Maximum Taste, Minimum Clean-Up
There's nothing worse than finishing a delicious, home-cooked meal and being ready to digest via watching TV on the couch only to look over and see it: the sink full of dishes. Some of those dishes are probably dishwasher safe, but what about that unwieldy sheet pan, or that massive sauce pot? For nights when you want to enjoy a good meal but don't want to spend an hour washing up, these one-pan (and pot) meals will save your life.
1. Sheet Pan Nachos
Sheet pan nachos come together in just 15 minutes and are a great way to inject some fun into your midday meals. Not only are these the perfect "throw everything in the oven and wait" dish, but kids will love pulling them apart. If you don't want to go all out for taco Tuesday, we recommend you give these nachos a try.
2. Beef Stew
Stews and soups are the perfect lazy meals. While they may technically take a lot of time, you don't have to do much aside from some light chopping and stirring. Sure, you'll have to clean the crockpot once all the stew's gone, but it's worth it.
3. Skillet Lasagna
Unlike traditional lasagnas, which require hours of construction and some architectural know-how, a skillet lasagna provides the same hearty meal for a fraction of the effort. This dish may not be pretty, but it's easy. More importantly, it's delicious.
4. Fried Rice
The quintessential "we need to clean out the fridge" dish, fried rice is as simple as it is forgiving. Because this dish requires the use of day-old rice, you don't have to worry firing up your rice cooker or a separate pot. Merely mix everything together and crack an egg into the delicious mess.
5. Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff is a classic Eastern European comfort dish that's perfect as we head into the colder months. Like with stew, you basically just need to stir and make sure nothing burns. Cooking the noodles directly in the broth will not only save you work later, but it will imbue the noodles with all that delicious meaty flavor.
6. Chili
Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and chili bubble. Chili is one of those dishes that gets better with age, so you can leave it on the stove pretty much all day and forget about it until it's time to eat. Make a vat of it, freeze, and enjoy a hassle-free meal in a few months' time.
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7. Chicken & Orzo
Orzo is more absorbent than larger pasta shapes thanks to its size and composition, meaning you can cook it directly in sauces or broths. This meal does involve a bit of hokey-pokeying as you swap the chicken and orzo in and out of the pan, but we promise it's worth it.
8. Beef & Broccoli
Doused in flavorful teriyaki sauce, beef & broccoli is filling and satisfying. Most of the "work" of this dish is just letting your solid ingredients soak up your liquid ones, making this one perfect for lazy evenings. If you're willing to wash two pans, you could serve this alongside fried rice for a takeout-inspired dinner
9. Cucumber Couscous Salad
In a rush and want something cool for the summer? Cucumber couscous salad is here to save the day. Made with large, pearl-shaped couscous, this lemony-fresh salad takes a few minutes to cook and can be enjoyed all summer long.
10. Green Shaksuhka
We've sung the numerous praises of shakshuka before and we'll definitely do it again. If you're tired or traditional tomatoes, or simply want to get more greens in your diet, then flip the color wheel on this Middle Eastern fave. Shakshuka is traditionally served as a breakfast, but you can eat it for any meal you wish.
11. Jambalaya
Jambalaya brings Cajun comfort to hectic weeknights. Loaded with sausage and spice, jambalaya is so easy to make that you could even have kids help you with stirring and mixing. It takes only about half an hour to cook and is packed with flavor you'll keep coming back to.
12. Fried Gnocchi
Gnocchi only takes a few minutes to cook as it is, but if you pan-fry this delicious potato pasta, you have a shortcut to deliciousness. Fried gnocchi has a golden-brown sear and, when fried directly in a sauce of your choice, laps up all that liquid like a traveler at a desert oasis.
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13. Ravioli Lasagna
If you're (understandably) daunted by the prospect of making a lasagna from scratch, you can save time and money by substituting ravioli. All you have to do is layer your ravioli and sauce until you build up a few layers. Pop it in the oven, and enjoy.
14. Pot Roast
A staple Sunday supper, pot roast is hearty, but not too hard on the dishwasher. Pot roast is extremely versatile and can be made in a Dutch oven, crockpot, or pressure cooker. Just make sure you pick the right cut of beef for this dish!
15. Skillet Mac & Cheese
There's no rule saying you can't enjoy radioactive orange mac & cheese well past your college years, but this elevated version will at least feel more mature. Skillets are a godsend for pretty much any meal where you want minimal clean-up, and this recipe is no exception.
16. Shepherd's Pie
You don't need to be a shepherd to enjoy this comforting British classic. This dish has been delighting diners for centuries, and we see no reason why it should stop now. Shepherd's pie isn't a dish known for its beauty, so don't worry about not getting it exactly right.
Abhinaba Basu from Redmond, United States on Wikimedia
17. Pesto Pasta
Some things are best served cold, like revenge, or pesto pasta. In fact, part of the reason why we love pasta so much is because you don't need to warm it up. The warmth of the pasta itself perfectly complicates the herbaceous, woody flavor of the pesto.
18. Grown-Up Hamburger Helper
This isn't your childhood Hamburger Helper, it's much better. Filled with herbs and spices, this dish will fill that hole in your stomach and leave you asking for more. Use orzo to soak up all that liquid gold.
19. Sheet Pan Salmon & Veg
Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna cooks extraordinary quickly, while fresh vegetables only need a light toasting to retain their crunch. Have your salmon and veggies play nicely on the same pan to get that perfect crust.
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20. Bruschetta
Have a ton of tomatoes and don't know what to do with them? To hot to turn on the stove or oven? Solve two problems at once by making delicious bruschetta for an appetizer or main course. Throw some bread on the barbecue and enjoy the literal fruits of your labor.
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