Food and Recipes Dinner 60 Easy One-Skillet Meals That'll Feed The Whole Family By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is a Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on February 4, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Life is insanely busy, and we know you don't have a second to spare on that calendar. That's where these one-skillet meals come in. Skip the takeout and forget about spending hours (that you don't have) in the kitchen over suppertime. With these easy one-skillet dinners, you'll get a hearty, homemade meal on the table in no time, and you'll only have one dish to clean up afterward. There's never a bad time to break out your cast-iron skillet, and these dinners are reason enough to use it every night of the week. Even the pickiest kids at the table will want second helpings of recipes like fried chicken, baked ziti, mac and cheese, and shrimp fried rice. And with skillet recipes like pork cacciatore, orzo with fish and herbs, and chicken-and-wild rice casserole, you've got easy one-skillet options that look (and taste) company-ready. Your family and guests will adore these suppers, and you'll adore how easy they are to get on the table and clean up. 01 of 60 Marry Me Chicken Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox The Internet can't get enough of the flavor profile in this easy chicken dish, and neither can we. Sundried tomatoes, cream, fresh basil, and a touch of white wine marry beautifully to create a luxurious sauce. See what we did there! get the recipe 02 of 60 Cheesy Skillet-Baked Pork Chops Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox What's not to love about a tender pork chop smother in cheese sauce? Your family will be fighting over all those extra-crispy bits of cheese that browned in the pan. get the recipe 03 of 60 Skillet Enchiladas Suizas Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox No filling or rolling required for our easiest-ever enchilada recipe that comes together in just 25 minutes. get the recipe 04 of 60 French Onion Pasta Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This one-pot pasta is highly impressive, even for a dinner date or party. The most complicated part is being patient enough to soften all the onions. get the recipe 05 of 60 Lighter Pan-Fried Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox Get crispy, golden fried chicken with a quick pan-fry rather than a deep fry, and cook tender veggies in the very same skillet for a meal both kids and adults will love. get the recipe 06 of 60 Skillet Corn with Shrimp and Sausage Summertime seafood boils are a real treat, but you can have a weeknight version of the famous party meal with much less mess and far less time using this recipe. get the recipe 07 of 60 Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox This gorgeous Italian-inspired dish is ready in just 30 minutes, so you can focus on getting yourself and the house ready before company arrives. get the recipe 08 of 60 Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole Hector Sanchez This one-dish meal is a modern take on the classic chicken-and-wild rice casserole Mama has been serving for years. get the recipe 09 of 60 Lemon-Dill Chicken Skillet Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Light and delicate flavors of lemon and dill are perfect for hearty chicken and potatoes. And for an extra-easy one-dish meal, the dressing comes from the chicken's drippings and fresh lemon juice. get the recipe 10 of 60 Spaghetti Pie Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox An easy spaghetti night is practically a weekly occurrence in some households, but you can shake up routine with this fun spaghetti pie recipe. get the recipe 11 of 60 Skillet Shrimp Chilaquiles Stephen DeVries A grown-up version of nachos, these chilaquiles will switch up your taco Tuesday routine for the better. Best served with a margarita (in our opinion). get the recipe 12 of 60 Cast-Iron Chicken Piccata Greg Dupree When we get an Instagram-worthy dinner on the table in just 30 minutes, we call that a win. And when it tastes as good as it looks, we call that a win-win. get the recipe 13 of 60 Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions Becky Luigart Stayner This decadent dinner features two of the South's favorite flavors of the season—apples and hint of bourbon. With a warm sauce and comforting sides, this pork chop dinner is ideal for the winter. get the recipe 14 of 60 Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Pasta night was already easy, but add a cast-iron skillet and wow-worthy Andouille and it becomes almost too good to be true. get the recipe 15 of 60 Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables Greg DuPree Bring a comforting stew of chicken and vegetables to the table in no time with this wholesome, one-skillet dish. get the recipe 16 of 60 Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons Hector Manuel Sanchez In less than one hour, you'll have a savory chicken recipe that's as tender and flavorful as if it had been slow cooking all day. get the recipe 17 of 60 Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-Fry Greg DuPree This flavorful stir-fry is even easier than ordering takeout, and your kids will actually eat Brussels sprouts served this way. get the recipe 18 of 60 Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas Victor Protasio Store-bought potato gnocchi is delicious when sautéed in a skillet. This easy recipe can be jazzed up with any sauce or seasoning, and you can add a protein like shrimp or chicken for a more filling dish. get the recipe 19 of 60 Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Mushrooms Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke This party-ready pot pie only requires a little bit of light prep work. Slow cook the chicken ahead of time to make night-of meal preparation much easier. get the recipe 20 of 60 Skillet Orzo with Fish and Herbs Becky Luigart Stayner This pretty entrée is quick and simple enough for a weeknight but looks dressy enough for company. get the recipe 21 of 60 Crispy Chicken Thighs with Pasta and Pesto Photo: Greg Dupree This simple recipe doesn't require a lot of seasoning or fuss because our homemade arugula pesto speaks for itself. get the recipe 22 of 60 Shrimp Fried Rice Greg DuPree Your kids might not believe you when you tell them this fried rice came from your kitchen and not takeout boxes. Our Test Kitchen recommends using cooled, day-old rice, which is drier and less sticky. get the recipe 23 of 60 Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Becky Luigart Stayner This Southern classic is so much easier when made in a cast-iron skillet with refrigerated pie crusts. get the recipe 24 of 60 Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs Hector Manuel Sanchez This version of mac and cheese features three kinds of cheese for the dreamiest dinner your kids will beg you to make again and again. get the recipe 25 of 60 Chicken and Shrimp Skillet Rice Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Packed with two kinds of protein, rice, and tons of veggies, this one-dish meal will fill your family up more than you might think. get the recipe 26 of 60 Chicken-Parmesan Meatballs Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely This meatball version of chicken parmesan is absolutely delicious served over pasta, on a sub, or with zucchini noodles for a low-carb dinner that's still so comforting. get the recipe 27 of 60 Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis The best part about this supper isn't that it's light and healthy, or even that it only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. Nope, the best part is that it can be frozen ahead of time for when you need dinner on the fly. get the recipe 28 of 60 Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Steak dinners feel fancy, but this one is quick and easy enough to whip up on a weeknight. Instead of firing up the grill, you can cook this flank steak in your cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. get the recipe 29 of 60 Ravioli Lasagna Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Whether it's sushi burritos, margarita cupcakes, or this Ravioli Lasagna, we love a food mashup. You need just a few ingredients to put together this dinner that's sure to make regular appearances at your table. get the recipe 30 of 60 Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Caper Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Chicken thighs are an affordable favorite for weeknight dinners, but this hearty sauce dresses them up beautifully. Our Test Kitchen served this recipe over grits, but it would also be delicious with pasta or rice if you have either on hand. get the recipe 31 of 60 Crispy Breaded Pork Cutlets Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall We updated your old-school fried pork chop recipe with this lightened-up version that pairs beautifully with a fresh, crunchy slaw. Our Test Kitchen also recommends serving the pork on slider buns with the slaw on top for a handheld, cookout-ready meal. get the recipe 32 of 60 Black Bean Burgers With Comeback Sauce Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke The family will be dying for meatless Monday to roll around again once they try these flavorful black bean burgers. A tangy, spicy, smoky comeback sauce is the perfect topping. get the recipe 33 of 60 Skillet Shrimp Destin with Orzo Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Fresh shrimp is a real treat on beach trips, and this one-dish meal is a beautiful way to enjoy it without having to sacrifice any hours in the sand. get the recipe 34 of 60 Cornbread Cowboy Casserole Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Similar to a tamale casserole, this easy one-skillet meal is packed with spicy Southwest flavor and topped with one of the South's favorite table breads. get the recipe 35 of 60 Shrimp with Honey-Garlic Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley According to our Test Kitchen, "it's all about the sauce" with this quick dinner recipe. If you like your meals with a kick, stir in 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or ½ teaspoon diced jalapeño chile in the pan along with the garlic. get the recipe 36 of 60 Beefy Nacho Casserole Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck This easy, cheesy supper is basically a more filling version of your favorite restaurant nachos. "This was amazing!" wrote one five-star reviewer. "I will definitely make this again. My whole family loved it." get the recipe 37 of 60 Baked Tortellini Alfredo With Mushrooms Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This cozy baked pasta is a great meatless option but adding rotisserie chicken is an easy way to make it more filling. You can pick up a jar of alfredo sauce to add to this recipe, of course, but our method for homemade sauce is so easy, you may never go back. get the recipe 38 of 60 Pork Chops with Dijon-Buttermilk Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Pork chops have been a longtime favorite of the Southern Living Test Kitchen, and this is our latest and greatest way to prepare them. But don't just take it from us: "The best pork chop recipe ever!" wrote one five-star reviewer. get the recipe 39 of 60 One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This seafood dinner feels and looks elegant, but it comes together with just one skillet and 30 minutes. "Oh so good! And great as a left over the next day," wrote one five-star reviewer, so consider making a double batch to enjoy later. get the recipe 40 of 60 Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck King's Hawaiian dinner rolls are a staple in Southern kitchens, and we keep finding new, inventive ways to enjoy them at dinnertime. This one-dish version of the nostalgic sandwich will satisfy every family member at your table. get the recipe 41 of 60 Simple Pan-Seared Fish Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This simple, pan-seared method will become your go-to way to serve the family a tasty seafood supper. A few tips from the Test Kitchen: When possible, buy your fish fresh at the seafood counter; frozen fish tends to be watery. Then let it rest for 10 minutes before cooking to allow any juices to seep out. get the recipe 42 of 60 Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This skillet take on the Southern-favorite chicken-and-broccoli combination is full of flavor from chopped Peppadew peppers, which you can usually find in the olive bar at your grocery store. 43 of 60 Beef Tamale Pie Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall If there's a lone package of corn muffin mix sitting idly in your pantry right now, here's exactly what to do with it. You can also sub shredded rotisserie chicken for the ground beef if you already have some in the fridge. get the recipe 44 of 60 Maque Choux with Sausage Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry This old-school Louisiana favorite is a gorgeous and easy way to show off fresh summer produce. To make it even more filling, our Test Kitchen recommends serving it over steamed rice and with plenty of French bread on the side for soaking up every last drop of sauce. get the recipe 45 of 60 Cottage Pie with Potato Crust Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr This skillet take on the comfort food classic has a secret: The mashed potato topping is actually frozen mashed potatoes. With a homemade filling this delicious, though, no one will have a clue. get the recipe 46 of 60 Salmon Burgers With Creamy Tartar Sauce Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Looking for a new way to enjoy a seafood supper at home? Instead of serving salmon fillets, try this filling salmon burger. Homemade tartar sauce makes it over-the-top tasty. get the recipe 47 of 60 Lightened-Up Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This recipe really can do it all. It's comforting and easy but still fresh. Store-bought shortcuts like microwaveable rice and rotisserie chicken make it a breeze. get the recipe 48 of 60 Lemon-Pepper Shrimp Scampi Pasta OK, so technically the pasta for this dish gets cooked separately in a Dutch oven, but all the magic of this recipe happens in your favorite cast-iron skillet. get the recipe 49 of 60 Beefy Skillet Lasagna Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn This recipe turns lasagna into an easy weeknight meal that doesn't require a long trip to the oven before serving. get the recipe 50 of 60 Green Chile Mac And Cheese With Chicken Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Store-bought shortcuts like rotisserie chicken make this skillet mac and cheese easy as pie to put together. get the recipe 51 of 60 Fettuccine With Collards And Bacon Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn An easy pasta with a Southern-twist is exactly the kind of weeknight meal we crave. get the recipe 52 of 60 Creamy Andouille Pasta Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning make this one-pan pasta anything but boring. So go ahead, add some spice to your weeknight meal planning. get the recipe 53 of 60 Skillet Beef Enchiladas Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell You get two one-pan recipes for the price of one with this skillet enchilada dish. Leftovers from this meal can be turned into an Easy Chile Con Carne the next day, which will cut down on dishes and cooking throughout your busy week. get the recipe 54 of 60 Crispy Chicken Thighs With Roasted Radishes Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely These chicken thighs start in a cast-iron skillet with a little butter, which helps them get wonderfully crispy before they’re sent to the oven to finish cooking with a generous scatter of peppery spring radishes. get the recipe 55 of 60 Skillet Stuffed Peppers Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster These juicy stuffed peppers come together in the same skillet used to build the filling, so you won't be stuck with a mess of dishes to deal with after dinner is done. get the recipe 56 of 60 Beefy Baked Ravioli with Spinach and Cheese Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox You can't go wrong with a skillet pasta bake, and since this recipe uses premade and refrigerated ravioli, it comes together in no time at all. get the recipe 57 of 60 One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice The addition of sweet-spicy hot honey gives an interesting twist to a classic chicken-and-rice one-pan meal. get the recipe 58 of 60 One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely If fajitas are your go-to order at Mexican restaurants, you'll adore this easy penne pasta dish that will be the star of your table in 35 minutes. get the recipe 59 of 60 Buffalo Ranch Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis There's nothing like a chicken-and-broccoli casserole when you're craving comfort food, but this version that draws on the flavors of our favorite game day snack is bringing some serious competition. get the recipe 60 of 60 Quick King Ranch Chicken Skillet Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Serve this one-pan version of the Tex-Mex favorite King Ranch Chicken dish with a green salad and loaf of bread for dinner in a flash. get the recipe Was this page helpful? 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