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Food & Recipes

14 Easy and Delicious Meals You Can Prepare in One Skillet

By Tiffany White

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Some nights, after working all day and helping the kids with their homework, there’s no time left to make a delicious, healthy meal from scratch. Fortunately, there are several recipe ideas that you can easily prepare in one skillet. If you own a cast iron or an oven-safe skillet, you can whip up casseroles, pasta, and even pizza without having to dirty up the whole kitchen. And hey, we’re all about washing fewer dishes. 

Below are 14 scrumptious meal ideas that are so easy, you’ll want to skip takeout.

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  1. One Skillet Shrimp Tacos

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    One-Skillet Shrimp Tacos

    Hmm, now this is one delicious recipe that's easy and won't feel like a chore. After all, you can never go wrong with tacos. Simply sauté bell peppers, onions, and shrimp in a skillet — that's it! Grab a bag of corn tortillas and let the kids have some fun rolling up their own tacos. You can also add fresh vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes on top if you want to get a little fancy.

    For a version of this recipe, check out The Recipe Critic.

  2. One Skillet Lasagna

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    One-Skillet Lasagna

    Yep, it's true — you can create an entire lasagna in one skillet without having to bust out the casserole dish (and then have to clean said casserole dish). Simply substitute pasta with zucchini slices and you have a healthy dish in under 30 minutes.

    For a version of this recipe, check out Primavera Kitchen.

  4. One Skillet Meatballs

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    One-Skillet Meatball Subs

    We know the idea of mushing meat together in your hands reminds us of something our mothers used to do when they had literally all afternoon to prepare a meal. But making meatballs is not as time-consuming as you might think, especially if you prepare them in a skillet. Simply combine ground meat in a bowl with bread crumbs, eggs, and seasoning, shape the balls, and drop them into your skillet. After 10 minutes, you have delicious meatballs that are ready to sit inside a toasted hoagie.

    For a version of this recipe, check out Budget Bytes.

  5. One Skillet Beef Pie

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    One-Skillet Beef Pie

    We know what you're thinking. "A pie? From scratch?" Well, let's call it a quasi-pie, as the crust is only on top. With just some beef, vegetables, and a box of cornbread mix, you can have a quick skillet pie in just 30 minutes.

    For a version of this recipe, check out Oh, Sweet Basil.

  6. One Skillet Pizza

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    One-Skillet Pizza

    Forget delivery, you can actually prepare a delicious deep-dish pizza from scratch in less than 30 minutes! But beware, once you realize how easy it is to make, you're going to want to make it all the time. A cast iron skillet and some pizza dough from the store are all you need, along with any toppings you want to include.

    For a version of this recipe, check out Cooking on the Front Burner.

  8. One Skillet Nachos

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    One-Skillet Nachos

    For those days when the kiddos don't want to eat real food and want to eat out, satisfy their cravings with this quick meal that you can prepare yourself. Simply layer whatever ingredients you want in your nachos in the skillet and let it bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.

    For a version of this recipe, check out Jelly Toast.

  9. One Skillet Fried Rice

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    One-Skillet Fried Rice

    Have some leftover cooked rice sitting around? You can easily turn it into a skillet of delicious fried rice that'll taste even better than take-out. Simply add a little oil, vegetables, and a protein of your choice and you're good to go. Easy.

    For a version of this recipe, check out Averie Cooks.

  10. One Skillet Chicken Potatoes

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    One-Skillet Chicken and Potatoes

    Ah, the old staple. You can't go wrong with this hearty meal that would satisfy even the most stubborn of appetites. Add a delicious sauce of your choosing and you have a mouth-watering meal in only 40 minutes.

    For a version of this recipe, check out Whole and Heavenly Oven.

  12. One Skillet Sausage Rice

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    One-Skillet Sausage Rice

    Finally, a rice recipe that doesn't involve boiling water or pulling out the rice cooker! The key is using chicken broth to cook the rice as it simmers. In 30 minutes, you'll have an easy meal for the whole family.

    For a version of this recipe, check out The Weary Chef.

  13. One Skillet Beef Stir Fry

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    One-Skillet Beef Stir-Fry

    Well, this is a no-brainer. After all, stir-fry is normally the first meal we all learn how to make when we first move away from home — but it's so simple, it's easy to forget while creating our weekly meal preparations. Don't forget this staple! In 20 minutes, you can have a delicious meal by simply throwing whatever is in your fridge into a skillet. Done and done!

    For a version of this recipe, check out Life Made Simple.

  14. One Skillet Omelette Casserole

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    One-Skillet Omelette Casserole

    Honestly, we can eat omelettes at any time of the day, and this scrumptious casserole is more than enough to fill a dinner appetite. With some sausage and potatoes in there, you'll definitely have enough for seconds.

    For a version of this recipe, check out McCormick.

  16. One Skillet Enchiladas

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    One-Skillet Enchiladas

    Skip the take-out and create your own enchiladas in only 40 minutes. All you need is some chicken, tortillas, and enchilada sauce. Easy peasy.

    For a version of this recipe, check out Life Made Simple.

  17. One Skillet Hamburger Helper

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    One-Skillet Hamburger Helper

    We know Hamburger Helper isn't exactly hard to make, but now you can create a fresh version from scratch that's healthier and has less sodium. Simply brown your protein of choice, add in some chicken broth, macaroni, and spices, and let it all simmer for 20 minutes.

    For a version of this recipe, check out My Joy-Filled Life.

  18. One Skillet Frittata

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    One-Skillet Frittata

    Who says frittatas are just a breakfast food? We know technically it is, but we love breakfast foods for dinner, and frittatas are so simple to make. Simply whisk all your ingredients together and bake in a skillet for 15 minutes. 

    For a version of this recipe, check out The Cookie Rookie.

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