Your Small Roasting Pan Is Perfect for These Dinners for Two

Picture this: It’s a cozy evening, and you’ve promised a delicious dinner for two to your other half. Getting a bottle of wine chilling and candles flickering is a cinch. But as for the meal? You’re stuck debating whether to whip up a multi-course masterpiece (and deal with the resulting pile of dishes) or just give in to takeout. Enter the unsung hero of date night cooking: the Small Hybrid Roasting Pan.

At 10 x 4 inches, this compact pan is the ideal solution for anyone who wants a delicious homemade meal without a code-red cleanup situation. Zero in on recipes that come together in a single pan that can go straight from the oven to the table and minimizes cleanup. From one-pan pork chops to Portuguese roast chicken, this pan handles it all, letting you focus less on fuss and more on enjoying your meal. Here are a few dinners for two that rule. 

Pork Chops with Roasted Veggie Hash

Few dinners are as satisfying and elegant as a baked, bone-in pork chop paired with an easy veggie hash. Start by getting the hash going: Toss chopped hardy vegetables like sweet potato, carrots, red onion, butternut squash and bell peppers with olive oil and your favorite spices. Tasty combinations include ground coriander and ground cumin or smoked paprika and oregano. Season generously with salt and pepper and roast on a baking sheet in a hot oven—400º to 450º will do—until they’re nearly caramelized and almost tender. Then top with seasoned pork chops and bake until the chops are cooked to your liking. Impressive, quick and minimal cleanup? We’re in.

Tagine-Inspired Chicken Bake

Channel one of Morocco’s classic dishes with a simple chicken bake in your Small Hybrid Roasting Pan. Toss chunks of boneless, skinless chicken thighs with chicken stock, prunes or dried apricots, olives, preserved lemon, and a glug of olive oil. A few cloves of garlic and a stick of cinnamon wouldn't hurt, either. Bake at around 350º F until the chicken is tender and cooked through, then serve it over couscous. This is also a great one for people who like to make dinner ahead: Bake and let it sit overnight to let the flavors deepen.

Roasted Salmon with Creamy Kale, Bacon, and Shallots

Is it just us, or is the Small Hybrid Roasting Pan just calling out for bacon? The surface makes cooking strips of bacon easy, because there's no sticking to worry about, and high sides minimize splatter. Roast bacon at 400º until crispy, then cut the strips (leaving the fat behind in the pan) and add them back to the pan along with thinly sliced shallots or onions. Roast until tender, then stir in torn hearty greens like lacinato or curly kale, Swiss chard or escarole. Top with salmon and return to the oven until the fish is cooked to your liking. Want something slightly heartier? Try stirring in a can or two of beans or lentils along with the greens.

Cheesy Gnocchi and Veg Bake

Having package of gnocchi on-hand is always a good idea, because the combinations are endless. Think: brown butter and Brussels sprouts. Mini meatballs and tomato sauce. Or broccoli, bocconcini and bell peppers. Grab your favorite brand of gnocchi—whether it's the refrigerated kind or the skillet type that doesn’t need boiling—and toss them with your favorite ingredients in your pan before baking them for around 15 minutes in a 400º F oven. Then top them with a cheese like mozzarella, Gruyère or Parmesan and broil until golden brown and bubbly.

The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of dinner for two, just remember: It’s possible with only one pan. Less mess, less stress and more time to enjoy each other’s company.