The Nonstick Sauté Pan I Love for Meal Prep Every Sunday Night
Ah, Sundays. Whether I’m running errands for the week ahead or grocery shopping at my local market, one thing is a constant part of my Sunday routine: meal prep! For me, this often means making big batches of simple, healthy dishes, like chicken with broccoli, pan-fried tofu or salmon, and sautéed veggies to have on the side. But as much as I love my big (and heavy!) 12-inch cast-iron skillet, my wrists really beg to differ. So, when I tested out the much more lightweight, wrist-friendly The Pioneer Woman Jumbo Sauté Pan, I knew this piece of cookware would be getting some serious mileage in my kitchen.
Despite its jumbo 6-quart capacity, this pan is crafted from lightweight cast aluminum with an equally lightweight and easy-to-hold olivewood handle. And even though this bad boy does take up some precious kitchen cabinet space when not in use, it feels super light in my hand and is easy to maneuver and scoot around on the stovetop.
The pan also has PFOA-free nonstick coating, which makes it incredibly easy to clean. (Bonus: It’s also dishwasher safe.) This nonstick coating is ideal for cooking things like chicken breasts, omelettes, or salmon fillets, which tend to get *obnoxiously* stuck to the bottom of many other “nonstick” pans I’ve tested. Not the case here, folks!
I also appreciate the vintage speckled print and contrasting wooden accents on this pan’s handle and matching lid, as they add a little bit of flair to otherwise boring Sunday night meal prep. Its transparent lid also lets me peek into whatever I’m cooking, which I can’t do with my cast iron pieces or Dutch oven. Plus, at under $40, this pan is a steal.
In sum: If you’re in the market for an oversized yet lightweight sauté pan to meal prep big batches for the week ahead, I highly recommend this must-have piece of cookware.
Buy: The Pioneer Woman Jumbo Saute Pan, $39.97