Stovetop comfort foods are great for busy days and chilly nights. They’re simple but hearty, and you don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to get them right. With just one pan and a few ingredients, you can create something filling that the whole family will like. That’s the kind of dish that earns a spot in your go-to recipe book.
These 17 recipes are perfect for when you need to get dinner on the table without a lot of fuss. They’re easy to make, easier to clean up, and you probably already have most of the ingredients. Add these to your meal rotation, and you’ll find cooking during the week becomes a lot less stressful.
Creamy Dijon Chicken
In 30 minutes, you’ve got a one-pan chicken dish that melds Dijon mustard with spinach and bacon. It’s hearty and balanced, and best of all, cleanup is simple. This one will save you time and energy on busy days, making it a practical stovetop comfort food to keep on hand.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Looking for a quick but nutritious option? This shrimp and spinach dish is ready in 30 minutes and leaves you with only one pan to clean. It’s a reliable choice for a wholesome, yet comforting meal on those evenings when time is short.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Here’s a comfort food that doesn’t require hours simmering on the stove. Ready in 30 minutes, this sausage and cream cheese soup fills the house with warmth. Ideal for those new to cooking, it’s a filling and comforting stovetop dinner you’ll want to make again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Need to warm up? This mushroom soup comes together in 45 minutes and is well-suited for both hectic weekdays and lazy weekends. With its ease and simplicity, it’s the sort of stovetop comfort food that simplifies meal planning when the weather turns cold.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Here’s a chicken dish you can put together in 30 minutes, and it only uses one pan. With a garlic and Parmesan sauce, it’s hearty without being heavy. Cleanup is a breeze, making this a go-to stovetop comfort food on nights when you want something straightforward but filling.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Sausage Curry
Spice up your dinner routine with this one-pan curry dish. Ready in under 40 minutes, it combines sausages and veggies for a flavorful, yet practical meal. If you’re after something a bit different but still comforting, this one’s worth adding to your stovetop lineup.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Fried Cabbage With Bacon
You can whip up this balanced dish in just 25 minutes. It combines cabbage, bacon, and onions in a single pan, making cooking and cleanup straightforward. This one’s a great option for an uncomplicated, comforting stovetop dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage With Bacon
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Here’s another chicken dish that’s ready in 40 minutes and requires only one pan. The result is a hearty and flavorful meal that fits right into a busy week. Easy cooking, easy cleaning—another solid choice for your stovetop comfort food list.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Cabbage and Sausage
If you’re pressed for time, this dish is ready in 30 minutes and only requires one pan. The sausage adds the protein, and the cabbage brings some greens into the mix. It’s the kind of easy, balanced meal you’ll want to keep in your stovetop comfort food rotation.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Chicken Corn Soup
In under an hour, you’ve got a one-pot soup that’s both comforting and nutritious. It blends chicken with vegetables and a rich broth. Easy to cook, easier to clean—this soup is a smart pick for your stovetop dinner options.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
With just 30 minutes, you can prepare this one-pan dish. With this recipe, chicken is paired with a rich mushroom sauce, and you can serve it in various ways — over rice, pasta, or additional veggies. It’s straightforward, making it a reliable choice for a quick, comforting stovetop dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
This dish is ready in 30 minutes and combines the unique flavors of chicken thighs and artichoke hearts. Again, one pan does the trick for both cooking and cleaning. This recipe provides a good mix of protein and unique textures, making it a versatile addition to your stovetop menu.
Get the Recipe: Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
Keto Zuppa Toscana
Here’s a soup that’s ready in about an hour. Sausage, radishes, and cream combine for a hearty meal in one pot. It pairs well with a slice of crusty bread, and it’s another simple cleanup, fitting well in any collection of easy, comforting stovetop recipes.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana
Lemon Garlic Scallops
In 30 minutes, you can cook up this scallop dish that’s both fresh and comforting. It’s a one-pan meal, so prep and cleanup are minimal. It’s a nice alternative when you want a break from the usual chicken or beef stovetop meals.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
If you have leftover chicken, this 20-minute dish is a great way to repurpose it. Green chiles add a touch of heat without overwhelming the dish. Quick to make and even quicker to clean up, it’s practical and convenient for any stovetop dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
This 30-minute one-pan dish gives you comfort without feeling too heavy. Cauliflower and mushrooms mix well, and it’s a recipe that’s easy on both prep and cleanup. It’s the kind of comfort food you’ll find yourself coming back to.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Sticky Sauce Chicken
This dish offers a creative twist on your usual chicken dinner, ready in 30 minutes and requiring only one pan. The sauce adds a flavorful dimension, and the quick cooking time means you’ll have dinner served without a hitch. It’s a practical and comforting end to any day, making it a must-add to your stovetop recipe book.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Sauce Chicken