Food and Recipes Dinner 42 Easy One-Skillet Meals That'll Feed the Whole Family By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is an Associate 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 July 16, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis 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 42 Skillet Enchiladas Suizas Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Skillet Enchiladas Suizas No filling or rolling required for our easiest-ever enchilada recipe that comes together in just 25 minutes. 02 of 42 Lighter Pan-Fried Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Lighter Pan-Fried Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes 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 the kids and adults will love. 03 of 42 Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore 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. 04 of 42 Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole Hector Sanchez Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole This one-dish meal is a modern take on the classic chicken-and-wild rice casserole Mama has been serving for years. 05 of 42 Lemon-Dill Chicken Skillet Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Lemon-Dill Chicken Skillet 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. 06 of 42 Skillet Shrimp Chilaquiles Stephen DeVries Recipe: Skillet Shrimp Chilaquiles 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). 07 of 42 Cast-Iron Chicken Piccata Greg Dupree Recipe: Cast-Iron Chicken Piccata When we get an Instagram-worthy dinner on the table in just 30 minutes, we call that a win. 08 of 42 Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions Becky Luigart Stayner Recipe: Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions 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. 09 of 42 Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers Pasta night was already easy, but add a cast-iron skillet and wow-worthy Andouille and it becomes almost too good to be true. 10 of 42 Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables Greg DuPree Recipe: Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables Bring a comforting stew of chicken and vegetables to the table in no time with this wholesome, one-skillet dish. 11 of 42 Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons 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. 12 of 42 Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-Fry Greg DuPree Recipe: Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-Fry This flavorful stir-fry is even easier than ordering takeout, and your kids will actually eat Brussels sprouts served this way. 13 of 42 Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas Victor Protasio Recipe: Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas 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. 14 of 42 Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Mushrooms Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Mushrooms This party-ready pot pie can be ready in time for everday dinner instead with a little bit of prep work. Slow cook the chicken ahead of time to make night-of meal preparation much easier. 15 of 42 Skillet Orzo with Fish and Herbs Becky Luigart Stayner Recipe: Skillet Orzo with Fish and Herbs This pretty entrée is quick and simple enough for a weeknight but looks dressy enough for company. 16 of 42 Crispy Chicken Thighs with Pasta and Pesto Photo: Greg Dupree Recipe: Crispy Chicken Thighs with Pasta and Pesto This simple recipe doesn't require a lot of seasoning or fuss because our homemade arugula pesto speaks for itself. 17 of 42 Shrimp Fried Rice Greg DuPree Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice 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. 18 of 42 Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Becky Luigart Stayner Recipe: Skillet Chicken Pot Pie This Southern classic is so much easier when made in a cast-iron skillet with refrigerated pie crusts. 19 of 42 Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs This version of mac and cheese features three kinds of cheese for the dreamiest dinner your kids will beg you to make. 20 of 42 Chicken and Shrimp Skillet Rice Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Chicken and Shrimp Skillet Rice 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. 21 of 42 Chicken-Parmesan Meatballs Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Chicken-Parmesan Meatballs 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. 22 of 42 Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry 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. 23 of 42 Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce 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. 24 of 42 Ravioli Lasagna Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Recipe: Ravioli Lasagna 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 become a regular occurrence at your table. 25 of 42 Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Caper Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Caper Sauce 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 be delicious with pasta or rice if you have either on hand. 26 of 42 Crispy Breaded Pork Cutlets Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Crispy Breaded Pork Cutlets 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. 27 of 42 Black Bean Burgers With Avocado Slaw Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Black Bean Burgers With Avocado Slaw The family will be dying for meatless Monday to roll around again once they try these flavorful black bean burgers. Crunchy, zingy slaw has just the texture these veggie burgers need. 28 of 42 Skillet Shrimp Destin with Orzo Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Skillet Shrimp Destin with Orzo Fresh shrimp is a real treat on beach trips, and this one-dish meal is a beautiful way to enjoy it. 29 of 42 Skillet Turkey Meatloaves with Mushroom Gravy Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Skillet Turkey Meatloaves with Mushroom Gravy We lightened-up Mama's old recipe with these perfectly portioned turkey meatloaves. "The whole family loved it, which is no small feat!" wrote one five-star reviewer. 30 of 42 Shrimp with Honey-Garlic Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Shrimp with Honey-Garlic Sauce 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. 31 of 42 Beefy Nacho Casserole Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck Recipe: Beefy Nacho Casserole 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." 32 of 42 Baked Tortellini Alfredo With Mushrooms Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Baked Tortellini Alfredo With Mushrooms 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. 33 of 42 Pork Chops with Dijon-Buttermilk Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Recipe: Pork Chops with Dijon-Buttermilk Sauce 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. 34 of 42 One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo 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. 35 of 42 Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls 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. 36 of 42 Simple Pan-Seared Fish Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Simple Pan-Seared Fish 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. 37 of 42 Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta 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. 38 of 42 Beef Tamale Pie Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Beef Tamale Pie 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 one in the fridge. 39 of 42 Maque Choux with Sausage Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Recipe: Maque Choux with Sausage 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. 40 of 42 Cottage Pie with Potato Crust Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr Recipe: Cottage Pie with Potato Crust 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. 41 of 42 Salmon Burgers With Creamy Tartar Sauce Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Salmon Burgers With Creamy Tartar Sauce 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. 42 of 42 Lightened-Up Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Lightened-Up Chicken-Broccoli Casserole 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit