The Magic of One-Pan Cooking

After a long day, the last thing anyone wants is a sink full of dishes. Enter one-pan dinners: complete meals where protein, vegetables, and often starch cook together on a single pan. Here are 15 ideas to inspire your weeknight cooking.

Sheet Pan Stars

1. Lemon Herb Chicken with Potatoes and Green Beans

Toss baby potatoes in olive oil and roast at 425°F for 15 minutes. Add seasoned chicken thighs and green beans, roast 25 more minutes. Finish with fresh lemon juice.

2. Salmon with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes

Season salmon fillets with dill and garlic. Arrange with asparagus and tomatoes on a lined sheet pan. Roast at 400°F for 15-18 minutes.

3. Sausage and Vegetable Medley

Italian sausages with bell peppers, onions, and zucchini. Toss everything in olive oil and Italian seasoning. Roast until sausages are cooked through and vegetables are caramelized.

4. Teriyaki Tofu with Broccoli

Press and cube firm tofu, toss with teriyaki sauce. Roast with broccoli florets at 400°F, flipping halfway. Serve over rice.

5. Fajita Sheet Pan

Sliced chicken breast with bell peppers and onions, seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and lime. Roast until charred. Serve with warm tortillas.

Skillet Suppers

6. One-Pan Pasta Primavera

Yes, you can cook pasta in a skillet! Add pasta, vegetables, broth, and cream together. Simmer until pasta is al dente and sauce is creamy.

7. Shakshuka

Eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce with peppers and onions. Perfect with crusty bread for dipping.

8. Chicken Fried Rice

Use day-old rice, cook everything in one large skillet or wok. Add vegetables, scrambled eggs, and soy sauce.

9. Skillet Nachos

Layer chips, beans, cheese, and toppings in a cast iron skillet. Bake until cheese melts. Add fresh toppings after.

10. Mediterranean Chicken

Sear chicken thighs, add olives, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and feta. Finish in the oven.

Dutch Oven Dinners

11. Braised Pot Roast

Sear beef, add vegetables and broth, braise low and slow until fork-tender.

12. Chicken and Rice

Brown chicken, toast rice in the same pot, add broth and let it all cook together.

13. Veggie-Loaded Soup

Sauté aromatics, add vegetables and beans, pour in broth, simmer until everything is tender.

Foil Packet Favorites

14. Honey Garlic Shrimp Packets

Wrap shrimp with corn, potatoes, and seasoned butter in foil. Grill or bake until shrimp are pink.

15. BBQ Chicken Packets

Chicken breast with corn on the cob, BBQ sauce, and a pat of butter. Seal tightly and bake.

One-Pan Tips

• Cut vegetables to similar sizes for even cooking
• Don't overcrowd the pan—use two if needed
• Line sheet pans with parchment for easier cleanup
• Let meat rest before cutting to retain juices

Browse Instagram Reels for more one-pan inspiration, then use ReelToMeal to extract the recipes!