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Home » Recipe Collections

You Only Need One Pan for These 27 Crowd-Pleasers

Published: Jun 9, 2025 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

One pan crowd pleasers are the kind of meals that make life easier without dialing things down. They’re simple to pull together, easy to clean up, and still pack the kind of flavor that keeps people coming back for seconds. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, these recipes get the job done with less hassle and more payoff. Just grab a pan and get cooking.

An image of cooked tater tot casserole.

Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green Rice Casserole

An overhead image of green rice casserole in a white baking dish.
Green Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green rice casserole comes together fast with everyday ingredients and bold flavor. It’s a strong one-pan pick when time and energy are limited.
Get the Recipe: Green Rice Casserole

Leek and Mushroom Pasta

An overhead image of cooked leek mushroom pasta in a pan.
Leek and Mushroom Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Creamy ricotta and parmesan make this leek and mushroom pasta rich without much effort. One pan keeps things easy while still delivering big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Leek and Mushroom Pasta

Sheet Pan Bibimbap

A bowl of Sheet Pan Bibimbap with a pair of chopsticks.
Sheet Pan Bibimbap. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Sheet pan bibimbap combines roasted veggies, tofu, and Korean flavors in one easy bake. This is a bold, fast meal that only uses a single pan.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Bibimbap

Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Close up of zucchini and summer squash casserole in glass dish.
Squash and Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Squash and zucchini casserole is ready in 30 minutes and loaded with melted cheese. It’s an easy one-pan choice for weeknights or group dinners.
Get the Recipe: Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Pineapple Fried Rice

An image of pineapple fried rice on a plate.
Pineapple Fried Rice. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Pineapple fried rice bakes up crispy and sweet with roasted tofu and savory flavor. Everything cooks on one pan, so cleanup is quick.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Fried Rice

Chana Masala

Top view image of chana masala served in a white bowl.
Chana Masala. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Chana masala is full of bold spices and cooks in just half an hour. One pan keeps prep simple while still making enough to feed a group.
Get the Recipe: Chana Masala

Carrot Casserole

An overhead image of baked carrot casserole.
Carrot Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This carrot casserole bakes a cheesy sauce under a golden topping in one dish. It’s a smart one-pan option for any casual dinner.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Casserole

Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole

An image of cooked tater tot casserole.
Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tater tot casserole layers crisp potatoes over a creamy veggie base for a quick, filling dinner. It’s all baked in one pan, with barely any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole

Aloo Gobi Masala

An overhead image of aloo gobi in a white plate.
Aloo Gobi Masala. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Aloo gobi roasts cauliflower and potatoes together with just 15 minutes of prep. It’s a low-effort, one-pan recipe that’s packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Spaghetti Squash Casserole

An image of spaghetti squash casserole with a serving missing from the lower right side of the baking dish.
Spaghetti Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Spaghetti squash casserole mixes cheese, veggies, and squash into a hearty bake. This one-pan meal is great when you want something filling but easy.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

An image of vegetarian enchilada casserole in a clear baking dish.
Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegetarian enchilada casserole is full of melted cheese and hearty vegetables. It’s all baked in one pan to save time without cutting corners.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

An overhead image of slow cooker green bean casserole on a plate.
Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green bean casserole takes 10 minutes to prep, then cooks low and slow. It’s a simple, one-pan side that’s great for holidays or big meals.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Chicken and Queso Rice Bake

Close-up image of Chicken and Queso Rice Bake garnished with fresh chopped parsley on a plate.
Chicken and Queso Rice Bake. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Chicken and queso rice bake is rich and filling with hardly any hands-on time. It’s a great one-pan choice when you want something fast and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Queso Rice Bake

Maple Dijon Chicken Sheet Pan

A serving of Maple Dijon Chicken Sheet Pan in a plate.
Maple Dijon Chicken Sheet Pan. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Maple Dijon chicken roasts with bacon and veggies in one pan for a sweet, savory meal. This one-pan dinner keeps things bold and simple.
Get the Recipe: Maple Dijon Chicken Sheet Pan

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy garlic chicken is done in 30 minutes and loaded with rich flavor. It’s an easy one-pan meal that makes weeknight dinner feel low-effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies

Hands holding paprika chicken and vegetables on a sheet pan.
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Paprika chicken and vegetables roast together fast for a full meal in one dish. This one-pan recipe is easy to prep and even easier to clean up.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sun-dried tomato chicken cooks in a creamy sauce that comes together quickly. This one-pan meal is perfect for when you want flavor without the mess.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Sheet Pan Maple Curry Chicken

Roasted chicken thighs with butternut squash, cauliflower, and rice on a plate.
Sheet Pan Maple Curry Chicken. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Maple curry chicken thighs roast with vegetables for a sweet and spiced dinner. It’s a solid one-pan option when you want bold flavor with less work.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Curry Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan chicken cooks crispy thighs in a rich sauce with just one pan. It’s done in 40 minutes and works great for a filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

Cabbage beef casserole inside cast iron.
Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Cheesy cabbage beef casserole builds big flavor in a single cast iron pan. This one-pan dinner keeps things easy while still hitting the spot.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon chicken mixes tangy mustard with spinach and bacon for a bold bite. This one-pan meal is quick to prep and ready in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Mexican ground beef skillet recipe with melted cheese.
Mexican Ground Beef Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Taco-seasoned ground beef is ready fast and packs in plenty of flavor. This one-pan meal is a great go-to when dinner needs to be done quick.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

Image shows a closeup of a spoon holding some Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole with the full skillet behind it.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Cheesy beef and rice casserole bakes ground beef and rice under a melted cheese layer. One pan is all you need for this hearty, low-prep dish.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

Pork Roast With Apples

Close-up image of pork roast with apples.
Pork Roast With Apples. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Roast pork and apples cook together for a balanced, no-fuss dinner. This one-pan recipe keeps it simple without giving up flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pork Roast With Apples

Spicy Orange Beef Carnitas

Close-up image of spicy orange beef carnitas in a bowl.
Spicy Orange Beef Carnitas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Orange beef carnitas simmer into tender bites with a kick of heat. It’s a bold one-pan dinner that makes plenty for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Orange Beef Carnitas

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Chicken cordon bleu casserole on a black plate with a fork.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Chicken cordon bleu casserole turns classic flavors into something easy to prep. It’s a great one-pan choice for a make-ahead dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese and Vegetables

Overhead image of sheet pan chicken caprese and vegetables.
Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese and Vegetables. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Caprese chicken and vegetables roast together in 35 minutes flat. This one-pan recipe keeps cleanup light and flavor high.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese and Vegetables

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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