Nobody wants to spend an hour cooking just to end up with a mountain of dishes. That’s why one-pan meals are a game-changer. Everything cooks together in a single skillet, sheet pan, or pot, which means less time at the stove and almost no cleanup. These meals are fast and they actually taste like real dinners, not something thrown together as an afterthought. You won’t be babysitting multiple burners or juggling different cook times.
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
This skillet dinner takes ground beef, taco seasoning, peppers, and cheese and turns it into a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Everything cooks in one pan, making cleanup simple. Serve it with rice, scoop it into tortillas, or eat it straight from the skillet.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Honey Orange Sesame Chicken
Chicken simmers in a sticky honey-orange sauce with a punch of sesame, creating a bold, takeout-style meal at home. The sauce thickens up as it cooks, coating every piece with just the right amount of sweetness. Serve it with rice and steamed broccoli for a well-rounded, one-pan dinner.
Get the Recipe: Honey Orange Sesame Chicken
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms cook down in a simple stir-fry sauce that delivers big flavor without a complicated ingredient list. The pork adds richness, the cabbage gives it crunch, and the sauce ties it all together. Serve it over rice or noodles for a full meal in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Ground beef and cabbage cook together in a simple, savory stir-fry that brings big flavor without extra work. The cabbage softens and soaks up all the rich flavors, making this a great high-protein, one-pan meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Bite-sized pieces of chicken cook quickly with mushrooms, onions, and red peppers in a garlic-forward sauce. Fresh herbs round out the flavor, and everything comes together in just one pan. Serve it as-is for a low-carb meal or over rice for something more filling.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Chinese Chicken Zoodles
This 15-minute skillet meal swaps out traditional noodles for zucchini ribbons, keeping the dish light but still packed with bold flavors. A quick stir-fry sauce coats the chicken and veggies, making this a great option when you want something fast without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Zoodles
Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas
Chicken and chickpeas simmer in a creamy turmeric sauce, creating a bold, protein-packed meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. The sauce thickens as it cooks, coating everything in deep, rich flavors. Serve it over rice with fresh cilantro for a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas
Spicy Mango Chicken Skillet
Chicken and mango create a perfect mix of heat and sweetness in this quick skillet meal. Jalapeños add just the right amount of spice, while the mango helps balance it all out. Serve it over rice for a filling meal that delivers big flavor without the mess.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Mango Chicken Skillet
Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
This one-pan meal turns ground turkey and sweet potatoes into a filling, protein-packed dinner. Black beans, peppers, and onions add extra flavor and texture, making this a well-balanced meal that’s done in under 30 minutes. Leftovers heat up great for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground Beef Stir Fry
This ground beef stir-fry turns fresh vegetables and a quick garlic-ginger sauce into a meal that’s ready in minutes. Everything cooks in one pan, making cleanup easy, and the homemade sauce beats anything from a bottle. Serve it over rice or noodles for a quick and filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Greek Shrimp Skillet
Shrimp, tomatoes, spinach, Kalamata olives, and feta cook together in one pan, creating a Mediterranean-inspired dish packed with flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of oregano finish it off. Serve it with rice, orzo, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet
Salsa Chicken
Juicy chicken breasts bake in salsa with sweet corn and cheddar, creating a bold, cheesy dish that’s ready fast. Everything cooks in one dish, so there’s no extra work. Serve it with rice or stuff it into tortillas for an easy, mess-free dinner.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Jalapeño Chicken
This one-pan dinner brings crispy pan-fried chicken and fresh jalapeños together in a sticky, sweet, and spicy sauce. The chicken stays juicy, the sauce coats every bite, and the whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes. Serve it over rice to soak up all the extra sauce.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Chicken
Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Chicken, cashews, and fresh basil cook together in a sweet and savory sauce that’s packed with flavor. Everything happens in one pan, making this a great option when you need dinner fast. Serve it over rice to soak up the extra sauce.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Healthier Sloppy Joes
All the messy, saucy goodness of classic sloppy joes, but made with lean ground beef and a better-for-you sauce. The meat simmers in a tangy, slightly sweet mixture before getting piled high onto buns. Everything comes together in one pan, keeping dinner fast and cleanup easy.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Sloppy Joes
Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp
Shrimp cooks quickly in a bold mango sauce that’s both sweet and spicy. The natural sweetness of the mango balances out the heat, creating a perfectly balanced dish in just 20 minutes. Serve it over rice or with a side of roasted veggies for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp
Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground beef and sweet potatoes make a perfect combo in this hearty skillet meal. Peppers, onions, and a few southwestern spices bring everything together, making it a great way to keep dinner simple while packing in plenty of protein and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
