Dinner in One Take: Weeknight-Friendly Meals That are Big on Flavor, Not Time

by Bo Corley

Making an impressive dinner doesn’t have to take an impressive amount of time. Grill, roast, air fry, and sear your way to a perfect family dinner with recipes that mix creativity with simplicity.

Get ready to grill, roast, air fry, and sear your way to a perfect dinner with recipes that mix creativity with simplicity. From a crowd-pleasing taco Tuesday to brined chicken and epic Brussels, this is your playbook to delicious meals no matter the night. Bo Corley (aka @bothegoattv), known for his recipe videos on TikTok and Instagram, invents dishes that work smarter, not harder, to build showstopping flavor and texture. These recipes are designed with busy weeknights in mind, using easy-to-find ingredients that won’t stretch your budget. (Okay, the brisket recipe is not inexpensive, but there had to be a few treats too!) 

Yes, you can enjoy delicious dinners in minutes rather than hours. Whether you're after a sit-down meal or need dinner on the go, there's something for everyone. Chapters and recipes

Meat at My Super Sous Vide Burger, Backyard Burger Buns, Reverse Ribeyes, Smash Burgers, Steak for a Crowd, Family Night (or Game Day) Quesadillas, Pan-Fried Steak with Better Veggies, A5 and Egg, Boiled Burger, Propper Pulled Pork with Vinegar Slaw, Texas Brisket with a Twist, Dino Ribs, Three for One Spare RibsHealthy-Ish Secret Brine Skillet Chicken, Go-to Grilled Chicken, The Weeknight Stir Fry (includes SB, Wet Stiry Fry), The Weekend Stir Fry, Jumbo Shrimp and Veggies, Herb Crusted Salmon, Jerk-Style Smoked Chicken Thighs, House Air Fryer Wings, Lemony Salmon Belly with Saffron, Oven "Fried" Catfish, Smoked Drumsticks with Crispy Potatoes, Bo WellingtonBreakfast for Pep 'n Eggs Scramble, Come to the Table Potato Skillet, French Toast Breakfast Nachos, Fancy French Toast, One Take Breakfast Tacos, Egg White Bites, Cloud eggs, Pain Purdu Muffins, The Un-Frittata, Loaded Puff Pastry Boats, Avocado Toast, Cured EggHandheld Elevated Grilled Cheese, Seafood Platter Grilled Cheese, Shrimp Un-Tacos, Endless Pizza, Top Tier Toasted Sando, Turkey Double Cheeseburgers, Bougie Tuna Salad, Veggie Sandwiches, PB and My Favorite Homemade Strawberry Jam, Cod Sando, Salmon FingersPerfect Poblano Rings with Citrus Dijon Sauce, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Garlic-Lovers Tomato Soup, Gold-Roasted Potatoes, Better Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potato Skin Salad with Candied Bacon, Mustard Pasta, Roasted Broccoli with Garlic Chips, Corn Slaw(lsa), Lemon Lime Funnel Cakes, Blueberry Donut Peaches, Loaded Rice CrispyThe Beverage Oleo Saccharum, Cheong, Understanding Three Recipes, Cocktail Cherries, Dried Candied Orange Slices, Juice without a juicer, Bold Fashioned, Strawberry Old Fashioned Two Ways, The Shirley Spritz, Cherry Snow Angel, Orange and Cherry
You’ll discover quick tips for flexible cooking methods and new flavor combinations—and of course, plenty of facts you never knew about the ingredients and the occasional dad joke! Whether you seek comfort or adventure, Bo’s guidance is your go-to. His welcoming, you-can-do-it energy will give you the keys to the kitchen.

Say goodbye to recipes you have to cook 10 times to get right. This is Dinner in One Take.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Reference, Food

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Ankit Saxena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bo Corley’s "Dinner in One Take" is a delightful, practical cookbook that delivers exactly what it promises—flavorful, weeknight-friendly meals with minimal time and effort. As someone who often finds themselves scrambling for a quick but tasty dinner, this book has been a game-changer. The concept of "one-take" meals, where you essentially create a full meal using one pan, pot, or skillet, is a brilliant time-saver for busy evenings.

The recipes are straightforward, with simple ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store. Corley does an excellent job of balancing convenience and creativity. While many quick-fix cookbooks sacrifice flavor for speed, 'Dinner in One Take' delivers satisfying meals that don’t skimp on taste. From flavorful pasta dishes to hearty chicken and veggie combos, there's something for everyone, and the variety of meals ensures you won’t get bored.

One of the standout features is the book’s focus on using fresh, everyday ingredients in clever combinations. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, even for novice cooks, making it approachable for all skill levels. There are also helpful tips for prep, storage and how to adjust meals based on what you have at home.

That said, the book does have a few minor drawbacks. Some of the recipes may feel a bit too simple or basic for those looking to challenge their culinary skills. Additionally, while many recipes are truly weeknight-friendly, some may still take longer than anticipated depending on your kitchen setup.

Overall, this is a good addition to any home cook’s library, especially for those looking to streamline their weeknight dinners without compromising on flavor. though I'm not non-vegetarian but to avoid those, rest of the recipes were good ones. It's a practical, user-friendly cookbook that proves you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make a delicious meal.

[Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An overall wonderful beautifully illustrated cookbook. The chef shares with us his journey to getting to this book. The book starts with what he believes should be our kitchen staple items and why they matter. Next up he shares recipes that easy to follow that are delicious and though sophisticated, not too complicated. Elevated versions of many things we know and love. The shallot butter, the seafood grilled cheese, a few of the breakfast for dinner, chicken recipes, the weekend stir fry marinade is amazing and good for more than the stir fry it is listed with and more. Oh and the herb crusted salmon…yum! What I loved was that most were no fuss no muss recipes. I didn’t wind up with a sink filled with pots, pans and plate on top of plate to tend with after a delicious meal. This book is good for all levels of cook.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bo Corley has lost 200 pounds and discovered his passion for cooking as he learned to take on meal prepping. He started prepping better meals for himself and his family, and during the pandemic, he started offering his services to first responders and the elderly. As his business grew, and his social media influence expanded, he had to learn more about nutrition to serve his customers, who included professional bodybuilders. Now, he’s taken all that expertise and come up with a cookbook especially for busy cooks who want simple, flavorful, heathier options for family dinners.

Dinner in One Take is a collection of recipes for busy cooks and chaotic families. Using Corley’s techniques and cheat codes, you can increase flavor and decrease wasted calories as you make creative meals without needing a lot of ingredients or equipment. Corley uses cooking techniques like smoking, sous vide, and reverse searing to add flavor. He uses ingredients like avocado oil, roasted garlic, and brown butter to add savory notes. And he uses ideas from the internet to add layers of flavor without adding a lot of time.

So if you’re wanting to smoke some Dino Ribs, make a classic Smash Burger, or create Family Night (or Game Day Quesadillas, where each person can customize their own, Corley has the recipe for you. If you want a healthy-ish dinner, you can try the Secret Brine Skillet Chicken (the secret? pickle juice), Oven-”Fried” Catfish, or the Bo Wellington, which wraps a piece of salmon in spinach and puff pastry. Or you can go with some House Air Fryer Wings, with barbecue sauce, or with Buffalo sauce, or with Smokey Honey Habanero.

He loves a breakfast for dinner, and suggests French Toast Breakfast Nachos, Cloud Eggs, Come To the Table Skillet Potatoes (with fried eggs), or his Avocado Toast. Or you can go with a hand-held dinner, like an Elevated Grilled Cheese, Bougie Tuna Fish, or Shrimp Un-Tacos. And who doesn’t love a homemade pizza? Corley’s Endless Pizza offers customizable options so everyone can get the exact pizza they want. There are ideas for sides like Candied Sweet Potatoes, Better Brussels Sprouts, or Garlic-Lovers’ Tomato Soup you can add for the perfect bite. Or you can add a desert like Lemon-Lime Funnel Cakes or a Loaded Rice Crispy. There are even ideas for building tasty drinks, both with and without alcohol.

I was impressed with this cookbook. It has a lot of creative ideas for meals and smart cheats for adding flavor. Some of the techniques may not be easily available to everyone (smoking a brisket, or an entire pork shoulder, for example, which takes a lot of time and a smoker). But I think anyone can find some ideas that will work for their kitchen and their budget. He does have some tips for saving money and for getting the best equipment for your budget, and what is worth spending your money on, if you’re just starting out. There are lots of photos throughout, so you can see Corley’s vision for the dishes, and decide for yourself if you really want to try boiling your bacon or not.

Egalleys for Dinner in One Take were provided by Smith Publicity, Inc, with many thanks.

[Emmalita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinner in One Take has some interesting recipes and is well done with engaging text and attractive photos of the food and beverages. It’s not the right cookbook for my life at this time, but if you have a grill and many fewer food sensitivities this could be a great cookbook for you. If you enjoy cocktails, the last chapter, The Beverage Lab, is a good reason to but this book. I requested this from Net Galley because I was interested in it’s tagline, “weeknight-friendly meals that are big on flavor, not time.” After I got a review copy, the dietary restrictions in my house became even more rigorous which eliminated 7/8 of the recipes in this book from contention. Which is not the books fault at all. Heck, it isn’t even my fault.

Corley includes a number of formulas for quickly building flavor into his dishes. He also builds in premade items for ease, like packaged rice cauliflower, or liquid jerk seasoning. I also appreciated the way he talks about where you can take liberties and where you cannot in a recipe. I have made his brined chicken, corn slaw, and several of his dressings, all of which were very good. He does have a lot of recipes that go on a grill or in a smoker, neither of which I have or will acquire.

If you can eat bacon and cheese, and have access to a grill that can be used as a smoker, this is a well put together cookbook with some solid recipes. If you have issues with dairy, gluten, or processed meats, but want some creative cocktail recipes, the chapter on drinks is amazing. I wish I had had the dietary freedom to try more recipes, but we have to honor the bodies we have. I appreciate Corley’s spirit and hope this book finds a receptive audience.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Quattro Publishing Group and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinner in One Take is an absolute treasure of a cookbook and journal that would be an excellent addition to anyone's kitchen.

Bo Corley has written a book that's not just recipes- it's his own experiences, traditions, and history with food, all written down with care and so much love. The dedication that has been written into this cookbook feels like a generational gift that has found it's way to me. The book is infused with advice from Corley, including tips and suggestions for using certain recipes under certain conditions, such as last minute guests.

The influence that Texas cooking has had on the book is perfect, and I say this as a native Texan. The recipes feel familiar, yet refreshed. The whole concept of this book is big time recipes with a lot of flavor that are quick to make, and Corley has absolutely pulled this off. There are a few recipes where he suggests to take more time, but if time is not available, those steps could absolutely be shortened.

The recipes in Dinner in One Take are very meat heavy- this would not be for someone who is a vegetarian or not a fan of beef. There are a few recipes that are healthier, but they blend in very well with the entire book.

My favorite section was the breakfast for dinner section. The first recipe we made from Dinner in One Take was the French Toast Breakfast Nachos- phenomenal I've never seen anything like it and it was a giant hit at our house.

This would be perfect for anyone who is wanting to elevate their cooking, especially if they are big fans of BBQ and making recipes from the bottom up.

[Josie Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I miss to most since moving from my family home in Florida to my own apartment in Wisconsin is the ability to grill year-round. I'm also not allowed to have a grill at my apartment, so I'm desperate to find ways to "cheat" some good at-home BBQ. This book didn't disappoint. This was the first time I'd seen anyone using the reverse sear method on chicken, so I knew there would be some helpful tips in here right from the start. The cheat codes throughout the book were really helpful, and I like that this wasn't a hard and fast "gatekeep-y" bbq cookbook like a lot of them can veer toward. There are a lot of notes on how to adjust things for your ability and access to ingredients and materials.

I liked how recipes for sides, buns, seasonsing, and more were also included, because I can already see where I'd use those with not just bbq meals. The inclusion of "healthy-ish" is nice too, since so many people associate bbq with being unhealthy. This clearly shows you don't have to sacrifice flavor for health. I can't wait to make the caramelized shallot butter. I don't know if I'm brave enough to try a boiled burger however.

[Theediscerning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm… A cookbook promising the flavourful, homely cooking that brings chef and those he's catering for all together – and then demands we sous vide burgers for our first real recipe. Anyone else see the disconnect between the humble and impactful and the irresponsibly day-dreamy? Oh shush, you say, the first chapter is just about meat, and how it's barbecued, grilled and so on – but then you get home-smoking, wagyu and eggs, and other demands. This is not everyday cooking for big appetites, this is fancy cooking for the socials.

OK, things do turn a touch more relatable next, when humble chickens and salmon are the stars of the show. We're still smoking, mind, which is going to be hard as I've never met someone with one. And what is cloud egg if not for the 'Gram? For every reasonable taco-styled favourite there is something ridiculously out of the league of practically all of us, and ultimately this book doesn't know what it wants to be – something where we get our eggs and French toast as a snack, or something just for 'the sexies', as SortedFood would call it. A misfire.

[Dirty Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well illustrated and I feel it stands out amongst cookbooks becuase of the personal stories and growth that are shared.
I will also say .. this cookbook is so friendly to the at home chef there are no bizarre ingredients or cooking methods.. and truly if you have that all in one ninja this can eliminate any other cooking methods as its all in that one machine.
I also like that it takes food we all know and love and elevates it and gives that Texas flaire things like seafood grilled cheese or breakfast nachos

i also liked that if you eliminate ingredients due to preference/health it doesnt mean you cant make the item
Now there are some OTT ingridients and cooking methods such as using Wagyu or smokkng meet but again its all written where you could sub a pan sear , air fy and not loose out on something.

The recipes listed are very meat and gluten forward so keep that in mind and this isnt a healthy cookbook ..but food isnt a sin and sometimes you just want a meal that sticks to your ribs.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes in this cookbook look and sound delicious. The book is presented as easy recipes and the author talks a lot about his weight loss journey and health, but I wouldn’t really categorize either of these as really pertinent for this book. A lot of the recipes require smoking, grilling, marinading, making multiple ingredients, baking, etc. They are very heavy on meat and bread, and there is no nutritional information. There are recipes like an over the top rice crispy treat that bakes frosted rice crispies with the standard butter, marshmallows and sugar and additional chocolate candy and such all packed into a Bundt pan. Would it be decadent and delicious? Undoubtedly. Quick and healthy? Um…. 🤷

That said, Bo is immensely likable and everything sounds delicious. There are lots of photos and you are sure to cook some great meals with this cookbook.

I read a temporary digital loan of this book for review.

[Kelly West · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully crafted book. I was very impressed with the layout and the photography. A really nice feeling to this book that makes you want to study it in detail.

There are a lot of very achievable recipes in this book and I actually think that the simpler ones are the best. We can often overcomplicate cooking and this book is a reminder of how to achieve good home cooked meals.

Bo Corley seems like a very passionate and inspired chef and you get a real feel for that passion in the pages of his book. The photography is stunning, I just wish there were images of all the dishes. It always helps to see a completed dish when you've never made it before.

There is a lot of content around kitchen basics and what you need for a sustainable workspace, this is really helpful for any budding chef!

[MarryAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is indeed filled with delicious recipes, but some of them were not as easy as I would have expected.

The only issue I had with this book was the format, while the information is there and is not necessarily hard to find, it simply is not my type, so I would probably pick a different cookbook based on this, but again, it is something quite personal and it doesn't influence the quality of the book.

There are plenty of recipes and the book is rich in flavor and information, I liked the way the chapters were organized. Some recipes require a bit more prepping (it's not put everything in one pot and be done with it), so depending on how much you like to cook and/or how tired you are at the end of the day, some recipes will feel like a bit too much for a weeknight.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion

[Ande Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinner in One Take is a great cookbook! I loved all of the beautiful pictures that accompanied each recipe. Some of them certainly seemed a little more complicated than I would expect for simple weeknight meals... but then I like really simple lol.

That being said, there were plenty of simple recipes as well, and the instructions were clear and easy! The pictures were mouthwatering, and I am excited to try some of these. Thanks to NetGalley, Bo Corley, and Quarto Publishing for the chance to read and review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Allyn Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not familiar with Chef Bo Corley but really enjoyed reading his story. I thought the recipes were accessible and overall relatively simple. The organization of the cookbook was great and the photos beautiful! I liked the callout boxes, cheat codes, and tips along the way too. It seems like you get a lot more than just recipes here. The author's approach to writing each recipe was different and I felt more like I was reading instructions from a friend on how to cook a dish than a recipe from a book. This book would make a great gift to a cook in your life (hint hint, Mom)!

[Alexis R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this cookbook, The recipes were easy to follow and not overly complicated. It had pictures of many of the dishes which I always enjoy. Chapter 3 on Healthy-ish Dinners had many dishes that are kid friendly but still on the healthy side. I like how it wasn't just recipes but in many areas there was an education to it to explain why or how you should do something which I always appreciate. Simple and fun, I would gift this for someone beginning to cook.

[Grace grace_loves_books13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun cookbook full of life and personality! I wasn't familiar with Bo Corley before, but this book makes me want to seek out more of his content. Mouth watering recipes and plenty of tips and tricks to improve one's cooking skills. Only a few recipes lacked pictures. Would be a great addition to any cookbook collection!

[JANELLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the easy to read style and the photos!

A few recipes were a little complicated for my style, but the book over is enjoyable. The tips are great, the photos are beautiful and the healthy dinners section is really enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

[Stacey Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me a while since I wanted to re-create several of the dishes in the book to give my review. So, here this goes. I found it easy to recreate. I doubled a lot since I wanted my family and friends to taste this as well. So technically this fed more than one person. Sooo, this was good and thank you?

[Tracie]

This book is full of straightforward recipes with simple ingredients that you will love to make for your family! The instructions are clear and easy to follow for all skill levels. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

[DeDe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bo delivers flavorful, approachable meals minus the kitchen chaos as promised. The recipes feel elevated but not intimidating, and I appreciated that I wasn’t left with a mountain of pots and pans afterward.

It’s perfect for weeknights when you want something a little special without overthinking the prep or cleanup.

[Sarah Buron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the flow and setup of this cookbook. It had lots of great photos and tips as well. As an extra crispy bacon lover, I’ll be trying Bo’s boiled bacon recipe ASAP. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review – pub day is 10/1/24!

[Michael De · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely informational.. Loved the approach this cookbook takes to breaking down simple recipes while also going into the finer details of why we do or shouldn’t do things in regard to prepping or cooking certain dishes.

[Jodi Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the simple ideas with a twist in this cookbook. Everything seems doable but turns out exceptional. There are beautiful pictures and great instructions. These are recipes using easy to find ingredients. Try this book, you won't be disappointed.

[Thebestdogmom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice cookbook. Beautiful photos.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinner in One Take is a time-saving cookbook. It's filled with recipes that can easily be made on a weeknight but are still flavor-filled and creative.

[George A]

This book was gifted to me by a young person who is learning to cook, and I think that's the demographic it would appeal to.