50+ Simple One Pan Dinners – Minimal Washing Up!

Introduction

Streamlining weeknight meals doesn’t get easier—or tastier—than with one pan dinners. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a single sheet pan, skillet, or baking dish, you can create a range of flavorful, wholesome meals that keep both prep and cleanup to a minimum. Whether you’re short on time, low on energy, or want meals that minimize kitchen mess, these one pan dinners are the answer—just a quick wash up at the end and you’re done!

Why You’ll Love These One Pan Dinners

There’s something universally appealing about dishes that deliver big flavors without a ton of effort. One pan meals are crowd-pleasers because they often layer proteins, veggies, and savory sauces together, letting all the flavors mingle while they cook. These recipes are also highly flexible—swap out proteins, toss in your favorite vegetables, and adjust seasonings to suit your taste (or whatever’s left in the fridge).

Building the Perfect One Pan Dinner

The magic starts by selecting a protein—chicken, beef, seafood, tofu, or beans—then pairing it with complementary veggies and a simple sauce or seasoning blend. Everything roasts, bakes, or simmers together, allowing flavors to meld and saturate each ingredient for maximum taste. For a truly complete meal, toss in a carb like potatoes, rice, or pasta so everything cooks in harmony and you’re left with one pan to wash.

Great Examples of 50+ Simple One Pan Dinners

To get you started, here are a few tempting combinations you’ll find in this collection:

• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas with onions and peppers
• Skillet Garlic Butter Shrimp with asparagus
• Baked Sausage & Veggie Traybake
• One Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta
• Sticky Teriyaki Tofu & Broccoli Stir Fry
• Roasted Pork Chops with Apples & Sweet Potatoes
• Lemon Garlic Salmon with Green Beans and Baby Potatoes
• Vegetarian Chickpea Shakshuka
• Balsamic Glazed Steak Tips & Roasted Root Veggies
• Mediterranean Chicken & Rice Bake

With over 50 recipes to explore, you can enjoy endless combinations with your favorite ingredients.

Serving Suggestions for One Pan Dinners

Serve straight from the oven or skillet for a rustic, casual vibe—no need for complicated plating or side dishes. Complement with a slice of crusty bread, a quick salad, or keep it simple as-is. For family dinners, assemble everything on the pan and let everyone help themselves.

Nutritional Information and Approximate Servings

Each one pan dinner recipe in this collection typically yields 2 to 6 servings. Because you control the protein, vegetables, and seasonings, these recipes fit a wide range of diets—from low carb to hearty and filling. The calorie count generally ranges from 350 to 600 per serving, making these meals both comforting and nourishing.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save these one pan recipes to instantly create a master shopping list—ingredients are automatically organized by grocery section for the easiest, fastest meal prep experience!

Instructions

1. Preheat oven or heat skillet as directed in your chosen recipe.
2. Arrange protein and vegetables in a single layer on a lined baking sheet or in a large skillet/dutch oven.
3. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with seasonings or pour on your favorite sauce. Toss ingredients together to coat evenly.
4. If including a grain or carb, add it to the pan with an appropriate amount of liquid (usually broth or water).
5. Bake or cook uncovered until the protein is cooked through, vegetables are tender, and flavors are well blended (typical cook times: sheet pan dinners 20–35 minutes, skillet meals 15–25 minutes).
6. Garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon. Serve hot directly from the pan!

Weekly Meal Planning

One pan dinners naturally lend themselves to batching and weekly planning—they’re easy to prep, scale up, and store for leftovers. Save and schedule your favorite recipes in CookifyAI to plan your week and generate comprehensive, organized shopping lists based on your menu.

Planning Benefits:

• Consolidates ingredient quantities for all your meals
• Sorts groceries by aisle for quicker shopping
• Automatically removes duplicates
• Helps minimize food waste by showing ingredient overlap

Pro tip: When you schedule multiple one pan dinners, CookifyAI tracks shared ingredients (like onions, spices, or proteins) so you always buy just what you need.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10–20 minutes
Cook Time: 15–40 minutes, depending on recipe
Total Time: Typically 25–50 minutes

Enjoy the bold flavors and fuss-free cleanup of one pan dinners—a true lifesaver for busy nights and easy weekly meal plans!