There’s nothing like a hearty skillet dinner to make you feel right at home. These one-pan meals are perfect for anyone who wants all the flavor with none of the mountain of dishes. Think cozy, easy-to-make dinners that let you embrace the season without spending hours in the kitchen.
Sweet Potato Noodles
Sweet potato noodles bring a nutritious twist to the skillet game, offering that comforting pasta feel without all the heaviness. Perfect for fall, this vegetarian dish combines the season’s cozy vibes with a simple prep that keeps you feeling good.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Noodles
Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage
This skillet dinner brings the ultimate comfort with creamy cheddar polenta, seared sausage, and a pop of fall flavor from cranberries and arugula. The perfect dish to transition into cooler weather while keeping it easy with one pan.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Cheddar Polenta with Sausage
Glazed Pork Chops and Apples
Pork chops glazed with pumpkin tea and apples poached in the same sweet mix make for a cozy, autumn-inspired meal. This skillet dinner blends seasonal flavors into a healthy, simple dish that’s as fall-friendly as it gets.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Pork Chops and Apples
Creamy Dijon Pork Chops
Creamy Dijon pork chops are all about rich, comforting flavors with minimal effort. Juicy pork with a mustard-herb sauce, parmesan, and spinach comes together quickly in one pan, making it a great go-to for a fall dinner that feels a little fancier without being hard to make.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Pork Chops
Creamy Lemon Dill Butter Chicken
Creamy Lemon Dill Butter Chicken is the kind of skillet dish that feels sophisticated but is deceptively simple. Chicken thighs paired with citrus and fresh herbs are perfect for cozy fall evenings, making this a great 30-minute dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon Dill Butter Chicken
Easy Cast Iron Skillet Buffalo Ranch Chicken
With buffalo and ranch seasoning, this skillet dish brings some bold flavors into your weeknight rotation. Chicken thighs, carrots, and celery all bake together in one pan for a mess-free, flavorful fall meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cast Iron Skillet Buffalo Ranch Chicken
Skillet with Spinach and Lots of Vegetables
Packed with spinach and a variety of veggies, this simple skillet dish comes together quickly and is loaded with nutrients. It’s an easy go-to when you want something healthy without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Skillet with Spinach and Lots of Vegetables
Traditional Sour Cabbage Stew
This sour cabbage stew is a classic comfort food, especially fitting for fall. Easy to make and full of that sweet, sour, and savory flavor Eastern European dishes are known for, it’s the kind of hearty meal that will keep you warm all season long.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Sour Cabbage Stew
Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin coated in Dijon mustard and herbs, cooked with baby potatoes and carrots, makes for a no-fuss, all-in-one skillet meal. A perfect way to embrace the flavors of fall with minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin
Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
When you need comfort food without the hassle, this cheeseburger pasta skillet comes to the rescue. In just 30 minutes, you get all the creamy, cheesy flavors of a burger, made even easier by cooking everything in one pot.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
Easy Skillet Chicken and Rice Recipe (with Peas)
Chicken and rice is a classic combo that never disappoints. Made in under 40 minutes, this one-pan dish is comforting, filling, and a simple way to bring everyone together for a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Skillet Chicken and Rice Recipe (with Peas)
Tater Tot Turkey Casserole
This turkey casserole is a fun and easy way to use up leftovers from Thanksgiving. With tater tots on top, it’s a cozy, satisfying dish for the whole family to enjoy on a cool evening.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Turkey Casserole
Smoked Sausage and Potato Skillet
A simple dinner recipe that combines smoked sausage, baby potatoes, and vegetables into one quick, flavorful dish. This skillet meal is great for busy nights when you want something hearty and satisfying, and it’s done in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Sausage and Potato Skillet
Cowboy Beef and Rice Skillet
With ground beef, rice, beans, and a Tex-Mex flair, this cowboy beef skillet is a perfect fall dinner. The one-pot cleanup makes it a practical option, and the flavors will make it a hit with the family.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Beef and Rice Skillet
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Kale Skillet
When you need dinner on the table fast, this ground turkey, sweet potato, and kale skillet is your answer. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a nutritious and flavorful option that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Kale Skillet
Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
This grilled chicken fettuccine Alfredo is a creamy, rich dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The skillet helps bring out all the best flavors with minimal cleanup, making it an easy dinner the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
Broccoli Cheddar Orzo with Chicken
Broccoli Cheddar Orzo with Chicken is a cheesy, high-protein skillet meal that’s perfect for fall. This one-pot dish is easy to throw together, making it a family-friendly meal with a sneaky serving of veggies.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Orzo with Chicken
Marry Me Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
This skillet dish combines tender chicken and creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with rigatoni, creating a cozy fall meal. It’s simple, quick, and full of flavor, making it perfect for weeknights when you need a comforting meal fast.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
One-Pan Lebanese Freekeh with Chicken and Apricots
Freekeh, chicken, and apricots come together in this skillet for a unique and flavorful dish. It’s an easy way to switch up your dinner routine and introduce new grains into your meals without the hassle of using multiple pans.
Get the Recipe: One-Pan Lebanese Freekeh with Chicken and Apricots
One Pan Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchilada Skillet
This vegetarian skillet dinner combines sweet potatoes and black beans in a quick enchilada-inspired dish. It’s made in one pan for easy cleanup and is a great option when you’re craving a filling yet healthy dinner.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchilada Skillet
Creamy Pumpkin Butter Beans
This skillet meal features pumpkin and butter beans, making it a perfect fall dish. The creamy texture and ease of preparation make this a quick option for those chilly nights when you want a hearty, plant-based dinner without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Butter Beans
The Best Chili For Two
This vegetarian chili is packed with rich, smoky flavors and is made in a single skillet. Ideal for when you’re cooking for two, it’s hearty, full of beans, and perfect for those cooler fall evenings.
Get the Recipe: The Best Chili For Two
Turmeric Salmon and Couscous
With turmeric and couscous, this skillet dish comes together quickly and is full of vibrant flavors. It’s a great weeknight option that feels light but filling, perfect for when you want a seasonal dish that’s done in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Turmeric Salmon and Couscous
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
