20 Skillet Recipes That Keep Dinner Simple

Some of the best dinners come together in a single skillet. These meals are all about big flavor, minimal cleanup, and no extra hassle, just one hot pan and whatever’s in the fridge. From melty, cheesy gnocchi to saucy meatballs and quick-simmered shrimp fajitas, every dish on this list brings a different spin without piling on the work. There’s smoky sausage with sweet peppers, seared chicken with sticky glazes, skillet burgers with crisp edges, and pasta that cooks right in the pan. Some are rich and comforting, others fast and fresh, but all of them stick to the same rule: one pan, full flavor, and no need to overthink dinner.

Spicy Mango Chicken Skillet

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Chicken cooks with chunks of mango, peppers, and a bit of chili for a sweet and spicy dish. The mango breaks down slightly into the sauce. It’s quick, colorful, and full of contrast. Serve with rice or quinoa.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Mango Chicken Skillet

Cast Iron Skillet Mac and Cheese

Elbow pasta simmers in a creamy cheese sauce, then gets baked right in the skillet. The top layer turns golden while the inside stays gooey. A few breadcrumbs or extra cheese can go on top. It’s classic comfort food done right.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Mac and Cheese

Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

An overhead image of a hand holding a cast iron skillet with cornbread. — Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Golden, crisp-edged cornbread bakes right in the skillet for a rustic finish. The center stays soft and just a little sweet. Great with chili, soup, or on its own with butter. The hot pan gives it that signature crust.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

Monterey Chicken Skillet

Chicken fajitas in a skillet with avocado. — Monterey Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Chicken breasts cook with barbecue sauce, bacon, and melted cheese until sticky and savory. Green onions or tomatoes add a fresh note on top. It’s rich and slightly smoky. Great for a hands-off main that tastes like more effort than it is.
Get the Recipe: Monterey Chicken Skillet

Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

Shrimp and peppers in a skillet with serving spoon. — Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Shrimp sizzle with onions and peppers for a fast, colorful meal. The shrimp cook in minutes and soak up seasoning beautifully. Squeeze fresh lime over everything at the end. Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.
Get the Recipe: Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Gnocchi with ground pork, tomatoes, mozzarella and spinach in a cast iron skillet. — Baked Skillet Gnocchi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This dish layers gnocchi in sauce and cheese, then bakes in the skillet until bubbly. The edges crisp, and the top browns into a golden crust. It’s soft, cheesy, and deeply comforting. A great one to dig into with a spoon.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Skillet Pork Chops with Vegetables

Thick pork chops sear alongside tender vegetables, soaking up all the flavor from the pan. Everything cooks evenly and picks up caramelized edges. A simple seasoning blend ties it together. One pan and no extra sides needed.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Pork Chops with Vegetables

Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

A cheeseburger on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion on a wood board. — Cast Iron Skillet Burgers. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

These burgers sear in a hot skillet for a crisp crust and juicy center. The cast iron locks in heat and builds flavor fast. Add cheese, onions, or whatever toppings you like. Serve on buns or in lettuce wraps.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Fluffy quinoa cooks with beans, corn, spices, and salsa for a full-flavored one-pan dish. The grains soak up the seasoning and come out tender with a slight bite. Add cheese or avocado if you want extra richness. It’s filling without feeling heavy.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa

Apple Cider Chicken Skillet

A cast iron skillet with chicken and apples in it. — Apple Cider Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Chicken simmers in apple cider until tender, soaking up its sweet and tangy notes. The sauce reduces into a sticky glaze that coats each piece. Sliced apples or onions can be added for more depth. It’s simple but full of seasonal flavor.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Chicken Skillet

Sausage Egg Roll Skillet

A spoonful of meat and cabbage in a pan. — Sausage Egg Roll Skillet. Photo credit: Call Me Pmc.

Ground sausage, cabbage, carrots, and soy sauce cook into a quick, savory filling. It’s everything you love about egg rolls without the wrapper or deep-fry. Serve it as is or over rice. Fast, crunchy, and full of umami.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Egg Roll Skillet

Skillet Italian Sausage and Peppers

Sausage links or slices brown alongside sweet peppers and onions in one pan. The flavors meld into something savory and just a little smoky. It’s great on its own or stuffed into a hoagie roll. A classic combo that never misses.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Italian Sausage and Peppers

Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

A bowl of skillet gnocchi with sausage and broccoli rabe. — Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Soft gnocchi pan-fries until golden, then cooks with sausage and bitter broccoli rabe. The combo balances richness with sharp greens and just enough spice. It’s satisfying and layered without being fussy. Serve hot, straight from the skillet.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Vegetable and Ground Beef Skillet

Vegetable ground beef skillet served with a fork. — Vegetable and Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This mix of ground beef and chopped vegetables cooks quickly in one pan. Everything gets browned and seasoned until well blended and tender. It’s hearty, flexible, and perfect for using what you have in the fridge. Serve it over rice or with warm bread.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable and Ground Beef Skillet

Sausage and Tortellini Skillet

A skillet filled with tortellini pasta, ground meat, spinach, and tomato sauce, topped with shaved Parmesan cheese. — Sausage and Tortellini Skillet. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Cheese-filled tortellini and sausage come together in a quick tomato sauce. It simmers just long enough for the pasta to soften and absorb flavor. The sausage adds spice and depth. Top with Parmesan and dinner’s done.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Tortellini Skillet

Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

Ground lamb simmers with tomatoes, chili, and spices into a rich sauce that clings to pasta. The heat level is up to you, but the flavor is always deep and bold. It’s not your average weeknight pasta. Serve with something to soak it up.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

Skillet Tomato and Eggplant

Chunks of tomato and eggplant cook down into a saucy, rich mix that’s great with bread or pasta. The eggplant gets tender and soaks up all the flavor. Garlic and herbs give it lift. A great option when you want something meatless but filling.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Tomato and Eggplant

Vegetable Bean Skillet

Canned beans and seasonal vegetables cook together with herbs and broth in one pan. The beans add heartiness while the vegetables bring freshness and bite. It’s simple, flexible, and endlessly adaptable. Great with crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Bean Skillet

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Ground beef cooks down with taco spices, black beans, and tomatoes for a bold, saucy mix. It all happens in one pan and finishes with melty cheese on top. Serve with chips, tortillas, or rice. It’s fast and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These meatballs simmer in a glossy, tangy sauce with bits of pineapple and peppers. The skillet helps the sauce reduce into a sticky glaze. Serve over rice or noodles to soak it all up. It’s bold, sweet, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs