50 Healthy Skillet Recipes for Busy Nights

Read Time: 24 mins

50 Healthy Skillet Recipes for Busy Nights2/50 Spicy Sausage and Rice Skillet 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The spicy sausage in this quick skillet dish gives it a kick, and the sliced apples are a pleasant, tart surprise. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 285 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 668mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2

Pair this recipe with one of our favorite skillet side dishes

fat. Pair this recipe with one of our favorite skillet side dishes. 3/50 Quick Moroccan Shrimp Skillet 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quick Moroccan Shrimp Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When my niece was attending West Point, she was sent to Morocco for five months. I threw her a going-away party complete with Moroccan decorations, costumes and cuisine, including this saucy shrimp dish. Whenever I make it now, I think of her and smile. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 335 calories,

11g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 626mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. 4/50 Sweet Potato and Egg Skillet 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sweet Potato and Egg Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I try to incorporate nutritious sweet potatoes in meals as often as possible, especially with breakfast. I came up with this recipe to feed my family a healthy, hearty breakfast—and it worked! —Jeanne Larson, Rancho Santa Margarita, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 224 calories, 11g fat (5g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 medium-fat meat

saturated fat), 201mg cholesterol, 433mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 medium-fat meat. Skip the meat with these vegetarian skillet recipes. 5/50 Mexican Turkey Skillet Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This family-friendly main dish with turkey, black beans and vegetables has a rich Mexican flavor that may seem indulgent, but it’s delightfully light. Created by our Test Kitchen, it cooks in one skillet, so it’s a snap to clean up for a weeknight supper. Nutrition

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

Facts: 1 cup: 254 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 616mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 6/50 Chicken Bulgur Skillet 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Bulgur Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe was passed on to me by a friend. I’ve altered it slightly to suit our tastes. We like it with a fresh green salad. —Leann Hilmer, Sylvan Grove, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups:

412 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 561mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 12g fiber), 36g protein. 7/50 Beef Barley Skillet 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This versatile dish goes together fast since it’s made with quick-cooking barley. You can make it with ground turkey or chicken and any color bell pepper that you have on hand. —Irene Tetreault, South Hadley, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 362 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 707mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (11g sugars,

8g fiber), 27g protein

8g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable. No gluten? No problem. These skillet meals are gluten-free. 8/50 Chicken & Goat Cheese Skillet 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken & Goat Cheese Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband was completely bowled over by this on-a-whim goat cheese and chicken skillet meal. I can’t wait to make it again very soon! —Ericka Barber, Eureka, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups chicken mixture: 251 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 74mg

cholesterol, 447mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein

cholesterol, 447mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 9/50 Curried Chicken Skillet 5 Reviews Test 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

Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. Check out our easiest skillet meals ever. Each recipe has just 4 ingredients! 10/50 Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love Italian sausage sandwiches, but because the bread isn’t diet-friendly for me, I created this recipe to satisfy my craving. If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers. —Tina Howells, Salem, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups:

Diabetic exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch

251 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 417mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch. 11/50 Lemon Roasted Chicken 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with Potatoes Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 2 chicken thighs with 4

I love recipes that I can cook and serve in the same skillet

ounces potatoes and 2 tomatoes: 446 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 151mg cholesterol, 429mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 45g protein. 12/50 Potato-Topped Ground Beef Skillet 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Compared to other ground beef skillet recipes, the depth of flavor in this recipe is amazing, and I never have leftovers when I take it to potlucks. I love recipes that I can cook and serve in the same skillet. If your butcher has chili grind beef,

which is coarsely ground, go for that; it lends an extra meaty texture

which is coarsely ground, go for that; it lends an extra meaty texture. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 313 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 459mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 13/50 Chicken Orzo Skillet 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As a busy homemaker with a home-based business, I try to make quick dinners that are healthy for my husband and two young children. I

combined two recipes to come up with this family favorite

combined two recipes to come up with this family favorite. —Kathleen Farrell, Rochester, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 342 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 589mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 vegetable, 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 14/50 Asparagus Turkey Stir-Fry 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Asparagus Turkey Stir-Fry Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When people try this dish, they ask for the recipe, just as I did when I first tasted it

when visiting a friend’s home

when visiting a friend’s home. Tossed in a delicious lemon sauce, this simple skillet dish is sure to satisfy on the busiest of nights. It’s a great way to use leftover turkey. —May Evans, Corinth, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 205 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 204mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 15/50 Sausage Veggie Skillet 48 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sausage Veggie Skillet Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From

Who knew it was going to be such a hit!

the Recipe Creator: I threw this sausage recipe together one night to use up produce before going out of town. Who knew it was going to be such a hit! Now it’s a recipe I turn to whenever time is tight. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 371 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 715mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1 fat. 16/50 Spicy Tomato Pork Chops 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

💡 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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