15 One-Skillet Dinners That Aren’t Just Chicken And Rice

Not every one-skillet dinner has to be chicken and rice. There’s a whole world of meals that come together in one pan without feeling like the same thing on repeat. Steak, seafood, gnocchi, polenta—plenty of great options that don’t leave you scraping yet another layer of burnt rice off the bottom of your pan. These recipes bring bold flavors, easy prep, and minimal cleanup, so you’re not stuck washing a mountain of dishes after dinner either.

A skillet filled with a cheesy baked dish containing black beans, corn, and ground meat, topped with a dollop of sour cream and a scoop of salsa in the center. A wooden spoon is scooping a portion. — Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Gnocchi with ground pork, tomatoes, mozzarella and spinach in a cast iron skillet. — Baked Skillet Gnocchi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Gnocchi deserves the spotlight, and this one-skillet meal proves it. Ground pork, crushed tomatoes, and spinach cook together under a layer of melted mozzarella for a dish that feels like comfort food without the extra dishes.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese with ground turkey in a pot. — Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Mac and cheese isn’t just for kids, and this version proves it. Ground turkey, real cheddar, and fresh veggies come together in one skillet for a meal that’s rich, cheesy, and done in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions

Skillet lamb chops with tarragon mustard sauce and cipollini onions. — Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Fancy steakhouse flavors, no steakhouse required. These lamb chops cook up in one pan alongside browned cipollini onions, finished with a tarragon honey mustard sauce that takes it up a notch.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Lamb Chops with Cipollini Onions

Steak, Potato & Pepper Skillet

Steak peppers and potato skillet with a metal serving spoon. — Steak, Potato & Pepper Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Steak and potatoes don’t need a grill. This one-skillet meal roasts everything together for a hands-off dinner that’s full of bold flavor and ready in 40 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Steak, Potato & Pepper Skillet

Vegetable Bean Skillet

Cast iron skillet with beans and vegetables. — Vegetable Bean Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

No meat, no problem. This skillet is loaded with beans, fresh vegetables, and plenty of flavor for a one-pan meal that’s both hearty and simple.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Bean Skillet

Greek Shrimp Skillet

Shrimp skillet dinner with kalamata olives, tomatoes and feta. — Greek Shrimp Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

No dry, overcooked shrimp here. This one-skillet meal keeps things juicy with tomatoes, spinach, Kalamata olives, feta, and fresh oregano for a bright, quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

This one-pan meal takes ground beef and sweet potatoes and loads them up with southwestern flavors. Leftovers are just as good, making this a great meal-prep option too.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Spicy Mango Chicken Skillet

Sweet, spicy, and ready in under 30 minutes. Chicken, jalapeños, and mango cook together in one skillet for a bold-flavored meal that keeps things interesting.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Mango Chicken Skillet

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Ground beef cabbage stir fry in a bowl with chopsticks. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Think of this as stir-fry’s low-maintenance cousin. Ground beef and cabbage come together in one pan with a savory sauce and plenty of texture for a dinner that’s quick, easy, and anything but boring.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage

A serving spoon in a cast iron skillet with polenta and sausage. — Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Creamy cheddar polenta meets crispy Italian sausage in this one-skillet meal. A handful of fresh arugula and cranberries on top keep things fresh, making this just as balanced as it is hearty.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage

Greek Meatball & Veggie Skillet

This one-skillet dinner brings together Greek-style meatballs, fresh vegetables, and feta for a bold, Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Greek Meatball & Veggie Skillet

30-Minute Sausage Stuffed Pepper Skillet

Stuffed peppers, but make it easier. Instead of baking, everything gets cooked in one skillet for a faster, mess-free version of this classic dish.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Sausage Stuffed Pepper Skillet

Lemon Salmon Orzo Skillet

This one-pan salmon and orzo meal keeps things simple and fresh with a hit of lemon. No dry fish, no extra pots, just an easy skillet dinner that comes together fast.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Salmon Orzo Skillet

Beef and Bean Burrito Skillet

Everything great about a burrito, minus the rolling. Ground beef, refried beans, and melted cheese cook together in one skillet for a meal that’s packed with flavor and ready for whatever toppings you want.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Bean Burrito Skillet

Italian Cannellini Bean and Sausage Skillet

Cannellini beans and sausage cook down in a rich, one-skillet meal that’s full of bold Italian flavors. It’s hearty, simple, and done in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Italian Cannellini Bean and Sausage Skillet

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

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.