Dinner does not need a strict plan or a perfect set of ingredients. Sometimes, the best meals come from grabbing whatever is in the fridge and making it work. These recipes are flexible, easy, and built to handle substitutions without falling apart. Leftover veggies, that last bit of rice, a can of beans sitting in the pantry — there’s a way to turn it all into a real meal.
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
This one-pot meal is mac and cheese for grown-ups, packed with ground turkey, spinach, and peppers. It comes together in 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy night when you want something cheesy and filling without reaching for the boxed stuff.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet
A handful of ingredients and a skillet are all you need for this quick buffalo turkey and cauliflower dish. Packed with bold flavors and ready in no time, this one works for dinner now and meal prep later.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet
Steak, Potato, and Pepper Skillet
Steak, potatoes, and peppers get tossed together in one pan and roasted to perfection. There’s no extra effort involved—just throw everything in the oven and let it do the work. A great way to use up whatever veggies you have sitting in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Steak, Potato, and Pepper Skillet
Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu
This one-pan ragu is packed with heat from harissa and depth from crushed tomatoes. Toss it with pasta for a dinner that feels like it took hours, even though it came together in one pan. Great for when you want something bold without a big cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu
Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Chicken, fresh basil, and crunchy cashews come together in a quick stir-fry packed with a rich, slightly sweet sauce. Serve it over rice for an easy meal that works with whatever vegetables you need to use up.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
This dish turns leftover turkey or chicken into a complete meal with sweet potatoes, black beans, peppers, greens, and onions. It’s done in under 30 minutes and is great for stretching leftovers into something that actually feels fresh.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Vegetable Bean Skillet
Loaded with vegetables and two kinds of beans, this one-pan meal is a simple way to turn whatever produce you have into a hearty dinner. No meat needed, no complicated prep, just real food that comes together fast.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Bean Skillet
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Garlic chicken, mushrooms, onions, and red peppers cook up in just 20 minutes, making this one a go-to for nights when you need something fast but still packed with flavor. Serve it over rice, pasta, or whatever grain you have handy.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
This pasta dish uses whatever shape you’ve got in the pantry and comes together in under 30 minutes. The sauce is rich, meaty, and tastes like it simmered all day, even though it didn’t. Perfect for a quick, hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Taco-seasoned ground beef, beans, and vegetables come together in one pan for a quick meal that works as tacos, burrito bowls, or straight out of the skillet. Done in 30 minutes and ready for anything.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
This one takes ground beef, shredded cabbage, and a light, savory sauce to create a meal that’s packed with texture and flavor. Ready in 30 minutes and a great way to use up that half-head of cabbage sitting in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet
Ground Beef Stir Fry
A fast stir-fry made with ground beef and whatever vegetables are hanging around. Tossed in a garlic ginger sauce, this one is better than takeout and comes together in one pan.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms cook up in minutes with a bold, flavorful sauce. A perfect way to make use of extra cabbage without making another boring slaw.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry
Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
Thick, chewy udon noodles get coated in a bold ginger-garlic sriracha sauce and tossed with ground beef. This one comes together in under 30 minutes and is way better than ordering takeout.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
This dish is loaded with pork, vegetables, and a sauce that’s equal parts sweet and spicy. Done in 20 minutes, it’s a fast, flavor-packed meal that works with whatever veggies you need to use up.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
Pineapple Fried Rice
This fried rice brings Thai flavors together with sweet pineapple and vegetables for a meatless meal that feels just as filling as the takeout version. It’s a great way to use up leftover rice and any extra veggies sitting in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Fried Rice
Tofu Fried Rice
Fried rice meets crispy tofu in this quick, easy meal that’s perfect for using up leftover rice and random fridge veggies. It’s fast, filling, and a great clean-out-the-fridge dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Fried Rice
Mexican Vegetable Soup
A mix of vegetables and quinoa make this soup a solid vegetarian meal that’s done in under 20 minutes. It’s easy to swap ingredients depending on what’s in your fridge, so you never have to make it the same way twice.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Vegetable Soup
Instant Pot Lentil Vegetable Soup
This Instant Pot soup is packed with lentils, mushrooms, green beans, and spinach, making it an easy, comforting meal. Toss everything in, let it cook, and dinner is done.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Lentil Vegetable Soup
Mung Bean Soup
Mung beans, lemony broth, and fresh vegetables make this soup light but still hearty enough to stand on its own. Serve it with crusty bread and call it dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mung Bean Soup
Easy One-Pot Lentil Stew
This turmeric-spiced lentil stew is loaded with protein and can be served with whatever grains you have on hand. Simple, filling, and easy to throw together when the fridge is looking empty.
Get the Recipe: Easy One-Pot Lentil Stew
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.
