3 ONE PAN MEALS YOU'LL ACTUALLY WANT TO MAKE EVERY NIGHT
3 ONE PAN MEALS YOU'LL ACTUALLY WANT TO MAKE EVERY NIGHT is a medium American recipe that serves 4. 520 calories per serving. Recipe by SAM THE COOKING GUY on YouTube.
Prep: 40 min | Cook: 2 hrs 55 min | Total: 4 hrs 5 min
Cost: $45.72 total, $11.43 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 lb Chuck Roast (well‑marbled, cut into 1½‑inch cubes)
- 1 lb Potatoes (Yukon Gold, diced)
- 2 Carrots (large, diced)
- 3 Onion (large for beef stew, small for shrimp orzo, medium for chicken rice; diced)
- 10 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 4 cup Beef Broth (low‑sodium)
- 1 cup Red Wine (optional; use extra broth if omitted)
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 2 tsp Black Pepper (plus extra for finishing)
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch (mixed with equal water to form slurry)
- 4 tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped; divided between dishes)
- 2 tbsp Beef Tallow (or use neutral oil)
- 1 lb Large Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 cup Orzo Pasta
- 1 14.5 oz can Canned Diced Tomatoes
- 4 cup Chicken Broth (2 cups for shrimp dish, 2 cups for chicken rice)
- 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (adjust to heat preference)
- 4 tbsp Lemon Juice (divided between shrimp and chicken dishes)
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil (2 tbsp for shrimp, 2 tbsp for chicken rice)
- 4 Bone‑In Skin‑On Chicken Thighs (about 2 lb total)
- 1 cup Long‑Grain Rice
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tbsp Fresh Dill (chopped)
Instructions
Prep Beef
Trim excess fat from the chuck roast, cut into 1½‑inch cubes, and set aside.
Time: PT10M
Sear Beef (First Batch)
Heat 1 tbsp beef tallow in the cast‑iron skillet over medium‑high heat. Add half the beef cubes in a single layer; do not crowd. Sear without moving for 2‑3 minutes, then turn to brown all sides. Remove to a plate.
Time: PT7M
Sear Beef (Second Batch)
Add another tbsp tallow, repeat searing with the remaining beef cubes. Transfer all seared beef to the plate.
Time: PT7M
Sauté Vegetables
In the same skillet, add a splash of oil if needed, then add diced onion, carrots, and potatoes. Cook 3‑4 minutes until they begin to soften.
Time: PT5M
Add Garlic & Tomato Paste
Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and toast for another minute to deepen flavor.
Time: PT2M
Deglaze & Simmer Beef Stew
Pour in beef broth and red wine, scraping up browned bits. Add kosher salt, pepper, extra pepper, and dried thyme. Return all beef pieces with any juices to the pan. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower to a simmer, cover, and cook 1 hour 30 minutes until beef is fork‑tender and potatoes are soft.
Time: PT1H30M
Thicken Stew (Optional)
Mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water to form a slurry. Stir the slurry into the hot stew a little at a time until desired thickness is reached.
Time: PT5M
Finish Beef Stew
Stir in chopped fresh parsley, adjust seasoning, and keep warm.
Time: PT2M
Prep Shrimp‑Orzo Ingredients
Dice a small onion, mince garlic, and chop parsley. Rinse shrimp and pat dry.
Time: PT5M
Sauté Onion & Garlic for Shrimp‑Orzo
Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet (after removing beef stew if needed). Sauté onion 2‑3 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute.
Time: PT4M
Toast Orzo
Add 1 cup orzo to the pan, stirring for 1 minute to lightly toast.
Time: PT1M
Add Liquids & Simmer
Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice) and 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered 10 minutes, stirring gently every few minutes.
Time: PT10M
Cook Shrimp
Add the shrimp, ensuring they are submerged. Cook 3‑4 minutes until pink and opaque.
Time: PT4M
Finish Shrimp‑Orzo
Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Stir in chopped parsley and remove from heat.
Time: PT3M
Prep Chicken & Rice Ingredients
Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Dice a medium onion and mince garlic. Zest and juice a lemon. Chop parsley and dill.
Time: PT7M
Brown Chicken Thighs
Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, heat over medium‑high. Place chicken thighs skin‑side down, cook 4‑5 minutes until skin is golden, then flip and brown the other side 3‑4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Time: PT9M
Sauté Onion & Garlic
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed, sauté onion 2‑3 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Time: PT4M
Toast Rice
Add 1 cup long‑grain rice, stir to coat with oil, and toast for 2 minutes.
Time: PT2M
Add Broth & Lemon
Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, add lemon zest and juice, and season with additional salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Time: PT3M
Simmer Chicken & Rice
Return the browned chicken thighs to the pan, skin side up. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20‑25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 175‑183°F.
Time: PT25M
Finish Chicken & Rice
Remove chicken temporarily, stir in chopped parsley and dill, then return chicken to the pan. Drizzle a little extra‑virgin olive oil, add a final pinch of pepper, and serve.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 30 g
- Carbohydrates
- 45 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fiber
- 5 g
Dietary info: Gluten‑Containing, Dairy‑Free, Nut‑Free
Allergens: Shellfish, Wheat
Last updated: April 13, 2026








