When dinner involves: minimal cleanup, maximum flavor, fewer dishes, and a generally delicious, YUMMY vibe, there is no denying this.
You guys, these meals! They literally check all the boxes. Extremely awesome flavor and they don’t take five and a half days to make.
1. Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
Getting a hearty, amazing meal on the table in under 30 minutes is a total power move. Seriously, you’re a rockstar!
Just mix your cooked ground beef with some rice, salsa, seasonings, beans, and corn. It’s that easy.
Then, cover that whole beautiful situation with cheese and let it bake for about 10-15 minutes until it’s all melty and perfect.
Serve it up with a big scoop of guacamole and some crispy fried jalapenos. Dinner is a done deal!
2. Chicken Pot Pie
Yes, you are reading that correctly. It’s totally possible to make a chicken pot pie in your skillet, and honestly? It might even be better this way!
You’ll kick things off by softening those classic veggies: onion, carrot, and celery with a little thyme. Make sure you add the garlic after a few minutes so it gets fragrant but doesn’t burn.
The sauce comes together right there in the same skillet. Just add your flour, stock, and cream to the pan and whisk it all up until it’s smooth and thick.
The chicken and that biscuit topping will bake in the oven until everything is perfectly tender. So. So. Good.
3. Garlic Butter Steak
If the thought of cooking a steak at home makes you a little nervous, this recipe is here to calm all your fears. It all begins with a good piece of meat and a great skillet.
I’m a big fan of heading to the butcher and asking for my steaks to be cut at least two inches thick. Sirloin, rib-eye, or strip steaks are all amazing choices. You want to look for one with some nice fat marbled through it.
Pat your steaks dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Here’s a pro-tip: oil the steak itself, not the pan.
Get your skillet super hot, add the steak, and just let it cook for a few good minutes. Flip it and cook for another three to four minutes, depending on the thickness. And always, always let your steak rest for at least five minutes.
For that dreamy garlic butter, add it right on top after you pull the steak from the heat. It will melt all over and won’t have a chance to burn. Perfection!
4. Quick and Easy Mexican Shrimp Skillet
So the recipe doesn’t mention this, but you could totally cook up a batch of Mexican rice in the skillet before you even get to the shrimp.
Just like with the couscous recipe on this list, you can add in your favorite spices and whip up a simple rice side dish right in the same pan.
Since the shrimp cook in just a few minutes, the rice will still be perfectly hot, and you can serve it all up together. It’s a one-pan wonder!
5. Italian Chicken Skillet
I have to confess, this recipe has been one of my go-tos for years. I just love cooking with different kinds of tomatoes and letting all those juices seep out to flavor the chicken.
After you get a nice brown on your chicken, you’ll need to set it aside for a minute while you cook up the onions and garlic.
When you add the chicken back into the skillet, toss in the tomatoes, basil, and spinach. Everything will finish cooking together in a happy little flavor party before you take it off the heat and stir in that Parmesan cheese. YUM.
6. Easy Cream Cheese Chicken
The absolute beauty of chicken is that it goes with pretty much anything. It plays so well with most sauces and other ingredients, and when you cook it just right, it’s so juicy and delicious.
For this recipe, the chicken gets cooked with onions and mushrooms before it’s smothered in a cream cheese sauce that is so good, you’ll want to make extra.
And it could not be easier. Just add the cream cheese and broth to the pan and let it all melt into a luscious, creamy dream.
7. Skillet Beef and Broccoli Ramen
I know that with a lot of Asian-inspired dishes, the ingredient list can seem a little long and intimidating. But don’t freak out! You probably already have most of this stuff in your pantry.
Letting the steak marinate here is pretty key. Cut it into strips and let it hang out with all those amazing flavors for at least six hours if you can swing it.
You’ll want to cook the beef in batches so that every piece gets to touch the hot pan and get that perfect sear.
The sauce will thicken up beautifully with the cornstarch residue, and then you just toss everything together. Serve it up with a little sprinkle of sesame seeds and some chopped chilis if you want a little kick.
8. Skillet Lasagna
Okay, so real-deal lasagna usually involves layers of meat, sauce, and pasta. But if you’re looking for a genius shortcut, this recipe is for you!
It features a fantastic Italian sausage and tomato sauce with broken lasagna noodles that cook right in the same pot. It’s a total game-changer.
If you think you’ll miss that classic cheesy layer, try adding a mix of ricotta and cheese with an egg on top and then baking it in the oven. It will set up perfectly over everything. So smart!
9. Easy Breakfast Skillet
They always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If that’s really true, then this breakfast feast is going to power you all the way through dinner!
First things first, you’ll need to cook the potatoes so they have enough time to get all nice and browned.
When you toss in the bacon and sausage, all of that amazing, flavorful fat will render out and soak into the potatoes, giving them a perfect golden crust. We’re talking next-level delicious.
Bake it for about eight to ten minutes, all depending on how you like your eggs.
Looking to switch things up from hash browns? Try throwing in some of those tater tots you have hiding in your freezer!
10. Sante Fe Chicken Skillet
This dish is so vibrant and colorful, and it makes for an incredible carb-free dinner. I’m completely obsessed.
Just cook your chicken until it’s perfectly golden, then take it out for a minute while you cook up the vegetables.
The chicken will finish cooking under a glorious blanket of melted cheese. Yes, please!
If you’re hunting for a great side dish, give these spicy sweet potato fries a try.
11. Easy Chili Faux Mac Skillet
This carb-free chili is loaded up with ground meat and veggies, and it’s so incredibly filling and warming. It’s perfect for a cozy night in.
You could even make it completely dairy-free by leaving off the sour cream and cheese.
I absolutely love using cauliflower to bulk up a dish. It’s super tasty but it doesn’t overpower the other flavors at all.
And you should feel free to add in any extra veggies you have! I always love putting sweet potato in my chili for a little bit of sweetness.
12. Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Skillet
Making this childhood classic from scratch is way easier than you might imagine. It’s one of those recipes that just feels like a warm hug.
After you’ve browned your meat, make sure to drain any extra liquid before you sprinkle in the dry ingredients.
When you pour in the hot water and milk, the corn starch will work its magic and start to thicken everything up into a creamy sauce.
You can add the pasta right into the skillet, letting it cook in all those amazing meat juices. And please, don’t be shy with the cheese! Maybe even try serving it with a few chilis sprinkled on top for a little kick.
13. Easy 15-Minute Ranch Chicken and Vegetable Skillet
Did I say that 30-minute meals were magic? Scratch that! This 15-minute dish is insanely good and ridiculously easy. It’s a total weeknight lifesaver.
And yes, I am absolutely one of those people who puts ranch on everything. No shame!
The powdered seasoning is such a brilliant way to pack in flavor, and when it’s all mixed together, this recipe is bursting with taste while still being pretty healthy.
With all that chicken, broccoli, zucchini, and spinach, you can totally have a guilt-free dessert after you’ve cleaned your plate.
14. Easy Beef Burrito Skillet
Just like how the skillet lasagna recipe incorporates the noodles right into the meat sauce, this one does the same thing with tortillas. It’s so clever!
It’s as simple as cooking off your meat before adding in some salsa, beans, and taco seasoning. Personally, I would toss in some corn and jalapenos at this point, too!
Right as it’s about to finish, just tuck some strips of tortillas into the skillet and shower it all with cheese. So good!
15. Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
This recipe is all about tender, juicy meatballs swimming in a tomato and cheese sauce that is absolutely to die for!
You will need a second pot if you’re planning to serve this with pasta. Or, you could just grab some crusty bread and make the most amazing meatball subs ever!
I absolutely love using ground turkey for my meatballs. It’s a bit leaner, and to be honest, I can’t even tell the difference in taste.
Just be careful not to over-mix the meat. And try to tuck the cheese inside the meatballs so that when you bite into them, all that melty cheese just oozes out. It’s the best part!
16. Sweet Potato Dinner Skillet
I know what the title says, but I have to say it: this would make an amazing breakfast dish! Seriously, it’s so versatile.
The shredded potatoes will cook up super fast and get that wonderful crispy crust around the edges of the pan.
If you’re not a huge fan of chard, you can easily swap in some spinach and tomatoes instead.
The feta adds such a great salty, tangy flavor. I’d recommend broiling it for about five minutes at the end. That way, the egg whites will cook through, but the yolks will stay perfectly runny. Delicious!
17. Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Using a rotisserie chicken is such a fast and flavorful shortcut, and you should never be ashamed of it. I don’t know how they do it, but that chicken always tastes better than anything I can whip up at home.
Just top it off with some taco seasoning and enchilada sauce for a quick family favorite that everyone will love.
This dish gets tortilla strips tucked right in, just like with the burrito skillet. You get all the same amazing flavor with half the work. It’s a win-win!
18. Parmesan Pasta
Okay, I know I said it’s not all about pasta and noodles. But you have to admit, there’s just nothing more comforting than a huge bowl of creamy pasta. It’s like a hug in a bowl.
Even though this needs about 20-25 minutes to cook, it will only take you five minutes to prep. You’ve got this!
Once you’ve melted the butter and cooked the garlic until it’s super fragrant, you can add in the broth, milk, and cream.
The pasta cooks right in that beautiful sauce. Then, you’ll add a generous helping of parmesan cheese and stir it all together until it’s melted and luscious.
Since this is so incredibly easy to make, why not go all out and serve it with a side of homemade garlic bread to really wow everyone?
19. Easy Sausage and Vegetable Skillet
Have you seen all the different kinds of sausage they have at the store these days? It’s amazing!
This recipe suggests using andouille or kielbasa, but I would totally try something fun and different, like chorizo or a spicy chicken sausage.
For this one, the sausage and pasta do need to be cooked separately.
Once they’re ready, you can cook up your veggies before tossing it all together with cream and mustard. It creates a smooth sauce with just the right amount of kick. So good!
20. 30-Minute Skillet Beef Pot Pie
Here’s another magically fast dish for you! This pot pie is packed with savory beef, onion, and mushroom. It’s pure comfort food.
It’s pretty similar to the shepherd’s pie on this list, but instead of Worcestershire sauce, it uses balsamic vinegar for a little tang.
For a really pretty pie lid, you can cut out the store-bought dough and bake it on a separate sheet tray.
But if you’re going for a more rustic vibe, you can just lay the dough right over the beef filling and bake it for about 10 minutes, until it’s perfectly golden brown.
21. Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
A classic shepherd’s pie is filled with ground beef, onion, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and a trusty medley of mixed vegetables.
I like to get my gravy nice and thick before I add in the vegetables. That’s because they’re usually frozen and will release some liquid as they thaw and cook.
Top the whole thing off with as much mashed potato as you can possibly fit in the skillet! I’m talking a mountain of potatoes.
I would also suggest putting a baking tray underneath the skillet in the oven, just to catch anything that might bubble over and leak.
22. Skillet Chicken with Couscous
Cooking chicken in a heavy skillet is one of the best ways to get a deep, rich flavor and a really good crust on the skin. It makes all the difference.
Once the chicken has a nice sear on the outside, take it out and set it on a plate while you get the couscous ready.
Toast the couscous a little bit first, and then add in the broth. Bring it all to a boil before you put the chicken back into the dish.
After about 15 minutes in the oven, everything should be perfectly tender and ready to be devoured. It’s just that simple!
23. Cheese Beef Tortellini Skillet
As if pasta wasn’t already the most perfect food, they went and stuffed it with amazing things like cheese, spinach, and ham! I am so here for it.
I just love stuffed tortellini for the extra texture and flavor it brings to a dish. My absolute favorite is bacon and cheese stuffed pasta in a creamy chicken carbonara.
But this cheese and beef skillet might be a very close second. It’s so comforting!
This recipe uses ground beef, but I think using sliced steak would be a seriously indulgent and delicious upgrade.
And the best part about tortellini? You can totally sneak some spinach in there and nobody will even know!