Florencia Baldini Last Updated on April 28, 2026If there’s one type of dinner I’ll always come back to, it’s a good one-pan meal. One pan, real ingredients, minimal washing up — and somehow the kind of dinner that makes the whole house smell like you actually had your life together that day.
I’ve rounded up six of my favourite one-pan dinners from the blog: a mix of cosy creamy pastas, high-protein salmon traybakes, and a vegan chilli that freezes beautifully for the week ahead. Each one is balanced, simple, and the kind of recipe you can put on rotation without thinking too hard about it.
Pick one for tonight, save a couple for the week, and let one pan do the work.
Creamy One-Pan Chicken & Orzo
This is the kind of dinner that tastes like a slow-cooked risotto but comes together in one pan in about 25 minutes. The orzo soaks up all the flavour from the chicken, sundried tomatoes, garlic and herbs, and a splash of coconut milk (or cream, if you prefer) finishes it off into something silky and comforting. Stir in a big handful of spinach and a generous shower of Parmesan at the end — done.Why I love it:One pan, ready in about 25 minutesHigh in protein and naturally creamy without anything heavyTastes like a long-simmered dish but it really isn’t
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One-Pan Golden Salmon, Chickpeas & Rice
If you want a hands-off dinner that does almost all of its own cooking in the oven, this is the one. The rice and chickpeas bake in a fragrant broth of coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, garlic, lime and a little chilli — and the salmon goes in for the last 15 minutes so it stays beautifully tender. Finish with fresh coriander and lime wedges. It’s warming, golden, and ridiculously balanced — protein, fibre, omega-3s and a complete meal in one tray.Why I love it:Truly hands-off — the oven does the workHigh protein, high fibre, and naturally gluten-freeBig flavour from pantry ingredients you probably already have
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Creamy Salmon and Beans (One-Pan, High Protein, Ready in 20 Minutes)
This is one of the most-loved recipes on the blog for a reason — it’s ready in 20 minutes, packed with protein and omega-3s, and somehow tastes like a proper restaurant dinner. Salmon fillets get seared in one pan with onion, garlic and sundried tomatoes, then everything finishes in a creamy coconut sauce with spinach and cannellini beans stirred in at the end. Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and low-carb without trying to be.Why I love it:Ready in 20 minutes, in one panHigh protein, high fibre and naturally lower in carbsThe kind of dinner you’ll genuinely want to make again next week
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Lentil Chilli
When I want something cosy, plant-based and ridiculously good for meal prep, this is the one I make. Lentils, carrots, peppers and mushrooms simmered in tomatoes with cumin and smoked paprika — it has that deep, slow-cooked flavour without the long wait. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free, freezes for up to two months, and somehow tastes even better the next day. Serve it with a sprinkle of fresh coriander and your favourite bread.Why I love it:Naturally vegan, gluten-free and high in fibreCheap, freezer-friendly, and amazing for meal prepThat deep chilli flavour without a slow cooker
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Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice
Sometimes you don’t need anything fancy — you just need a bowl of properly seasoned chicken and rice that cooks all in one pan. This is my back-pocket version: tender chicken, fluffy rice, and veg all cooked together so the rice picks up every bit of flavour from the chicken and stock. It’s the kind of dinner that feels like a hug on a Tuesday night, and it’s naturally great for leftovers.Why I love it:One pan, minimal effort, big comfortBalanced and family-friendlyTastes even better the next day for lunch
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One-Pan Cajun Chicken & Rice
If the easy chicken and rice above is the cosy weeknight version, this is its bolder, spicier cousin. Cajun-seasoned chicken, peppers, onion and garlic all cooked together with rice in one pan, so every grain ends up smoky, a little bit spicy, and full of flavour. It’s quick, high-protein, and exactly what I want when I’m bored of plain dinners but still want something that takes 30 minutes from start to finish.Why I love it:Big, smoky, slightly spicy flavour from one spice blendHigh protein and genuinely satisfyingBrilliant for meal prep — it reheats really well
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If you make one, tag me on Instagram @healthy_floflo or Facebook— I’d love to see your creations!
