When you’re out of dinner ideas and need a meal that’s both quick and flavorful, having these 13 go-to stovetop recipes on hand can feel like a lifesaver. These recipes are especially useful for those evenings when you’re short on time but still desire a meal that doesn’t sacrifice quality for convenience.
Here, you’ll find a variety of quick stovetop recipes to suit different tastes. Each dish is easy to prepare, so you don’t have to spend much time in the kitchen. These recipes are designed for speed and simplicity, making them ideal for busy evenings when you want to make something quick but still memorable and impressive. Best of all, you’ll only need one pan for most of these recipes, making cleanup as easy as possible.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken combines chicken thighs with a luscious sauce, all cooked in a single pan on the stovetop. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a solid choice when you’re looking for a quick yet sophisticated dinner option. The sauce’s richness adds depth to the chicken, making it a memorable meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Ready in just 30 minutes on the stovetop, this Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach combines shrimp, grape tomatoes, and spinach in a fragrant garlic sauce. The blend of ingredients creates a balanced, quick, and flavorful meal. This is your go-to stovetop option when you’re short on time but still want something flavorful and impressive.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Fried Cabbage With Bacon
This Fried Cabbage With Bacon combines the crispness of bacon with the natural sweetness of cabbage for a straightforward meal that’s ready in a mere 25 minutes. This dish brings humble ingredients together in a satisfying way, offering a reliable stovetop dinner when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage With Bacon
Creamy Dijon Chicken
Whipping up a complete meal in 30 minutes is a breeze with this Creamy Dijon Chicken. On your stovetop, chicken is cooked in a Dijon mustard sauce and paired with spinach and bacon. Its blend of flavors creates a well-rounded meal, making it a reliable stovetop choice when you’re out of other dinner ideas.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Prepared in just 30 minutes, this Creamy Garlic Chicken brings together tender chicken breasts and a rich garlic-Parmesan sauce right on your stovetop. The harmonious interplay of flavors makes this dish a standout, while its quick preparation ensures it’s a hassle-free choice. Remember this recipe when you’re after a simple yet memorable stovetop dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
This Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms turns your stovetop into a culinary canvas in just 30 minutes. The earthy mushroom flavors harmonize with cauliflower to create a filling and quick dish. It’s the answer to your stovetop dinner quandary when looking for something unique yet uncomplicated.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Sausage Curry
This Sausage Curry combines sausages and vegetables in a curry sauce, offering a straightforward option for stovetop cooking. It’s ready in under an hour, making it a solid choice when you’re out of dinner ideas and pressed for time. The dish incorporates some Indian-inspired flavors for variety. Overall, it’s a quick and easy way to bring exciting flavors to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Lemon Garlic Scallops
These Lemon Garlic Scallops are a simple luxury, combining perfectly seared scallops with zesty lemon and aromatic garlic. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish makes elegance easy and quick right on your stovetop. Consider this recipe your ace in the hole when you need a fast yet refined dinner.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops
Cabbage and Sausage
Less is more with this Cabbage and Sausage recipe, a hearty dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes on the stovetop. Cabbage pairs naturally with sausage to offer a straightforward yet filling meal. Turn to this dish when you need a quick and dependable stovetop dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
In this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce, succulent chicken is bathed in a rich mushroom sauce, and it’s all done in 30 minutes on the stovetop. The sauce adds layers of flavor, and the quick cook time makes it a practical choice. This dish is a reliable go-to when your dinner clock is ticking.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
This Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs is a 20-minute stovetop meal that makes excellent use of leftover chicken. The added green chiles provide a mild spice, making it a go-to choice when you’re out of dinner ideas. The recipe is a practical solution for transforming leftover ingredients into a new meal. Cleanup is quick, leaving you more time to enjoy your evening.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
This Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts blends succulent chicken with the nuanced flavor and texture of artichoke hearts. Ready on your stovetop in no time, this dish strikes the balance between simplicity and culinary flair. It’s the perfect stovetop recipe for those evenings when you want something impressive without unnecessary fuss.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
Sticky Sauce Chicken
This Sticky Sauce Chicken envelops chicken thighs in a tangy sauce that captures the essence of each bite. Ready in 30 minutes, this stovetop dish proves that a quick meal can also be memorable. Turn to this recipe when you’re out of ideas but still want to impress at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Sauce Chicken