17 One-Pan Dinners for Busy Weeknights
Some nights, dinner just needs to be simple.
After a long day, the last thing anyone wants is a sink full of dishes and a complicated recipe with five different pans going at once. That’s where one-pan dinners truly shine. They’re practical, efficient, and when done right still packed with flavor.
This collection of 17 One-Pan Dinners for Busy Weeknights is all about meals that work as hard as you do. Think comforting pastas, skillet chicken dishes, vibrant veggie-packed dinners, and cozy, sauce-forward recipes that come together in a single pan. Less cleanup, fewer steps, and no sacrificing taste.
Whether you’re feeding a family, meal-prepping for the week, or just trying to get something satisfying on the table without the chaos, these recipes are designed to make weeknights easier. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and minimal mess, exactly how weeknight dinner should be.
Creamy Coconut Curry Chicken
This Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry is rich, comforting, and full of warm, layered flavor. Tender chicken simmers in a silky coconut milk sauce infused with aromatic spices, creating a dish that’s both cozy and vibrant. It’s a one-pot dinner that feels bold and satisfying while still being easy enough for a busy weeknight. Serve it over rice to soak up every last spoonful of that creamy sauce.
2. Cozy Curry Chickpea Stew
This Cozy Curry Chickpea Soup is warm, hearty, and full of comforting flavor. Tender chickpeas simmer in a gently spiced, aromatic broth that feels nourishing and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of one-pot meal that comes together simply but delivers bold, layered taste in every spoonful. Perfect for cooler days or whenever you need something wholesome and comforting on the table.
3. Pearled Couscous Lemon Chicken Soup
This Pearled Couscous Lemon Chicken Soup is bright, comforting, and beautifully balanced. Tender chicken and delicate pearl couscous simmer in a flavorful broth infused with fresh lemon, creating a soup that feels both cozy and refreshing. The texture from the couscous makes it hearty without being heavy, making it perfect for weeknights when you want something soothing yet vibrant.
4. One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Potatoes
This One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Potatoes is fresh, flavorful, and effortlessly elegant. Tender salmon roasts alongside golden, crispy potatoes, all infused with bright lemon and fragrant herbs. It’s the kind of dinner that feels light yet satisfying, with everything cooking together on one pan for easy cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something wholesome, balanced, and beautifully simple.
5. Classic Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo
This Classic Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo is rich, smoky, and deeply comforting. Built on a flavorful roux and layered with tender chicken, bold andouille sausage, and aromatic vegetables, it delivers that signature slow-simmered depth in every bite. Served over rice, it’s hearty, soulful, and perfect for when you want a one-pot dinner that feels warm, satisfying, and full of character.
6. Smoky Baked Beans with Bacon
These Smoky Baked Beans with Bacon are rich, hearty, and packed with bold, savory flavor. Slow-baked until thick and glossy, the beans soak up a sweet-and-smoky sauce while crispy bacon adds the perfect salty bite. They’re comforting, crowd-pleasing, and just as good as a main dish as they are a side. A cozy, one-pan favorite that brings serious flavor to the table.
7. Classic Chilli
This Classic Chili is thick, hearty, and loaded with bold, comforting flavor. Tender ground beef, beans, and tomatoes simmer together with warm spices to create a rich, satisfying bowl that only gets better as it cooks. It’s the kind of cozy, one-pot meal that’s perfect for game days, cold evenings, or easy weeknight dinners, especially when topped with sour cream, cheese, or fresh green onions.
8. Creamy Zuppa Toscana
This Creamy Zuppa Toscana is rich, cozy, and full of comforting flavor. Savory sausage, tender potatoes, and vibrant kale simmer together in a silky, creamy broth that feels both hearty and satisfying. It’s the kind of one-pot soup that tastes like it’s been cooking all day, yet comes together simply enough for a weeknight. Perfect served with crusty bread for dipping into every creamy spoonful.
9. Mediterranean Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken
This Mediterranean Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken is bright, fresh, and full of bold flavor. Juicy chicken roasts alongside vibrant vegetables, briny olives, and plenty of lemon, creating a beautifully balanced meal all on one pan. It’s light yet satisfying, with those classic Mediterranean flavors that feel both wholesome and elevated. An easy, no-fuss dinner that looks impressive and tastes even better.
10. Grilled Chicken Thighs with Creamy Green Herb Sauce
These Grilled Chicken Thighs with Creamy Green Herb Sauce are juicy, flavorful, and packed with fresh, vibrant taste. The chicken grills up perfectly tender with a lightly charred exterior, while the creamy herb sauce adds a bright, garlicky finish that takes it to the next level. It’s a simple yet elevated dish that feels perfect for summer dinners, easy entertaining, or whenever you want something bold and satisfying without a lot of fuss.
11. Crispy Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables
These Crispy Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables are fresh, vibrant, and full of texture. The chicken roasts until the skin is perfectly golden and crisp, while tender spring vegetables cook alongside, soaking up all the savory flavor. It’s a beautifully balanced, one-pan meal that feels seasonal yet comforting. Simple enough for a weeknight, but elegant enough to serve to guests.
12. Brothy Bean Soup with Lemon and Kale
This Brothy Bean Soup with Lemon and Kale is light, nourishing, and full of bright, clean flavor. Tender beans simmer in a flavorful broth with vibrant kale, while a squeeze of fresh lemon adds the perfect touch of freshness. It’s simple yet satisfying — the kind of one-pot soup that feels wholesome, comforting, and easy to make any night of the week.
13. Creamy Loaded Potato Soup with Crispy Bacon
This Creamy Loaded Potato Soup with Crispy Bacon is rich, hearty, and pure comfort in a bowl. Tender potatoes simmer into a silky, creamy base, then get topped with crispy bacon, melty cheese, and fresh green onions for that classic loaded flavor. It’s thick, satisfying, and perfect for cozy nights when you want something warm and indulgent straight from one pot.
14. Creamy Cheddar Broccoli Soup
This Creamy Cheddar Broccoli Soup is velvety, cheesy, and wonderfully comforting. Tender broccoli simmers into a rich, smooth base, finished with plenty of sharp cheddar for that classic creamy texture and bold flavor. It’s the kind of cozy, one-pot soup that feels both nostalgic and satisfying, perfect with a slice of crusty bread for dipping into every cheesy spoonful.
15. Roasted Garlic & Tomato Soup
This Roasted Garlic and Tomato Soup is deeply flavorful, smooth, and beautifully balanced. Roasting the tomatoes and garlic brings out their natural sweetness and richness, creating a soup that’s both vibrant and comforting. Blended until silky and finished with fresh herbs, it’s simple yet elevated, perfect alongside grilled cheese or enjoyed on its own as a cozy, satisfying bowl.
16. Weeknight Chicken Noodle Soup
This Weeknight Chicken Noodle Soup is classic, comforting, and exactly what you want after a long day. Tender chicken, soft noodles, and aromatic vegetables simmer together in a flavorful broth that feels both nourishing and satisfying. It’s simple, wholesome, and comes together quickly, the kind of dependable, one-pot meal you’ll turn to again and again.
17. Creamy Ground Beef Orzo
Creamy Tomato Beef Orzo is rich, cozy, and packed with comforting flavor. Tender orzo cooks right in a savory tomato-beef sauce, creating a creamy, risotto-like texture without the extra effort. It’s hearty, satisfying, and comes together in one pan, perfect for busy weeknights when you want something warm, filling, and family-friendly.