15 Easy Skillet Dinners That Make Cleanup Simple

Skillet meals are the go-to solution for fast, hearty dinners without extra mess. From cheesy pastas to veggie-packed creations and global flavors, these recipes deliver maximum flavor using just one pan. Whether you’re working with ground beef, chicken, or shrimp, each dish brings something different to the table. Keep your weeknight dinners stress-free and flavorful with these easy skillet recipes.

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

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Savory ground beef blends with naturally sweet potatoes and smoky spices for a well-balanced one-pan meal. It’s hearty, nutritious, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Greek Shrimp Skillet

A skillet filled with shrimp in tomato sauce, topped with crumbled cheese, sits on a wooden surface beside a textured kitchen towel. — Greek Shrimp Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Shrimp is cooked with juicy tomatoes, olives, and bright herbs for a fresh and savory Mediterranean skillet. It’s topped with crumbled feta for creamy contrast.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

A skillet filled with beef, rice and vegetables. — Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Rice, beef, and mixed vegetables come together in this all-in-one skillet classic. It’s simple, reliable, and easy to customize with your favorite seasonings.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

Chicken Cheesey Skillet

A skillet filled with seasoned baked chicken breasts on top of a bed of rice, topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped herbs. — Chicken Cheesey Skillet. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Chunks of chicken are cooked with vegetables in a creamy cheese sauce that brings everything together. Serve it over rice or enjoy as-is for a low-carb option.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cheesey Skillet

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes. — Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Taco flavors come to life in this skillet dinner loaded with ground beef, corn, beans, and rice. Top with salsa, sour cream, or avocado for added flavor.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet

Tangy balsamic vinegar blends with cream and garlic to coat tender chicken breasts in a rich sauce. Pair it with pasta or crusty bread to soak up every drop.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

A pan filled with cooked macaroni mixed with ground meat, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and herbs sits on a dark cloth next to fresh basil leaves. — Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Lean ground turkey adds protein to this gooey mac and cheese that cooks all in one skillet. It’s kid-friendly, quick, and endlessly comforting.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Skillet Zucchini Pizza

A pizza topped with ricotta cheese, pesto sauce, zucchini slices, and chopped nuts sits on parchment paper with one slice slightly separated. — Skillet Zucchini Pizza. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Thin-sliced zucchini becomes the base for a pizza-style skillet meal topped with marinara and cheese. It’s a clever, low-carb twist on pizza night.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Zucchini Pizza

Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Skillet

A close-up of ground beef taco skillet being served with a metal spoon. — Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Skillet. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

All your favorite taco ingredients simmer together with gooey cheese and spices. Scoop it into taco shells or eat with tortilla chips.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Skillet

Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Chicken pieces, red bell peppers, mushrooms, and herbs being stirred in a pan with a wooden spoon. — Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Small chicken pieces are cooked with garlic, olive oil, and herbs for a simple and flavorful meal. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens it all up at the end. A quick fix for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

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.

Gnocchi bakes in tomato sauce and melty cheese until bubbly and golden. It’s a one-pan comfort dish that feels like a baked pasta. Kids and adults both love it.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

A wooden spoon lifting a serving of italian ground beef skillet garnished with parsley from a cast-iron skillet. — Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This low-carb skillet swaps in cauliflower rice and adds Italian spices and tomatoes to beef. It’s satisfying without being heavy. A smart way to switch up pasta night.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Honey Garlic Sriracha Skillet Chicken

Asian glazed chicken in a skillet with lemon slices. — Honey Garlic Sriracha Skillet Chicken. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Sweet, sticky, and spicy, this skillet chicken has a bold glaze that clings to every bite. Serve it over rice or noodles for a fast dinner. The sauce is addictively good.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Sriracha Skillet Chicken

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Beef, cauliflower rice, and cheese melt together in a skillet for a quick low-carb dish. It’s filling and full of savory flavor. Ready in just about 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Cheeseburger Skillet

A wooden spoon scoops a portion of cooked ground meat with melted cheese from a pan. — Cheeseburger Skillet. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This skillet dinner brings together seasoned beef, onions, mustard, and melty cheese for a burger-style dish you eat with a fork. Top with pickles for extra flavor. It’s like your favorite fast food in a skillet.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Skillet