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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 One-Pan Dinners That Will Save You Time and Energy

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 9, 2025, updated March 7, 2025 - 1 Comment

    Cooking can be a hassle, especially after a long day. One-pan dinners are a great solution, allowing you to whip up a delicious meal with minimal cleanup. Here are 21 easy recipes that will help you save time and energy in the kitchen.

    Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta

    Cheesy smoked sausage pasta on a skillet.
    Photo Credit: On My Kids' Plate.

    Cheesy sausage pasta is a simple dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes using just one pot. It's great for busy weeknights and can be easily adjusted based on what you have at home.

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    Thai Chicken and Rice

    Thai Chicken and Rice (One Pan)
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This chicken and rice dish has a fun twist that adds a lot of flavor. It’s simple to make and all done in one pan, making it great for meal prep.

    Get the recipe

    Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Dinner can be simple with just a few ingredients and one pot. This is an easy option for when you're feeling too tired to cook.

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    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken
    Photo Credit: Simply Stacie.

    This dish features tender chicken paired with butternut squash, purple potatoes, and broccoli, all roasted together on a single pan. It's a simple and healthy meal that's perfect for when you're feeling tired.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Cherry Tomato & Basil Pasta

    One-Pot Cherry Tomato & Basil Pasta
    Photo Credit: Chef Ani.

    This dish is quick to prepare and can be ready in just 15-20 minutes. Pair it with a green salad and some fresh bread for a complete meal.

    Get the recipe

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This quick potato stir-fry with halloumi and veggies is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's healthy, easy to prepare, and everything cooks in one pan, with a hint of lemon to enhance the flavors.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Tortellini Soup

    Creamy Tortellini Soup
    Photo Credit: Fed by Sab.

    This soup is loaded with cheese tortellini, sausage, carrots, and spinach in a tasty tomato broth. It's perfect to enjoy with some crusty bread for dipping!

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    Salmon Stew

    A bowl of salmon stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Salmon Stew is full of flavor and has a bit of spice, all ready in under 30 minutes. With simple ingredients and an easy cooking method, it’s sure to become a favorite for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy pesto pasta is quick to make with just three ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to cook. The bright pesto sauce combined with Greek yogurt creates a simple and satisfying meal.

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    Veggie Stir Fry

    Stir fried snow peas on a pan.
    Photo Credit: Healing Tomato.

    This vegan stir fry features fresh vegetables and basic spices, making it a quick and easy dinner option. It's a healthy and satisfying meal that won't take much time to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Fried Rice

    One Pan Tuna Fried Rice
    Photo Credit: Pure and Simple Nourishment.

    This dish combines canned tuna, white rice, eggs, and vegetables with a tasty homemade fried rice sauce, all coming together in just 25 minutes. It's a quick and healthy meal that you can whip up in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

    A spoonful of bacon mushroom gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pan-fried gnocchi is a hidden gem that tastes way better than the boiled version. When you add bacon and mushrooms, it really brings out the flavor.

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    Chicken Jambalaya

    Chicken Jambalaya
    Photo Credit: Easy Chicken Recipes.

    Cajun comfort food is full of flavor and warmth. This dish combines the classic trio of onion, celery, and bell peppers with chicken andouille sausage, seasoned with garlic, herbs, and a mix of bold spices.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are simple to prepare and only take 5 minutes to get ready. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all cooked together, this dish is a complete meal that’s easy to enjoy.

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    Linguine with Cauliflower, Lemon, and Olives

    One-Pot Linguine Pasta with Cauliflower, Lemon, and Olives
    Photo Credit: Chef Ani.

    Pasta and cauliflower come together in a surprisingly tasty way. With the addition of capers, olives, lemon, and garlic, this dish really brings out the flavors.

    Get the recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is super easy to prepare with just four ingredients and some ready-made items. You can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Pasta e Fagioli

    Vegetarian Pasta e Fagioli
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Treaty.

    This thick and creamy pasta-and-bean soup is packed with flavor from rosemary, garlic, and smoked paprika. A drizzle of olive oil and a side of bread make it a perfect cozy dinner.

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    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is creamy, tangy, and crunchy, offering a delightful mix of flavors. It's perfect for when you want something tasty without putting in a lot of effort.

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    Chicken Barley Pulao

    Chicken Barley Pulao
    Photo Credit: Chocolates and Chai.

    This dish is a fresh take on the classic Indian chicken pulao. It uses barley instead of rice, adding some health benefits and a unique flavor to the traditional recipe.

    Get the recipe

    Massaman Chicken Curry

    A bowl of massaman chicken curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Massaman Chicken Curry is a simple one-pot dish that comes together in just 45 minutes with the help of store-bought curry paste. It's creamy and slightly sweet, featuring chicken, potatoes, and peanuts, making it a comforting meal without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Chili Mac

    Gluten-free Chili Mac
    Photo Credit: Whole New Mom.

    This dinner is simple and perfect for the whole family. It all cooks in one pan and can be made dairy-free and gluten-free.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • A spoonful of seafood pasta bake.
      18 Easy Summer Casseroles to Feed a Crowd
    • A bowl of chili.
      26 Easy Crockpot Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Making gino.
      20 Heavenly Desserts That Will Satisfy Your Cravings
    • Mexican beef and rice casserole.
      30 Hearty Ground Beef Dishes We Crave Every Week

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ani

      June 16, 2024 at 6:22 pm

      Thank you so much for including my recipes in this beautiful article!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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