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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    28 One-Pan Wonders That Make Cleanup a Breeze

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 20, 2025, updated April 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking can be a lot of fun, but cleaning up afterward is often not as enjoyable. One-pan meals are a great solution, allowing you to whip up delicious dishes with minimal mess. From hearty pastas to flavorful sheet pan dinners, these 28 recipes will help you enjoy a satisfying meal without the stress of a big cleanup.

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

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

    Creamy pesto pasta is a simple and delicious dinner that you'll want to make often. With its bright pesto sauce and Greek yogurt, this meal comes together in just 10 minutes.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy sheet pan meal combines juicy lamb chops with tasty vegetables for a satisfying dinner. It's a simple way to enjoy a flavorful and tender dish without much work.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is perfect for your weekly dinners. It has a classic base and is topped with crunchy peanuts for added texture.

    Get the recipe

    Apple Risotto with Marcona Almonds

    Apple risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This apple risotto combines sweet and savory flavors, creating a comforting dish that's perfect for dinner. Topped with crunchy Marcona almonds, it adds a delightful texture to the meal.

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Mushroom Gnocchi

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

    This is a great option for simple fall dinners. It combines everything you need in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    A spoonful of cheesy Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This one-pan Mac and Cheese is a simple way to make dinner easier. With just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a delicious cheesy dish featuring Cheddar and Gruyere, all without the need for boiling or complicated steps.

    Get the recipe

    Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This one-pan meal is quick and easy, needing just 5 ingredients and only 12 minutes to prepare. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something simple and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    Massaman Chicken Curry

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

    Massaman Chicken Curry is an easy one-pot meal that comes together in about 45 minutes with the help of store-bought curry paste. It’s creamy and a bit sweet, featuring chicken, potatoes, peanuts, and coconut milk.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Gorgonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines creamy, cheesy, and crunchy flavors that hit the spot. It's a satisfying meal that brings comfort and ease to your dinner routine.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This easy meal uses only 8 ingredients and is perfect for dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it’s a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Barley Pulao

    Chicken barley pulao.
    Photo Credit: Chocolates and Chai.

    This dish is a fresh take on the classic Chicken Pulao. It combines the familiar flavors of pulao with barley, adding some health benefits and a tasty twist to the traditional recipe.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This simple sheet-pan dinner is great for busy weeknights. Just chop some chicken and veggies, mix them with sauce, and let the oven handle the rest for a tasty meal in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom truffle risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy no-stir risotto is perfect for a cozy date night. It helps make dinner simpler and more enjoyable.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry

    Chicken teriyaki.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This veggie-packed stir-fry is a healthy and delicious option for dinner. Just toss in your favorite teriyaki sauce for a quick and easy meal.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil with Potatoes

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

    This dish combines cod, potatoes, tomatoes, and a flavorful sauce all in one pan. It's an easy way to prepare a full meal without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon Risotto

    Smoked salmon risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This risotto comes together quickly with the addition of smoked salmon, and you won't need to stir it all the time. It's a simple and delicious dish that fits perfectly into a busy dinner routine.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Tortellini with Asparagus and Peas

    Pesto Tortellini with Asparagus and Peas
    Photo Credit: Mandi of the Mountains.

    This pasta dish is great for a quick and delicious dinner. It features vibrant spring vegetables mixed with a creamy pesto sauce, all made in just one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is quick and easy, using rotisserie chicken for a flavorful meal. With hints of lemon and rosemary, it’s perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies

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

    A quick and healthy potato stir-fry with halloumi and veggies is ideal for busy weeknights. It's full of flavor and can be made in just 25 minutes, including prep time.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Stir-fry

    Salmon stir-fry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This healthy stir-fry is bright and refreshing, loaded with salmon and vegetables. It's a great option for dinner, and you won't need any rice.

    Get the recipe

    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

    Baked butter beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    These pizza baked beans are a simple way to make dinner easier. Just combine canned beans with pizza sauce, add your favorite toppings, and bake for a cozy meal in 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish features a creamy steak and mushroom pasta baked into a cheesy casserole. It's a comforting and classy dinner that you can whip up in just 45 minutes, all in one skillet to keep cleanup easy.

    Get the recipe

    Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This paella is an easy and delicious dish that everyone enjoys. It's filled with saffron, white wine, shrimp, chicken, peas, and bell peppers, making it perfect for dinner parties and great for leftovers.

    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 incredibly easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Asparagus Risotto

    A spoonful of shrimp risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This shrimp risotto is an easy dish that you can prepare in just one pan. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a tasty meal without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Fish & Broccoli in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

    A skillet full of fish and broccoli in lemon caper sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple to prepare and packed with flavor. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Red Curry Fried Rice

    Fried rice with curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy Thai curry fried rice is a great way to make dinner simpler. It combines delicious flavors in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Risotto with Leeks & Lemon

    A spoonful of salmon risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Making a tasty dinner can be simple and straightforward. This salmon risotto is packed with flavor and can be prepared in just one pan.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      28 Dump-And-Bake Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Lemongrass grilled chicken.
      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master
    • Feta stuffed chicken.
      19 Simple Sunday Night Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love
    • John Wayne casserole.
      24 Dump-And-Cook Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

    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.

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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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