Easy One Pan Dinners for Family

Make cooking dinner for your family a little simpler with these easy one-pan dinners for family. They are all easy, delicious, and nutritious, involve super streamlined cooking methods, AND most are ready in less than 30 minutes!

There are a few things I aim for with my recipes to make them easier for families to enjoy, these include short ingredient lists and accessible ingredients. And since I know dishwashing tends to be one of the factors that can make cooking so much harder—and it is one that is often never acknowledged by us recipe developers—I wanted to put together a collection of toddler dinner recipes (suitable for the whole family) that require just one pan for cooking.

This means you will not wind up with a sink full of pots and pans to wash at the end of these easy one pan dinners for family. It means that the method involved in each of these recipes mainly requires you to add ingredients to the same pan. And each of these can be made ahead and warmed up for easy weeknight family dinners.

(You may also like Shortcut Toddler Meals, Slow Cooker Recipes for Kids, and how to make Snack Dinners.)

One-Pot Taco Pasta

This has the best of both pasta and tacos, requires just one pan, and is so versatile. You can use ground beef or trade in ground turkey or chicken—or make it vegetarian for an easy one pan family meal.

One-Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese

This recipe requires minimal pots and equipment, cooks quickly, and is really versatile: Use what you have on hand and prefer—as in fresh or frozen broccoli, added spices or keep it plain and simple.

One-Pot Lentils and Rice

Packed with plant-based protein and simple pantry ingredients, this easy dish boasts subtle Moroccan flavors and sweetness from dried fruit. It’s a favorite vegetarian meal and an easy one pan dinners for family meals.

One-Pot Pesto Chicken and Rice

This skillet recipe has been in rotation in my house for years. I love the simplicity of the ingredients—and that it delivers on flavor. Plus, the veggies blend right into the rice, making it both a satisfying and nutritious meal and more appealing to wary kids. 

Easy Sloppy Joes

You can serve the cooked mixture as sandwiches on hamburger buns or brioche rolls, next to a buttered roll, or even stuffed into a bun to make it easier for toddlers to eat. It has the classic Sloppy Joe taste, but with fewer ingredients and less work, which make it an easy one pan dinner for family.

Quick Pasta with Peas

I keep frozen peas in the freezer and pasta in the pantry so I can make this whenever we want it on our menu. You can of course add chicken, diced steak, or shrimp on the side—or another protein. It’s super versatile.

Easy Broccoli Rice

This healthy broccoli recipe has subtle garlic flavor, fiber from brown rice, and all of the nutrition you expect from broccoli. It also boasts a surprising amount of vegetarian protein, as an added bonus.

Easy Giambotta (Italian Vegetable Stew)

This, to me, is comfort food, and I love how after you chop the veggies, the Giambotta just simmers away in a pot. There are so many ways to vary this dish and customize it for your family.

Shortcut Quinoa Fried Rice

Using cooked quinoa to make a version of fried rice is an easy dinner option that’s packed with nutrients—and honestly, it’s just a nice, quick meal to have in the mix since it tastes like takeout.

Easy Stuffed Peppers Skillet

With the classic flavors of Stuffed Peppers, but much less work, this skillet version cooks up in just 20 minutes for a healthy family dinner option. 

Easy Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna, with tender noodles, creamy cheese, and tons of yummy flavor! It’s perfect for the whole family or as an easy toddler dinner.

One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta

It’s made with accessible ingredients you can easily find at the store, has a veggie right in the mix, and boasts the creamiest texture.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

This pasta recipe for kids has it all: protein, comfort, cheesiness, and an easy method. You can add veggies if you want, swap in vegetarian ingredients to make this without meat, and make it ahead to serve it up at a later time.

How to Store

All of these recipes can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Then reheated in a heat-safe container. See each recipe for the specifics on each recipe as they may vary slightly.

Best Tips for Success

• Add simple sides to any of these to round out the meal. Try a salad kit, applesauce, cheese and crackers, or fresh fruit.
• Add condiments and more flavor to adult portions with items such a salsa, guacamole, hot sauce, lemon, fresh herbs, or other toppings you like.
• Try serving meals family style so the kids can see what’s on offer and can help to serve themselves.

Related Recipes

Easy One Pan Dinners for Family

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Easy Broccoli Pasta

16 Shortcut Toddler Meal Ideas (SO Quick!)