18 stovetop recipes that’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with the oven

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Stovetop recipes are about to become your new best friend, making you question why you ever wasted time with your oven. These quick and easy dishes are perfect for when you want great food without the hassle of preheating and waiting around. So, put that oven mitt down and get ready to enjoy meals that are great and ridiculously simple.

Sautéed red and white cabbage in a pan, topped with melted cheese and a drizzle of pink sauce, with a serving spoon.
Reuben Bowls. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken

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

Creamy Dijon Chicken is the perfect quick and comforting meal you can make right on your stovetop. With a total cooking time of only 30 minutes, this dish brings together juicy chicken thighs, fresh spinach, and crispy bacon in a rich Dijon sauce. It’s a great choice for cold nights when you want something hearty but don’t want to cook for hours. The sauce is creamy and flavorful; each bite is as good as the last. The easy cleanup makes it a perfect weeknight staple for those who need a great meal fast.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

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

Our Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is a swift and straightforward stovetop recipe that combines the freshness of spinach and tomatoes with the richness of shrimp, all seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish is a perfect solution for a busy evening when you want something light yet filling. It’s particularly good for those who appreciate a seafood meal that’s easy to prepare. Adding fresh basil at the end enhances the flavors, making it a great choice for a quick, healthy dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste.
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.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites is a quick solution for dinner, ready in just 20 minutes on the stovetop. These chicken bites are cooked until golden and then tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, giving a hearty meal that doesn’t require much time or effort. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you’re in a rush but still want a good meal. It’s also great for serving as a protein-packed snack during gatherings, making it a versatile addition to your gastronomy collection.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Sausage Curry

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

Sausage Curry is a hearty stovetop favorite that is ready in less than an hour. This dish features sausages, sweet potatoes, carrots, and peas in a creamy sauce. It’s perfect for those evenings when you need a comforting meal without the hassle. The rich flavors and hearty vegetables make it a delicious dinner option that’s also easy to clean up. Plus, it’s a great way to switch up your dinner routine without spending all night in the kitchen. This curry is perfect for busy cooks looking for a reliable meal for their family.
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.

In just 25 minutes, Cabbage and Sausage delivers a flavorful meal that combines sautéed cabbage and onions with juicy sausages, enhanced with a hint of apple cider vinegar. This stovetop recipe is a go-to for its simplicity and the robust flavors it delivers without much work. It’s perfect for those who need a quick meal solution after a long day. Plus, it’s a great way to include more vegetables in your diet in a simple and fun way. You don’t have to spend much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Broccoli Fritters

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

These Broccoli Fritters are ready in 35 minutes and are a fun way to include more vegetables in your meals. Made with steamed broccoli, eggs, and Parmesan, these cakes are crispy and tender. They are easy to prepare on the stovetop and great for kids and adults. This dish is a perfect choice for those looking to add a vegetable dish that is simple to make and good to eat. It’s also a great option for quick snacks or a light dinner, adding variety to your weekly meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

Our Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a stovetop dish that brings together tender chicken thighs with a creamy sauce made from mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. It’s ready in 30 minutes, making it a great choice for a last-minute dinner that still feels special. This recipe is especially enticing when you want to impress without the stress of serving a dish that looks and tastes like it took much longer to make. It’s a practical option for busy nights, and you can enjoy a special meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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 turns the classic sandwich into a quick stovetop meal ready in just 30 minutes. This dish combines corned beef browned over the stovetop with coleslaw or shredded cabbage, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and homemade Thousand Island dressing to create a hearty meal. It’s a practical choice for busy weeknights, serving all the great flavors without the hassle of complex preparations. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy a traditionally sandwiched meal in a new form, making your dinner routine less boring and more versatile.
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.

This Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts is a delicious stovetop dinner that comes together in 30 minutes. This dish pairs tender chicken thighs with a creamy sauce of artichokes, Parmesan, and lemon, creating a rich and hearty meal. It’s especially good for those evenings when you’re short on time but still want something that tastes great. This recipe is frequently shared for simple cooking and minimal cleanup, making it perfect for weeknight dinners and special occasions. It’s a go-to recipe for a quick, comforting meal that doesn’t cut corners on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Lemon Garlic Scallops

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

Lemon Garlic Scallops is a quick and impressive meal perfect for your stovetop. These scallops are pan-seared until golden and drizzled with a light lemon-garlic sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you want something special but don’t have much time. The bright, citrusy sauce enhances the fresh flavors of the scallops, making it a hit for dinner parties or a romantic evening at home. The quick preparation and easy cleanup make it a go-to for last-minute dining that’s sure to impress.
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 a stovetop wonder that’s both practical and delicious. Ready in just 40 minutes, this soup blends chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, celery, and onions in a rich broth. It’s perfect for colder days or busy evenings when you need a quick, filling meal. This soup is also a clever way to use any leftover chicken, making it a cost-effective option for families. It’s a comforting dish, perfect for anyone looking for an easy yet hearty meal.
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 a stovetop recipe that tastes like it took all day to make but is ready in just 40 minutes. This dish features tender chicken thighs cooked with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a creamy garlic sauce. The rich and hearty flavors make it seem like a gourmet meal. It’s a great option for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests with your cooking skills without too much effort. The combination of ingredients tastes great and fills your home with a mouthwatering aroma.
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 an easy, flavorful stovetop meal ready in just 20 minutes. This dish combines shredded chicken, green chiles, and a creamy sauce for a slight kick. It’s a great choice for those busy nights when you want something different but need it quick and simple. The creamy, slightly spicy sauce pairs perfectly with the tender chicken, giving a delicious and easy meal. This dish is frequently recommended for its speed and taste, making it a popular pick among those who love a quick meal.
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.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon pairs the hearty flavor of bacon with the natural sweetness of cabbage, making it a stovetop favorite ready in just 25 minutes. Cooking the cabbage in bacon grease gives it a great taste and becomes an easy way to get more vegetables into your diet. This dish is straightforward, making it perfect for quick weeknight dinners. Plus, cleaning up afterward is easy, reducing kitchen stress and leaving more time for relaxation. It’s a recipe that saves time and effort, showing that quick meals can also be great.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a crowd-pleaser. Its tender chicken breasts are enveloped in creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce, all cooked swiftly in 30 minutes. This dish is a lifesaver on busy nights and is perfect for serving with pasta or rice to round out a hearty dinner. It combines simplicity and flavor, making it a frequently discussed recipe for its ability to transform dinner into a special occasion without a lot of prep. Plus, it’s a great way to impress guests with minimal effort, keeping everyone happy and well-fed.
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.

This 30-minute stovetop recipe features a perfect mix of ground beef and cauliflower rice enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce. Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is perfect for a nutritious, filling and lighter dinner than traditional rice dishes. The dish is popular for its balance of flavors and simplicity of cooking, making it a top choice for busy weeknights. It’s also a practical solution for reducing carbs without sacrificing taste. This skillet meal is about simplicity and satisfaction, and you have a stress-free dinner solution that keeps the whole family happy.
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.

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is quick to prepare, taking only 30 minutes to bring juicy chicken thighs and tangy sun-dried tomatoes together in a creamy sauce. This stovetop dish is loved for its hearty and rich flavor, making it great for a filling meal. It’s also a perfect dish for sharing, making any dinner special. The simplicity of preparation and cleanup makes it a favorite topic of conversation and a frequent choice for those nights when you want something both delicious and straightforward.
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 ready in 40 minutes and combines sautéed vegetables with creamy white beans in a hearty broth. This stovetop soup is perfect for chilly evenings and a comforting meal that is nutritious and filling. The added lemon brings a fresh lift to the flavors, making it a refreshing choice for dinner. This soup is great for those looking for an easy yet delicious meal, helping to keep dinner plans simple and fun. It’s a great option for busy individuals who need a quick solution that feels like a comforting homemade meal.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

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