17 Stovetop Meals That’ll Make Leftovers Somebody That Your Family Used To Know

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17 Stovetop Meals That’ll Make Leftovers Somebody That Your Family Used To Know

If you’re tired of boring leftovers haunting your fridge, these stovetop meals are your new best friend. Perfect for busy workdays when you need something to look forward to, these dishes are so good they’ll make leftovers a distant memory. With these recipes, you’ll find yourself enjoying dinner so much, you’ll forget leftovers were ever a thing.

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White Bean Soup. 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.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach turn dinner into a no-leftover zone. This stovetop gem whips up in 25 minutes, featuring juicy shrimp, fresh spinach, and ripe tomatoes bathed in a rich garlic sauce. It’s light yet filling, perfect for a weeknight but impressive enough for impromptu guests. This is a stovetop meal that make leftovers a distant memory. Plus, it’s a breeze to clean up, which means more time chilling and less time scrubbing. It keeps everyone happy and the fridge clear of forgotten containers.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

With Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce, leftovers don’t stand a chance. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish layers tender chicken thighs under a creamy mushroom sauce, a great match for a pile of mashed potatoes or a bed of fluffy rice. It’s all cooked on one stovetop, so you won’t have a mountain of pots to clean. This is the go-to meal for making sure everyone leaves the table too full to even think about seconds. Plus, it keeps dinner simple but significantly delicious — no frills, just good food.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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.

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts is how you make stovetop meals memorable and leftover-free. In just 30 minutes, enjoy skinless chicken thighs and tangy artichoke hearts smothered in a creamy, dreamy sauce. It’s a straightforward dish that packs a punch of flavor, perfect for a busy weeknight or a casual dinner party. And the best part? It’s designed to leave no trace—no leftovers, no mess, just happy diners. So, make this your go-to when you want to impress without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Cabbage and Sausage

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

Cabbage and Sausage is your straightforward solution to the leftover blues. This one-pan wonder combines crispy cabbage with hearty sausage, cooked on the stovetop in about 25 minutes. It’s as easy as it gets but doesn’t skimp on flavor or satisfaction. Great for those evenings when you want a meal that’s both uncomplicated and filling, leaving everyone too busy enjoying to think about leftovers. It’s budget-friendly, filling, and fast. What more could you ask for on a busy weeknight?
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup with vegetables and herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tortellini Soup is the stovetop hero that makes leftovers vanish. This comforting soup is packed with chicken, cheese tortellini, and crisp vegetables, all swimming in a flavorful broth. It comes together in just 40 minutes and is perfect for transforming leftover chicken into a meal that’s both hearty and heartwarming. Not only is it easy to make and even easier to clean up, but it’s also a great way to keep everyone too full to even remember the concept of leftovers. This soup’ll keep your family coming back for more, making leftovers a thing of the past.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

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.

If you’re racing against the clock, the Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is your go-to. This dish throws together lean ground beef, earthy mushrooms, and light cauliflower rice, all nestled in a creamy sauce that’ll make your spoon stick around for more. Not only does it cook in a flash (just 30 minutes), but it also keeps your evening easy with minimal cleanup. It’s a great choice for those who want a filling meal without the mess, and frankly, it’s so good that leftovers become a myth.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the superhero of quick meals. Picture this: juicy, tender chicken quickly fried up and then drenched in a garlic butter sauce that’s rich enough to make you forget every takeout menu. Ready in just 20 minutes, this meal is easy to prepare and even easier to clean up. Plus, these chicken bites are so irresistibly good that the idea of leftovers is laughable. For anyone looking to cut down on dinner prep and maximize family time, these bites are a game changer. This dish is a stovetop standout that’s too good to leave anything behind.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

White Bean Soup

A bowl of white bean soup with carrots and croutons.
White Bean Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Dive into a bowl of White Bean Soup and say goodbye to leftover worries. This hearty stovetop soup combines creamy white beans, crisp carrots, and a flavorful mix of herbs for a comforting meal in 40 minutes. It’s perfect for those colder nights when you need something steaming without the hassle of a complicated recipe. It fills the belly and warms the soul, so you’ll only have the memory of a great dinner. Plus, it’s a smart choice for those looking to stretch their groceries without stretching their wallet.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Creamy Dijon Chicken

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

Creamy Dijon Chicken serves a gourmet touch without the grind. This dish features succulent chicken thighs smothered in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, with spinach and bacon adding a flavorful depth. It’s a quick 30-minute meal that’s bound to impress with its richness and simple prep. Plus, it’s the perfect solution for transforming your weekday dinner into something special without any leftover hassle. With a dish this packed with flavor, your family will forget what leftovers are, keeping your fridge clear and your kitchen clean.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

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 is straightforward and flavorful, ready to eat in just 25 minutes. It combines crispy bacon and fresh cabbage cooked to perfection on your stovetop. This dish is a simple wonder that speaks volumes in taste, making it a great choice for a quick dinner that promises no leftovers. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you why simple ingredients can create such a standout dinner. Perfect for those days when you want a meal that’s quick to make but slow to forget. With flavors that are clear and bold, who needs leftovers anyway?
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Sausage Curry

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

Sausage Curry is the answer when you’re craving something different but don’t want the hassle. This dish features hearty sausages, sweet potatoes, and a mix of veggies, all simmered in a creamy curry sauce that’s bold and comforting. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s a stovetop savior for busy evenings. This meal simplifies cooking and cleanup, and its rich flavors make leftovers a concept as foreign as quiet kids at bedtime. So, if your dinner routine feels a bit dull, spice it up with this curry — leftovers will be the last thing on anyone’s mind.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

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.

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a fast favorite that’ll have you ditching the takeout for good. This dish combines juicy chicken thighs, creamy sauce, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes, all ready in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for those who need a quick meal but still want something that feels a bit fancy without the hassle. This dish makes second helpings a must and leftovers a non-issue. With everything tossed into one pan, the cleanup is a breeze, and the flavors are so good that everyone’s too busy for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Broccoli Fritters

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

Broccoli Fritters make broccoli exciting again, all in just 35 minutes. Here’s the scoop: mix chopped broccoli with Parmesan, eggs and ground sunflower seed meal, then fry them until they’re crispy on the outside and soft inside. They’re great for anyone who wants to get more greens into their diet without the snooze factor. They’re quick enough for a weekday dinner but good enough for lazy weekend eating. And hey, because they’re so easy to pop one after another, leftovers might just become a ghost from dinners past. So, why stress about what to cook when you can whip up these fritters?
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 makes ordinary chicken extraordinary in a swift 20 minutes. Toss some chicken in a pan, add fiery green chiles and a touch of creamy sauce, and boom—you’ve got a dish that brings the heat without burning down your schedule. It’s perfect for using up that leftover chicken no one was excited about and transforming it into a meal that’ll make everyone forget it’s a rerun. Because let’s face it, who has time for boring leftovers when you can spice things up this easily? Give it a try, and you might just find yourself making it again—on purpose this time.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Creamy Tuscan Chicken turns your stovetop into a non-stop flavor trip to Italy in less than an hour. Just combine chicken breasts, creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and a handful of spinach. The result? A dish so rich and filling, the idea of leftovers will be laughable. It’s perfect for those evenings when you’re looking to impress without the mess of a complicated recipe. And really, who needs to worry about storing leftovers when you’ve got a meal this good? It’s about making your dinner a breeze, and your only worry should be whether to pair it with pasta or bread.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Lemon Garlic Scallops

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

Lemon Garlic Scallops are your ticket to a quick, seaside-flavored dinner. In just 25 minutes, these scallops are pan-seared to golden perfection, then drizzled with a zingy lemon-garlic sauce. They’re so light and fresh you’ll feel like you’re dining beachside. It’s the kind of meal that turns a Monday into a reason to celebrate. Plus, they’re so irresistible you’ll finish them off long before you think about storing any for later. So, if you’re looking for a dish that says ‘special occasion’ without the hours of prep, these scallops are your best bet.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

Creamy Garlic Chicken is the comfort food hero you didn’t know you needed. Just 30 minutes between you and a dish full of tender chicken smothered in a garlic and Parmesan cream sauce. It’s the kind of meal that soothes the soul after a long day. And because it’s so rich and creamy, everyone’s likely to stick around the table a bit longer, making leftovers unlikely. So, put your feet up and let the stove do the hard work. It’s about getting maximum flavor with minimum effort, and really, isn’t that the dream?
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

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