10 Quick and Easy One-Pan Meals for Busy Weeknights

10 Quick and Easy One-Pan Meals for Busy Weeknights

Cooking a delicious homemade meal doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen and leaving behind a pile of dirty dishes. With one-pan meals, you can whip up a satisfying dish in minimal time while keeping cleanup to a minimum. Below, we’ve compiled ten simple yet flavorful recipes perfect for busy weeknights, featuring essential kitchen tools that will make your prep work effortless.

1. Garlic Butter Chicken & Vegetables

Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 zucchini, sliced

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat butter in a Handmade Traditional Iron Wok over medium-high heat.

  2. Add chicken and cook until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

  3. In the same pan, sauté garlic with the Manual Garlic Crusher & Onion Chopper until fragrant.

  4. Toss in vegetables and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

  5. Return chicken to the wok and stir well. Cook for another 5 minutes.

  6. Serve hot with a side of rice or crusty bread.

Common Substitutes:

  • Use shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood variation.

  • Swap zucchini with asparagus or broccoli for a seasonal twist.

2. Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Asparagus

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

  2. Add garlic and shrimp, cooking for 3-4 minutes.

  3. Toss in asparagus and season with paprika, salt, and pepper.

  4. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes.

  5. Drizzle with lemon juice before serving.

Common Substitutes:

  • Replace shrimp with tofu for a vegetarian alternative.

  • Use green beans if asparagus is unavailable.

3. Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb beef sirloin, sliced thinly

  • 2 cups broccoli florets

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce

  • 1 tsp ginger, grated

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat sesame oil in the Handmade Traditional Iron Wok over high heat.

  2. Add beef and stir-fry for 3 minutes.

  3. Toss in garlic and ginger using the Manual Garlic Crusher & Onion Chopper

  4. Stir in broccoli and cook for another 5 minutes.

  5. Add soy sauce and oyster sauce, stirring to coat.

  6. Serve over rice or noodles.

Common Substitutes:

  • Chicken or tofu can be used instead of beef.

  • Use cauliflower if broccoli is not available.

4. One-Pan Teriyaki Salmon

Ingredients:

  • 2 salmon fillets

  • 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce

  • 1 tbsp honey

  • 1 tsp sesame seeds

  • 1 cup snap peas

  • 1/2 cup baby carrots, sliced

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

  2. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 3 minutes.

  3. Add vegetables to the pan and drizzle with teriyaki sauce and honey.

  4. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes.

  5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

Common Substitutes:

  • Swap salmon for chicken thighs or tofu.

  • Use green beans or bell peppers in place of snap peas.

5. Sausage & Potato Skillet

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced

  • 3 medium potatoes, diced

  • 1 bell pepper, chopped

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.

  2. Add potatoes and cook until crispy.

  3. Toss in sausage, onions, and bell peppers.

  4. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper.

  5. Cook for another 5 minutes until fully heated through.

Common Substitutes:

  • Sweet potatoes can be used instead of regular potatoes.

  • Turkey sausage can replace smoked sausage for a leaner meal.

Kitchen Tools That Make Prep Easier

To make cooking these one-pan meals even easier, consider using these essential kitchen tools:

Final Thoughts

One-pan meals are a lifesaver for anyone with a busy schedule who still wants to enjoy home-cooked meals without excessive cleanup. Whether you're craving a hearty skillet meal, a light seafood dish, or a flavorful stir-fry, these recipes have you covered.

By incorporating the right kitchen tools, you can cut down prep time and make the cooking process smoother. Try out these recipes and enjoy stress-free, delicious dinners all week long!

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