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    Home » Uncategorized

    24 Effortless One-Pan Meals for Busy Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 7, 2025, updated February 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When life gets busy, cooking can feel like a chore. These 24 one-pan meals are perfect for those hectic nights when you want something simple yet satisfying. With minimal cleanup and a variety of flavors, these dishes will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken thighs and broccoli florets are submerged in a homemade sauce made with soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, ginger paste, and a few other popular seasonings for a quick and delicious one-pot meal.

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    Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This gluten-free Cream of Mushroom Soup can be ready in just 30 minutes. It's simple to prepare and uses plenty of cream without any flour.

    Get the recipe

    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. Using simple ingredients and an easy cooking method, it’s sure to become a favorite for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake is simple to prepare and everything cooks together in one pan with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. With colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, it’s a flexible dish that you can easily customize.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Hotpot

    Ground beef hot pot.
    Photo Credit: Fab Food 4 All.

    This one-pan dinner is loaded with root vegetables and peas, bringing a cozy meal to the table. With a touch of horseradish sauce, it’s a simple and satisfying option for family dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Gnocchi with Frozen Veggies

    Baked gnocchi with vegetables on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This is an easy one-pan gnocchi bake that requires no chopping. It's filled with frozen mixed vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce, making it a comforting meal for the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken And Rice

    Spanish chicken thighs and rice with olives on a light plate.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This Spanish Chicken and Rice is full of flavor and is a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy. It's a great option for a weeknight dinner or a cozy Sunday meal.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables

    A bowl of Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Dancing Through the Rain.

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables is a quick and tasty dinner that comes together in under thirty minutes. Packed with mushrooms, leeks, kale, and other veggies, this dish is a complete meal made in just one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

    Beef and broccoli stir fry.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Beef and broccoli stir-fry is a tasty dish that's packed with good ingredients. It's a family favorite that's great for busy weeknights and will keep everyone satisfied.

    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 cooked together in one pan. It's quick to prepare and you'll have a healthy meal ready in just 25 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This caprese dish is simple to prepare and hearty enough for dinner. It combines fresh ingredients in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Potato Leek Soup

    Potato Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This potato leek soup is simple to prepare and packed with flavor. You can get it ready in just 10 minutes using one pot, and it will be done in under an hour.

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    Chicken Barley Pulao

    Chicken barley pulao.
    Photo Credit: Chocolates and Chai.

    This dish is a fun take on the classic Chicken Pulao. It uses barley instead of rice, adding some health benefits and a tasty twist to the traditional recipe.

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    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines creaminess, tanginess, and crunch for a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. It's a solid choice for anyone wanting a delicious plant-based meal.

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    Cheesy Potato Chicken Sausage Casserole

    Cheesy Potato Chicken Sausage Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    This Chicken Sausage Casserole combines chicken sausage, potatoes, and cheese for a satisfying meal. It's simple to prepare and everything cooks in one skillet, plus it's gluten free.

    Get the Recipe

    Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice

    Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice with sunny side up egg.
    Photo Credit: Plates by Nat.

    Tuna kimchi fried rice is a simple dish that comes together in just 15 minutes. It's savory with a hint of spice and full of rich flavor, especially when topped with a sunny side egg.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Salmon with Black Rice

    Salmon with black rice.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Salmon and black rice go really well together and you'll want to make this dish again and again. It's a simple meal that's satisfying and easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    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 cooked together on a single pan. It's a simple and healthy meal that makes cleanup easy.

    Get the recipe

    Turkey Pasta Bake

    Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Salt Magic.

    This leftover turkey pasta bake is quick and easy, needing only one pan and about 20 minutes to prepare. You can use leftover turkey, ground turkey, or rotisserie chicken to whip it up.

    Get the Recipe

    One Pan Dorito Casserole

    One pan Dorito casserole on a dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This quick Dorito casserole comes together with just 10 ingredients and takes only 30 minutes to prepare. It's a simple and tasty option for dinner that won't leave you with a big mess to clean up.

    Get the recipe

    Turkey Meatballs with Marinara Sauce

    One-Pan Italian Turkey Meatballs with Marinara
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    These meatballs are packed with flavor from a mix of dried herbs, panko breadcrumbs, and finely chopped onions, which keep them nice and tender. After shaping the meatballs, the whole dish comes together quickly.

    Get the recipe

    Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole

    Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Tater tot casserole meets shepherd’s pie in this fun twist of a one-pot meal. Frozen veggies add heartiness while shredded cheddar tops everything off, giving you a complete meal the whole family will surely enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Herb Crusted Salmon

    Herb crusted salmon.
    Photo credit: Krumpli.

    Herb crusted salmon fillets are topped with a mix of parsley, arugula, lemon, and pistachios, then baked or roasted until just right. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a quick meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chili Mac

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

    This dinner is simple and sure to please everyone in the family. It all cooks in one pan, and you can make it dairy-free and gluten-free.

    Get the recipe

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      23 Pasta Casseroles That Are Perfect for Leftovers
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      31 Effortless Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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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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