50 Dinners That Require Almost No Clean Up

Read Time: 24 mins

50 Dinners That Require Almost No Clean Up1/50 Spicy Mac and Cheese 22 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been working to perfect a creamy, spicy mac and cheese for years. After adding smoky bacon, chicken, jalapenos and spicy cheese, this is the ultimate! I use rotisserie chicken and precooked bacon when I’m pressed for time. —Sarah Gilbert, Aloha, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 673 calories, 50g fat (28g saturated fat), 175mg cholesterol, 705mg sodium,

26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein

26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein. 2/50 Shrimp Boil Recipe Test Kitchen Approved Shrimp Boil Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This shrimp boil is meant for a crowd. The spicy sausage, soft potatoes and tender corn are packed with flavor. Add a squeeze of lemon for some brightness. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 410 calories, 22g fat (11g saturated fat), 224mg cholesterol, 813mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein. 3/50 Sheet-Pan Pineapple Chicken Fajitas

These fajitas are more on the sweet side, but my family loves them!

8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Sheet-Pan Pineapple Chicken Fajitas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For our fajitas, I combine chicken and pineapple for a different flavor. These fajitas are more on the sweet side, but my family loves them! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 2 fajitas: 359 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 6g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1 fat. 4/50 Curried Chicken Skillet 5 Reviews Test

This protein-packed skillet dish is loaded with bright flavor

Kitchen Approved Curried Chicken Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This protein-packed skillet dish is loaded with bright flavor. A little curry and fresh ginger make the veggies, chicken and quinoa pop. —Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh, Willimantic, Connecticut Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 367 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 450mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 5/50 Meatball Tortellini 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 10 min

It has few ingredients and little preparation

Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I combined some favorite staples from our freezer and pantry to come up with this easy dish. It has few ingredients and little preparation. —Tracie Bergeron, Chauvin, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 408 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 1592mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein. 6/50 Lemon-Dill Salmon Packets 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lemon-Dill Salmon Packets Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Grilling in foil is an easy technique

The options are endless—and the cleanup is easy

I use with foods that cook quickly, such as fish, shrimp, bite-sized meats and fresh veggies. The options are endless—and the cleanup is easy. —A.J. Weinhold, McArthur, California Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet: 305 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 fat. 7/50 My Best-Ever Jambalaya 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I tried to mimic Jambalaya from my favorite restaurant and it turned out so well my daughter

I have three hungry boys in my house, so dinners need to be quick and filling,

and husband now prefer my recipe and won’t order it when we go to the restaurant! —Alexis Van Vulpen, St. Albert, Alberta Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 323 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1124mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein. 8/50 Sweet Potato Bowl 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Black Bean & Sweet Potato Rice Bowls Recipe photo by Suzan Najjar for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have three hungry boys in my house, so dinners need to be quick and filling,

and it helps to get in some veggies, too

and it helps to get in some veggies, too. This one is a favorite because it’s hearty and fun to tweak with different ingredients. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 435 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 74g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 8g fiber), 10g protein. 9/50 Meat Lover’s Pizza Rice Skillet 11 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Meat Lover’s Pizza Rice Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a quick dinner, I threw this together from

what I had in the fridge and pantry

what I had in the fridge and pantry. Add any other pizza toppings you desire. I often add black olive slices or mushrooms. My son loves this and calls it pizza rice. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 390 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 906mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein. 10/50 Comforting Beef Stew 2 Reviews Contest Winner Comforting Beef Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This slow-cooked beef stew just screams comfort to

It’s also family-friendly—my toddlers gobble it right up!

me. It’s also family-friendly—my toddlers gobble it right up! —Courtney Percy, Brooksville, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 375 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 1142mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. 11/50 Fig-Glazed Chicken with White Beans 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Fig-Glazed Chicken with White Beans Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sauteed shallots, fig jam, rosemary, lemon and sherry vinegar make a delightful sauce for both the chicken and the beans. My husband couldn’t believe how well

the white beans absorbed the flavor, making this a grand slam

the white beans absorbed the flavor, making this a grand slam. Matchstick carrots can be added to the bean mixture for extra color, flavor and crunch. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 405 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 287mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. 12/50 Beef and Shells 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Stovetop Beef and Shells Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I fix this supper when I’m pressed for time. It’s

as tasty as it is fast

as tasty as it is fast. Team it with salad, bread and fruit for a comforting meal. —Donna Roberts, Manhattan, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 344 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 815mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable. 13/50 Pepperoni Pan Pizza 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Pepperoni Pan Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 2 pizzas (9 pieces each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve spent years trying to come up with the perfect

pizza crust and sauce, and they’re paired up in this recipe

pizza crust and sauce, and they’re paired up in this recipe. I fix this crispy, savory pizza for my family often, and it really satisfies my husband and sons. —Susan Lindahl, Alford, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 460 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1096mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. 14/50 Pork Stew 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooked Pork Stew Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Try this comforting stew that’s easy to put

together, but it tastes like you’ve been working hard in the kitchen all day

together, but it tastes like you’ve been working hard in the kitchen all day. It’s even better served over polenta, egg noodles or mashed potatoes. —Nancy Elliot, Houston, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without potatoes): 177 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch. 15/50 Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta 71 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I try to

If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version

make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 389 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 565mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 16/50 Chicken Foil Packets 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Veggie Packets Recipe photo by Jackie Alpers for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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