Let's be honest: most of us aren't cooking Instagram-worthy meals every night. We're just trying to get something reasonably nutritious on the table before everyone has a meltdown.

These one-pan dinners have saved my sanity more times than I can count. They're simple, use ingredients you probably already have, and—best part—cleanup is a breeze.

Why One-Pan Meals Are a Mom's Best Friend

  • Less cleanup (this cannot be overstated)
  • Fewer dishes to wash
  • Hard to mess up
  • Usually pretty forgiving if you need to substitute ingredients
  • Can often be prepped ahead

    • I make most of these in my trusty slow cooker or a sheet pan. Same energy, different methods.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    This is my weeknight MVP.

    Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast, sliced thin
  • 3 bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Fajita seasoning (store-bought is fine!)
  • Tortillas, cheese, sour cream for serving

    • Instructions:

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F 2. Toss everything (except tortillas and toppings) on a sheet pan 3. Bake 25 minutes 4. Serve with tortillas

    My kids will actually eat this, which is basically a miracle. I usually double the recipe and use leftovers for lunch.

    One-Pot Pasta Primavera

    I was skeptical about cooking pasta directly in the sauce, but it WORKS and tastes amazing.

    Ingredients:

  • 1 lb pasta (penne or rotini work great)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Italian seasoning
  • Parmesan for serving

    • Instructions:

    1. Throw everything except Parmesan in a large pot 2. Bring to a boil, then simmer 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally 3. Top with Parmesan

    The pasta absorbs all the flavor and you're left with one pot to wash. This is the way.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    Set it in the morning, forget about it, come home to dinner. This is the dream.

    Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breasts (frozen is fine!)
  • 1 jar salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • Taco shells, toppings

    • Instructions:

    1. Put chicken, salsa, and seasoning in slow cooker 2. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours 3. Shred chicken with two forks 4. Serve in taco shells with whatever toppings you have

    I've made this probably 50 times. It never gets old and everyone can customize their tacos.

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

    This is what I make when I literally cannot even think about cooking.

    Ingredients:

  • 1 package smoked sausage, sliced
  • 4-5 cups mixed vegetables (whatever you have—potatoes, broccoli, carrots, etc.)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder

    • Instructions:

    1. Preheat oven to 425°F 2. Toss everything on a sheet pan 3. Roast 25-30 minutes

    That's it. That's the whole recipe. My kids think this is fancy.

    One-Pan Baked Salmon

    For when you want to feel like a real adult who cooks fish.

    Ingredients:

  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 1 lb asparagus or green beans
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper

    • Instructions:

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F 2. Place salmon and vegetables on sheet pan 3. Drizzle with butter and lemon 4. Season with salt and pepper 5. Bake 12-15 minutes

    This looks impressive but is embarrassingly easy. I serve it when my in-laws come over and they think I'm a chef.

    Skillet Beef and Rice

    One pan, stovetop, 30 minutes. Done.

    Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup rice
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
  • Shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Brown beef in a large skillet 2. Add rice, broth, tomatoes, and vegetables 3. Bring to boil, then simmer covered 20 minutes 4. Top with cheese and let melt

This is my husband's favorite, which means he doesn't complain about having it once a week.

My Meal Planning Hack

I keep clear bins in my pantry organized by meal type: pasta stuff, taco stuff, rice stuff. It makes throwing together these one-pan meals SO much easier when everything is already grouped.

On Sunday, I look at my week and pick 3-4 of these recipes. I make sure I have all the ingredients, then I don't have to think about dinner until it's time to cook.

The Bottom Line

You don't need to be a master chef to feed your family well. You just need a few reliable recipes that work with your schedule.

These one-pan meals have been game-changers for our family. Less time cooking, less time cleaning, more time for the things that actually matter (like collapsing on the couch after bedtime).

What's your go-to easy dinner? I'm always looking to add to my rotation!