen catastrophe. It’s a gentle nudge into cooking that won’t scare away even the most reluctant stove users.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Broccoli Fritters

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

Broccoli Fritters are your quick fix to turning greens into something great. Mix up some broccoli, eggs, and a bit of Parmesan, and in just 35 minutes, you’ll be munching on crispy, golden patties. They’re perfect for a snack or a light dinner. The best part? They’re a cinch to make, and you’ll hardly have any dishes to tackle afterward. So, if you usually dodge the kitchen, this dish is a great way to start feeling like a pro without much effort — just the ticket for a laid-back evening.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is like taking a quick trip to Italy, minus the long flight. You just need chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. It all comes together in a creamy sauce within 40 minutes. It’s a hearty meal that won’t leave you with a sink full of dishes. This dish is sneakily simple, making you look like a kitchen wizard without breaking a sweat. If you’re feeling kitchen-shy, this meal shows you can pull off a fancy dinner without the fancy skills.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Green Chile Chicken

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

Green Chile Chicken is your go-to for a spicy kick that’s ready in a snap — 20 minutes, and you’re good to go. Just mix some shredded chicken with Jalapeño, green chiles and a creamy sauce, and you’ve got a dish that’s bursting with flavor. It’s perfect for those nights when even turning on the oven feels like too much. Plus, the clean-up is so easy it’s almost like the dish does it itself. For anyone who thinks cooking is a chore, this will change their mind.
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.

Creamy Garlic Chicken makes comfort food quick and easy. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish features tender chicken breasts smothered in creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce. Serve it over pasta or rice to soak up all that goodness. It’s all done in one pan, which means minimal clean-up and maximum flavor. This is perfect for anyone who wants a hearty meal without spending the evening in the kitchen. It’s all the taste without the trouble, which shows stovetop dinners can be simple and good.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Dijon Chicken

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

Creamy Dijon Chicken takes the hassle out of gourmet cooking, allowing even novices in the kitchen to make it. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a dish with chicken thighs, a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, Parmesan, spinach, and bacon — all simmering in one pan. It’s perfect for impressing guests or just treating yourself without the stress of a big clean-up. This is a go-to for lazy nights when you want something good but don’t feel like going all out. Great for showing off without really trying.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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

Fried Cabbage with Bacon is the dish you didn’t know you needed. It’s ready in 25 minutes and uses just one pan to combine crisp bacon, sautéed onion, cabbage and spices. It’s simple, straightforward, and delicious. Plus, the minimal clean-up means more time to relax after dinner. This recipe is a great start for anyone who is a bit hesitant about cooking. It’s also an easy way to sneak some veggies into your diet without a big production.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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