18 stovetop recipes that’ll keep the oven off and the dish pile low

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Stovetop recipes are a great way to create a comforting meal without the extra stress of the oven or piles of dishes. These simple recipes are designed to make your cooking experience smoother so you can enjoy your time in the kitchen without feeling overwhelmed. Whether short on time or just looking for a cozy night in, these easy meals show that great flavors can come from stovetop recipes.

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

Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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

This Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts recipe is perfect when you want something special without much effort. Tender chicken thighs and artichokes cook together in a creamy, lemony sauce, and it’s all done on the stovetop in about 30 minutes. With only one pan to clean, it’s great for busy nights when you still want to eat well. This dish shows you can have a great meal without spending hours in the kitchen or dealing with a pile of dishes afterward.
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.

This Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach recipe does the trick whenever you need a quick, flavorful meal without turning on the oven. Shrimp, spinach, and tomatoes come together in a rich garlic sauce, and everything is ready in just 30 minutes. It’s a one-pan meal, so you won’t have a mess to clean up afterward. This dish is great when you’re craving something fresh but don’t have the time or energy for a complicated recipe. You get a meal that’s both simple and hearty, with minimal effort involved.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Chicken Tortellini Soup

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

Chicken Tortellini Soup is the meal that warms you up without leaving you stuck in the kitchen. Chicken, cheese tortellini, and veggies simmer in a flavorful broth, all in one pot on the stovetop. In about 40 minutes, you’ve got a hearty meal perfect for chilly nights or when you need something comforting but easy. Cleanup is simple, with just one pot to wash, making this recipe a go-to for busy weeknights when you want a delicious bowl of soup without the extra work.
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.

Cabbage and Sausage is a straightforward, one-pan meal ready in just 25 minutes. With cabbage, sausages, and onions cooked together in a bit of apple cider vinegar, this dish is full of flavor without requiring the oven or a sink full of dishes. It’s a great option for nights when you want something quick and filling but don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen. The minimal cleanup makes it even better — because after a long day, who wants to scrub lots of pots and pans?
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 great way to get more greens into your meal without much hassle. Steamed broccoli mixed with eggs and Parmesan turns into crispy fritters in just one pan, and they’re ready in 35 minutes. This recipe is perfect for nights when you want something a little different but don’t feel like dealing with complex recipes or a lot of dishes. With just one pan to clean, these fritters are a simple and fun way to enjoy a veggie-packed meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Sausage Curry

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

Sausage Curry is a cozy, one-pan meal perfect for nights when you want something hearty but don’t feel like making a big mess in the kitchen. Sausages, sweet potatoes, carrots, and peas are cooked in a flavorful curry sauce and ready in under an hour. Everything happens on the stovetop, and the minimal cleanup makes it great for busy nights. This dish is comforting and easy, helping you get a filling meal on the table without the stress of a big cleanup.
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 a great option when you want something quick and simple on the stovetop. Ready in just 20 minutes, these bite-sized pieces of chicken are fried and then tossed in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. You’ll appreciate that this dish only needs a few ingredients, and it’s all done in one pan. Less time cooking and cleaning up — exactly what you need on a busy night. Plus, it’s a comforting meal that’s easy to love. Simple, quick, and no extra dishes to deal with afterward.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

White Bean Soup

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

White Bean Soup is the perfect meal when you need comfort without the mess. It’s made with white beans, carrots, and a touch of lemon, all simmered together in one pot. Ready in just 40 minutes, this soup gives you that cozy, homemade feeling without the stress of lots of cleanup. No oven needed, just a simple stovetop meal that’s hearty and filling. Whether it’s a chilly evening or just looking for something easy but filling, this recipe keeps things simple and delicious.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

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 takes the best parts of the classic sandwich and turns them into a mess-free dinner. Corned beef, sauerkraut, coleslaw, and Swiss cheese all come together in one easy dish that’s ready in 30 minutes. You’ll skip the oven, so it’s faster, and the stovetop does all the work with minimal dishes. This is a perfect meal when you’re craving those deli flavors but want to keep it simple. It’s a great way to enjoy a filling meal without extra hassle or cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

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 is the perfect stovetop meal when you want something comforting but don’t have the time for complicated recipes. In 30 minutes, you’ll have chicken thighs in a rich mushroom sauce, all cooked in one pan. No need for the oven, and you’re left with a hearty dish without extra dishes to clean up. It’s a great way to enjoy a flavorful meal on a weeknight without spending all night in the kitchen. Easy to make, easy to clean up, and perfect for a cozy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Dijon Chicken

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

Creamy Dijon Chicken is a great choice for a quick and flavorful meal that doesn’t require much effort. Chicken thighs get cooked in a tangy Dijon mustard sauce with spinach and crispy bacon, and it all comes together in 30 minutes on the stovetop. No oven is needed, and only one pan to clean up afterward. The flavors are rich, but the dish is still light enough for any night of the week. This is a perfect meal when you want something special without creating a mess in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Lemon Garlic Scallops

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

Lemon Garlic Scallops are a great way to make a simple but impressive meal without any oven time. In just 25 minutes, the scallops are seared on the stovetop and finished with a bright lemon-garlic sauce. The whole dish comes together in one pan, so you’re not left with a lot to clean up. This recipe is perfect when you want something a bit special but don’t have the time or energy for a lot of prep or cleanup. It’s quick and easy and makes dinnertime exciting.
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 is an easy one-pan meal full of flavor but light on cleanup. Chicken thighs cook with sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and Parmesan in about 30 minutes, all on the stovetop. You get a rich, comforting dish without needing the oven or dealing with extra dishes. It’s a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious but don’t have time for complicated cooking. It’s delicious, quick to make and simple to clean up afterward.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Creamy Tuscan Chicken looks and tastes impressive, but it’s actually so simple. Chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach are all cooked in a rich, garlicky sauce in just one skillet. Done in 40 minutes, it’s a great choice for a flavorful dinner without spending forever in the kitchen. Everything happens on the stovetop, so no need to worry about heating up the oven or cleaning a big mess afterward. It’s a perfect meal for busy nights when you want something delicious without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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 makes dinner easy without sacrificing taste. Ground beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese come together in just one skillet for a hearty and light meal. It’s all done in 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for those busy nights when you need something quick and simple. No oven required, and you’re left with just one pan to clean up. This dish is great for anyone who wants a flavorful meal that’s fast, filling, and leaves the kitchen clean.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Green Chile Chicken

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

Green Chile Chicken is here for those nights when you need dinner fast but still want something with flavor. Shredded chicken, green chiles, and a creamy sauce come together in one pan, making it a quick 20-minute meal that doesn’t need an oven. It’s just the right amount of spice and warmth to keep meals exciting, and with only one pan to wash, it’s a simple, no-stress recipe. Perfect for anyone looking to get dinner on the table without extra hassle or dishes.
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 is all about comfort without the mess. Chicken breasts are cooked in a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce, ready in just 30 minutes using only one pan. It’s the kind of meal that feels cozy and filling but doesn’t leave you with a pile of dishes to deal with afterward. Perfect for a quiet night or when you want something a little special without the effort of turning on the oven. This recipe makes it easy to get a great meal on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic 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 a simple dish that brings big flavors without much effort. In just 25 minutes, bacon, cabbage, and onions are cooked together in one pan, giving you a quick and delicious meal. You don’t need the oven and won’t have a big cleanup afterward. It’s a great way to add veggies to your meal lineup while keeping things easy. This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants something fast and flavorful without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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