You know those nights when you’re exhausted and hungry, and the thought of cooking (and cleaning up after) feels like too much?
Yep, I’ve been there. No one wants to spend an hour in the kitchen just to face a sink full of dishes after.
That’s why one pan dinners are a total game-changer. Throw ingredients into a slow cooker, InstantPot, skillet, or sheet pan and skip doing the cooking yourself.
Try out these recipes I’ve tried and make your meals with less effort and more taste.
Key Takeaways
- Less Cleanup – Fewer dishes = way less stress. One pan, one meal, done!
- Big Flavor, Little Effort – Everything cooks together, so the flavors mix perfectly. Easy and delicious!
- So Many Options – Skillets, sheet pans, casseroles—mix it up and never get bored.
- Busy Night Lifesaver – Toss it all in, let it cook, and dinner’s ready before you know it.
- Foolproof Cooking – No fancy skills needed—just throw it in the pan and let it do its thing!
35 Crazy-Delicious One Pan Dinners with Almost No Cleanup
Busy nights need dinners that don’t stress you out—and that’s why one-pan meals like these are my new obsession that I had to share with you!
InstantPot/Pressure Cooker Meals
1. Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Have you tried tikki masala at home? It’s not hard, and this one pot meal makes it low-effort. I love how thick the sauce got, it was great to go with the rice and naan bread.
2. Beef Barbacoa
This beef is packed with smoky, spicy flavor and basically falls apart as I load up our burritos or bowls. Plus, it tastes even better the next day (if you wind up with any leftovers, that is!).
3. Creamy Tuscan Pasta
Some people say Tuscan pasta is out because sundried tomatoes are losing the spotlight, but I say, never! The sauce is classic and perfect over twisty noodles.
4. Instant Pot Chili
It’s nice when the Instant Pot can make classics, and I’m happy to get the pot working for chili on cold school nights. It warms us up before bed, and the full bellies make bedtime quicker on us!
5. Instant Pot Pulled Pork
I love my slow cooker recipe, but your InstantPot can do the work just as well if you prefer it. The meat turns out juicy and I can shred it for sandwiches, tacos, or meal-prepping straight to our freezer.
6. Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
This chicken comes out tender and coated in a thick, sticky honey garlic sauce that’s packed with flavor. Kristine like it over rice, but I’ve also served it over pasta, and it was perfect with some extra sauce.
7. Pressure Cooker Potato Soup
A warm, creamy bowl of potato soup is always a good idea, especially when it’s this easy. The Instant Pot blends everything into a rich, cheesy soup with chunks of tender potato and crispy bacon on top. Perfect for cold nights or when you need something extra comforting.
8. Instant Pot Meatballs & Marinara
These homemade meatballs come out soft and full of flavor, soaking up all that rich marinara sauce as they cook in less time. I love serving them with spaghetti, in a sub, or on their own with extra sauce.
Slow Cooker Meals (Set It & Forget It!)
9. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Salsa Chicken is so simple to make and uses just chicken, salsa, and seasoning in the slow cooker. When it is time for dinner, you’ve got juicy, flavorful chicken that is ready for tacos, burrito bowls, or even a quick quesadilla.
10. Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
My daughters ask for this slow cooker cheesy casserole twice a month- or more! It’s one of those one pan dinners that everyone at the table will actually eat—picky eaters included.
11. Slow Cooker Balsamic Pot Roast
Rich, tender pot roast with a slightly sweet balsamic glaze that makes everything next-level. Just toss everything in, let it slow cook all day, and come back to the most flavorful, fall-apart beef—perfect over mashed potatoes (or straight from the pot).
12. Crock Pot Apple Pork Tenderloin
Let the slow cooker do all the work with this easy pork tenderloin recipe. The apples cook downand make a lil sweet sauce that really works with the pork tenderloin. It’s a simple, no-fuss meal that your family will love.
13. Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Crockpot White Chicken Chili is an easy meal that comes together so easily and always turns out delicious. The chicken gets tender, the beans soak up all the flavor, and the broth is thick and creamy with a little kick. Toss on some toppings, and dinner’s done.
14. Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken
Ranch fans, you out there? The ranch sauce from the crockpot goes perfectly with the chicken and gets soaked up so well by rice.
The kiddos make a big show of licking their bowls clean, and I’m happy they like this one so much.
15. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Beef stew from the slow cooker is a classic dish, and I’ll make it at least once a month every winter. You can skip searing the meat, throw it ontop of the veggies, and get dinner on the table without cooking yourself.
16. Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
I love how easy this recipe is! All you have to do is put the chicken and BBQ sauce in the slow cooker and walk away. A few hours later, it’s tender, easy to shred, and ready to pile onto sandwiches or wraps.
Quick Skillet Dinners
17. Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry
Do you have ground beef and cabbage in the fridge? I think this recipe is the best way to get them cooked for dinner.
The ground beef, cabbage, and carrots cook together in a simple soy-garlic sauce.
18. Cheesy Sausage & Potatoes
Smoked sausage and potatoes crisp up in a skillet while the onions add a little sweetness. Then, add a handful of cheese that will melt over the top to bring it all together. It’s simple, hearty, and perfect when you need something easy.
19. Garlic Butter Shrimp & Veggies
Shrimp, zucchini, and bell peppers cook in a garlicky butter sauce, and the whole thing comes together fast. It’s light but still has plenty of flavor. Great for nights when you want something fresh without spending too much time in the kitchen.
20. Ground Turkey Taco Skillet
Taco Tuesday needs a fresh taste now and again, and not many people are making ground turkey tacos. It’s less greasy, but still has the classic taco taste that my kids demand.
21. Chili Mac & Cheese
If you can’t decide between chili or mac and cheese, this is the best of both. Hamburger Helper- move on over, homemade takes the W in this round.
22. Cabbage & Kielbasa Skillet
Are your kids cabbage fans? If not, serving it with kielbasa may rock their world and get them on the cabbafe-loving train.
23. Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet
Juicy chicken seared in a lemon garlic butter sauce makes for an easy but flavorful dinner. Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is quick. Light, fresh, and great for a weeknight meal.
24. Beefy Enchilada Skillet
This is everything you love about enchiladas without the extra work. Ground beef, tortillas, and cheese cook together in enchilada sauce until it’s all hot and melty. It’s easy and perfect for a quick dinner.
One Sheet Pan Dinners
25. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Chicken, bell peppers, and onions roast together in one pan for an easy fajita night. The seasoning soaks into everything, so every bite is packed with flavor. Just wrap it up in a tortilla, and dinner is done.
26. Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon & Asparagus
Salmon and asparagus roast together in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce that’s straight-up delicious. It’s a great light dinner before we take the girls to dance, and fills them up all the same.
27. Sausage & Roasted Veggies
Sliced sausage, bell peppers, onions, and broccoli roast together until golden and slightly crisp. The flavors blend as everything caramelizes in the oven. You’ll love how easy it is to throw together.
28. BBQ Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
I got all the BBQ taste without having to get the grill out, so this was a great find from the summer. It was a new way for us to try loaded potatoes too, and it was amazing.
29. Garlic Butter Steak Bites & Potatoes
Bite-sized steak pieces and seasoned potatoes roast together in a garlic butter sauce. Everything turns golden and crisp in the oven while the butter soaks into every bite. You’ll love this simple, satisfying dinner with barely any cleanup.
30. Maple Dijon Chicken & Brussels Sprouts
Chicken thighs and Brussels sprouts roast in a maple Dijon glaze that caramelizes as it cooks. The sweet and tangy flavors balance perfectly, making every bite taste amazing. It’s a great way to turn a few ingredients into a flavorful dinner.
Oven-Baked Casseroles & Bakes
31. Lazy Lasagna
This is one of my favorite recipes! It is lasagna without the work. Frozen ravioli, marinara, and cheese get layered and baked until hot and bubbly. No boiling, no fuss—just throw it in the oven and let it do its thing.
32. White Chicken Enchiladas
If you’re in the mood for something creamy and cheesy, these enchiladas are the way to go. Shredded chicken gets tucked into tortillas, covered in a rich white sauce, and baked until everything is warm and bubbling. It’s an easy dinner that feels like real comfort food.
33. Cheeseburger Casserole
Cheeseburger Casserole is everything you love about a cheeseburger—beef, cheese, pickles, and all—baked into a gooey, satisfying pasta dish. It’s cheesy, beefy, and loaded with flavor. Think of it as your favorite burger in casserole form.
34. Tater Tot Casserole
Crispy tater tots on top, with a beef and veggie filling underneath, make this a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Everything bakes together until golden and bubbly. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s a classic.
35. Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie
Chunks of chicken and vegetables cook in a creamy sauce and get topped with soft, buttery biscuits in this recipe. Everything bakes together until warm and bubbly. It’s a comforting meal that doesn’t take much effort.
More Recipes You’re Going To Love!
If you love easy, no-fuss meals, you’re going to want to check out these recipes!
From my air fryer favorites to healthy crockpot dump meals and simple sheet pan dinners, there’s something for any taste and whatever hectic plans you have.
Final Thoughts
One-pan dinners make life so much easier when you just need to get a meal on the table without a lot of effort.
Whether it’s a skillet meal, a slow cooker recipe, or a sheet pan dinner, it’s nice to have something simple that doesn’t leave you with a sink full of dishes.
Less cleanup means more time to relax, and that’s always a win. If you haven’t started making more one-pan meals, now’s the time to try.
Save this list, try a few, and see just how much easier weeknight dinners can be. You’ll wonder how you ever cooked any other way!
