What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Meal Plan (Week #5) – One Pan Wonders

Welcome to week five of our meal planning series, and this week is all about making life easier with one-pan meals! If you’ve been following along, you know how much I love recipes that simplify both cooking and cleanup. This week, we’re revisiting some of our favorite one-pan dinners that have been tested, loved, and requested over and over again by our family.

If you’re new here, welcome! You can catch up on our previous weeks here, here, here, and here. The beauty of meal planning is simple: decide ahead of time what you’re making, prep what you can, and eliminate that daily dinner dilemma that we all know too well.

This week’s lineup is a collection of our tried-and-true one-pan favorites that have earned their spot in our regular rotation. We’re talking about sizzling Sheet Pan Steak and Chicken Fajitas that bring all the restaurant flavor home, a comforting One Skillet Bolognese Tater Tot Casserole that combines two classics into one amazing dish, an elegant yet simple One Pan Salmon Skillet with Garlic Lemon Butter, super easy Garlic Toast Pizza that the kids can actually make themselves, and a creamy Pumpkin Bacon Mac and Cheese that’s perfect for cozy fall nights.

The best part about all these recipes? They’re dishes we’ve already perfected and shared on the blog, so you know they work! Each one minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor, exactly what we need on busy weeknights.

Ready to simplify your week with these one-pan wonders? Let’s get cooking!

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Our Meal Plan this Week:

Sheet Pan Steak and Chicken Fajitas

This is hands down one of our favorite sheet pan dinners! Everything cooks together on one pan, the perfectly seasoned steak, juicy chicken, and colorful peppers and onions all caramelized to perfection. The smell alone will have everyone running to the dinner table! Set it out family-style with all your favorite toppings and let everyone build their own fajitas. It’s interactive, delicious, and best of all, there’s minimal cleanup. This recipe has been a game-changer for our busy weeknights.

Full recipe and tips on our original post here!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 3 bell peppers, thinly sliced (I like using green, red and yellow)
• 2 4-5 ounce steaks, thinly sliced
• 4 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• juice of one lime (about 1 and a half tablespoons)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Drizzle the olive oil on a large sheet pan.
3. In a small bowl combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and salt. Set aside.
4. Add the sliced onions, sliced bell peppers, and thinly sliced steak and chicken to the sheet pan.
5. Using your hands or a pair of tongs, mix together until the meat and vegetables are well coated.
6. Squeeze lime juice over top of the mixture.
7. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, testing the meat after 12 minutes, or until the veggies are becoming soft and the steak has browned on the outside.
8. Top with fresh squeezed lime and cilantro.

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One Skillet Bolognese Tater Tot Casserole

This recipe is pure comfort food magic! It’s like a mashup between classic Italian bolognese and that beloved Midwest tater tot casserole, and trust me, it works beautifully. We start with slowly caramelized onions, add ground beef and those secret vegetables that make a traditional bolognese so rich, then top it all with cheese and crispy tater tots. The cast iron skillet does all the work, from stovetop to oven, and the result is golden, crispy tots on top with a rich, flavorful meat sauce underneath. This one’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Full recipe and tips on our original post here!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine (optional, can substitute with broth)
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 jar (24 oz) Prego Italian Tomato Sauce with Roasted Garlic
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron works great), heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add diced onions and cook slowly until caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. If using wine, add it now and let it reduce.
4. Push onions to the side and add ground beef, carrots, and celery. Brown the meat, breaking it up as it cooks.
5. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Stir in milk and let it cook for a few minutes to create creaminess.
7. Add the jar of Prego sauce and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together and let simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat sauce.
9. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese.
10. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy.
11. Remove from oven, garnish with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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One Pan Salmon Skillet with Garlic Lemon Butter

This elegant yet simple salmon skillet is a weeknight winner! The key to perfect salmon is getting your pan really hot and making sure the fish is at room temperature before cooking. We cook everything together, the salmon, baby red potatoes, and green beans, all in one skillet with the most incredible garlic lemon butter sauce. It looks fancy enough for company but comes together so quickly that it’s perfect for a Tuesday night. Plus, my ten-year-old has successfully made this, so you know it’s doable!

Full recipe and tips on our original post here!

Ingredients

• 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Pink Himalayan sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb baby red potatoes, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 6 oz fresh green beans
• 1 lemon
• 4 Tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Drizzle of honey

Directions

1. Bring the salmon to room temperature at least 10 minutes before cooking.
2. Warm a large nonstick skillet or cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
3. Add oil to the pan and let heat.
4. Season the red potato with olive oil, salt, and pepper and add to hot skillet. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Season the green beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper and add to skillet with the red potatoes.
6. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Place the salmon in the pan with vegetables. Cook until golden brown on 1 side, about 4 minutes.
7. Turn the fish over with a spatula, and add butter, sliced lemon and garlic.
8. Cook until fish fillet feels firm to the touch and the skin is crisp if desired, about 3-4 minutes more.
9. Transfer to a plate and serve as desired.

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Easy Cheesy Garlic Toast Pizza

This is the ultimate “dinner rescue” recipe for those nights when time gets away from you! With just five simple ingredients (or even three if you’re keeping it basic!), you can have a delicious dinner on the table in minutes. The best part? The kids can literally make this themselves! We’re talking frozen garlic toast topped with sauce, cheese, and whatever toppings you have on hand, all cooked together on one sheet pan. It’s perfect for using up leftovers, accommodating picky eaters (cheese-only pizzas for some, loaded for others!), and getting dinner done fast. Plus, it’s so good that it’s earned a regular spot on our meal plan even when we’re not in a time crunch!

Full recipe and tips on our original post here!

Ingredients

• 1-2 boxes frozen garlic toast (adjust based on family size)
• 1 jar Prego Traditional Italian Tomato Sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni slices (optional)
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven according to garlic toast package directions (usually 425°F).
2. Place frozen garlic toast slices on a baking sheet.
3. Spread a spoonful of Prego sauce on each piece of garlic toast.
4. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Add pepperoni or any other desired toppings.
6. Bake according to garlic toast package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil if desired.
8. Serve immediately with a side salad for a complete meal!

Tips: If you don’t have frozen garlic toast, you can make your own using sliced bread, butter, and garlic powder. You can also customize each pizza with different toppings to please everyone in the family!

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Pumpkin Bacon Mac and Cheese

This creamy, dreamy one-pot mac and cheese is fall comfort food at its finest! The secret to its incredible flavor is cooking the bacon first to season the pan, then cooking the pasta directly in milk instead of water so it absorbs all that creamy goodness. The addition of pumpkin gives it a subtle sweetness and beautiful color, while also sneaking in some extra nutrition. Topped with a crispy panko-parmesan crust and fresh chives, this dish is so much more than your average mac and cheese. Fair warning: you might end up making this twice in one week like we did!

Full recipe and tips on our original post here!

Ingredients

• 2 Boxes mac and cheese (white cheddar shells work great)
• 3 C whole milk
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 8 strips of bacon
• 1 C pureed pumpkin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1/3 C panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 C grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 C freshly chopped chives

Directions

1. Cook bacon in a large oven-proof skillet over medium/high heat. Remove and set aside.
2. Add butter to pan and whisk in the milk, one cup at a time, whisking constantly. Bring to a simmer.
3. Quickly add the macaroni, and salt and pepper, stirring constantly while cooking, about 6 minutes, or until al dente. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan while you cook.
4. Turn off the heat and carefully stir in the cheese mixes from the boxes and pumpkin. Mix in chopped bacon.
5. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, breadcrumbs, and parmesan.
6. Pour the breadcrumb mixture over the mac and cheese and broil for 2 minutes or until golden and toasted. Top with the chives and serve hot.

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That’s a Wrap on Week 5!

Another week of stress-free dinners in the books! These recipes have been family favorites for a reason, they work, they’re delicious, and they make weeknight cooking actually manageable. The beauty of these one-pan meals is that they give you more time to focus on what really matters: sitting down together as a family and actually enjoying dinner. Less time cooking and cleaning means more time for conversation, laughter, and connection.

Which of these one-pan recipes are you most excited to try? Have you made any of them before? I’d love to hear which ones have become favorites in your house, or if you have any fun variations to share! Drop a comment and let’s keep building this amazing collection of weeknight winners together.

See you back here next week for another round of family-tested weekly meals that make dinner time easier and more delicious!

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Don’t forget to save this post and share it with anyone who needs some weeknight dinner inspiration. Here’s to simpler cooking and more time together!