20+ One-Pan Dinners With Almost No Cleanup

There is nothing better than a dinner that cooks in a single pan and leaves you with almost no dishes to wash. These 20 one-pan dinners do exactly that: every recipe uses just one skillet, pan, or pot from start to finish, so cleanup takes minutes instead of half an hour.

1. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 35 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet and sear the chicken thighs 4 minutes per side; set flavor aside in the same pan.
2. Add garlic and rice to the pan, stirring 1 minute until the rice is lightly toasted.
3. Pour in the broth, lemon juice, and zest, then nestle the chicken back in.
4. Cover and simmer 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.

2. Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 25 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp mustard

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a deep skillet, breaking it up as it cooks.
2. Stir in the uncooked macaroni, broth, ketchup, and mustard.
3. Cover and simmer 12 minutes, stirring once, until the pasta is tender.
4. Stir in the cheddar until melted and creamy, then serve straight from the skillet.

3. One-Pot Creamy Chicken Gnocchi

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 lb potato gnocchi
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Sear the diced chicken in an oiled pot until golden, then push to the edges.
2. Add gnocchi and broth to the same pot and simmer 8 minutes until the gnocchi float and are tender.
3. Stir in the cream, spinach, and parmesan until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens.
4. Simmer 2 more minutes so the chicken finishes cooking in the sauce.

4. Skillet Honey Mustard Pork Chops and Potatoes

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 40 min

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in pork chops
• 1 1/2 lbs baby potatoes, halved
• 3 tbsp honey
• 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Whisk the honey, mustard, and garlic in the skillet and brown the potatoes cut-side down in it for 8 minutes.
2. Push potatoes to the edges and sear the pork chops 4 minutes per side in the same pan.
3. Spoon the honey-mustard mixture from the pan over everything.
4. Cover and cook 15 minutes on low until the potatoes are tender and the chops are done.

5. One-Pan Sausage and Vegetable Orzo

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups dry orzo
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage slices in a large skillet until crisp at the edges.
2. Add the orzo, zucchini, tomatoes, and broth to the same pan.
3. Simmer uncovered 12 minutes, stirring often, until the orzo is al dente and the broth is absorbed.
4. Stir in the parmesan and rest 2 minutes before serving.

6. Skillet Enchilada Casserole

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 35 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
• 1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce
• 6 corn tortillas, cut into strips
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
• 1 tsp ground cumin

Instructions

1. Brown the ground turkey with cumin in an oven-safe skillet.
2. Stir in the beans, enchilada sauce, and tortilla strips.
3. Simmer 10 minutes until the tortillas soften and soak up the sauce.
4. Top with cheese, cover the skillet, and cook 3 minutes until the cheese melts.

7. One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 8 oz penne pasta
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning

Instructions

1. Sear the Cajun-seasoned chicken slices in a hot pot until golden.
2. Add the penne, bell pepper, and broth to the same pot.
3. Simmer 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
4. Stir in the cream and cook 2 minutes until the sauce is rich and coats the pasta.

8. One-Pan Tex-Mex Rice and Beans

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 3/4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

Instructions

1. Toast the rice in an oiled skillet for 2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Add the beans, salsa, broth, and corn to the same pan.
3. Cover and simmer 18 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
4. Sprinkle with cheese, cover, and rest 3 minutes until melted.

9. One-Pot Creamy Mushroom and Chicken Rice

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 40 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken thighs, diced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup arborio or long-grain rice
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Brown the chicken and mushrooms together in a deep pot.
2. Stir in the rice and broth, then simmer covered 20 minutes, stirring halfway.
3. Uncover and stir in the cream and parmesan until creamy.
4. Cook 3 more minutes until the rice is perfectly tender.

10. Skillet Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 35 min

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tsp Creole seasoning

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage slices in a large skillet until crisp.
2. Add the rice, bell pepper, broth, and Creole seasoning to the same pan.
3. Cover and simmer 18 minutes until the rice is nearly tender.
4. Lay the shrimp on top, cover, and cook 4 minutes until pink and curled.

11. One-Pan BBQ Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 35 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 2 sweet potatoes, cubed
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Sear the diced chicken with paprika in an oiled skillet until golden.
2. Add the sweet potatoes and onion to the same pan and cook 12 minutes until the potatoes soften.
3. Pour the BBQ sauce over everything and toss to coat.
4. Cook 5 more minutes until the sauce caramelizes onto the hash.

12. Skillet Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into strips
• 8 oz rigatoni
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Sear the chicken strips in an oiled skillet until lightly golden.
2. Add the rigatoni, marinara, and water to the same pan.
3. Cover and simmer 14 minutes, stirring once, until the pasta is tender.
4. Top with mozzarella and parmesan, cover, and cook 3 minutes until melted and bubbly.

13. One-Pot Lemon Butter White Bean and Kale Skillet

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 20 min

Ingredients

• 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained
• 4 cups chopped kale
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a skillet and toast the garlic slices until golden.
2. Add the kale and broth to the same pan and cook 4 minutes until wilted.
3. Stir in the beans and lemon juice.
4. Simmer 5 minutes until heated through and the flavors meld.

14. One-Pan Shepherd’s Pie Skillet

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 35 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or lamb
• 1 1/2 lbs russet potatoes, cubed
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 3 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Brown the meat and onion in an oven-safe skillet, then add the broth and peas and carrots.
2. Push the meat mixture to one side and add the cubed potatoes to the same pan.
3. Cover and simmer 15 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.
4. Mash the potatoes with butter right in the pan, spread over the meat, and broil 3 minutes until golden.

15. One-Pan Creamy Tuscan Salmon and Orzo

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 35 min

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 1/2 cups dry orzo
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups fresh spinach

Instructions

1. Sear the salmon fillets skin-side down in an oiled skillet for 5 minutes.
2. Add the orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and broth around the salmon in the same pan.
3. Cover and simmer 12 minutes until the orzo is tender.
4. Stir in the cream and spinach, simmer 3 minutes, and serve the salmon over the creamy orzo.

16. Skillet Chicken Fajita Pasta

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 8 oz penne
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp fajita seasoning

Instructions

1. Sear the fajita-seasoned chicken slices in an oiled skillet until cooked through.
2. Add the penne, peppers, onion, and broth to the same pan.
3. Cover and simmer 13 minutes, stirring once, until the pasta is tender.
4. Uncover and cook 2 minutes until any extra liquid reduces into a light sauce.

17. One-Pot Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 8 oz rotini
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach

Instructions

1. Sear the diced chicken in an oiled pot until golden.
2. Add the rotini, artichokes, and broth to the same pot and simmer 12 minutes.
3. Stir in the cream cheese until melted into a creamy sauce.
4. Fold in the spinach and cook 2 minutes until wilted.

18. Skillet Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

Prep: 5 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 25 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a deep skillet, breaking it into crumbles.
2. Stir in the macaroni, ketchup, broth, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Cover and simmer 12 minutes until the pasta is tender.
4. Stir in the cheddar until melted and gooey, then serve from the skillet.

19. One-Pan Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 35 min

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs chicken thighs
• 1 1/2 lbs baby potatoes, halved
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano

Instructions

1. Whisk the oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano and coat the chicken and potatoes in the pan.
2. Sear the chicken in the hot pan 4 minutes per side, then add the potatoes around it.
3. Pour any remaining marinade over everything and cover.
4. Cook 20 minutes on low until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is done.

20. One-Pan Pineapple Sweet and Sour Chicken Rice

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 35 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups chicken broth

Instructions

1. Sear the chicken cubes in an oiled skillet until golden on all sides.
2. Stir in the rice, pineapple, vinegar, sugar, and broth.
3. Cover and simmer 18 minutes until the rice is tender.
4. Uncover and cook 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken.

The Bottom Line

One-pan dinners prove that a great weeknight meal does not have to mean a sink full of dishes. Pick any of these 20 recipes, grab your favorite skillet, and enjoy a full dinner with almost no cleanup tonight.