We all know that eating nutritious meals is important, and can play a big part in overall health, well-being and quality of life. But sometimes during later seasons of life, you may find yourself with less interest in cooking and instead be more interested in opportunities to seize the freedom of a lock-and-leave lifestyle.

 One nutritious meal option that has gained popularity – and with good reason – is the simplicity, convenience and versatility of one-pan meals. They are a terrific go-to option if you’re looking to balance nutritious eating while still earmarking time for other fun activities. Plus, cleanup is usually a breeze. But the advantages of this popular meal choice for home cooks don’t stop there.

Some additional benefits that top the list of choosing one-pan meals include:

• Simplicity: They’re easy to fix because you typically only need one pot or pan, which saves time and makes meal prep straightforward.
• Efficiency: Think efficiency in terms of both time and energy – by cooking everything in one pot or pan, there’s less to monitor and keep track of.
• Versatility: One-skillet dinners often combine different core ingredients, such as various proteins, vegetables and sauces. This makes it especially easy to swap ingredients to accommodate special dietary needs.
• Easy cleanup: Using fewer dishes means less to wash, dry and put away. Plus, knowing that cleanup will be a breeze encourages you to relax and enjoy the meal.

Before we jump into sharing recipes, there are some subtle differences worth pointing out in the methods (and equipment) of various one-dish meals.

• One-pot meals: With this option, the cooking action takes place on the stovetop and uses a high-sided pot, such as a stockpot or Dutch oven. 
• One-skillet meals: This kind of recipe is frequently started on the stovetop and then moved to the oven for finishing. It uses a low-side skillet compared to one-pot meals. Just make sure your skillet is oven safe (cast iron is a good choice). 
• One-pan meals: If you have a sheet pan or roasting dish, you’re ready to put the oven to work and start cooking your favorite one-pan meal. Although this could be a casserole, many one-pan meals these days involve roasting or broiling. 
• Slow cooker: They do almost all the work and give you the flexibility to slow cook dinner, freeing you up to do other activities while dinner is cooking.

Ready to take a break from the routine of family recipes and try some healthy, nutritious one-pan recipes? Let’s get cooking!

Creamy Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese

This is a true dump-and-cook recipe because there’s no need to precook the pasta. It’s the perfect comfort food for any evening, or for family visits with the grandchildren. For easy cleanup, put a liner in the cooker before adding the ingredients.

Recipe courtesy of Amanda’s Cookin’. Images/text copyright Amanda’s Creative Studio, Inc. and Amanda Davis 2023. 

Sheet Pan Salmon With Brussel Sprouts

This easy recipe showcases flaky pink salmon full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and fresh brussel sprouts. You could even get creative and add in other veggies like broccolini, cauliflower and/or carrots.

Recipe courtesy of Food & Wine. 

Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken With Spinach

With less than five ingredients, this dinner comes together with minimal effort. Consider pairing it with a healthy side such as zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice or whole grain pasta.

Recipe courtesy of EatingWell.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Nothing says relax and slow down quite like Chicken Pot Pie. This comes together in one Dutch oven, which means less clean up and more time to dive into that book you’ve been wanting to read. Bonus, the recipe offers a shortcut for using store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Recipe courtesy of Southern Living.

One-Skillet Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

If you enjoy Mediterranean flavors, you’ll want to give this one-skillet dinner a try. It’s a meal that’s hearty enough to serve on its own and comes together in just under 40 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of The Kitchn.

With these one-skillet meals you get all the flavor and nutrition your palate desires but with minimal fuss and cleanup, so you can strike a good life balance and pursue other hobbies or spend time with family and friends.

Simplifying meals and spending less time in the kitchen will give you even more time to explore and enjoy the luxurious, amenity-rich features offered at Aspens Senior Living. Learn more.