7 Cheap and Easy One-Pan Dinner Recipes

The Art of One-Pan Cooking

Preparing a delicious meal doesn’t mean you have to use every pot and pan in your kitchen. One-pan dinners are not only simple to make but also easier to clean up. Here are some inexpensive and straightforward one-pan dinner recipes that your whole family will enjoy.

1. Skillet Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 1 each red, yellow and green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 packet fajita seasoning mix
• 8 flour tortillas

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken and cook until no longer pink.
3. Stir in the fajita seasoning, followed by the peppers and onion.
4. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender.
5. Serve the fajita filling in flour tortillas.

This recipe can easily be customized to suit your family’s preferences. For example, you could substitute the chicken with beef or even make it vegetarian by using tofu or beans.

2. One-Pan Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces linguine
• 12 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 sprigs basil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 1/2 cups water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients except the cheese in a large skillet.
2. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
3. Continue to boil, stirring frequently, until the pasta is cooked and the water has almost evaporated, about 9 minutes.
4. Serve the pasta with a generous amount of grated Parmesan.

This incredibly simple recipe requires very little effort, yet delivers a delicious and satisfying meal. The starchy water from the pasta combines with the other ingredients to create a creamy sauce.

Keep Calm and Keep Cooking

Welcome back to our quick culinary journey. As you’ve seen, one-pan cooking is a lifesaver for busy weeknights, and it’s also friendly on the wallet. Let’s explore some more budget-friendly, easy-to-make one-pan dinner recipes.

3. Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine all ingredients on the baking sheet, ensuring everything is evenly coated with oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is browned.
4. Serve hot, perhaps with some crusty bread on the side.

This dish is a perfect mix of savory sausage and colorful, crunchy vegetables, all roasted to perfection in one pan.

4. One-Pan Shrimp and Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in the rice, followed by the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
4. Arrange the shrimp on top of the rice, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the shrimp are pink.
5. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

This hearty, seafood-centric dish offers a new take on traditional shrimp and rice recipes. It’s flavorful, satisfying, and best of all, requires only one pan.

One-pan dinners are the perfect solution for those looking to create delicious, stress-free meals on a budget. Not only are these recipes quick and easy to prepare, but the minimal cleanup also means you’ll have more time to relax in the evening. Enjoy these dishes and make one-pan dinners a regular feature in your kitchen!