16 Stovetop Meals That Will Make You Forget Takeout Exists

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16 Stovetop Meals That Will Make You Forget Takeout Exists

Ditch the takeout menus because these 16 stovetop meals are about to become your new weeknight heroes. We’re talking about dishes so good, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with delivery. They’re quick, they’re easy, and they pack a punch of flavor that’ll knock your socks off. And the best part? You won’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to whip up something great.

A pan with chicken in a creamy sauce.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is ready in just 25 minutes and features shrimp cooked in a flavorful garlic sauce paired with grape tomatoes and fresh spinach, giving a beautiful and colorful plate. It’s great on its own or with pasta or rice, serving a quick, flavorful option for any night. The quick cooking time and robust flavors make it a perfect alternative to takeout, saving you time and delivering great taste right at home.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Reuben Bowls

A bowl of coleslaw with creamy dressing, garnished with green onions, served in a ceramic bowl with a fork.
Reuben Bowls. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In half an hour, these Reuben Bowls will have you forgetting about your favorite takeout spot. They’re super easy to throw together for a quick dinner or to prep for lunch ahead of time. Just brown up some corned beef from the deli, toss it with coleslaw or shredded cabbage, stir in some sauerkraut, and melt Swiss cheese on top. Finish it with a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing, and you’ve got a stovetop meal that’s a solid win for taste and convenience.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a one-pan stovetop wonder that is perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner that’ll have you skipping takeout. This dish features chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a rich, creamy sauce. It’s a rustic meal that combines garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and cream. This dish is simple yet feels upscale, packed with nutrients from the spinach. It’s an easy way to enjoy a hearty, comforting meal without ordering in, perfect for nights when you want something special.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Scallops with parsley and garlic in a skillet.
Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ditch the takeout and make Lemon Garlic Scallops instead — the perfect stovetop dish for a quick yet impressive meal. The scallops are pan-seared to a golden brown and flavored with a rich garlic and lemon sauce. Using simple ingredients like fresh scallops, garlic, unsalted butter, and lemon juice, this meal delivers a burst of flavor with minimal effort, ready in 30 minutes. The quick prep and fresh flavors make these scallops a perfect choice when you’re craving something fancy without the takeout wait.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a great choice for a quick and flavorful stovetop meal that’s better than what you can order outside. This dish features chicken cooked to perfection and then tossed in a garlic butter sauce. You can prepare this in just 20 minutes using one skillet, making it a simple and fast option that still packs a punch in taste. It’s quick to make and pairs perfectly with rice or salad for a full meal. The quick cooking time and delicious garlic flavor make it an easy choice over takeout, giving you a great meal without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon takes just 25 minutes on your stovetop. This dish combines crunchy cabbage with crispy bacon for a quick meal that packs veggies and protein. It’s a great go-to for a wholesome dinner, perfect for nights when you need something quick and filling. The bacon flavor, combined with the freshness of the cabbage, makes it a meal that feels both hearty and lighter. It’s one of the stovetop dishes that will give you plenty of reasons to ditch takeout.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In 30 minutes, you can whip up this Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken on the stovetop. It features chicken in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, bringing a rich and tangy flavor to your table. This one-pan meal is easy and great for busy evenings, adding some flair to your typical chicken dinners. The combination of creamy sauce and tangy tomatoes creates a dish that feels both comforting and gourmet.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a bowl.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a quick stovetop meal ready in 30 minutes. It combines pan-seared chicken thighs with a creamy mushroom sauce, making it great with rice or pasta. The rich mushroom flavor pairs perfectly with the tender chicken, creating a meal that feels special without the need for takeout. This is a perfect example of stove cooking that’s better than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage dish is one of the easy meals you can make on the stove instead of ordering out. Ready in just 25 minutes, it combines hearty sausage with crisp cabbage, making for a quick and filling dinner. The cabbage, known for its versatility, pairs with the flavor of sausage, creating a filling and delicious dish. It’s a great go-to for busy nights, serving a hearty meal without the need for takeout. The combination of flavors and quick prep make it a reliable choice for any evening.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage Curry is a flavorful stovetop meal ready in less than an hour. It has sausage and veggies in a creamy curry sauce and can be spiced up to your taste. This dish is perfect with potatoes, rice, or on its own, making it a versatile option for any night. The rich and spicy curry sauce pairs perfectly with the sausage, creating a meal that’s both hearty and filling. With an easy dish you can cook at home, why would you order in?
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cook Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts in just 30 minutes. This stovetop dish has tender chicken thighs and artichoke hearts in a creamy sauce, making it easy and impressive for any weekday. The creamy sauce pairs perfectly with the tender chicken and tangy artichokes, creating a meal that feels both light and indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Say goodbye to takeout and hello to Creamy Dijon Chicken — a homemade meal ready quickly and easily on the stove. It combines chicken thighs, spinach, and bacon in a rich Dijon sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is packed with flavor and gives a balanced meal that’s easy to prepare. The creamy Dijon sauce brings a tangy richness that pairs perfectly with the flavors of bacon and tender spinach. It’s perfect for weeknights when you need a quick meal but want something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Broccoli Fritters

A stack of broccoli fritters on a plate.
Broccoli Fritters. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Broccoli Fritters come together in 35 minutes on your stovetop, so you won’t have to order takeout. They’re made with broccoli florets, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and either ground sunflower seed meal or almond flour, seasoned with garlic powder, pepper, and salt. They are pan-fried, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft interior. These fritters are a great way to add more vegetables to your diet and are easy to make. This dish is great for those nights when you want a simple meal that’s still packed with veggies and flavor without resorting to takeout.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Green Chile Chicken

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Green Chile Chicken is a quick 20-minute meal that combines shredded chicken, cheddar cheese and green chiles in a creamy sauce. This dish can be served on its own, with rice, or wrapped in tortillas for a quick taco night. It’s a great choice for busy nights when you need a meal that’s both fast and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is ready in 30 minutes and features chicken breasts in a rich garlic, cream, and Parmesan sauce, making it a great option for stovetop suppers that beat takeaway any time. This dish is easy to prepare yet feels special enough for any night of the week. The creamy garlic sauce adds a nice touch to the tender chicken breasts, making it a go-to recipe for nights when you want something quick but still impressive. This meal saves you time while delivering great taste.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is a hearty stovetop meal ready in 30 minutes. Forget about ordering in, this dish combines ground beef and cauliflower rice in a creamy sauce, making it a great choice for those looking for a filling and easy meal. It’s perfect for busy days when you need something quick and filling without the hassle of takeout. This skillet meal is both quick to prepare and full of flavor, making it a practical choice for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

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