24 Easy Skillet Dinners for When I'm Too Tired to Cook

These one-pan wonders have got your back.

By
Afton Cyrus
Afton Cyrus
Afton Cyrus
Afton Cyrus is a food writer and editor, recipe developer, and culinary instructor based in New England. Her work appears in print and online for America's Test Kitchen, Serious Eats, The Kitchn, King Arthur Baking Company, and cookbooks for Ten Speed Press, in addition to her work for Simply Recipes.
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Published May 06, 2025
Afton Cyrus
Cheesy Baked Taco Skillet with toppings on the side

Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

A trusty skillet is an undeniable kitchen workhorse. You can fry, sauté, braise, and stew all in one pan—you can even bake in it, too! Given this versatility, it's no wonder you can make tons of quick and easy dinners all in one skillet, making cleanup a snap.

Here are some of my favorite skillet recipes for busy weeknights, including creamy, cheesy one-pot pastas, lots of chicken dishes with veggies, and hearty ground beef dinners.

  • Cheesy Hamburger Skillet

    A top view of a skillet with the Cheesy Hamburger Skillet Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "This recipe comes from years of experience with one-pot minimal-ingredient pastas. The base is ground beef and pasta, but it only needs a handful of other ingredients to come together: canned tomatoes, broth, cheese, and a little cream." —Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer

  • Creamy Skillet Shrimp with Corn, Pancetta, and Tomatoes

    Plate of creamy skillet shrimp with corn, pancetta, and tomatoes at a table setting with a glass of water, a white and red table napkin on the counter, and a bowl of basil

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

    "You’ll be thrilled at both the short ingredient list (just 5 ingredients!) and the ease of preparation (one skillet!) in this recipe featuring peak summer corn and tomatoes and some fresh shrimp." —Sara Bir, Former Senior Editor

  • Coconut Lime Chicken

    creamy coconut lime chicken in a pan at a table setting with a stack of plates, a bowl of minced cilantro, and a bowl of lime wedges

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "While coconut cream tends to be mild in flavor, I decided to lean into the lightly tropical notes with garlic, ginger, and lime. Everything cooks in one pan, from the chicken to the sauce to the crisp-tender green beans, and it’s ready in 30 minutes flat. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!" —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Cheesy Baked Taco Skillet

    Cheesy Baked Taco Skillet with toppings on the side

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "My daughter is a big fan of ground beef, but ground turkey, pork, or chicken would all work well in this recipe. Veggie-based proteins would likely also work." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 5 of 24 below

  • Skillet Pizza Chicken

    A skillet with four cheese covered chicken breasts in tomato sauce, garnished with basil

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "To please the whole family, I developed this 20-minute skillet pizza chicken, which checks everyone’s boxes and is gone in mere minutes. Serve with freshly cooked pasta and/or a big salad and let everyone add their toppings of choice." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

  • Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini With Wilted Greens

    Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini With Wilted Greens in a Pot With a Serving Spoon, All on a White Kitchen Towel on the Counter, and Next to It, a Bowl of Cracked Pepper, a Glass of Water, and a Block of Pecorino Romani Cheese

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "Here, fresh or frozen tortellini cooks right in the skillet while the water it cooks in simmers into a starchy, glossy sauce. Tender wilted greens not only add color, but bulk up the pasta to turn it into a true one-pan dinner. This is a comforting, feel-good meal that’s fit for the busiest of weeknights." —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

  • Butternut Squash and Black Bean Skillet Dinner

    Horizontal view of a large cast iron skillet filled with a butternut squash skillet dinner. Cilantro, quinoa, butternut squash and cotija cheese are visible in the pan. To the left is a yellow napkin with three forks on it. Above the forks are three small bowls. One small bowl of rice, a ramiken of roasted pumpkin seeds and a small platter of cilantro.

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    "Roasting the squash in the oven and then adding it to the skillet gives it those roasty, toasty virtues I love. Quinoa, an earthy, tiny red, black, or white seed, is packed with protein and serves as the palette for the squash, beans, tomatoes, and spinach." —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

  • Sloppy Joe Skillet Dinner

    overhead view of Sloppy Joe Skillet Dinner

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "My family enjoys this skillet dinner topped with the same things we like on our sloppy Joe sandwiches: sliced pickles for the kiddos, plus sliced onions and pickled jalapeños for the grownups. You can also add a little fresh chopped parsley if you have it on hand. For crunch, try sprinkling on some fried onions." —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

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  • Dolma and Ground Beef Skillet

    A skillet with dolmas cooked in tomato sauce and ground beef, served with pita bread and yogurt

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "This dinner tastes like it took hours to make thanks to the rich flavor of the ground beef combined with the tang of the dolmas, but from start to finish you’ll need less than 30 minutes to get this hearty main on the table." —Megan Scott, Senior Editor

  • Creamy Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas

    Creamy Skillet Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas in a skillet with a spoon at a table setting with a stack of plates, a bowl of chopped chives, and a small plate of bacon pieces

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

    "Seared in a hot skillet and coated in the easiest cream sauce, these humble potato dumplings will please even the pickiest of eaters!" —Sara Bir, Former Senior Editor

  • Easy Chicken Caprese

    Chicken caprese on a black plate.

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    "A classic caprese salad with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar comes together with juicy seared chicken breasts in this warm skillet dinner. A perfect bite: chicken, tomato, and cheese dipped in the sweet, acidic, and creamy balsamic sauce." —Sharon Lehman, Recipe Developer

  • Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

    Cast iron pizza with parmesan and basil.

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    "Baking pizza in a cast iron skillet ensures the crust is ultra crispy and browned but still nice and pillowy when you bite into it. It’s a thick-crusted cheese pizza that’s perfect as-is but can also handle tasty toppings like pepperoni and mushrooms (my favorites)." —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

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  • Italian Skillet Chicken with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Onions

    A skillet full of Italian Chicken with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Onions

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickle

    "This Italian Skillet Chicken dinner is a family favorite. Oregano, basil, and garlic season the chicken while grape tomatoes, onion, and olive oil break down to make a rich and fragrant pan sauce. Pull the whole thing together with a couple of handfuls of spinach, and dinner is on the table in less than 30 minutes." —Summer Miller, Recipe Developer

  • Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

    Shrimp Fajitas Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "This recipe works great in either a skillet or over a hot grill. The shrimp and veggies cook fast and easy either way. I prefer a cast iron skillet, which sears the shrimp nicely." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Sicilian Skillet Chicken With Lemon, Olives, and Capers

    Sicilian chicken in skillet with olives, lemons, and capers.

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    "This tender, tasty one-skillet chicken dish borrows the best from the Sicilian kitchen. Olives, capers, lemon, and white wine marry in a lip-smacking braising liquid that works magic with golden, meaty chicken thighs. Simple, rustic, and a real keeper." —Katie Morford, Recipe Developer

  • Easy Chicken Skillet Enchiladas

    Easy chicken enchilada recipe

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickle

    "Make those enchiladas a skillet recipe that uses up leftover chicken, only dirties a single pan, and is ready in about 30 minutes, and you have a weeknight meal with Friday night appeal!" —Summer Miller, Recipe Developer

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  • Chicken Sausage and Pasta Skillet

    A cast iron skillet with chicken sausage, pasta, and melted cheese

    Simply Recipes / Lisa Lin

    "This pasta with chicken sausage dish is my go-to dinner when I need an easy dinner. All I need is a bit of oil and 5 basic ingredients: chicken sausage, pasta, marinara sauce, spinach, and cheese. That’s it." —Lisa Lin, Recipe Developer

  • 15-Minute One-Pan Ravioli

    Closeup view of ravioli, Italian sausage and spinach topped with Parmesan cheese in a bowl with a spoon

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

    "I love a one-pot or one-pan meal, and if I can make it quickly, even better. This recipe is the perfect example of minimalism, using just five ingredients, one pan, 15 minutes start to finish. The combination of cheesy ravioli, tender spinach, and meaty sausage keeps me coming back for more." —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer

  • Skillet Chicken Divan

    Skillet chicken divan in a cast iron skillet (with some already served) at a table setting with a bowl of salad, a bowl of parmesan, a small bowl of chopped parsley, and a utensils

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "This skillet version has all of the creaminess and flavor you want from chicken divan but with a deliciously creamy sauce and perfectly cooked chicken and broccoli. The cook time is shrunk down to 25 minutes, and there’s no need to turn on the oven except for a super quick broil at the end to crisp the topping." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Skillet Pork Chops with Cabbage

    A white serving plate with skillet pork chops with cabbage

    Simply Recipes / Sheryl Julian

    "The long, slow cooking made the cabbage and apples extra sweet, and the pork juices gave it a savory, meaty depth. It was like I was right back in Germany." —Sheryl Julian Recipe Developer

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  • Skillet Chicken and Rice

    Skillet chicken and rice with peas

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "I think this is a pretty all-in-one meal, especially if you add the peas to the skillet! You could serve this with a starter salad or soup, though, to round out the meal." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

    Ground beef and broccoli stir fry over rice in a bowl at a table setting with a glass of water, a bowl of sliced scallions, and a bowl of sesame seeds

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "If you love the flavors of beef and broccoli, whip up this quick, easy, and affordable version. Ready in only 30 minutes—just enough time to cook up some rice at the same time—it’s an ideal family meal." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Apple Cider Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes

    apple cider braised chicken thighs with sweet potatoes in black cast iron skillet

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "These chicken thighs are a perfect all-in-one skillet dish, full of fall’s best flavors. Adults will love it even if they don’t love chicken thighs (my wife attests to this), and kids should eat it, too." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Unstuffed Peppers

    spoonful of unstuffed pepper lifted from skillet with more

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "While they’re cute to look at, stuffed peppers can be a bit of a hassle for your average hectic weeknight. That’s where unstuffed peppers come in. This recipe has all the flavors of classic stuffed peppers—ground beef, rice, tomato, and cheese—without the need to hollow out and pre-cook the whole peppers, stuff each cavity, and bake." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

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