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5 Delightfully Easy One-Skillet Dinners

One humble pan, minimal ingredients and a few minutes' prep -- and you've got a full-fledged meal.
By Lynn Andriani
The Pork Chops You Just Sear, Simmer And Sauce
Romulo Yanes
Braising is a fantastic cooking method, but the fry-then-slowly-stew technique isn't ideal on a busy weeknight. Quick braising, though, is a variation that works well in a skillet, especially with pork chops. A sizzling-hot pan browns the meat, helping to give it richness, then you finish the cooking by adding stock and letting it simmer with the lid on, so the moisture keeps the pork tender and juicy. You can make the dish with apples and onions, just onions, onions and peppers or mushrooms, depending on whether your tastes veer sweet or savory.

Get the recipe: Skillet Pork Chops with Apples
The Fastest Lasagna On The Planet
Kate Dean
Aside from neatly arranged layers, there isn't much that separates a traditional baked lasagna from this speedy skillet version. Sautée ground beef, add canned tomatoes and seasonings and then throw in wide egg noodles (which are almost like mini lasagna sheets). The pasta cooks in the sauce as you stir in ricotta and shredded mozzarella -- and the cheeses melt on the spot.

Get the recipe: Easy One-Skillet Lasagna
An Ovenless 30-Minute Casserole
Jenny Flake
This supper -- a kind of American take on fried rice -- tastes like a casserole, yet you make it in a cast-iron skillet entirely on the stovetop, perfect for nights when you don't feel like turning on the oven (or waiting for it to preheat). It's wonderfully satisfying, and features ingredients pretty much everyone loves: bacon, cheddar and shredded rotisserie chicken.

Get the recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet Dinner with Bacon
A Midweek Mediterranean Masterpiece
Emilie Raffa
Subtly sweet-tasting shrimp and tangy feta are such a natural match that you don't need to do much to make them taste great together. All you really need to turn the duo into a hearty -- and speedy -- meal, along with some tomato sauce and flavor boosters (onion, garlic and oregano)? An ovenproof skillet. Just be sure to have some crusty bread on hand, to sop up the juices from this delicious supper with sunny Greek vibes.

Get the recipe: 20-Minute Skillet-Baked Shrimp and Feta
A New Twist On An Old Favorite
Alison Gootee
Corned-beef hash gets a fresh makeover with this foolproof recipe, which keeps the potatoes and onion, but swaps in prosciutto for the corned beef, and adds asparagus for a bit of green crunch. Once they're well-cooked, you use a spoon to form four nests in the hash and crack an egg into each. You can cook them until they're hard, or let them go just until the whites are firm but the yolks are still runny; and add some hot sauce for a kick.

Get the recipe: Asparagus and Prosciutto Hash

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Before You Go

5 Easy Dinners We Cook Again And Again
The Unexpected (And Genius) Way To Make A Burger(01 of05)
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Sweet or hot Italian sausage may be a summertime cookout staple, but it also deserves kudos for how easily it transforms into flavorful patties. Since the meat is already seasoned, all you have to do is remove the casings, form the pork into burgers, brush with oil and cook in a frying pan or grill pan until browned and crusty, about five minutes per side. While you're doing that, sauté a bag of baby spinach with garlic in olive oil for a fresh-tasting topping. Toasted ciabatta rolls will soak up the juices.

Get the recipe: Italian-Sausage Burgers with Garlicky Spinach (credit:F&W/Stephanie Foley)
A Cheater Homemade Pizza You'll Be Proud Of(02 of05)
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We're all about repurposing leftovers, but one use that had escaped us -- until now -- is pizza. Pita, pizza dough or wheat tortillas all work for the crust; top whichever you choose with whatever extras you have. A container of tomato sauce? Just add mozzarella and red chili flakes. Roasted vegetables? Layer shaved cheese, such as Pecorino Romano, over the pizza base. Any kind of cooked greens, from kale to spinach? Throw on some sliced Spanish chorizo and crumbled blue cheese.

Get the recipe: Gigi "Skizza" with Arugula Pesto, Ricotta and Chicken (credit:Con Poulos)
A Salad Where The Dressing Does Double Duty(03 of05)
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Lemon juice, mustard, cumin, honey and olive oil: This zippy mixture can brighten up whatever veggies you like -- and it also works as an excellent marinade for chicken, as this smart recipe shows. After you've cooked the meat (whether on the stovetop, oven or grill), add some of the reserved dressing to the vegetables and toss everything together for a healthy entrée salad.

Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken, Spinach and Cashew Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing (credit:Gentl )
The 15-Minute Shrimp(04 of05)
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Spanish wine bars aren't just known for their Riojas; most also serve simple, uncomplicated food, such as an omelet or a platter of sliced ham and cheese. This garlicky shrimp belongs in that category; it starts with sautéed garlic and shallots, then you add in grape tomatoes, shrimp and white wine. The tomatoes morph into a bright and tangy sauce that tastes like it's been simmering for hours, but is actually ready in minutes.

Get the recipe: Garlicky Shrimp with Tomatoes and White Wine (credit:Signe Birck)
A One-Pot Asian Supper(05 of05)
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Lettuce wraps are a great way to eat Asian stir-fries without having to prepare a separate accompaniment, such as noodles or rice. Just brown the meat with the seasonings, wash and dry some Bibb or butter lettuce leaves (their cup-like shape is ideal) while it sizzles, then let everyone pile spoonfuls of the filling into their edible bowls. This particular dish uses a few powerhouses to bump up the flavor, including ginger, garlic, soy and hoisin sauces. Plus, they store well, so you don't have to run to the store to buy new each time you want to make this delicious meal.

Get the recipe: Gingery Beef Lettuce Wraps (credit:Johnny Miller)
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