13 Fast and Fresh Skillet Recipes That Are Perfect for Summer

Zucchini and Ground Beef Skillet in a blue pan
Photo: fabeveryday

Kick off the summer season with one of our sensational skillet meals. When you need quick, easy dinner options (and want to avoid turning on the oven), simple skillet recipes give you big, hearty flavors with minimal fuss. From tomato-braised cod to smoked mozarella chicken, we've got the skillet recipes that will satisfy you all summer long.

01 of 13

Pineapple and Apricot Skillet Chicken

portrait shot apricot skillet chicken
Scott M.

Tender chicken breast is combined with sweet, tangy fruits for a mouthwatering meal. This Caribbean-inspired dish uses rum, orange zest, and ginger to create a truly tropical taste.

02 of 13

Pork and Zucchini Rice Skillet

portrait shot pork zucchini skillet meal

A deeply savory meal equipped with fresh herbs, nutty Parmesan cheese, and succulent pork that the entire family will love. Make a restaurant-quality skillet dish in just 45 minutes.

03 of 13

Hominy Skillet

portrait shot corn skillet meal
Linda T

Delicious, down-home flavor is in every bite of this spicy hominy recipe. Salsa, ground beef, and peppers create a smoky, totally satisfying result that can be enjoyed as an entree or burrito filling.

04 of 13

Skillet Tomato-Braised Cod with Bell Peppers and Ouzo

fish fillets in a tomato-based sauce served on a bed of couscous
Diana Moutsopoulos

This deceptively easy recipe will keep you coming back all summer long. Light flaky fish is surrounded by plum tomatoes, sliced peppers, and an anise-infused liquor for a wonderfully flavored seafood skillet meal.

05 of 13

Taco Macaroni Skillet

Taco Macaroni Skillet

Whip up a creamy beef and noodle dish in under an hour. This dish has decadently gooey cheese, seasoned ground beef, and a kiss of heat courtesy of green chiles.

06 of 13

Smoked Mozzarella Skillet Chicken

smoked mozzarella skillet chicken
France C

Just six ingredients make up this comfortingly cheesy chicken dish. "Very easy to make and the smoked mozzarella was delicious," says home cook Artemisia. "Served it with twice baked potatoes and a spinach salad."

07 of 13

Basil and Prosciutto-Wrapped Halibut

overhead shot prosciutto wrapped halibut
Amanda Potter

Fresh basil combines with the lean saltiness of prosciutto for the perfect complement to halibut. Adobo seasoning adds a deep, smoky flavor that you'll want to revisit again and again.

08 of 13

Cowboy Skillet Casserole

Cowboy Skillet Casserole
Melissa Goff

A hearty skillet dish with stick-to-your-ribs goodness. "This was delicious!" raves reviewer Squench. "My son and I both had seconds and enough left for work lunch."

09 of 13

One-Pan White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

portrait shot
fabeveryday

Nothing beats scratch-made mac and cheese, and this skillet recipe makes it simple. White Cheddar, Parmesan, and bacon bits give this one-pan dish an unbeatable richness.

10 of 13

Shrimp Scampi Over Rice

portrait shot shrimp scampi
Kaye May

Whip up a tasty seafood meal in just 15 minutes with this lemony shrimp recipe. Pre-seasoned rice combines with green beans and garlic to round things out nicely.

11 of 13

Skillet Spinach Lasagna

portrait shot spinach lasagna
mswafford

Skillet lasagna with fresh mozzarella and grated Parmesan? We'll take it. This one-pan riff on the Italian classic makes homestyle flavor incredibly easy to create on a busy weeknight.

12 of 13

Weeknight Skillet Slaw

Weeknight Skillet Slaw in a black bowl
Buckwheat Queen

"When you get home from work, you hardly want a big production for dinner," says recipe creator Matt Wencl. "That's when this recipe can be your standby." Simply toss coleslaw mix with ground turkey and veggies for a well-rounded meal.

13 of 13

Zucchini and Ground Beef Skillet

Sweet onion, stewed tomatoes, and lots of fresh zucchini make this dish worth repeating. Please the whole family with this cheesy and filling skillet creation.

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