15 One-Pan Wonders for Easy Cleanup

Do you want a meal that requires little effort and even less cleanup? One-pan wonders are the answer. These meals are perfect for busy days when you do not want to spend too much time in the kitchen. Get inspired with these easy, delicious options for your next meal.

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Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

This one-pan meal is a go-to for a fast and flavorful dinner. The combination of chicken, bell peppers, and onions comes together in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something easy, but still packed with flavor. You can have this dish ready in under 30 minutes.

For this dish, you will need 2 chicken breasts sliced into thin strips, 2 bell peppers sliced, and 1 onion sliced. In a bowl, toss the chicken, peppers, and onions with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and spread the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve with warm tortillas and enjoy your easy chicken fajitas.

Baked Salmon and Veggies

This dish is great for a healthy, quick dinner with minimal cleanup. With salmon, roasted veggies, and a simple seasoning, everything cooks in a single pan. It’s perfect for when you need something that’s both hearty and fresh. This dish takes about 25 minutes to make, with everything cooked together in the same pot.

You’ll need 2 salmon fillets, 1 zucchini sliced into rounds, 1 bell pepper sliced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, salt, and pepper to taste. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet and arrange the sliced zucchini and bell pepper around them. Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and vegetables, and sprinkle lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the salmon is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender. Garnish with lemon slices and serve immediately.

Mediterranean Chicken

This Mediterranean-inspired dish is fresh and light, with the chicken paired with olives, tomatoes, and feta. The combination of bright flavors makes it perfect for a sunny evening dinner. It’s an easy recipe that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Cleanup is quick, as everything is cooked together in one pan.

For this dish, use 2 chicken breasts, 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, one-half cup kalamata olives, one-half cup feta cheese, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes on each side. Add the tomatoes and olives to the pan and cook for another 5 minutes. Top with feta cheese and serve with a side of rice or salad.

Pasta Primavera

A delicious pasta dish that cooks all in one pan for an easy meal. The pasta and vegetables simmer together, making for a quick and satisfying dinner. It’s perfect for when you need something that’s both hearty and fresh. This dish takes about 25 minutes to make, with everything cooked together in the same pot.

For this dish, gather 8 oz of pasta, 1 cup of cherry tomatoes halved, 1 cup of zucchini sliced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cloves of garlic minced, one-half cup vegetable broth, salt, and pepper to taste. In a large pan, heat olive oil and sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the pasta, tomatoes, zucchini, and vegetable broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente. Season with salt and pepper, then serve with fresh basil on top for extra flavor.

Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet

For a warm, comforting meal, this one-pan dish hits all the right notes. The chicken and sweet potatoes cook together, allowing the flavors to blend. It’s ideal for dinner during cooler evenings or when you crave something filling yet easy. You’ll have this dish ready in about 35 minutes.

You will need 2 chicken breasts, 2 sweet potatoes peeled and diced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and season the chicken breasts with thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown. Add the diced sweet potatoes around the chicken, cover the skillet, and cook for another 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sweet potatoes are tender.

Garlic Parmesan Shrimp and Asparagus

This quick meal is loaded with garlic and fresh flavors, all cooked in a single pan. With shrimp and asparagus as the star ingredients, it’s both nutritious and easy to clean up. It’s perfect for a low-effort, high-reward meal and is ready in about 20 minutes. The garlic parmesan sauce brings everything together beautifully.

For this meal, you will need 1 lb of shrimp peeled and deveined, 1 bunch of asparagus trimmed, 2 tablespoons butter, 3 cloves of garlic minced, one-fourth cup grated parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat, then sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes. Add the shrimp and asparagus to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and the asparagus is tender. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve immediately for a delicious, easy meal.

Mexican Quinoa

This dish is a one-pan wonder that brings all the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine. With quinoa, black beans, corn, and a handful of spices, it’s a quick, vegetarian meal that satisfies. It’s great for lunch or dinner, especially when you’re looking for something healthy and filling. This meal is ready in about 25 minutes.

You will need 1 cup of quinoa, 1 cup of black beans, 1 cup of corn kernels, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 2 cups vegetable broth. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, then add the quinoa and stir. Add the cumin, chili powder, black beans, corn, and vegetable broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the quinoa is cooked and the flavors have melded. Serve hot and enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal.

Ratatouille

This French-inspired vegetable dish is full of color and flavor, all cooked in one pan. The combination of eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes creates a rich, satisfying meal that’s perfect for a lighter dinner. It’s great for vegetarians or anyone looking for a healthy dish. You’ll need about 30 minutes for this flavorful meal.

For this dish, use 1 eggplant diced, 2 zucchinis sliced, 1 bell pepper diced, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cloves garlic minced, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes. Add the eggplant, zucchini, and bell pepper, and cook for 8-10 minutes until softened. Stir in the diced tomatoes and oregano, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have blended.

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

A simple, yet flavorful pasta dish that comes together in one pan. With garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes, this dish is a quick way to enjoy authentic Italian flavors. It’s ideal for a light dinner or when you’re pressed for time. This dish cooks in just 20 minutes, making it a great choice for busy nights.

For this dish, gather 8 oz spaghetti, 3 cloves of garlic minced, one-fourth teaspoon chili flakes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook the spaghetti in a large pan according to package directions. In the same pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add chili flakes, salt, and pepper, then toss the cooked pasta in the oil mixture and serve immediately.

Baked Ziti

This baked pasta dish is hearty and satisfying with minimal cleanup. It combines ziti pasta, marinara sauce, and cheese, all baked together for a simple meal that’s easy to prepare. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or making leftovers for the next day. This dish is ready in about 35 minutes.

You will need 8 oz ziti pasta, 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and one-fourth cup grated parmesan cheese. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and cook the ziti pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta and combine it with marinara sauce and ricotta cheese. Top with mozzarella and parmesan, and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

This sweet and savory dish comes together with minimal effort and is cooked in just one pan. The teriyaki sauce adds a rich, delicious flavor to the chicken and rice. It’s a fantastic choice for dinner when you want something filling but easy to clean up. This dish cooks in about 30 minutes.

For this meal, use 2 chicken breasts cubed, 1 cup rice, one-fourth cup teriyaki sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 cup chicken broth. Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the cubed chicken until browned. Add the rice, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and chicken broth to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.

Stir-Fry Veggies and Tofu

 

A healthy vegetarian option that’s packed with colorful veggies and tofu, all cooked in one pan. Stir-frying is a fast cooking method that ensures the veggies stay crisp, while the tofu adds protein. This dish is great for a quick, satisfying meal. It’s ready in about 20 minutes.

For this meal, you will need 1 block of tofu cubed, 1 cup of broccoli florets, 1 bell pepper sliced, 1 bowl of mushrooms, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until golden. Add the broccoli, mushrooms, and bell pepper, and stir-fry for another 5-7 minutes until the veggies are tender. Stir in soy sauce and serve hot.

Beef Stir-Fry

A quick and easy stir-fry that’s perfect for dinner. The beef and vegetables are cooked together in a single pan, making cleanup a snap. It’s great for a filling and satisfying meal that can be made in less than 30 minutes. This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight.

For this stir-fry, use 1 lb of beef sliced thin, 1 cup of bell peppers sliced, 1 onion sliced, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the beef slices. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then add the bell peppers and onion. Stir in soy sauce and hoisin sauce, cooking for another 5-7 minutes until everything is tender. Serve with rice or noodles.

Baked Chicken Parmesan

A classic Italian dish made with minimal fuss and easy cleanup. The chicken is breaded, baked, and topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella for a comforting meal. It’s perfect for family dinners or when you’re craving something familiar and tasty. You can have this meal ready in about 35 minutes.

For this dish, you will need 2 chicken breasts, one-half cup breadcrumbs, one-half cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 cup marinara sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and coat the chicken breasts in breadcrumbs and parmesan. Bake for 25 minutes. Spoon marinara sauce over the chicken and top with mozzarella. Bake for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Pork Tenderloin with Apples

This one-pan dinner combines pork tenderloin with apples for a sweet and savory meal. The pork is juicy and tender, while the apples add a light sweetness to balance the flavors. It’s an ideal dish for fall or winter, but perfect for any time of year. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a great choice when you want something hearty with minimal cleanup.

For this meal, you will need 1 pork tenderloin, 2 apples sliced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt and pepper to taste. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sear the pork tenderloin for 2-3 minutes on each side. Add the sliced apples, cinnamon, salt, and pepper, and roast for 20-25 minutes until the pork is cooked through. Slice and serve with apples on top for a comforting meal.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.