18 Skillet Recipes That Bring the Heat Without the Cleanup

Skillet dinners know how to show up and show off. These 18 recipes deliver big flavor, hearty bites, and just the right amount of sass using one hardworking pan. From sizzling proteins to crave worthy veggies, each dish proves minimal cleanup and maximum flavor can absolutely coexist.

Easy Keto Cast Iron Meatballs

No fancy tools needed—just your trusty cast iron and about 30 minutes to make these juicy, keto-friendly meatballs from scratch. They’re simple, satisfying, and a great way to keep dinner quick and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Easy Keto Cast Iron Meatballs

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Sauteed Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon in a white bowl with red pepper flakes, a spoon, and a fork. — Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Brussels sprouts and bacon are a match made in heaven, especially when cooked up quickly in a cast iron pan. Only five ingredients needed, so prep and cleanup are a snap for a tasty, no-hassle side.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Skillet Chicken Thighs, Bacon, and Green Beans

When dinner needs to be quick, healthy, and delicious, this skillet chicken with bacon and green beans is the answer. Just one pan to wash and less than 20 minutes to cook—easy cleanup and even easier eating.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken Thighs, Bacon, and Green Beans

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Cast Iron Chicken Thigh in Creamy Tomato Sauce with a spoon in a cast iron skillet. — Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

This creamy tomato sauce chicken cooked in cast iron is about to become your go-to keto dinner. Simple, tasty, and friendly for dairy- and gluten-free diets—everyone at the table will be asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Sesame Ginger Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps filled with ground turkey, grated carrots, and cilantro on a plate. — Sesame Ginger Turkey Lettuce Wraps. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

This quick weeknight meal checks all the boxes—ground turkey cooked in a tasty sesame ginger sauce, fresh crunchy veggies, and all wrapped up in cool lettuce leaves. Simple, speedy, and seriously good!
Get the Recipe: Sesame Ginger Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Sriracha Tofu Stir Fry

Seared tofu with roasted carrots, edamame, and bell peppers next to rice noodles on a white plate. — Sriracha Tofu Stir Fry. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

This stir fry brings together crispy pan-seared tofu and fresh veggies in a sweet and spicy honey sriracha soy sauce that’s super simple to whip up. It’s a flexible vegetarian dinner that fits perfectly into busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Sriracha Tofu Stir Fry

Stir Fried Hokkien Noodles

Stir-fried noodles with shrimp and beef in a pan with chopsticks. — Stir Fried Hokkien Noodles. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

This stir-fry has it all: tender beef, plump shrimp, crisp cabbage, and chewy egg noodles wrapped in a delicious savory-sweet sauce. Stir-Fried Hokkien Noodles with Shrimp and Beef is great for a fast weeknight dinner or a fun weekend feast.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fried Hokkien Noodles

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

This creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice comes together in just 30 minutes—and all in one pan! Packed with ground beef, cheddar cheese, mushrooms, and cauliflower rice, it’s an easy, no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Sausage Curry

This sausage curry is a one-pan wonder that’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Sausages and veggies simmer together in a rich, creamy curry sauce that the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Creamy Dijon Chicken

In just 30 minutes, you can have this creamy Dijon chicken on your table. Juicy chicken topped with a tangy mustard sauce, fresh spinach, and crispy bacon makes for a delicious, no-fuss meal your whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

In no time, you can have this creamy sun-dried tomato chicken skillet ready to go. Boneless chicken thighs soak up a delicious sauce made from cream, broth, Parmesan, and herbs for a simple, satisfying weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

These Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs pack a ton of flavor and make a great low-carb dinner any night of the week. Made with ground turkey, coconut milk, curry spices, and coconut aminos, they’re ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

This Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach comes together in one pan and just 30 minutes. Shrimp, tomatoes, spinach, and creamy coconut milk make a flavorful meal that’s easy to cook but feels special.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

A bowl of shrimp pasta with lemon and parsley. — Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Garlic butter shrimp pasta brings together shrimp, pasta, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce for a meal that’s simple, comforting, and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Cream Cheese Chicken

A plate with chicken and green beans on it. — Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This cream cheese chicken breast skillet is simple to whip up and delivers rich, comforting flavors your whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

Cheddar-stuffed turkey zucchini meatballs cooked right in marinara sauce make for a quick, flavorful dinner that’s super easy to pull together.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

Taco Rice Skillet

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

This easy one-dish taco rice skillet gets dinner ready in just 20 minutes! With only 8 simple ingredients, it’s a tasty meal the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese with ground turkey in a pot. — Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Think of this one-pot turkey mac and cheese as a grown-up, healthier twist on the classic boxed favorite. Packed with spinach, peppers, and real cheddar, it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese