22 One-Pan Dinners That Make Cleanup Almost Too Easy

Dinner shouldn’t end with a mountain of dishes. These 22 one-pan recipes keep things simple—just one skillet, sheet pan, or baking dish and you’re done. Fast, flavorful, and foolproof, these meals take the mess out of mealtime so you can eat well and relax faster. Minimal cleanup, maximum satisfaction.

1. Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

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Crispy chicken with bright lemon and garlicky goodness—all baked in one go.

Recipe: Toss chicken thighs, potatoes, and green beans in olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. Bake at 400°F for 35 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

2. One-Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

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Yes, even pasta can be made without separate boiling. Dinner in a single pot.

Recipe: Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, and dry spaghetti. Simmer until noodles are tender.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

3. Skillet Sausage and Peppers

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Bold, savory, and perfect for stuffing into hoagies—or eating straight from the pan.

Recipe: Sauté sliced sausage with bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Cook until browned and tender.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

4. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

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Zesty, sizzling, and ready in minutes with no stovetop splatter.

Recipe: Toss shrimp, peppers, and onions with fajita seasoning. Spread on a sheet pan. Bake at 425°F for 12 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

5. One-Pan Tuscan Gnocchi

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Creamy, cheesy, and filled with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.

Recipe: Sauté garlic in butter. Add gnocchi, cream, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. Simmer until tender.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

6. Skillet Chicken Parmesan

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Crispy, cheesy, saucy—without the deep fryer or extra pans.

Recipe: Sear breaded chicken breasts. Top with marinara and mozzarella. Cover and simmer until cheese is melted.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

7. Sheet Pan Salmon with Veggies

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Healthy, simple, and bursting with flavor and color.

Recipe: Place salmon fillets on a sheet pan with asparagus and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with lemon and olive oil. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

8. One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Orzo

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A creamy, dreamy side or main that feels fancy but is super easy.

Recipe: Sauté mushrooms with garlic. Add orzo, broth, and a splash of cream. Simmer until orzo is tender and creamy.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

9. Skillet Enchilada Casserole

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All the flavor of rolled enchiladas, none of the rolling.

Recipe: Layer torn tortillas, cooked ground beef, enchilada sauce, and cheese in a skillet. Simmer until bubbly.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

10. Sheet Pan Teriyaki Chicken

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Sticky-sweet with roasted veggies, and clean-up is a breeze.

Recipe: Marinate chicken in teriyaki sauce. Arrange on a pan with broccoli and carrots. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

11. One-Pan Eggplant Parmesan Bake

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A vegetarian favorite that’s hearty and satisfying.

Recipe: Layer roasted eggplant slices with marinara and cheese in a baking dish. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 20 minutes

12. Skillet Kielbasa and Cabbage

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Savory and rustic, with just a handful of ingredients.

Recipe: Brown sliced kielbasa. Add shredded cabbage and onions. Sauté until tender and caramelized.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

13. Sheet Pan Steak and Potatoes

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A meat-and-potatoes dinner that feels like a splurge—without the mess.

Recipe: Roast potato wedges first. Add seasoned steak strips and green beans halfway through. Bake at 425°F.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

14. One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta

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Creamy pasta and chicken with zero straining? Yes, please.

Recipe: Cook diced chicken in a pot. Add pasta, broth, and cream. Simmer until pasta is done. Stir in Parmesan.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

15. Sheet Pan Greek Chicken

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Tangy and herb-packed, with roasted veggies that soak up the flavor.

Recipe: Toss chicken, zucchini, onions, and olives with olive oil, oregano, and lemon. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

16. Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

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Savory meat, rich gravy, and buttery mash all in one pan.

Recipe: Brown ground beef with veggies. Top with mashed potatoes. Broil until golden.
Prep Time: 20 minutes

17. Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Veggies

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No boiling needed—just toss and roast.

Recipe: Mix uncooked gnocchi with cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and olive oil. Bake at 425°F for 25 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

18. One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

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Zesty, herby, and deeply comforting.

Recipe: Sear chicken thighs. Add rice, broth, garlic, and lemon. Cover and simmer until rice is fluffy.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

19. Sheet Pan BBQ Meatballs

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Tender, smoky meatballs with crispy edges and caramelized glaze.

Recipe: Form meatballs. Bake with BBQ sauce on a sheet pan at 375°F for 25 minutes.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

20. Skillet Taco Rice

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Taco night, simplified—everything in one pan.

Recipe: Brown ground beef with taco seasoning. Add rice, broth, and salsa. Simmer until rice is tender.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

21. Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Pork Chops

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Sweet, savory, and absolutely effortless.

Recipe: Glaze pork chops with maple syrup and Dijon mustard. Roast with green beans and sweet potatoes at 400°F for 25 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

22. One-Pot Ratatouille

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Hearty, rustic French comfort—loaded with color and flavor.

Recipe: Sauté eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, onion, and garlic in olive oil. Simmer with herbs until tender.
Prep Time: 15 minutes

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