One skillet meal busy night collage.

22 One Skillet Meals For Busy Nights

When dinner feels overwhelming after a busy day, these one skillet meals make life so much easier. They turn hectic weeknights into simple cooking wins with dishes like skillet lasagna, egg roll in a bowl, creamy coconut chicken, and French onion beef noodles.

These easy skillet dinner recipes are big on flavor and light on cleanup. Since everything cooks in one pan, these meals keep dinner simple from start to finish.

1. One Skillet Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Top view of sausage stuffed pepper on a skillet.
Photo Credit: The Creative Bite

This deconstructed take on stuffed peppers eliminates the time-consuming prep while still bringing that classic comfort food taste. Everything cooks together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze when you’re juggling a busy schedule.

Get the Recipe: One Skillet Sausage Stuffed Peppers

2. One Skillet Lasagna

Cheesy lasagna cooked in a single skillet.
Photo Credit: From Valerie’s Kitchen

This shortcut lasagna skips the layering; simply break the pasta directly into the pan and let it soak up all that rich sauce as it cooks. Hidden veggies sneak extra nutrition into this crowd-pleasing dinner without anyone noticing.

Get the Recipe: One Skillet Lasagna

3. One Skillet Tarragon Chicken

One skillet tarragon chicken with creamy sauce and fresh herbs.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook

Simple weeknight chicken gets a makeover with a delicious creamy sauce. Fresh herbs make ordinary ingredients feel restaurant-special without requiring any fancy techniques.

Get the Recipe: One Skillet Tarragon Chicken

4. Tuscan White Bean Skillet

Tuscan white beans with vegetables and crusty bread in a skillet.
Photo Credit: Nourish and Fete

This dinner proves that meatless meals can be just as filling and flavorful as a protein-heavy dish. Serve with crusty bread for dipping, and you’ve got a complete meal the entire family will devour.

Get the Recipe: Tuscan White Bean Skillet

5. One-Skillet Spaghetti

Spaghetti cooked in one skillet.
Photo Credit: Simply Stacie

Making this one skillet spaghetti is a smarter way to do pasta night because you cook the noodles directly in the sauce. It’s quick, convenient, and skips the extra pots and strainers.

Get the Recipe: One-Skillet Spaghetti

6. Skillet Chicken Thighs

Creamy chicken thighs with spices in a skillet.
Photo Credit: Amanda’s Cookin’

Chicken stays incredibly moist while developing a gorgeous golden crust in this foolproof recipe. The sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream make this dish even more tasty.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken Thighs

7. Chicken Quinoa Sweet Potato Skillet

Chicken, quinoa, and sweet potatoes in a skillet.
Photo Credit: Frugal Mom Eh!

This yummy meal will have everyone at the table raving, and no one needs to know it’s actually healthy! Full of South-West flavor, you’ll want to add this easy dinner to your weekly meal prep.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Quinoa Sweet Potato Skillet

8. Lemon Salmon Orzo Skillet

Lemon salmon with orzo pasta in a skillet.
Photo Credit: The Creative Bite

Pan-seared fish and orzo combine to make this simple dinner that’s ready faster than takeout. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and will be your new go-to weeknight meal.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Salmon Orzo Skillet

9. One-Pan Bruschetta Chicken

Bruschetta chicken in a white skillet topped with tomatoes and basil.
Photo Credit: Blue’s Best Life

This dish layers tomatoes and fresh basil over chicken for a simple, flavorful dinner. It’s light yet filling, making it a great option any time of year.

Get the Recipe: One-Pan Bruschetta Chicken

10. Garlic Parmesan Steak Tortellini

Garlic Parmesan steak tortellini served in a white bowl.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella

This indulgent dinner combines steak, tortellini, and plenty of fresh veggies into one amazing dish. The cheese-filled sauce brings everything together for a recipe that’ll have everyone going back for seconds.

Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Steak Tortellini

11. Creamy Coconut Chicken Skillet

Creamy coconut chicken with chili, lime, and cilantro in a skillet.
Photo Credit: Healthy Fitness Meals

Ready in only 30 minutes, this creamy coconut and lime chicken will be your new favorite. It’s made with wholesome ingredients and is delicious over rice.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Coconut Chicken Skillet

12. Egg Roll in a Bowl

Egg roll in a white bowl picked up with chopsticks.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

All those beloved takeout tastes come together in this deconstructed version that skips the deep frying. The Asian-inspired sauce ties everything together beautifully, and it’s ready faster than ordering delivery.

Get the Recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl

13. French Onion Pork Chops

French onion pork chops served on a plate.
Photo Credit: Crayons and Cravings

Think French onion soup, but reimagined as a complete dinner with tender pork chops in caramelized onion gravy. The onions develop deep, sweet notes while melted cheese adds that signature comfort food finish.

Get the Recipe: French Onion Pork Chops

14. Skillet Mushroom Stroganoff

Mushroom stroganoff in a black skillet.
Photo Credit: Simply Stacie

This vegetarian twist on the classic comfort dish is easy to make (and cheaper, too). It’s made with two types of mushrooms, and the noodles cook right in the creamy sauce.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Mushroom Stroganoff

15. One Skillet Salsa Verde Chicken

Salsa verde chicken in a skillet.
Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud

This hands-off cooking method lets the salsa verde do all the work while chicken thighs become fall-apart tender. Serve over rice, stuff into tortillas, or eat with chips for a versatile dinner that adapts to whatever sounds good tonight.

Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde Chicken

16. Cannellini Bean Sausage Skillet

Cannellini beans and sausage topped with fresh basil in a skillet.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Italian sausage links are sliced and browned before simmering with creamy white beans in a tomato sauce. This easy dinner captures those Italian flavors, especially when you dip bread in the sauce, yum!

Get the Recipe: Cannellini Bean and Sausage Skillet

17. One Skillet Pizza Pasta

Cheesy pizza pasta cooked in a white skillet, topped with melted cheese and pepperoni.
Photo Credit: Sugar and Soul

Elbow macaroni absorbs pizza sauce while cooking, making cleanup simple. Pepperoni, mozzarella, and seasoning give this pasta those crave-worthy pizza flavors. Both kids and adults will love this meal.

Get the Recipe: One Skillet Pizza Pasta

18. Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground turkey and sweet potato skillet topped with herbs and avocado.
Photo Credit: The Recipe Well

This one-pan recipe combines ground turkey, sweet potatoes, cheese, and seasonings for an easy-to-make dinner the whole crew will love. The homemade spice blend transforms simple ingredients into something satisfying that even picky eaters will request again.

Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

19. Skillet Pork Chops with Herb Gravy

Pork chops in a skillet, with creamy herb gravy.
Photo Credit: Cooking with Curls

These golden chops are smothered in a flavorful gravy made with pan drippings and herbs. The technique creates layers of taste while using just one skillet, making cleanup as easy as the cooking process itself.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Pork Chops with Herb Gravy

20. French Onion Beef Noodles

French onion beef noodles in a skillet.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

This comforting recipe transforms a can of Campbell’s French onion soup into a complete meal with tender beef cubes and egg noodles. The soup mix creates an incredibly rich base, while crispy fried onions on top add crunch.

Get the Recipe: French Onion Beef Noodles

21. Creamy Garlic Shrimp Skillet

Shrimp cooked in a skillet with creamy garlic sauce.
Photo Credit: Healthy Fitness Meals

Shrimp cook in minutes before getting tossed in a mouthwatering cream cheese sauce. Sweet mini peppers and fresh garlic add even more flavor to this dish.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Shrimp Skillet

22. Ground Beef Burrito Skillet

Ground beef burrito in a skillet.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating

Burrito ingredients come together in this genius deconstructed version that’s ready faster than takeout. Strips of tortilla are mixed in, giving you all the flavors and textures of a burrito in one easy dish.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Burrito Skillet

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