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One-Pot Meals That Are Perfect for Summer Dinners

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By Victoria Spencer Updated July 20, 2021
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sheet pan with chicken and vegetables
Credit: Ren Fuller

One pan, skillet, sheet pan, Instant Pot, or the grill is all you need to prepare these no-fuss family dinners, which include chicken, salmon, pasta, and so much more.

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sheet pan with chicken and vegetables
Credit: Ren Fuller

Summer often means grilled dinners, and while there's nothing wrong with that, it's worth noting that the one-pan meals meal we love—made on one sheet-pan, in one skillet, a saucepan, or in a Dutch oven—are good options for seasonal meals, too. The one-pan dinners we turn to in warm weather are different than the baked casseroles or hearty stews that are our go-tos in fall and winter.

After Memorial Day (or even before!), we still love the ease of doing all the cooking in one pan for the evening meal—who doesn't love having fewer pans to wash once dinner is done? But we change up what we're making when the days are long and hot: Meals are lighter and brighter, still filling and nutritious but starring plenty of summer produce. And we're not telling you to put away the grill, either. We use the grill (or a griddle pan) as our one "pan" in a few different recipes. In addition to grilled dinners (and yes, burgers!), there will be main-dish salads, plenty of pasta, and maybe even a creamy chowder or two. Look out also for some revolutionary entrées—we're looking at you chicken and lettuce cups. They'll also be some broiling because it's quick and has very tasty results, but we're not as focused on the stovetop or oven as we are in cooler weather.

Here's another thing to know about summer one-pot meals: We're not including any no-cook recipes here because they don't use any pans! Another handy fact? These summer one-pan dinners are much faster to make than the one-pan entrées of the cold months. All the recipes here cook in less than an hour, many take much less time than that.

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Tuna, Tomato, and White-Bean Salad

Tuna, Tomato, and White-Bean Salad
Credit: Linda Xiao
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Here's a super summery dinner that uses one pan, albeit twice. First, cook potatoes for this hearty salad, then use the same pan to quickly cook green beans. The rest of this meal is stove-free and super delicious.

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Grilled Chicken Thighs with Charred Corn and Summer Squash

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Charred Corn and Summer Squash
Credit: Con Poulos
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The one pan needed for this summer weeknight dinner is the grill! This superstar dinner calls for making a lemony herb vinaigrette, then grilling chicken thighs and tossing them in the dish the sauce was mixed in. They stay there while the zucchini and corn are grilled and transferred to a platter. Add the chicken and more sauce and serve. Crusty bread or leftover potatoes are optional add ons.

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One-Pan Pasta

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Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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The recipe that started it all. Our famed one-pan pasta is inspired by a version we enjoyed at a tiny restaurant in Puglia, Italy. Dried pasta is cooked in a skillet with water, tomatoes, onion, garlic, herbs, and a glug of extra-virgin olive oil. It's the essence of summer.

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Greek Quinoa Salad 

greek quinoa salad
Credit: Bryan Gardner
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All the essentials of a classic Greek salad are here—feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives—but they're joined by a new supporting player: quinoa. This protein-rich addition makes the salad more substantial and delicious, and it's cooked in the same pan used to sauté onions and garlic. Top with pepperoncini in addition to the traditional Kalamata olives for a bonus briny punch.

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Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas

sheet pan chicken fajitas
Credit: Ren Fuller
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You know we love a sheet-pan dinner, and that's true even in the peak of summer. When the temperatures rise, we turn to this colorful, vegetable-packed fajita version.

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Summer Smoked-Salmon Chowder

summer smoked salmon chowder
Credit: Ren Fuller
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Light yet also creamy and comforting, this new take on the classic chowder uses a small amount of smoked salmon to add lots of delicious flavor. The supporting players are the traditional chowder stars: potatoes, corn, and even zucchini.

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Chicken Cutlets with Summer Squash and Feta

chicken-paillard-with-squash-spinach-feta-179-exp3-d113040-1.jpg
Credit: Bryan Gardner
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You'll cook the chicken cutlets, then use the same pan for the summer squash and spinach. That's just one of the secrets of this 20-minute dinner. It's a boldly-flavored entrée thanks to high-impact ingredients like feta and capers, which also give this main a Mediterranean feel.

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Broiled Coconut-and-Lime-Crusted Shrimp With Rice-Noodle Salad

coconut-lime-crusted-shrimp-with-romaine-noodle-salad-5108-d112793.jpg
Credit: Bryan Gardner
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You could argue that we're cheating with this recipe because though it calls for just one sheet pan for broiling the shrimp, you also need three bowls. But who's counting bowls? The shrimp is the only element of this dinner that requires heat. Rice noodles "cook" in boiling water in one of those bowls. And once you taste this 25-minute dish, there will be no complaints.

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Tomato-Eggplant Gnocchi

tomato eggplant gnocchi
Credit: Ren Fuller
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This vibrant vegetarian dinner starts with store-bought gnocchi. The comforting little dumplings are cooked atop a divine tomato-eggplant sauce that's full of summer flavor. Added bonus: Dinner is on the table in 35 minutes.

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Asian Pork Buns with Bok-Choy Slaw

Asian Pork Buns with Bok Choy Slaw recipe
Credit: Ren Fuller
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While we wholeheartedly endorse grilled burgers and hot dogs for summer dinners, we also adore this one-skillet main that's a fast, flavorful way to use ground pork. The meat is stir-fried with the tasty trio of sambal oelek, hoisin sauce, and vinegar, then served in hot-dog buns.

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Chicken Zoodle Soup

chicken voodle soup
Credit: Armando Rafael
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Here's a light, bright, and colorful vegetarian-packed take on noodle soup that's just as comforting as the traditional version but much better suited to summer nights. Simmered chicken breasts, fresh dill, and zucchini noodles are the stars.

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Pressure-Cooker Corn Risotto

corn risotto with basil and tomato
Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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Summer is yet another time when the Instant Pot or pressure cooker shines. As these handy appliances seal in heat, they are excellent ways to cook without feeling cooked yourself. And this corn risotto is the creamy, comforting dish of the moment.

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Poached-Chicken Cups with Ginger-Scallion Oil

Poached-chicken cups with ginger-scallion oil
Credit: Armando Rafael
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This​ singular meal ​calls​ ​for​ ​a​ ​handful​ ​of​ ​ingredients, and each of the​ ​flavors really​ ​shine. It's a fresh, vibrant pairing of tender, perfectly cooked chicken (the one pan) served in crunchy lettuce cups with quick-pickled carrot ribbons. Bonus: It's a gluten-free entrée.

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Cajun Shrimp and Rice

cajun shrimp and rice in pink bowl
Credit: Ren Fuller
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Andouille sausage and shrimp come together in this easy riff on the Louisana one-pan favorite, jamblaya.

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    1 of 15
    2 of 15 Tuna, Tomato, and White-Bean Salad
    3 of 15 Grilled Chicken Thighs with Charred Corn and Summer Squash
    4 of 15 One-Pan Pasta
    5 of 15 Greek Quinoa Salad 
    6 of 15 Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas
    7 of 15 Summer Smoked-Salmon Chowder
    8 of 15 Chicken Cutlets with Summer Squash and Feta
    9 of 15 Broiled Coconut-and-Lime-Crusted Shrimp With Rice-Noodle Salad
    10 of 15 Tomato-Eggplant Gnocchi
    11 of 15 Asian Pork Buns with Bok-Choy Slaw
    12 of 15 Chicken Zoodle Soup
    13 of 15 Pressure-Cooker Corn Risotto
    14 of 15 Poached-Chicken Cups with Ginger-Scallion Oil
    15 of 15 Cajun Shrimp and Rice

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