Yahoo Lifestyle 28 Easy One-Pan Dinners You'll Make Again & Again (& Again)
When the start of the week rolls around again, and work begins to pile up, weeknights inevitably feel too short and tiring to be spending too much time in the kitchen. The only thing can come through to save the night is an easy, satisfying dinner that all comes together on just one pan. The beauty of one-pan and one-skillet dinners, made in a Dutch oven or on a sheet pan, is how you get to prepare and cook a main dish and a side in one fell swoop. That means we all get more time to sit around the dinner table to actually eat the meal, enjoy our family's company, and recharge after a long day, rather than being workhorse in the kitchen all night cooking and cleaning up. Here are 28 easy one-pan and skillet dinners to get you armed and ready for busy nights. Once you've tried them and gotten a feel for how easy one pan meals are, take that inspiration to simplify all of your dinners.
Related: 12 Easy One Pan Chicken Meals For Nights You Need Simple, Yet Totally Satisfying
One-Pan Dinner Ideas
Looking for something to feed the kiddos and the kids at heart or add some excitement to dinner on a regular Tuesday? Straightforward one-pan dinners can be the life of the weeknight party, take for instance our Sheet-Pan Macaroni and Cheese, Caprese Sheet Pan Pasta, or Sheet Pan Pork Chops.
Related: 15 Simple Sheet-Pan Slider Recipes Everyone Will Be Reaching for on Game Day
Why One-Pan Dinners Rule
One pan, minimal prep, minimal mess, minimal cleanup, but still big on flavor and nutrition—now are our kind of meals!
Want even more easy recipes that will have you saying, "holy sheet"? Sheet-pan meals come in all shapes and flavors—check out our favorite fish sheet-pan dinners, the iconic vegan sheet-pan ideas for those looking to up their veggie intake, one-pan brunch inspiration for lazy weekends.
Related: 75 Vintage Recipes and Retro Suppers
Best One-Pan Dinner Recipes
Alison Ashton
This easy sheet-pan pasta toss is full of bright color, big flavor and heart-healthy ingredients.
Get the recipe: Caprese Sheet-Pan Pasta
Related: 60 Best Pasta Bake Recipes
Everyone will devour this sheet pan take on a fast food favorite, the Taco Bell Crunchwrap. Use taco night staples like ground beef, taco seasoning, shredded cheese and tortillas, and add tostadas for a simple, delicious appetizer or snack—no drive-thru necessary.
Get the recipe: Crowd-Size Taco
Mark Boughton Photography
This dinner is filled with no-fuss frozen ingredients: butternut squash, green beans, onion and chicken sausage seasoned with maple syrup and Dijon mustard. Mix and match with whatever you have in your fridge.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
Krista Marshall
If you're feeding a crowd on a weeknight, this cheesy classic made on a sheet pan is the way to go! A homemade cheese sauce plus a crunchy topping baked to golden-brown perfection—it's the best of both worlds!
Get the recipe: Sheet-Pan Macaroni and Cheese
Alex Guarnaschelli
“This is the kind of weeknight dinner that I often cook up with my daughter,” says Food Network Start Alex Guarnaschelli of her gorgeous Sheet Pan Pork Chops recipe. “A simple 20-minute one-pan meal that will save you from the yawning jaws of takeout or prepared foods.”
Get the recipe: Alex Guarnaschelli's Sheet Pan Pork Chops
Krista Marshall
This one-pan meal basically cooks itself. It's also incredibly versatile; swap the potatoes and carrots for your favorite veggies.
Get the recipe: Sausage & Potato Sheet-Pan Dinner
Jennifer Davick
Cajun seasoning, chicken sausage and a few frozen veggies make this spectacular one-pan shrimp bake come together in just minutes. You'll have dinner on the table in no time!
Get the Recipe: Easy Sheet-Pan Shrimp Bake Recipe
Mark Boughton Photography
Spread store-bought hummus on fish and roast with broccoli, olives and tomatoes for an easy and flavorful sheet-pan dinner.
Get the recipe: Crunchy Hummus-Crusted Fish and Olives
Feel Good Foodie
This TikTok sensation only needs one baking dish to serve up big flavor.
Get the recipe: Baked Feta Pasta
Mark Boughton Photography
Meatloaf can be a weeknight meal when you divide it into fast-cooking individual portions. Switch out the cauliflower with potatoes or other vegetables, if you'd like.
Get the recipe: Sheet-Pan Turkey Meatloaf
Momofuku
This sheet-pan dinner from Momofuku founder David Chang is made with steak, potatoes and a handful of fridge and pantry staples.
Get the recipe: Momofuku's Soy-Marinated Flank Steak with Savory Smashed Potatoes
Chad A Elick
Chicken pot pies are a favorite comfort food dish for many—but who has time for that on a busy night? This quick 30-minute one-skillet chicken pot pie is a lot easier than a traditional pot pie and clean-up is a breeze!
Get the Recipe: One-Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Chelsea's Messy Apron
A quick and delicious take on fish and chips—all baked in just one pan. This version is healthier because it isn’t baked, but it certainly isn’t lacking in flavor! The fries are ultra crispy and flavorful, the fish has a secret hack to make it seem fried, and all prep is done in under 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Baked Fish and Chips
Related: 40 Best Baked Fish Recipes
Cafe Delites
Crispy chicken bakes over a bed of tomato basil rice in this one-pan tomato basil chicken and rice. Dinner is ready in 45 minutes!
Get the recipe: One-Pan Tomato Basil Chicken and Rice
Dessert Now Dinner Later
This one-pan chicken dinner has the most delicious honey garlic glazed chicken alongside tenderly roasted potatoes and green beans. Plus, it's so easy and flavorful, you'll make it again and again!
Get the recipe: One-Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Vegetables
Eat Well 101
One-pan Cajun chicken with potatoes is a simple and delicious dinner idea the whole family will love. Just toss everything in the baking dish with seasoning and roast to absolute crisp perfection!
Get the recipe: One-Pan Cajun Chicken
Chelsea's Messy Apron
Lightly breaded garlicky lemon Parmesan chicken and asparagus all cooked in one pan.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Lemon Parmesan Chicken and Asparagus
Chelsea's Messy Apron
Sweet balsamic chicken and veggies made in one pan. With a little bit of marinating time and then ten-minute prep and twenty-minute cooking time this meal is efficient, healthy and simple to make!
Get the recipe: One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
Well Plated
One-pan paleo harvest chicken dinner with apples, sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts. An easy and healthy sheet-pan recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes Apples and Brussels Sprouts
Eat Well 101
This well-balanced, sheet-pan chicken dinner cuts down kitchen time without compromising on taste and nutrition.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Salsa Chicken with Spaghetti Squash
Lexi's Clean Kitchen
This easy one-pan eggplant chicken dinner is packed with delicious Italian flavors, and seasonal veggies, and is customizable! Vegan? Replace the chicken with zucchini. Looking for seafood? Throw in shrimp!
Get the recipe: One-Pan Eggplant Chicken Dinner
Life Made Sweeter
This recipe is made entirely on one sheet pan with tender chicken, crispy vegetables and a delicious sweet and tangy Asian sauce.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetables
Cafe Delites
Honey mustard chicken and potatoes are all made in one pan! Juicy, succulent chicken pieces are cooked in the best honey mustard sauce, surrounded by green beans and potatoes for a complete meal!
Get the recipe: One-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Potatoes
Related: 55 Best Leftover Chicken Recipes
Delightful Plate
This easy recipe showcases the natural sweetness of shrimp and zucchini. The addition of garlic and lemon juice makes the dish flavorful and delicious. It is a quick and easy one-pan meal for busy days.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Sauteed Shrimp and Zucchini
Chelsea's Messy Apron
Roasted garlic-Parmesan veggies with sausage and herbs all made and cooked on one pan. 10 minutes prep, easy clean-up!
Get the recipe: One-Pan Healthy Sausage and Veggies
Foraged Dish
Hearty, delicious and paleo-friendly, this chicken cacciatore is a one-pan meal to impress.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Chicken Cacciatore
Eat Well 101
Juicy steak and crisp-golden potatoes are pan-seared and cooked to perfection with a luscious garlic, herbs and butter sauce.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes
Love and Olive Oil
Tender boneless chicken thighs and flavorful orzo braised with fragrant Moroccan spices and topped with olives, lemon and fresh parsley. All you need is one pan and 30 minutes and you’ve got yourself one flavorful family dinner.
Get the recipe: One-Pan Moroccan Lemon Chicken with Orzo
Related: 60 Best Lemon Chicken Recipes
Related: 35 Air Fryer Chicken Recipes That Are Juicy, Tender, and Ultra-Crispy
