One-Pan Dumpling Dinner

The latest one-pan dumpling dinner to make the rounds on TikTok is saucy and simple. While countless variations of the viral recipe exist, our version is even better than the rest because it’s a 30-minute meal that you can make when your family is especially hungry.

It begins with a bag of your favorite frozen dumplings or potstickers from the grocery store. Arranged in a baking dish, the dumplings simmer in a red curry-based sauce along with an assortment of other Asian sauces and stir-fry vegetables. In this recipe, we’re using a blend of red bell peppers, shiitake mushrooms and baby bok choy.

The resulting meal is colorful, flavorful and filling. You can serve it as-is because the dish covers all the nutritional bases, but you can also pair it with a side of rice or noodles. There’s no wrong way to enjoy a one-pan dinner with dumplings.

Ingredients for One-Pan Dumpling Dinner

• Frozen dumplings or potstickers: No need to fold and pleat homemade dumplings for this recipe. Instead, grab a bag of frozen potstickers from the freezer aisle. There are so many great options available these days.
• Coconut milk: Rich and creamy coconut milk makes the sauce luxuriously smooth. Our recipe calls for a whole can, so you don’t have to worry about repurposing leftovers in other coconut milk recipes.
• Red curry paste: Not all curry pastes are created equal. Some are spicier than others, so we suggest starting with 2 tablespoons and adding more if you want a little more heat.
• Soy sauce: Soy sauce is an essential ingredient that delivers plenty of umami punch in many Asian-inspired recipes.
• Sesame oil: Sesame oil adds nuttiness that makes the creamy, spicy sauce smell and taste absolutely divine.
• Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar is key to making homemade Asian takeout taste like the real thing.
• Fish sauce: This optional Thai ingredient adds a little funky tang that’s distinct to pad Thai and many other Thai recipes.
• Garlic and ginger: These aromatics lend depth and zippy bite to this one-pan dumpling dinner.
• Vegetables: A combination of bok choy, red bell pepper and shiitake mushrooms adds color and bulk to the recipe, making it a truly complete meal in one pan.
• Garnishes: Choose from sesame seeds, diced green onions, chopped cilantro or chili crisp to finish your one-pan dumpling dinner with a bit of color, crunch, freshness or spice.

Directions

Step 1: Make the sauce

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish.

In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together the coconut milk, curry paste, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, fish sauce (if using), garlic and ginger until smooth.

Step 2: Assemble the dumpling dinner

Pour half the sauce into the prepared baking dish and arrange the potstickers evenly in the sauce.

Top the dumplings with the bok choy, bell peppers and mushrooms, then pour the remaining sauce evenly over the top.

Step 3: Bake and garnish

Bake the dish, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until the potstickers are cooked through and the sauce is hot, then remove it from the oven. Garnish the dumplings with sesame seeds, diced green onions, chopped cilantro and/or chili crisp. Serve them immediately.

One-Pan Dumpling Dinner Variations

• Spice it up: For extra heat, add one or two sliced fresh jalapenos to the baking dish. For maximum heat, submerge them in the sauce. Alternatively, add up to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the sauce while mixing it.
• Try other spices: You can adjust the flavor profile of your one-pan dumpling dinner by incorporating warm, savory spices. Add up to 1/2 teaspoon of coriander, curry powder, cinnamon, cumin, lemongrass, galangal or turmeric. You could also add a single star anise pod to the sauce while baking the dumplings.
• Add more vegetables: Other vegetables that would work well in this one-pan dinner include thinly sliced onion, zucchini, chopped broccoli florets, thinly sliced sweet potatoes, pea pods or bamboo shoots.
• Play with the type of dumplings: Chicken or pork potstickers are our favorites for a one-pan dumpling dinner. However, you can use a vegetable dumpling instead with great results. Soup dumplings, while delicious, don’t work as well for this recipe.

How to Store One-Pan Dumpling Dinner

Store one-pan dumpling dinner in an airtight food storage container and refrigerate.

How long does this one-pan dumpling dish last?

For the best taste and texture, enjoy leftovers within two or three days.

How should you reheat the dumplings?

To reheat dumpling dinner leftovers, warm them at 350º in a baking dish until heated through. Alternatively, gently microwave them at reduced power until the sauce and dumplings are hot.

One-Pan Dumpling Dinner Tips

Can you make this in a slow cooker?

Yes! If you’d like to turn this into a slow-cooker recipe, prepare the sauce as directed and then add it to a 4-quart slow cooker. Add the dumplings and stir to coat them in the sauce. Top them with the vegetables and then add 1 cup of chicken or vegetable stock. Cover the slow cooker and cook the dumpling dinner on high for 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and the dumplings reach an internal temperature of 165°. Garnish it as desired.

What can you serve with this one-pan dumpling dinner?

Enjoy a one-pan dumpling dinner with a side of steamed coconut rice or a bowl of quick peanut noodles. If you’re looking for an appetizer to serve before the meal, try homemade egg rolls or creamy crab rangoon dip.