Nobody wants to spend their evening scrubbing pots and pans. As we recognize National No Dirty Dishes Day, this week’s Outer Banks Life Recipe of the Week is less about a single recipe and more about making dinnertime easier.
Whether you’re feeding the family after a beach day or just trying to make weeknight dinner easier, these five simple meals keep cleanup to a minimum while still delivering big flavor!
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients
- 1–1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp fajita seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Tortillas + toppings (sour cream, salsa, avocado, cheese)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Toss chicken, peppers, and onion with olive oil and seasoning.
- Spread evenly on a sheet pan.
- Bake 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway, until chicken is cooked through.
- Serve in tortillas with desired toppings.
A weeknight favorite for good reason, sheet pan chicken fajitas are quick, colorful and easy to customize. Simply roast sliced chicken, bell peppers and onions together on one pan with fajita seasoning and serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.
Foil Packet Shrimp Boil
Perfect for seafood lovers, these foil packets combine shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes with butter and seasoning for a low-country-style meal without the giant cleanup. Toss them on the grill or in the oven and serve straight from the foil.
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced
- 2 ears corn, cut into rounds
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved (pre-boiled 8–10 minutes helps)
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Lemon wedges
Directions
- Preheat oven or grill to 400°F.
- Divide shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes onto foil sheets.
- Drizzle with melted butter, garlic, and Old Bay.
- Seal foil packets tightly.
- Cook 20–25 minutes until shrimp is pink and potatoes are tender.
- Open carefully and serve with lemon.
One-Pot Creamy Tortellini
Comfort food doesn’t get much easier than this. Cheese tortellini simmers in broth with spinach and cream for a rich, cozy pasta dinner that only requires one pot from start to finish.
Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz) package cheese tortellini
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- Salt and pepper
Directions
- In a large pot, combine broth, cream, garlic, and tortellini.
- Bring to a simmer and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Stir in parmesan and season to taste.
- Serve warm straight from the pot.
BBQ Chicken Sliders
Using shredded rotisserie chicken keeps prep simple while barbecue sauce and coleslaw add plenty of flavor. These sliders are ideal for busy nights, casual gatherings or feeding picky eaters with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 2–3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie works best)
- 1/2–1 cup barbecue sauce
- 8–12 slider buns
- 1 cup coleslaw (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: pickle slices, cheese
Directions
- Warm shredded chicken in a pan or microwave.
- Mix with barbecue sauce until fully coated.
- Spoon onto slider buns.
- Top with coleslaw and optional pickles or cheese.
- Serve immediately.
Walking Taco Bags
Fun, customizable and practically dish-free, walking tacos are made by adding taco meat and toppings directly into individual chip bags. They’re especially great for families, kids or anyone who wants dinner without extra cleanup afterward.
The post Recipe of The Week: 5 minimal-cleanup meals for National No Dirty Dishes Day appeared first on The Outer Banks Life.