15 stovetop meals that we always want for dinner

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Stovetop meals like these ones are the go-to for anyone looking for something quick and easy to whip up on a regular basis. These 15 recipes are the kind you find yourself coming back to time and time again because they just work — no matter the day of the week or the occasion. Best of all, they don’t require you to be a pro in the kitchen.

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 is exactly the kind of meal that saves your day — quick to cook on the stovetop, easy, and packed with flavors that everyone loves. You’ll cook shrimp, grape tomatoes, and spinach in a savory garlic sauce, and it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish. You can add some paprika or red pepper flakes if you want a bit of a kick. This dish goes well with pasta or rice, perfect when you need an easy and flavorful dinner on any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

If you’ve got 20 minutes, you’ve got enough time to make this dish. You’ll cook bite-sized chicken pieces in a savory garlic butter sauce, which also helps to make them super juicy and tender. Serve them with rice and veggies for a filling meal, or toss them on a salad if you want something lighter. This dish is perfect for your weekly stovetop routine because it’s quick and easy, uses only one pan, and you get all the good flavors without spending the whole evening in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Cabbage and Sausage

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

This meal is as practical as it gets. It uses ingredients you’re likely to have on hand with simple cooking steps that anyone can follow. You’ll cook sausage and cabbage together, season it, and serve. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and hearty meal is a great stovetop recipe you’ll want to always have on your weekly menu.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

Cook chicken thighs until perfectly done, then toss them in a creamy mushroom sauce. It’s very easy to make as everything comes together in just one pan and can be served in 30 minutes. Pair it with rice, pasta, or veggies, and you’ve got a meal that feels fancy but is easy enough for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Sausage Curry

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

This dish combines sausage chunks and veggies in a creamy sauce full of curry flavors. It’s very easy to make, uses only one pan, and can be served in less than an hour. Feel free to customize it with your favorite spices, like garam masala or cilantro. This stovetop dish is a great go-to when you need to serve something new but don’t want too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Fried Cabbage With Bacon

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

Here’s a practical recipe you’ll want to make every single week. This hearty dish combines staple pantry items like cabbage and bacon in just 25 minutes. It’s a straightforward dish that delivers both your protein and vegetables in one go. Perfect when you need an easy, quick, and flavorful dish to end a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

This Tuscan dish cooks chicken thighs in a creamy sauce made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. It’s all done in one skillet and can be served in just 40 minutes. Make this on evenings when you’re looking for something special that won’t require you to cook for hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan with chicken, spinach and bacon in it.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can have this impressive meal ready on your table. It combines chicken thighs, spinach, and bacon in a rich, creamy Dijon sauce. It’s quick to prepare and ensures you don’t spend your whole evening in the kitchen. This dish is a solid choice for a balanced, flavorful meal during the week.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

This creamy garlic dish will fit right into your busy schedule. Pan-fry chicken breasts and then simmer them in a creamy sauce made with heavy cream, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is easy enough for a busy weeknight but still impressive enough for special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Broccoli Fritters

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

Grab some broccoli florets, Parmesan cheese, and a handful of other ingredients to make these flavorful patties. You’ll mix the ingredients, form them into patties, and pan-fry until crispy. Ready in just 35 minutes, these fritters are perfect when you need a quick meal or a filling snack. Serve them up with some Greek yogurt, sour cream, or your dip of choice to kick up the flavor.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Green Chile Chicken

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

This budget-friendly and practical stovetop dish gives any leftover chicken you have a new life. You’ll combine shredded chicken with green chiles in a creamy sauce and garnish it with spring onions and black pepper. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is a smart way to repurpose leftovers into something flavorful and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

Lemon Garlic Scallops

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

Cook up restaurant-quality scallops in your own kitchen with this easy seafood dish. First, you’ll pan-sear the scallops to golden perfection, then simmer them in a savory sauce made from lemon and garlic. It’s a quick 30-minute dish that’s prepared in just one skillet. Serve it with rice or your favorite veggies for a meal that’s great for both date nights and regular weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

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.

Here’s an easy stovetop that you’ll want to make every week. Ground beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and cheese are cooked together in just one skillet to bring out the best flavors. Ready in 30 minutes, make this on days when you need a meal that’s quick, easy, and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef And Cauliflower Rice Skillet

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.

You can have this easy stovetop meal ready in 30 minutes using only one pan. You’ll cook chicken thighs until tender, then simmer them in a creamy sauce loaded with sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkle some Parmesan, add a dash of Italian seasoning, and crack some black pepper over it for extra flavor. Soak up the delicious sauce with pasta, rice, or bread.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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 recipe makes a hearty evening meal possible without much work. Combine chicken thighs and artichoke hearts in a creamy sauce, and have a filling and wholesome meal ready in just 30 minutes. It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for hectic weekdays, especially when you need something impressive but not too complicated.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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