10 Quick One Pan Dinner Recipes for Weeknights

With an evening packed full, there may not be much time for cooking and cleaning. One pan dinner recipes help resolve both issues. Prepare all protein, vegetables, and other ingredients in a single pot instead of using more than one. One-pan dinner recipes cover chicken, shrimp, sausage, and vegetarian chicken. They also feature published calorie information to provide an understanding of the calorie contribution of each serving.

The Usefulness of One Pan Weeknight Dinner Recipes

Cooking for the weeknight is easier with one-pan dinners, since you can cook multiple items in a single pan or on a sheet pan. You do less washing up after dinner, too.

When you get home late from work, opt for a recipe that is quick to prepare. For those who have more time, consider roasted chicken, potatoes, and vegetables.

10 Easy One-Pan Dinner Recipes

1. Chicken Shawarma Sheet Pan Dinner

Mix together boneless chicken thighs, chickpeas, vegetables, olive oil, and spices from the Middle East. Place all on one baking tray and bake until the chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender. Serve with lemon and sauce to taste. This recipe offers 370.5 calories and 40g protein per serving.

2. Balsamic-Herb Chicken and Vegetables

Marinate chicken breast in balsamic vinegar, garlic, herbs, and olive oil. Place vegetables like zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, etc. on the sheet pan. Roast all together till chicken is safe to eat and the vegetables are tender. According to Skinnytaste, this recipe has 251 calories per serving.

3. Chicken Drumsticks With Zucchini and Corn

Arrange prepared chicken drumsticks, zucchini, corn, and bell peppers onto a sheet pan. For additional flavor, add lemon juice, oregano, and Dijon mustard. Roast till chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender. According to the recipe published, there are 330 calories and 30.5g protein per serving.

4. Shrimp Stuffed with Broccolini and Tomatoes

Toss shrimp, broccolini, and grape tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, lemon, and seasoning. Put everything on a flat pan. Roast until shrimp is opaque and vegetables are tender. This is a great choice if you need a quick dinner, as the published recipe is about 30 minutes.

5. Shrimp, Corn and Tomato Sheet Pan Dinner

Place shrimp, fresh corn, and tomatoes on a sheet pan. Add Old Bay, lemon, and herbs to taste. Broil together until the shrimp is cooked. Top with fresh chives and lemon juice. A recipe is published that serves 295 calories and 27g of protein per serving. A recipe is published that yields 295 calories and 27g of protein per serving.

6. One-Pan Potatoes, Sausage and Peppers

Make small pieces of potatoes to cook evenly with the sausage. Sauté the sliced peppers and onions and season with olive oil and rosemary. Roast till potatoes are tender and the sausage turns brown. The recipe that is published has 325 calories and 22.5g protein per serving.

7. Turkey Kielbasa and Vegetable Sheet Pan

Cut up cutlets of turkey kielbasa and mix with asparagus, grape tomatoes, and bell peppers. Place all in a single layer to roast, not steam. Simply cook until the vegetables are tender and the sausage has browned on the edges. The published serving size has 270 calories with 19.5g protein.

8. Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Sausage

Place gnocchi, sausage, tomatoes, and broccolini on a sheet pan. Cook, season, and oil. Bake until vegetables are soft and gnocchi are golden. In the published version, the gnocchi aren’t boiled before making, although it is the preferred method. Each serving contains 21g of protein and 333 calories.

9. Italian Turkey Meatball Sheet Pan Dinner

Mix the turkey meat with Italian herbs, fennel, paprika, and a small amount of chicken broth to make meatballs. Serve with seasoned vegetables on a sheet pan. Bake until meatballs are cooked through and vegetables are softened. According to Skinnytaste, a serving of this recipe contains 27.5g of protein and 292 calories.

10. Shrimp and Andouille Sheet Pan Dinner

Mix shrimp/turkey or chicken sausage with broccoli, mushrooms, bell pepper, onion, and celery. Season with Cajun seasoning and roast the veggies before adding the shrimp for the last 5 minutes of cooking. Top with fresh lemon juice. According to the published recipe, per serving of 1, it contains 374 calories and 38g protein.

How to Make One-Pan Dinners Work Better

The key to one-pan dinners is to match the size of the ingredients to the amount of time they will require. Chop potatoes and other hard vegetables into small chunks. Do not overcook softer vegetables; keep them just a little smaller.

Do not overcrowd the pan. Allow space in between ingredients for hot air to circulate. This prevents vegetables from getting watery.

Make Weeknight Cooking Easier

Pre-Clean vegetables early in the day and store in the refrigerator. Spices can also be weighed and sauces made in advance. Upon arrival at home, place it all in the pan and begin cooking.

Use a food thermometer for chicken; cook to 165°F (74°C). In fact, the safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F, according to Food Network.

Use Simple Ingredient Swaps

You can replace vegetables based on what you already have. Swap out the broccoli for broccolini, peppers for zucchini, or pork sausage for turkey sausage, wherever possible.

If you’re looking for a lighter dinner, reduce the amount of oil and increase the amount of vegetables. Serve with brown rice, whole-grain bread, or other appropriate side dish for a more substantial meal.

Take Your Pick

When you want to do the least amount of cooking and cleaning, go for easy one pan dinner recipes. For family dinner – make chicken recipes; shrimp cooks up fast when you’re pressed for time. For a hearty meal when you don’t want to have to use multiple pans, try the sausage or gnocchi.

These one-pan meals are quite easy to prepare on a weeknight. Select a recipe based on your choice of protein, the amount of time you have available, and the food items you have on hand.