Cooking in an RV can be a challenge with the limited space, fewer appliances, and the constant need for easy clean-up. That’s why one-pan meals are a game-changer for RV life! Whether you’re cooking on a stovetop, a campfire or using your RV oven, these five recipes are delicious, simple, and require just a little amount of cleanup. Doesn’t that sound great?
Having a dad who is vegeterian has taught us to keep in hand a few meal ideas that can easily be adapted to fit everyone’s preferences when necessary (when my parents come visit). With that in mind, I’ve also included vegetarian variations for some of these meals, so everyone can enjoy them. Let’s get cooking!
🍳 Stovetop One-Pan Meals
1. Skillet Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
– 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced)
– 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
– 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
– 1 small onion (sliced)
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp cumin
– 1 tsp chili powder
– ½ tsp garlic powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Flour or corn tortillas
– Optional toppings: sour cream, cheese, avocado
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add chicken slices and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
3. Add sliced peppers and onions, along with all seasonings. After that, stir and cook for another 5 minutes until veggies are tender.
4. Serve in warm tortillas with desired toppings.
🌱 Vegetarian Variation: Swap chicken for portobello mushrooms, tofu, black beans or extra veggies.
2. One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp & Rice
A full meal with protein, carbs, and veggies in one skillet! What more can we ask for?
Ingredients:
– 1 lb shrimp (peeled & deveined)
– 1 cup long-grain rice
– 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
– 1 tbsp butter
– 3 cloves garlic (minced)
– 1 tsp paprika
– ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
– ½ cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
– 1 cup spinach (chopped)
– Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions:
1. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Add rice, paprika, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 15 minutes.
3. Add shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and spinach. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
4. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish before serving.
🌱 Vegetarian Variation: Swap shrimp for chickpeas or cubed tofu
3. Campfire Sausage & Veggie Hash
This recipe is good for dinner or as a hearty breakfast, packed with flavor and nutrients. No matter the time of day you prepare this dish, everyone will surely and happily eat it all up.
Ingredients:
– 4 chicken or pork sausages (sliced)
– 2 medium potatoes (cubed)
– 1 small onion (diced)
– 1 zucchini (sliced)
– ½ red bell pepper (diced)
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: 2 fried eggs for serving
Instructions:
1. Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Next, add potatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes until slightly crispy.
3. After that, add sausage slices, onion, and bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Add the zucchini, paprika, salt, and pepper and stir then cook for another 3 minutes.
5. Finally, top with a fried egg (optional) and serve!
🔥 RV Oven One-Pan Meals
4. Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Salmon & Veggies
This is a light, healthy, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for an RV oven. I know you’re thinking about the smell but leave some windows open and take a chance on this one you’ll be glad!
Ingredients:
– 2 salmon fillets
– 1 cup baby potatoes (halved)
– 1 cup broccoli florets
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– Juice of 1 lemon
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. First, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss potatoes and broccoli with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper and evenly spread on a sheet pan.
3. Place salmon fillets on the sheet pan and squeeze fresh lemon juice over them.
4. Bake for 20 minutes or until the salmon is flaky and the vegetables are tender. Let rest for a few minutes and enjoy!
5. One-Pan Cheesy Baked Pasta
This is one of our favorites! A comforting, cheesy pasta dish that’s easy to prepare in any RV oven. Sometimes we switch the meat for shrimp and sometimes we add it with the sausage.
Ingredients:
– 8 oz penne pasta (cooked) you can use ziti, rotini or rigatoni, it’s okay to use what you have
– 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
– ½ lb ground beef or Italian sausage
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– ½ tsp garlic powder
– 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In an oven-safe pan, heat olive oil and cook ground beef (or sausage) with garlic powder and Italian seasoning until browned. I like to season the meat at least a few hours before cooking it.
3. Next, add cooked pasta and marinara sauce and stir well.
4. After everything is well mixed sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
5. Finally, bake for 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
🌱 Vegetarian Variation: Skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, impossible meat or plant-based crumbles.
Final Thoughts on 5 Quick and Easy Meals
Cooking in an RV doesn’t have to be complicated—these quick and easy one-pan meals prove that you can make delicious, fast, and mess-free dishes. Whether on the stovetop or in the oven. They can be prepared when you prefer, either for lunch or as a tasty dinner so you and your family can enjoy them. In addition, with these vegetarian variations there is no need to make different meals. Everyone can enjoy them one way or the other, some might even mix it up like we do and try it both ways.
What’s your favorite RV meal? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t forget to check out some of our other posts!