one-pot meals
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30 One-Pot Meals to Make Your Busy Weeknight Meals a Breeze

When life gets busy, cooking can feel like a chore. It’s no surprise that we gravitate towards recipes that are simple to prepare. And one-pot meals are the perfect solution for easy meals that are delicious and take away all the scrubbing and cleaning of multiple pots and pans!

This collection of 30 one-pot meals, ranging from lasagna soup to Paella, is sure to get you excited even on busy weeknights. These recipes are big on flavor and quite simple and quick to prepare!

#1. Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Sun-dried tomatoes, Italian spices, red pepper flakes, and chardonnay come together to deliver a rich, buttery flavor. Combined with pasta and freshly grated cheese, this meal packs a punch of flavor in every bite!

#2. Chicken and Dumplings

This creamy recipe says “comfort food” like no other! A hearty chicken stew is topped with big fluffy drop dumplings that float on top of the broth. Make the dumplings from scratch, and cook with chicken, seasonings, evaporated milk, and vegetables to make the soup — this delicious one-pot meal will be loved by all!

#3. Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Noodles

This dish combines all of your favorite pot pie flavors and boosts them with the addition of noodles for a creamy, savory, and filling meal that both kids and adults will love. It’s made with chicken, mushrooms, onions, celery, carrots, a hearty helping of seasonings, and pasta served with pie crust crumbles (optional).

#4. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Creamy and comforting, this one-pot Italian-inspired meal is incredibly easy to make. Made with pasta (penne, pipette, or shell), chicken breasts, baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, parmesan, and heavy cream, this meal is ready in less than 30 minutes! Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan if you like and serve hot.

#5. Dutch Oven Red Beans and Rice

Andouille sausage, kidney beans, white rice, and a handful of seasonings combine to make this smoky, spicy, and ultra-satisfying dish. The different flavors are wonderfully layered, creating a complex dish that is also extremely adaptable to be made vegan or vegetarian.

#6. Egg Roll in a Bowl

Featuring all of your favorite egg roll stuffing — ground turkey, shredded cabbage, and carrots — steeped in soy sauce and rice vinegar, this dish satisfies all your Asian flavor cravings while cutting back on the carbs. Plus, the deconstructed egg roll improves with time; all the more reason to whip up a quick batch!

#7. Instant Pot Kung Pao Chicken

A classic Chinese recipe, this meal includes delicious, juicy chicken and a large helping of veggies cooked in a delectable sauce with tapioca flour (or arrowroot powder or cornstarch). Serve it with rice and a garnish of peanuts, cilantro, scallions, and red chili flakes (if desired).

#8. Jambalaya Recipe with Chicken, Shrimp and Sausages

Southern comfort food at its finest, make this jambalaya with rice, chopped vegetables, paprika and oregano-seasoned chicken, deveined shrimp, and sausage cooked in Cajun seasoning, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. This enticing dinner comes together in just about 30 minutes!

#9. Lasagna Soup

Craving traditional Italian flavors? Cook sauteed Italian sausage, lasagna noodles, crushed tomatoes, fresh basil, and Italian seasonings in beef broth, and you get all the great flavors of lasagna in a soup form! Top with a dollop of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan for a hearty meal.

#10. Mediterranean Braised Chicken with Apricots

This Mediterranean braised chicken offers multiple layers of flavors and is incredibly easy to prepare. All you have to do is brown the spice-rubbed chicken before braising it in red wine, fresh herbs, apricots, mushrooms, and tomatoes in the oven for a fall-off-the-bone, flavor-packed feast.

#11. Speedy Mince and Haloumi One-Pot

Incredibly rich and so delicious, this one-pot meal is loaded with browned lean beef mince, leek, garlic, oregano, pasta sauce, tomatoes, spinach, and haloumi. Sprinkle it with mozzarella and grill until golden brown, then garnished with basil leaves and served with a side of bread.

#12. One-Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

Enjoy juicy beef, melting cheese, and crisp bacon flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger combined with rotini pasta in a one-pot meal! Simply cook all of the ingredients in the pot, top with your preferred toppings, and enjoy a wonderful cheesy pasta recipe — the perfect comfort dish for extra chilly nights.

#13. One-Pot Beef Stroganoff

This one-pot take on a classic family favorite cooks egg noodles directly in the super-rich and creamy sauce alongside beef and mushrooms, saving you time and dishes! It’s a quick comfort meal that has an impressive flavor profile to its name.

#14. One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

If you like chicken Alfredo, you’re going to love this Cajun twist on the classic. To make, cook the noodles in the creamy alfredo sauce with Cajun seasoning, bite-sized chunks of chicken, garlic powder, salt, and pepper before adding the Parmesan cheese for delightfully creamy pasta with the perfect kick of spice.

#15. One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Packed with flavorful ingredients, this recipe is the one you want for busy weeknights. This crowd-pleaser is made with lean hamburger meat, ziti noodles, taco seasoning, red enchilada sauce, chicken broth, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Cook until creamy, and serve with avocado and cilantro.

#16. One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

This quick and easy dish combines 3-cheese tortellini, browned garlic-and-butter chicken breasts, and a creamy Bertolli alfredo sauce to create a dreamy, creamy meal. Garnish with chopped parsley and grated parmesan before serving to add a splash of color, flavor, and texture to the dish.

#17. One-Pot Chicken and Mushroom Orzo

Juicy chicken seasoned with salt and pepper is cooked together with garlic and thyme-flavored mushrooms and shallots, baby spinach, and orzo in a beautifully creamy sauce to make the perfect weeknight dinner. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

#18. One-Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl

Healthy, tasty, and so easy to make — this burrito bowl is loaded with tender chunks of chicken browned to perfection, homemade Mexican rice, black beans, cheese, and a variety of seasonings. Once the cheese has melted, garnish the dish with sour cream, tomatoes, green onions, and guacamole to enjoy.

#19. One-Pot Chicken Stew

This hearty chicken stew is made with tender chicken and fresh veggies like carrots, sweet onion, and potatoes simmered in a well-seasoned broth for the ultimate comfort food. Stir in parsley or fresh dill and serve with crusty garlic bread to enjoy a satisfying, winter delight.

#20. One-Pot Creamy Tomato Spinach Gnocchi

Need a quick, easy vegetarian dinner? In this simple recipe, refrigerated gnocchi and veggies are tossed in a thick, creamy tomato sauce with some spinach to make a lip-smacking dish in under 30 minutes. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of parmesan and/or basil for a hint of freshness and flavor.

#21. One-Pot Mac and Cheese

You can’t beat a smooth, creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. It’s a simple recipe that takes extra cleanup out of the equation. Simmer the pasta in the sauce with seasonings, and add cheddar and Parmesan to the mix to create an ooey-gooey delight.

#22. One-Pot Spanish Chicken and Potatoes

Sporting stunning rustic flavors, this Spanish chicken and potatoes recipe features an incredibly yummy tomato and eggplant sauce. Garnish with a handful of fresh parsley to add a vibrant touch to the dish and serve it with a side of crusty bread or over a steaming bed of rice to soak up the vibrant sauce.

#23. One-Pot Spicy Vegetable Rice

This humble rice dish is studded with a variety of fresh veggies and spices for a bowl full of deliciousness. Carrot, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and peas cooked with long-grained rice and a handful of aromatic spices make up this delectable meal.

#24. One-Pot Taco Spaghetti

Put a fantastic spin on your taco nights with this fusion recipe that brings together the best of both worlds — tacos and spaghetti. Make it in one pot with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, and noodles, then top with cheddar cheese and bake until melted. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to serve.

#25. One-Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Made with jasmine rice, sautéed chicken, frozen vegetables, ginger, garlic, and a soy sauce mix, this quick and healthy recipe makes a meal that’s incredibly easy and even more satisfying. Serve with a sprinkle of finely sliced green onions on top for some crunch.

#26. One-Pot Vegan Pumpkin Chili

This vegan pumpkin chili dish is spicy but light and packed with flavor. It’s a high-protein meal made with pumpkin puree, pinto and black beans, frozen kernels, and spice and herbs. Add some avocado slices, cilantro, green onion, and sour cream for garnish, and dig in!

#27. Pad Thai Wonderpot Recipe

This dish, made with noodles, shrimp, and vegetables simmered in a light and flavorful sauce and topped with scallions, cilantro, and crunchy chopped peanuts, will quickly become a family favorite. Plus, it gets done in less than 30 minutes!

#28. Paella

This popular Spanish seafood meal is irresistibly good! Cook the arborio rice with chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, broth, Chorizo sausage, hot sauce, and a variety of seafood like clams, shrimp, and mussels. Served with lemon wedges, every spoonful is dripping with flavor!

#29. Perfect Pot Roast

This warm pot roast recipe is a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy that will have you begging for more. Cook seared chuck roast with a handful of vegetables, some savory herbs, wine, and broth in the oven. Serve the fork-tender meat and vegetables with mashed potatoes, a side of garlic bread, or tuck them into a wrap or pita for a flavorful meal.

#30. Easy 1-Pot Massaman Curry

Tender veggies, creamy coconut, crunchy peanuts — this recipe is an explosion of flavors! Cooked with Thai red curry paste, coconut aminos, coconut milk, peanut butter, and various aromatic spices and herbs, this rich curry is best served with rice. Feel free to add chicken or shrimp or any other protein of your choice for a non-vegan option.

AboutRibana Hategan

Ribana is a certified pastry chef and passionate home cook who curates and develops recipes that are high on nutrition. She develops and tests cost effective, nutritious meals using quality ingredients to help people better their everyday eating experiences.