Busy Parents! These 17 One-Pot Meal Ideas Are for You

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Busy Parents! These 17 One-Pot Meal Ideas Are for You

If you’re after great one-pot meal ideas that save time and cut down on dishes, you’ve come to the right place. We know life gets ridiculously busy with kids, work, and all the other stuff you’ve got going on. That’s why we’re all about keeping dinner simple, quick, and stress-free. These 17 recipes are perfect for those nights when you’ve got a million things to do but still need to get food on the table.

Chicken bites with garlic butter sauce and herbs on a plate.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup with peas and carrots in a bowl.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup makes a great meal for busy parents. In just one hour, you’ve got a one-pot meal that’s a hit with the whole family. This soup brings the comfort of chicken pot pie without the extra work, making it perfect for busy, chilly evenings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish is a lifesaver for busy nights, ready in just 45 minutes. Start by browning ground meat in a large ovenproof skillet, like a Dutch Oven, without worrying about draining excess fat. Next, add chopped onions and bell peppers, cooking until tender. Then, mix in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce for added depth. This one-pot meal is easy, flavorful, and perfect for a hearty dinner on hectic evenings.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

A baking sheet filled with vegetables and sausages.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner focuses on ease and convenience. Just put everything on a sheet pan, bake for 30 minutes, and you’ve got a hearty meal. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you’re pressed for time but still want to serve something great.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white dish with chicken breasts in a creamy garlic sauce.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a dream for any parent on the go. Spend only 30 minutes cooking and you’ll serve up a one-pan meal that’s full of flavor. It combines chicken in a creamy garlic sauce, creating a simple yet delicious dish that’s perfect for a fast weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Cabbage and Sausage

Cabbage and sausage in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage is a lifesaver for when you’re short on time. Ready in less than 30 minutes and cooked in just one pot, this meal is easy to make and fills you up. It’s a straightforward choice for a quick dinner, making your evening routine a bit easier.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

A pot of soup with parmesan cheese and parsley.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is a fantastic choice for a fast and comforting dinner. Ready in 30 minutes, this one-pot meal combines sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes. It’s perfect for parents looking for a savory and flavorful meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

A pot of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is an excellent choice for a rich and filling dinner. This one-pot soup can be made in about an hour, providing a comforting and hearty meal that’s ideal for a busy evening. It’s an easy solution for when you need a palatable dinner without a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A person is holding a wooden spoon full of chicken bites in a garlic butter sauce.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are quick to prepare, taking just 20 minutes from start to finish. This dish, featuring pan-cooked chicken in a garlic butter sauce, offers a speedy and effortless dinner solution. It’s versatile, pairing well with noodles, rice, or veggies for a well-rounded meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

A skillet full of meat and rice with a spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice makes dinner easy and quick, ready in just 30 minutes. This one-pan meal is perfect for tired parents, mixing ground beef, cauliflower rice, cheddar cheese, and mushrooms into a hearty dinner. It’s a simple, flavorful meal that doesn’t skimp on taste.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Chicken Corn Soup

A bowl of chicken corn soup with carrots and parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Corn Soup is a comforting choice for a quick dinner, ready in less than an hour. This one-pot meal combines chicken, veggies, and broth into a heartwarming soup. It’s perfect for busy parents looking for a complete meal that’s easy to make and fills you up without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Green Chile Chicken

A pan full of chicken in a sauce with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Green Chile Chicken is your quick fix for a flavorful meal, ready in 20 minutes. This skillet meal is a smart way to use up leftover chicken thighs or grab a rotisserie chicken, adding green chiles for a flavorful hit. It’s an excellent choice for turning leftovers into a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan with chicken, spinach and bacon in it.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Dijon Chicken is a fast and easy dinner solution, ready in 30 minutes. This one-pan dish features chicken in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, making it a great choice for those nights when you’re pressed for time but still want something really good. It’s simple, quick, and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Sausage Curry

A skillet filled with carrots and sausages.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage Curry spices up your dinner routine without adding extra work, ready quickly in one pan. It combines sausage, veggies, and a robust curry sauce for a meal that’s a bit different but still easy to make. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful without the long prep.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan with bacon and cabbage in it.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a great one-pot meal for busy parents, ready in 30 minutes. This dish combines hearty flavors in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze. It’s a solid choice for a no-stress dinner, proving that a meal doesn’t have to be complicated to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a skillet.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce stands out as a one-pot wonder, perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in about 30 minutes, this dish features chicken breasts in a creamy mushroom sauce. It’s designed to be easy so you spend less time cooking and cleaning. This meal demonstrates that you can still have a flavorful and memorable dinner on the table quickly, making it an excellent pick for busy parents.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

A pan with shrimp, tomatoes and spinach in it.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is a must-try one-pan meal for busy parents, taking only 30 minutes to prepare. It combines shrimp, spinach, and tomatoes, creating a dish full of flavor without the long prep time. This meal is particularly great for those days when you’re pressed for time but still want to serve a nutritious and delicious dinner. Its quick and easy preparation ensures you have more time to spend with your family, not just in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

A pan filled with chicken in a creamy sauce with artichoke hearts.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts is a quick, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy evenings. Taking about 30 minutes to make, this dish pairs artichoke hearts with a creamy sauce. It’s an excellent choice for parents who need a fast dinner solution without compromising on flavor. The combination of ingredients ensures a comforting meal that’s easy to prepare, making your dinner routine smoother.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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