One-pot meals are the secret tool for anyone who thinks cooking is too complicated or time-consuming. These 20 recipes will show you just how straightforward whipping up a great meal can be. Forget about juggling multiple pots and pans or dealing with a mountain of dishes afterward. These are all about simplicity and ease, making them perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any time you want a home-cooked meal without the hassle.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
This casserole takes the classic stuffed bell pepper and turns it into a one-dish wonder. It’s got all the flavors you love in an easy-to-make meal. With ground beef, rice, bell peppers, and seasonings, this dish is ready to eat in 45 minutes. Ground turkey or a veggie mix of quinoa and black beans work great too. Throw some shredded cheddar cheese on top before baking to make it even better. This casserole shows how a few simple ingredients can make a filling and easy meal. Using a single pot makes cleanup a breeze. Save time and energy with this all-in-one dish that’ll quench your cravings for something delicious.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Creamy Garlic Chicken
This one-pot dinner is proof that cooking can be easy. You only need chicken, garlic, and Parmesan to make a creamy sauce that takes a boring chicken breast and makes it mouth-watering in about 30 minutes. Cooking it all in one pan means less cleanup and more flavor in the chicken. Serve it on top of steamed rice or with a crisp salad. Want to mix it up? Toss in some mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes. This recipe is perfect for busy people who want a delicious, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
These chicken bites are ready in just 20 minutes and show how cooking can be a breeze with garlic and butter. Serve the chicken with roasted potatoes or veggies for a complete meal. If you like it spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. This dish really is great for those nights when you’re short on time but still want something delicious and filling.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
This cozy soup cooks in one pot for about 45 minutes. It combines mushrooms, cream, onions, and spices to show how easy cooking can be. Add a spoonful of sour cream and a slice of toasted sourdough, and you’ve got a full meal. It’s great for anyone who wants a comforting dinner without much work. The rich, earthy flavors of the mushrooms make this soup perfect for chilly days when you need something comforting and filling.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Toss sausages and your favorite veggies like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini on a sheet pan, bake for 30 minutes, and you’ve got a meal that practically cooks itself, proof that cooking can be simple. It’s easy to customize with in-season or on-hand veggies. This meal is easy to cook, perfect for busy weeknights. Serve with crusty bread to round it out. Sheet pan dinners are a lifesaver for those who want a nutritious meal without the need to clean multiple pots and pans.
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Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This soup has all the comforting flavors of a chicken pot pie but with way less work. It’s ready in about an hour using just one pot, showing that cooking can be easy. Chicken, veggies like carrots and peas, and a creamy base come together to make a soup version of the classic pie. Serve with pie crust crackers for the full pot pie experience. This recipe is a great example of simplifying traditional dishes without sacrificing taste. It’s perfect for those who crave the comfort of a pot pie but don’t have the time or energy to make one from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
This one-pan recipe gives you a hearty meal in just 30 minutes, which shows that cooking can be easy and delicious. Made with tender chicken thighs, artichoke hearts, and a creamy sauce, this dish is filling and flavorful. It’s great served with roasted veggies or a simple salad on the side. Not only is it easy to make, but the leftovers are just as good the next day, saving you time and effort in the long run. If you don’t have fresh artichoke hearts, frozen ones work, too — just cook them a bit longer. This really is a recipe that lets you enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home, saving you money and the hassle of going out.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
Baked Ravioli
This Baked Ravioli streamlines your evening meal preparation, making it an efficient choice for hectic weeknights. It echoes the layers of a traditional lasagna but simplifies the process significantly. By incorporating frozen cheese ravioli, you can skip several steps, and when combined with rich marinara sauce and a generous amount of melted cheese, it transforms simple ingredients into a great dish. The entire meal is ready in just 1 hour. Just more proof that one-pot cooking can be so great.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli
Cabbage and Sausage
Cooking cabbage and sausage together in a single pan gives you a meal in under 30 minutes. It’s proof that cooking can be quick and easy. This dish is all about getting food on the table without hassle. Pair it with fresh bread for a filling meal. Mix in some apples or caraway seeds to change it up. This recipe is great for those who want a hearty, flavorful meal without spending too much time or effort in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, and garlic cook together in a flavorful sauce, all in one pan and ready in 30 minutes. This light but filling meal is great with pasta or crusty bread and shows that impressive cooking can be easy. A splash of white wine can take the flavors up a notch, turning a good dish into a great one. This recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home without the long prep or expensive ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
This recipe shows you can make something awesome in 30 minutes with just one pan. You’ll need ingredients like chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and heavy cream to make a creamy sauce that’s perfect for a hearty dinner. Just cook the chicken, add the sauce ingredients, and let it simmer. Serve over pasta or rice for a complete meal. Want to add some veggies? Toss in some spinach at the end. This dish is easy to make and clean up, showing that one-pot dinners are the way to go when you want cooking to be simple. Impress your family or guests with a restaurant-quality meal that doesn’t take hours to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Sausage Curry
Making a sausage curry is quick and easy. Just grab some smoked sausage, your favorite veggies like bell peppers and onions, and a jar of curry sauce, then cook everything in one pan until the sausage is browned and the veggies are tender. Serve it over rice or with naan for a complete meal that’s packed with flavor. This curry is also great for meal prep since it tastes even better the next day. It’s a simple way to add some spice to your dinner routine without any hassle. This goes to show that one-pot dinners make cooking easy. Ditch the takeout menu and whip up this savory curry in no time.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Want dinner on the table fast? Mix ground beef, cauliflower rice, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and mushrooms in a skillet and cook until done. This recipe is a complete meal on its own, packed with protein and veggies, but serving a green salad on the side is never a bad idea. You can also switch the beef to ground turkey or chicken if you want something lighter. This recipe is perfect for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something homemade and filling, showing that one-pot dinners make cooking easy. Save time and money by skipping the drive-thru and making this wholesome skillet meal instead.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
This comforting soup is perfect for cozy nights when you don’t want to put in a lot of effort. With just Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned diced tomatoes, and chicken broth, you’ll have a delicious soup ready in 30 minutes. Serve with a side of crusty garlic bread for dipping, and add some fresh spinach or kale if you want to sneak in some greens. This simple and cozy meal is a lifesaver on cold evenings. Easier to clean post-cooking, too. Get cozy with a bowl of this hearty soup and feel the stress of the day melt away.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This sweet potato and red pepper soup is a one-pot meal that shows just how easy cooking can be. Made with sweet potatoes, red peppers, and broth, it’s ready in about an hour and is both sweet and savory. Blend it up for a creamy texture, then top it with a dollop of sour cream and serve with fresh bread on the side. This soup reheats well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy leftovers for days. It’s a great way to get your veggies in without spending hours in the kitchen, and the vibrant colors and flavors will brighten up any meal. Whether you’re looking for a comforting lunch or a filling dinner, this soup is sure to hit the spot and make your life a little easier.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Green Chile Chicken
This green chile chicken is the answer if you need a flavorful meal fast. Made with chicken, green chiles, and spices, it only takes 20 minutes and one skillet, making it perfect for using up leftover chicken. Serve it over rice or wrap it in tortillas, and add cheese or avocado on top for extra flavor. When you’re short on time and energy, this dish comes together quickly and proves that cooking can be easy. It’s a great way to add some excitement to your weeknight meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, the leftovers make for a delicious lunch the next day, saving you time and effort in the long run.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken
Chicken Corn Soup
Chicken corn soup is the ultimate comfort food that doesn’t take hours to make. With tender chicken, sweet corn, vegetables, and a flavorful broth all in one pot, it’s ready in less than an hour. It’s simple, pairs well with crusty bread, and you can add a little chili powder for a kick. This soup keeps well, so you can make a big batch and have delicious meals for days. It’s perfect for busy weekdays when you need to feed the family without spending all night in the kitchen. Not only does it taste great, but it’s also a healthy meal that will leave you feeling nourished and content. Say goodbye to takeout and hello to this easy and delicious homemade soup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Creamy Dijon Chicken
If you have 30 minutes, then you’ve got time to make this creamy Dijon chicken. It’s a quick one-pan meal where the chicken cooks in a flavorful mustard sauce made with Dijon mustard, cream, and spices. Serve it over mashed potatoes to soak up all that saucy goodness. If you like things a bit sweeter, try using honey mustard. This dish is easy to make and easy to save for later, turning a simple chicken dinner into something that feels gourmet. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something a little fancier but don’t have the time or energy to spend hours in the kitchen. Plus, the leftovers make for a fancy lunch the next day, saving you time and effort in the long run.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Cabbage and bacon come together in this 30-minute meal that proves cooking can be easy. Made with just a few simple ingredients like cabbage, bacon, and onions, you just fry everything together and serve it up as a main dish or a side. Want it a bit sweeter? Throw in some diced apples. This recipe is stress-free and adds flavor to your meals when you need to get dinner on the table fast. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a simple dinner, this fried cabbage with bacon is sure to fill you up.
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Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
In about 30 minutes, you can have chicken in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce that tastes like it took hours to make. Made with tender chicken, mushrooms, cream, and spices, you just cook everything in one pan, then serve it over pasta or rice to soak up all that saucy goodness. Throw in some fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for an extra pop of flavor. This recipe shows that you don’t need complicated steps for a great meal, and it’s perfect for impressing the family or guests without the hassle. Say goodbye to boring chicken dinners and hello to this easy and delicious one-pan meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce