Skillet Meals

With a skillet, a spoon, and a burner, you can make some delicious and easy meals in minutes. In fact, with an electric skillet, you don't even need a stove! Many recipes include pasta and rice, which are really excellent cooked this way since they absorb lots of flavor from the other ingredients, as well as chicken, beef, and even eggs. There are only two tricks to getting the best results from your skillet; make sure to stir often and thoroughly, vigorously scraping the bottom of the pan, and carefully follow the directions for covering the skillet and regulating the heat.

Using frozen vegetable combinations and pasta and rice mixes saves time and allows you to add more layers of flavor to your skillet meals. Feel free to substitute your favorite ingredients and flavors in these easy recipes.

Chicken Lo Mein

We may not think of a stir-fry as a skillet meal, but since everything is cooked in one pan (wok or skillet) on the stovetop, it is essentially a whole meal made in a skillet. Lots of fresh veggies make this simple recipe delicious, colorful, and nutritious, while the packaged ramen noodles and quick cooking time make it ideal for a busy weeknight. Be sure to have all of the ingredients ready before you start cooking.

Skillet Spaghetti

Imagine spaghetti and meatballs all in one pan! By combining the sauce and water and bringing to a boil, the frozen meatballs and pasta cook together right in the same skillet. As a bonus, the spaghetti absorbs flavors from the sauce so it has a lot more taste than spaghetti boiled in a pot of water. You just need to stir often and keep your eye on the level of liquid to make sure nothing is sticking together or burning.

Beefy Greek Skillet

Feta cheese, olives, and rosemary add wonderful flavor to this easy recipe. Ground beef is seasoned and browned and then cooked along with onion, garlic, bell pepper, tomatoes, and orzo until the pasta is tender. The cheese and olives are added, and the whole skillet meal is topped with a sour cream, rosemary, and cherry tomato mixture.

Old Fashioned Skillet Goulash

This recipe is perfect for a busy, cold night when you are craving a comforting dish. Jarred spaghetti sauce makes this dish quick to put together and the pasta cooks right in the sauce, bringing better flavor and texture to the noodles. Onion, peppers, and herbs contribute a welcome depth of seasoning to this one-skillet meal.

Chicken With Peppers Stir-Fry

Using a frozen pepper and onion stir-fry mixture in this recipe cuts preparation time down to 5 minutes. Orange and lime juices, honey, and fresh basil bring a nice brightness to the dish, and the chicken and vegetables make this skillet dinner a healthy one-dish meal. Serve over noodles or rice to help soak up the sauce.

Cheesy Pasta Frittata

A great dish when you've accidentally cooked too much pasta, this frittata is rich and cheesy, featuring three kinds of cheese. Frittatas are wonderful for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner and are easier to make than an omelet. Just make sure the eggs are beaten well and any vegetables and meat are cooked ahead of time.

Scrambled Eggs With Spinach

For a last minute breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it's hard to beat this satisfying recipe. In one skillet, you saute onion and garlic, add the spinach and cook until liquid is absorbed, and then pour in the egg and cream mixture. Stir and scramble until cooked to your liking and finish with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.