19 One-Pot Dinners That Prove Cooking Can Actually Be Easy

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19 One-Pot Dinners That Prove Cooking Can Actually Be Easy

One-pot dinners are a game changer for anyone who thinks cooking is a chore. This post is all about showing you how simple it can be to whip up a great meal without the stress of a sink full of dishes afterward. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any time you want a hearty meal with minimal effort. They prove that you can have a delicious dinner on the table with just one pot and a few easy steps.

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

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

With just chicken, garlic, and Parmesan, you can whip up a creamy sauce that transforms a simple chicken breast into a mouth-watering meal in about 30 minutes. Cooking everything in one pan not only simplifies cleanup but also infuses the chicken with rich flavors. It’s a fantastic way to show how minimal ingredients can produce maximum taste. Serve it over a bed of steamed rice or with a crisp salad to complete the dish. For an extra touch, add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These chicken bites are a testament to the magic of garlic and butter, ready in 20 minutes flat. By cooking the chicken in a flavorful butter sauce, this recipe keeps the ingredient list short and the procedure simple. It’s the perfect pick for a quick dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Pair it with roasted potatoes or a side of veggies for a well-rounded meal. If you like a bit of heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes will do the trick.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a gold spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This comforting soup showcases the deep flavors of mushrooms combined with cream and spices, all simmering together in one pot for about 45 minutes. It demonstrates how a few ingredients can come together to make a dish that’s both comforting and simple to prepare. Serving it with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of toasted sourdough turns it into a complete meal. This recipe is great for anyone looking to make a cozy dinner with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Lay out sausages and your choice of veggies on a sheet pan, bake, and voilà—a meal that practically makes itself in 30 minutes. This dish epitomizes easy cooking and easy cleanup, with the bonus of being highly customizable based on what veggies are in season or what you have on hand. It’s a straightforward way to get a nutritious, flavorful meal on the table without complication, perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This soup captures all the homely essence of a chicken pot pie with much less effort, ready in about an hour using just one pot. It’s a filling and flavorful option that combines chicken, vegetables, and a creamy base to recreate the pie’s comforting taste in soup form. To mimic the complete pot pie experience, serve with pie crust crackers. This recipe is a fantastic example of how traditional dishes can be simplified without losing their charm.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Combining cabbage and sausage in a single pan for a meal ready in under 30 minutes is as simple as it gets. This dish is all about efficiency, from minimal prep time to easy cleanup. It shows that great flavors don’t require complicated recipes. Serving it with fresh bread turns it into a hearty meal. For those looking to add variety, apples or caraway seeds can introduce a new flavor profile to this straightforward dish.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This meal brings together shrimp, spinach, and tomatoes in a rich garlic sauce, all cooked in one pan within 30 minutes. It’s a light yet filling dish that pairs beautifully with pasta or crusty bread, making for a meal that feels special with minimal work. For a slight variation, adding a splash of white wine can enhance the flavors, showing that a few simple touches can turn the dish from good to great. This recipe is proof that cooking impressive meals can be easy and fun.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pot.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole turns the classic stuffed bell pepper into a straightforward one-dish wonder, blending all the familiar flavors into an easy-to-assemble meal. It mixes beef, rice, and bell peppers, baked to perfection in 45 minutes. For those looking to switch things up, ground turkey or a veggie mix of quinoa and black beans work great too. Sprinkle some cheese on top before it hits the oven. It’s a prime example of how simple ingredients can create a meal that’s both hearty and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe shows you can whip up something awesome in 30 minutes with just one pan. You’ll need chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and a few other ingredients to create a creamy sauce. It’s a solid choice for a filling dinner. Just cook everything together and serve it over pasta or rice. For an extra veggie boost, toss in some spinach at the end. It’s easy to make and even easier to clean up. Plus, this dish can make a weeknight feel like a special occasion without any extra stress on your part.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Making a sausage curry is super straightforward and fast. Grab some sausage, your favorite veggies, and curry sauce, then cook everything in one pan. It’s great served over rice or with naan. This curry is also perfect for meal prep since it tastes even better the next day. It’s a simple way to add some spice to your dinner routine. And, for those looking to spice up their meal routine without adding complexity, this is the perfect solution.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Here’s how to get dinner on the table fast: mix ground beef, cauliflower rice, cheese, and mushrooms in a skillet and cook. It’s a complete meal on its own, but serving a green salad on the side is a great addition. You can also switch the beef to turkey or chicken to keep things light. This recipe is perfect for a quick, effortless dinner. Simple and easy to make, this recipe is the perfect choice for those evenings when you’re too tired to cook but still want something homemade and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you’re looking for something comforting, this soup has got you covered. With just sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes, you’ll have a delicious soup ready. Serve it in just 30 total minutes with a side of garlic bread for dipping. You can also add spinach or kale to get some greens in. It’s a simple, cozy meal for any night. This soup is a lifesaver on those cold evenings when you want to cozy up with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

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

Combine sweet potatoes and red peppers for a soup that’s both sweet and savory. Ready in about an hour, this one-pot meal is perfect for a nutritious dinner. Blend it to make it creamy, and serve with sour cream and fresh bread. This soup is not only easy to make but also reheats well, making it perfect for leftovers. It’s a great way to pack in your veggies without spending hours in the kitchen, giving you more time to relax after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Green Chile Chicken

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

With just 20 minutes and one skillet, you can have a flavorful green chile chicken ready. It’s a great way to use up leftover chicken. Serve it with rice or wrap it in tortillas, and add cheese or avocado on top for extra flavor. This recipe is all about making a quick and flavorful meal with minimal effort. For those busy nights when you barely have time to think about dinner, this dish comes together quickly.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken corn soup is your answer when you need something comforting quickly. With chicken, veggies, and broth in one pot, it’s ready in less than an hour. It’s simple to make and pairs well with crusty bread. Add a little chili powder for some heat. This soup keeps well, so you’ll have delicious meals ready for days. It’s the ultimate comfort food that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, perfect for nourishing your family on those hectic weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you have 30 minutes, you’ve got enough time to make creamy Dijon chicken. It’s a quick one-pan meal in which chicken is cooked in a flavorful mustard sauce. Serving it over mashed potatoes ensures you enjoy every bit of the sauce. If you like things a bit sweeter, try using honey mustard. This dish is not just quick; it’s also easy to save for later. Plus, it turns a simple chicken dinner into something that feels gourmet, boosting your weeknight dinner game.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Combine cabbage and bacon for a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. It’s simple: just fry everything together and serve. It can be a main dish or a side, and adding some diced apples can sweeten it up. It’s an easy way to get dinner on the table fast. This recipe is a stress-free way to add some flavor to your meals, perfect for when you need to whip up something quick without spending all night in the kitchen. It’ll definitely change your mind about cooking.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

In about 30 minutes, you can serve chicken in a luxurious creamy mushroom sauce. Just cook everything in one pan and serve it over pasta or rice to soak up the sauce. Throwing in some fresh herbs like thyme or parsley adds a nice touch. This recipe is proof that you don’t need complicated steps for a great meal. It’s a fantastic option for those nights when you want to impress the family or guests without the hassle of a complicated recipe.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Get a hearty meal on the table in 30 minutes with this one-pan recipe. Chicken and artichokes in a creamy sauce make for a filling dinner. It’s great with roasted vegetables or a salad. This dish is easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, especially since the leftovers are just as good the next day. Don’t have fresh artichoke hearts? Frozen will do. Just remember, frozen artichokes might need a bit more cooking time compared to fresh ones, so plan your cooking time accordingly. This recipe is a great way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home, saving you money and a trip out.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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