10 One-Pan Dinner Recipes That Save You Time on Cleanup

The day is done, you're tired, you're hungry, and the last thing on your mind is orchestrating a complex meal that will leave your kitchen looking like a disaster zone. We've all been there. The thought of facing a sink piled high with pots, pans, and cutting boards can be enough to make you reach for the takeout menu. But what if you could create a delicious, wholesome, home-cooked meal with just one pan?

Welcome to the revolutionary world of one-pan dinners. This method of cooking is the ultimate life hack for busy individuals, couples, and families. It’s about maximizing flavor while minimizing mess, a philosophy of efficiency that resonates globally, from busy US cities to the cozy kitchens of the Netherlands. By combining all your ingredients onto a single sheet pan or into one pot, you allow the flavors to meld together beautifully, all while saving yourself from a mountain of cleanup.

This collection of ten recipes is your new secret weapon against weeknight dinner stress. We've gathered a variety of dishes—from savory chicken and fish to hearty vegetarian options—that are all designed to be cooked in a single vessel. Get ready to reclaim your evenings and fall in love with cooking all over again.

1. Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken with Potatoes & Asparagus

A timeless classic for a reason. The zesty lemon and aromatic herbs create a bright, fresh flavor that perfectly complements the tender chicken and roasted vegetables. It’s an entire balanced meal on one pan.

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
450g baby potatoes, halved
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
30 ml olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
5 ml (1 tsp) dried oregano
5 ml (1 tsp) dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 lemon, half juiced, half sliced

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 200°C. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for the easiest possible cleanup.
In a large bowl, toss the halved baby potatoes with 15 ml of olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated.
Spread the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes, as they need a head start to become tender.
While the potatoes are roasting, pat the chicken breasts dry and season them generously with salt and pepper.
In the same bowl you used for the potatoes (no need to wash it!), toss the asparagus and minced garlic with the remaining 15 ml of olive oil.
After 15 minutes, remove the sheet pan from the oven. Push the potatoes to one side and place the chicken breasts on the pan. Arrange the asparagus around the chicken.
Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the chicken and vegetables. Place the lemon slices on top of the chicken breasts.
Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 74°C) and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized. Serve immediately.

2. One-Pot Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

This recipe is pure magic. The pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors and releasing starches that create a luxuriously creamy texture without any heavy cream.

Ingredients:

340g linguine or fettuccine
1 can (approx. 400g) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1.1 litres vegetable or chicken broth
10 ml (2 tsp) dried oregano
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
140g baby spinach
50g (about 120 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

Combine the uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes, sliced onion, garlic, broth, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a large pot or Dutch oven.
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a thick sauce.
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh spinach until it has wilted completely.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

3. Sheet Pan Sausage with Bell Peppers & Onions

A vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal. The sweetness of the caramelized peppers and onions pairs perfectly with savory Italian sausage.

Ingredients:

680g Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot)
2 large bell peppers (different colors), sliced
1 large red onion, sliced
15 ml olive oil
5 ml (1 tsp) Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Baguette or crusty rolls for serving (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 200°C.
On a large sheet pan, combine the sliced bell peppers and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat everything evenly.
Arrange the vegetables in a single layer. Nestle the Italian sausages amongst the peppers and onions.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the sausages halfway through, until the sausages are browned and cooked through, and the vegetables are tender and slightly charred at the edges.
Serve as is for a low-carb meal, or pile the sausage and peppers into rolls for a hearty sandwich.

4. One-Pan Modern Dutch Hutspot with Smoked Sausage

This is a modern, deconstructed take on a classic Dutch comfort food, hutspot. Traditionally a mash, we’re roasting the components for more texture and flavor, a popular approach in the modern kitchens of the Netherlands.

Ingredients:

450g carrots, peeled and chopped into 2.5 cm pieces
680g potatoes, peeled and chopped into 2.5 cm pieces
2 medium onions, cut into wedges
450g smoked sausage (rookworst if you can find it), sliced
30 ml olive oil
5 ml (1 tsp) caraway seeds (optional, adds a traditional flavor)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 200°C.
In a large roasting pan or on a sheet pan, combine the chopped carrots, potatoes, and onion wedges.
Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with caraway seeds, salt, and pepper, and toss until everything is well-coated.
Roast for 20 minutes to give the root vegetables a head start.
Remove the pan from the oven and add the sliced smoked sausage, tossing it with the vegetables.
Return to the oven and roast for another 15-20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and golden brown and the sausage is heated through.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. A dollop of mustard on the side is also delicious.

5. Sheet Pan Salmon with Broccoli and Lemon

One of the healthiest and fastest one-pan meals you can make. The salmon becomes flaky and tender while the broccoli gets perfectly crisp-tender.

Ingredients:

4 salmon fillets (approx. 170g each)
1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
15 ml olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, thinly sliced
Fresh dill for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toss the broccoli florets with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper directly on the baking sheet. Spread them into an even layer.
Roast the broccoli for 10 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven. Push the broccoli to the sides to make space for the salmon fillets in the center.
Pat the salmon fillets dry and season with salt and pepper. Place them skin-side down on the sheet pan.
Top each salmon fillet with a few slices of lemon.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking and flakes easily with a fork.
Garnish with fresh dill and serve immediately.

6. One-Pot Spicy Black Bean and Corn Skillet

A vegetarian and vegan-friendly dish packed with protein, fiber, and vibrant Southwestern flavor. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

15 ml olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (approx. 425g) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (approx. 425g) corn, drained
1 can (approx. 280g) diced tomatoes with green chilies
5 ml (1 tsp) chili powder
2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) cumin
Salt to taste
Optional toppings: avocado, cilantro, lime wedges, tortilla chips

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
Add the chopped onion and bell peppers and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, and cumin. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Season with salt.
Serve hot, directly from the skillet, with your favorite toppings.

7. Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Yes, you can roast gnocchi! It becomes wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, a complete texture transformation.

Ingredients:

1 package (500g) shelf-stable potato gnocchi
1 punnet (approx. 250g) cherry tomatoes
1 ball (225g) fresh mozzarella, torn into bite-sized pieces
30 ml olive oil
5 ml (1 tsp) Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper
Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 220°C.
On a large sheet pan, toss the uncooked gnocchi and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Spread into a single layer, ensuring the gnocchi aren't overlapping too much.
Roast for 20-25 minutes, until the gnocchi are golden and slightly crispy and the tomatoes have burst.
Remove from the oven and immediately dot the torn mozzarella over the hot gnocchi and tomatoes. The residual heat will melt it slightly.
Garnish with plenty of fresh basil before serving.

8. One-Pot Coconut Curry with Chickpeas and Spinach

A creamy, fragrant, and deeply satisfying vegan curry that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

15 ml coconut oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tbsp red curry paste
1 can (400 ml) full-fat coconut milk
1 can (approx. 425g) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
140g baby spinach
Juice of 1 lime
Cooked rice for serving

Instructions:

Melt the coconut oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft.
Stir in the garlic, ginger, and red curry paste, and cook for one minute until fragrant.
Pour in the coconut milk and 120 ml of water, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer.
Add the chickpeas and simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Stir in the spinach until wilted, then turn off the heat.
Squeeze in the lime juice and season with salt if needed.
Serve hot over a bed of fluffy rice.

9. Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

All the sizzle and flavor of restaurant fajitas without the multiple pans. The high heat of the oven chars the peppers and steak beautifully.

Ingredients:

680g flank or skirt steak, thinly sliced against the grain
3 bell peppers (assorted colors), thinly sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced
30 ml olive oil
1 packet of fajita seasoning (or make your own with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder)
Flour tortillas, warmed
Toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 220°C.
In a large bowl, toss the sliced steak, peppers, and onion with the olive oil and fajita seasoning until everything is evenly coated.
Spread the mixture in a single, even layer on a large sheet pan.
Roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the steak is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly charred.
Serve immediately with warm tortillas and your favorite fajita toppings.

10. One-Pot Jambalaya-Style Rice

A simplified, weeknight-friendly take on the Louisiana classic, bringing together sausage, shrimp, and rice in a symphony of savory and spicy flavors.

Ingredients:

15 ml olive oil
450g andouille or smoked sausage, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
300g (about 360 ml) long-grain white rice
1 can (approx. 400g) diced tomatoes
720 ml chicken broth
15 ml (1 tbsp) Cajun seasoning
450g shrimp, peeled and deveined

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery (the "holy trinity") to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
After 15 minutes, uncover and stir in the cooked sausage and the raw shrimp.
Place the lid back on and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and opaque and the liquid is absorbed.
Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot.

There you have it—ten delicious, time-saving dinners that prove you don't need a sink full of dishes to enjoy a fantastic homemade meal. Embrace the simplicity, enjoy the flavors, and most importantly, enjoy your evening.

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