Easy, One-Pan Weeknight Dinners
I get it—after a long day, the last thing you want to do is cook. But eating healthy matters to you now more than ever, and let’s be real—takeout isn’t always the answer.
I’m a self-proclaimed lazy cook. I shortcut everything in the kitchen and live for meals that come together fast and in one pan. If you follow me on social, you already know this about me :)
One of my clients recently told me she never knows what to make for dinner—and I just looked at her like, “Wait… do you not know what I do on the internet?!” We both laughed, and then she asked if I could put together a roundup of my go-to one-pan dinners.
So here it is—thanks to her, this post is packed with easy, hearty, high-protein recipes you can count on when you don’t know what to make. Save it, bookmark it, come back to it anytime you need dinner done with minimal effort and max nutrition.
Craving the comforting flavors of a cheeseburger but short on time or dishes? This one-pan pasta skillet delivers all the best bits—lean beef, melty cheddar, ketchup, mustard—and streams of savory broth all cooked together in one pan. Each 367‑calorie serving packs a whopping 45 g of protein, making it an easy weeknight go‑to or meal-prep superstar. Swap the beef for turkey, plant-based crumbles, or D‑free cheese if you like. With minimal cleanup and maximum flavor, it’s the ultimate high‑protein dinner in just one pan!
Nutrition Info (Per Serving - Makes 8 Servings)
Calories: 367
Protein: 45g
Carbs: 23g
Fat: 10g
Short on time but want something filling, flavorful, and high in protein? This one-pan ground turkey and zucchini skillet is your weeknight dinner hero. With 39 g of protein per serving and simple ingredients like lean turkey, zucchini, sweet potato, and melty cheese, it comes together in about 30 minutes with almost no cleanup. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something warm, satisfying, and macro-friendly—without spending hours in the kitchen.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving - Makes 4 Servings)
Calories: 330
Protein: 39g
Carbs: 36g
Fat: 4g
Need dinner on the table fast? This one‑pan taco rice skillet is a total game‑changer. With 50 g of protein per serving and hearty, flavor‑packed ingredients like lean ground meat, Kaizen high‑protein rice, beans, corn, peppers, and cheese, you can go from stovetop to plate in just 20 minutes—and only one pan to wash. It's an ideal solution for busy weeknights or easy meal prep, and perfect for anyone craving bold taco-style flavor without the fuss.
Nutrition Info (Per serving- makes 5 hearty servings):
Calories: 415
50g protein
30g carbs
15g fiber
11g fat
Need a warm, comforting, protein-packed dinner without the fuss? This One-Pan Chicken Curry is your answer. With 37 g of protein per serving in a creamy, spiced coconut-curry sauce loaded with chicken, veggies, and rice, it comes together in about 30 minutes—and all in a single skillet. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep—rich in flavor, easy to customize, and minimal cleanup required.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving - Serves 4-5)
Calories: 313
Protein: 37g
Carbs: 18g
Fat: 10g
Craving bold flavor without the fuss? This one-pan Korean BBQ beef skillet is your busy weeknight secret. In just about 30 minutes, it serves up 32 g of protein per portion with tender shaved beef tossed in sweet-savory Korean BBQ sauce, crisp broccoli, and spicy-sour kimchi—all in one skillet for minimal cleanup. It's an ideal dinner when you want something satisfying, nutrient-packed, and ready fast. Perfect solo or over rice, and easy to meal prep for the week ahead.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving with 1/3 Cup Jasmine Rice - Makes 3 Servings)
Calories: 441
Protein: 32g
Carbs: 35g
Fat: 19g
Toss tender, pesto‑marinated chicken breast with cauliflower (or regular) gnocchi, colorful veggies, and melty mozzarella—then bake it all together in under 40 minutes with minimal cleanup. At around 30 g of protein and just 360 calories per serving, it’s a perfect balance of flavor, convenience, and macros—all in one pan. Totally customizable and meal‑prep friendly, this dish proves that easy weeknight dinners can be delicious, nourishing, and stress‑free.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving - Makes 5 Servings)
This deconstructed stuffed pepper skillet is your weeknight lifesaver. In a single pan, you’ll cook lean ground beef, bell peppers, onions, rice, and aromatic spices—all simmered together and served cozy-style, without the work of hollowing and stuffing peppers. Each 270-calorie serving packs 30 g of protein, comes together in about 30 minutes, and only requires one skillet for nearly zero cleanup. It’s the perfect dinner when you want something wholesome, satisfying, and fuss‑free.
Nutritional Info (Per Serving - Makes 4 Servings)
Calories: 270
Protein: 30g
Carbs: 30g
Fat: 4g
Final Thoughts
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated—or require a sink full of dishes. These one-pan meals prove that you can fuel your body with high-protein, nutrient-dense foods without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re juggling work, family, or just don’t feel like cooking, these recipes are designed to make your life easier without sacrificing flavor or your goals.
Save this list, come back to it often, and remember: sometimes the simplest meals are the ones that keep you the most consistent. You don’t need perfect. You just need doable—and every recipe here checks that box.
You’ve got this. Let dinner be one less thing to stress about.
