18 stovetop meals that’ll save you from another sad microwave dinner

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Stovetop meals are your ticket out of the microwave dinner rut, and trust us, your taste buds will thank you. These recipes are great for when you can’t face another sad, soggy mess from the microwave. Say goodbye to the days of peeling back plastic film and hello to meals that actually taste like food. It’s time to reclaim your kitchen and cook something that doesn’t come with a side of disappointment.

Creamy chicken dish garnished with bacon and herbs in a skillet.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

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.

Turn your dinner into a no-stress, stovetop affair with our Reuben Bowls, ready in 30 minutes. This meal tosses together corned beef, coleslaw or shredded cabbage, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, capturing all the beloved flavors of a Reuben sandwich without the trouble of actually making sandwiches. It’s the perfect solution when you’re craving something hearty but want to keep things simple. So, skip the sandwich mess and go straight for a bowl — you won’t regret it.
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.

Say goodbye to dull dinners with our Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts, a dish that promises to add some flair to your stovetop routine. This meal is all about simplicity and flavor, marrying chicken with a creamy artichoke and lemon sauce in under 30 minutes. It’s just the ticket for a night when you’re looking for something a bit special but not so special that it takes more time than you have. After all, who said you can’t have a great meal on a Tuesday?
Get the Recipe: Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Say goodbye to sad microwave dinners and hello to this quick Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. It takes only 30 minutes to create a dish that combines the fresh tastes of spinach and tomatoes with perfectly cooked shrimp enveloped in a rich garlic sauce. Topped off with a sprinkle of fresh basil, this meal is a great pick for anyone looking to eat something light yet filling. It’s simple, it’s fast, and a lot more sophisticated than anything coming out of a microwave.
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.

Here’s a thought: instead of waiting on the pizza delivery that’s always late, whip up these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites in just 20 minutes. These golden bites are pan-fried and then smothered in a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s the perfect solution for a quick meal. They’re especially good for those last-minute dinner rushes or when you’ve got friends over and need to impress without the stress. It’s the dinner equivalent of hitting the easy button.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Sausage Curry

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

There’s Sausage Curry for you when you want a meal that warms and fills you up without taking all night to cook. In less than an hour, this one-pan wonder gives you a pot full of sausages, sweet potatoes, and veggies, all swimming in a creamy sauce. This recipe serves a filling dinner option using simple, accessible ingredients. It’s hearty and comforting and won’t leave you scrubbing pots all night. Perfect for when you want to feel like you’ve got your life together without putting in too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Cabbage and Sausage

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

If you ever have one of those days where you need dinner to be easy and straightforward, this Cabbage and Sausage recipe is your friend. Ready in 25 minutes, this dish combines sautéed cabbage and onions with juicy sausages, spiced up with a dash of apple cider vinegar. It’s a no-nonsense meal that promises convenience and taste. It’s easy to throw together and even easier to eat. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to convince your family to eat their veggies without drama.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Broccoli Fritters

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

Broccoli Fritters are a clever way to sneak more greens into your diet without the groans. Ready in 35 minutes, these little green gems are made with steamed broccoli, eggs, and Parmesan, fried up until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They’re straightforward to make and a fun way to turn a simple vegetable into something a bit more exciting than microwave dinners. Plus, they’re a great talking point — how often do you get to say you turned broccoli into something everyone actually wants to eat?
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Creamy Dijon Chicken

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

If you’re tired of nuking frozen meals, why not try something with a bit more flair? Creamy Dijon Chicken is the answer. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish is a mix of juicy chicken thighs, crisp bacon, and fresh spinach, all drenched in a creamy Dijon sauce. It’s perfect for those cold nights when you want something hearty but don’t want to be working the stove all evening. Plus, the cleanup is a breeze, which means more time to relax after a long day. Who doesn’t want a meal that leaves the kitchen cleaner sooner?
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is your ticket off the sad microwave meal train. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish combines chicken thighs, creamy mushrooms, and Parmesan, creating a rich flavor that’ll make you forget you even own a microwave. It’s the perfect rescue for those nights when you want to eat well but don’t have the time or energy to do something elaborate. Plus, it’s a great way to impress someone without them knowing you didn’t spend all day in the kitchen.
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 the kind of dish you whip up when you want to pretend you’re at a fancy restaurant, but really, you’re just in your kitchen. These scallops are pan-seared to get that golden crust and then drizzled with a lemon-garlic sauce, all ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a quick, impressive way to end a hectic day and just fancy enough to make it seem like you put in more effort than you actually did. Here’s to making gourmet look easy!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Chicken Tortellini Soup

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

Chicken Tortellini Soup is like a comforting hug on a cold day, and it’s ready faster than you can say, “Let’s order takeout.” In just 40 minutes, this soup blends chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, celery, and onions in a rich broth. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for those evenings when you need something filling but quick. Plus, it’s a smart way to use leftover chicken, so you’re not just saving time — you’re also saving money. That’s what we call a win-win.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is here to spice up your dinner routine without hogging your evening. In just 40 minutes, you can serve up a dish featuring chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy garlic sauce. It’s like a little Italian vacation right on your stovetop. And the best part? It tastes like it took hours to make, so you can feel like a kitchen wizard without actually needing to be one. Perfect for impressing guests or just treating yourself to something nice after a long day.
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.

In just 20 minutes, whip up the Green Chile Chicken right on your stovetop. This dish is not just a time-saver; it’s a flavor bomb with its mix of shredded chicken, green chiles, and a creamy sauce that packs just the right amount of kick. Perfect for those nights when even ordering takeout seems like too much effort. Forget about another sad microwave dinner; this dish makes you look forward to cooking after a long day. Plus, who can say no to minimal cleanup and maximum flavor? Not you, that’s for sure.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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

25 minutes is all you need to turn a head of cabbage and some bacon into a flavorful meal that screams comfort without the complexity. Fried Cabbage with Bacon cooks up on your stovetop in less time than it takes to watch an episode of your favorite sitcom. The bacon adds a hearty taste to the sweet cabbage, simmered in delicious bacon grease. It’s an easy fix to get more veggies into your meal rotation without anyone complaining. And let’s be real, anything with bacon is bound to be a hit, so you’re already winning at dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy chicken dish garnished with herbs and black pepper.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is your 30-minute lifesaver for a filling weeknight meal. Just grab some chicken, garlic, and Parmesan, and let your stovetop do the magic. This dish is creamy, garlicky, and outright comforting. It pairs well with pasta or rice and turns your average dinner into a crowd-pleaser with virtually no effort. At the end of the day, you need dinner that works as hard as you do but doesn’t keep you stuck in the kitchen. So, here’s to less time cooking and more time enjoying.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Dive into this Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet, a perfect dish for those trying to keep dinner light yet filling. Ready in just 30 minutes, it combines juicy ground beef with cauliflower rice, all covered in a creamy cheese sauce. This skillet meal is a breeze to make and even easier to clean up. It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight when you want to feed your family a hearty meal without the carb overload. And honestly, who needs more carbs when everything else is already so heavy?
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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

Ready in a quick 30 minutes, the Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a foolproof stovetop meal that’s rich in flavor and light on labor. Featuring chicken thighs and sun-dried tomatoes simmered in a creamy sauce, this dish makes you forget about boring dinners. It’s great for those evenings when you want to impress but can’t be bothered with anything too elaborate. Trust this one to be a hit because anything that saves you from the microwave and still tastes like a million bucks is a keeper in our books.
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.

This White Bean Soup is more than just a soup; it’s a 40-minute miracle. It combines sautéed vegetables and creamy white beans in a delicious broth, brightened with a touch of lemon. It’s a stovetop creation that’s perfect for those chilly nights when you need something comforting and straightforward. Besides, nothing beats the simplicity of throwing everything in a pot and calling it a day. Especially when that ‘everything’ becomes a meal that comforts you from the inside and leaves you feeling like you’ve got your life together.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

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