Is there anything better than a one pan meal? They’re simple to throw together, and perfect for weeknights. Here, we’ve gathered our favourite tray bakes and one pan meals, made in a pot or casserole dish. From stews and soups to risotto and our one-pot chicken and rice, your next dinner recipe is waiting below. And the best part? These tasty one pan meals are super easy to clean up after.
Another wonderful thing about these one pan meals? Most of them are all-in-one affairs, and won’t need to be served with anything else. Talk about a time-saver on those busy weeknights, or when you’re hosting a gathering and don’t want to spend too long in the kitchen away from your guests.
Below you’ll find recipes for proteins including chicken, beef, salmon and lamb. There are also some vegetarian options, like our one-pan mac ‘n’ cheese, a comfort classic. Another classic one pan dinner in this list? Curried sausage and vegetable tray bake. Take a look through our list of one pan meals for more dinner inspiration – and bookmark this page so you can return here again and again.
Looking for more dinner ideas or tray bakes?
Julie Goodwin’s Greek lemon chicken with orzo
This one-pan dinner is bursting with Mediterranean flavour.
Steph de Sousa’s one pan chicken risoni
Fall in love with my risoni twist on the viral Marry Me Chicken recipe.
Tuscan chicken tray bake
A vibrant all-in-one dinner.
Julie Goodwin’s one-pan char siu chicken
The whole family will love the gorgeous sticky and sweet flavours of this easy char siu.
Chicken stew with baharat spice
An aromatic and hearty dinner idea.
One pan creamy chicken, bacon & pumpkin
An easy dinner winner.
Chilli con carne
This spicy Mexican beef and bean stew is a real crowd-pleaser that the whole family will love.
Creamy lemon chicken
A delicious 30 minute dinner cooked in one pan.
Greek-style lemon chicken rice with fetta
A hearty one-pan family meal.
Julie Goodwin’s Spanish chicken
A delicious one pan dinner.
Chicken cacciatore
Warm up with this hearty favourite.
Apricot chicken tray bake
A deliciously sticky, sweet and savoury one-pan dinner.
Julie Goodwin’s one pan chicken pilaf
A spiced chicken and rice dinner.
One pot salmon and rice
What’s not to love about a one-pot meal? This easy pilaf will have dinner on the table in 30 minutes.
One pan mac and cheese
Mac and cheese cooked all in one pan? It doesn’t get much easier than that for dinner, which is exactly what you want when camping.
One pan layered burrito bake
Fall in love with this burrito-bowl-meets-lasagne dinner.
One pot pasta
A fresh and easy spaghetti that cooks in just 15 minutes!
One pot chicken and rice
This mild and simple recipe is perfect for fussy eaters.
Honey mustard chicken tray bake
Serve with buttered carrots.
One pan red curry pork cutlets
A flavour-packed one pan wonder.
Baked gnocchi and meatballs
The whole family will love this quick and easy gnocchi and meatball tray bake.
Pumpkin & sage gnocchi pasta bake
Take your weeknight pasta bake to a new level.
Creamy one pan chicken with corn
A flavour-packed weeknight dinner, on the table in 25 minutes.
Chicken & potato tray bake
It’s big on flavour and light on washing up.
Spicy zucchini & ricotta stuffed pasta shells
Why make dinner more complicated than it needs to be? This pasta is perfect for weeknights and make tasty leftovers for lunch. If you’re not a fan of chilli, just leave out the chilli flakes.
Julie Goodwin’s easy chicken cacciatore
The rich and fragrant flavours will have you coming back for seconds.
Cranberry-glazed lamb chop tray bake
Sticky, sweet and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Chicken nibbles with chilli crunch potatoes
Serve a spicy or mild version.
One pot Korean baked chicken, rice & kimchi
Your new favourite chicken rice!
One-pot pasta with beef and capsicum
One-pot means less washing up!
Julie Goodwin’s lamb forequarter chops with vegetables tray bake
This one-dish dinner is a winner!
One-pan chicken rice with coconut
A delicious dinner for two in just under 30 minutes? Yes please!
Persian-style chicken tray bake with pearl couscous
Try our simple, subtly spiced chicken tray bake dish sweetly studded with currants and pistachios.
Lemon parmesan pan chicken
Serve this delicious weeknight wonder with creamy mashed potato.
One-pot garlic prawns pilaf
Perfect any day of the week!
Paprika lamb forequarter chops tray bake
A simple one-tray dinner ideal for busy weeknights.
Oven-baked risotto with chicken, rocket and tomato
A one-pan risotto recipe ideal for busy weeknights.
Protected: Massaman-style coconut curried sausages
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Cheat’s minestrone with meatballs
This popular soup gets a makeover in the cheat’s version with hearty meatballs. It’s an economical and satisfying recipe.
Garlic butter fish and crispy potatoes
It’s fast, fabulous and great for whipping up on a busy weeknight.
Osso buco with gremolata
Warm up with this classic comforting osso buco oven recipe.
Spinach, tomato and lemon one pot linguine
Make life easier and save washing up with this tasty vegetarian one pot pasta.
One-pot apricot chicken with creamy rice
A gorgeous sweet and savoury one-pot chicken meal.
One pot spaghetti meatballs
On top of spaghettiiii, all covered with cheese. I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed.
Chicken and fennel tray bake
A flavoursome meal cooked in one pan meaning it’s high on flavour but low on effort (and saves washing up too).
Curried sausage and vegetable tray bake
Minimal effort for maximum reward.
Easy one-pan roast chicken breasts with vegies
This one-pan wonder makes dinner and wash-up easier.
Tuna, spinach and broccolini baked risotto
Make life a little easier, well dinner at least.
Slow cooker Mexican chicken with beans
Enjoy it for a family weeknight dinner.
Chicken and sage tray bake
This simple one-pan chicken bake borrows flavours from the Italian classic veal saltimbocca.
Pearl barley risotto with haloumi crumbs
We’ve swapped rice for nutty pearl barley in this beautiful pea and prosciutto recipe for a flavour and texture explosion. Try finishing your dish off with a sprinkling of haloumi crumbs to create the ultimate comfort food.
Prawn and chorizo gumbo
This traditional Creole-style stew pairs juicy prawns with okra in a spiced sauce to create the ultimate American comfort food. Make it yourself at home in no time at all with this easy recipe.
White wine and lamb one pot
Warm your body and soul with this hearty lamb and potato stew, simmered in a fragrant white wine sauce for extra flavour. It makes a brilliant family dinner dish on cooler evenings.
One pot curried chicken and rice
A quick and easy weeknight dinner idea.
Beef larb
Take yourself on a trip to Thailand with aromatic mint, chilli, coriander and lime. This powerful beef dish is best served with a fresh, crispy lettuce leaf.
Traditional minestrone
If preferred, use 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary instead of fresh. Note
Chicken, asparagus and pea casserole
Chicken, asparagus and pea casserole
Rosemary and tomato barley risotto with mozzarella
Mozzarella is rather delightfully known as ‘fior di latte’, literally meaning ‘flower of the milk’. It provides a wonderfully creamy and mild balance to the spice in this rosemary and tomato barley risotto.
Lemon-scented lamb casserole with winter vegetables
This lemon-scented lamb casserole is full of the flavours of roasted winter vegetables, and is delicious served with creamy mashed potatoes.
One bowl desserts
What pairs well with one pan meals? A one bowl dessert, of course! Some of our favourites are this luscious one-bowl chocolate velvet cake, or this simple one-bowl butter cake. Top with your favourite icing and serve with ice-cream for dessert.
