Easy one-pot meals are absolute lifesavers.
Whether you’re looking for soup, pasta, or fried rice, you’ll find a winner on this list.
20+ Best One-Pot Recipes
With these one-pot meals, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for convenience.
Just throw everything in, and you’ll have a delicious meal in less than an hour!
Plus, clean-up is a breeze. There are fewer pots and pans to wash and more time for you and your loved ones.
Elevate your weeknight dinners with these delicious one-pot meals!
1. One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
Imagine a fusion of mac and cheese with homemade chili, all in one pot. No fuss, just deliciousness.
It’s mac and cheese’s adventurous side, made with pantry staples. A speedy, crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for busy nights.
You’ll love it, and so will your family.
Simple, satisfying, and ready in just 30 minutes. Enjoy!
2. One Pot Cheesy Chicken Alfredo
Meet the one-pot cheesy chicken Alfredo, your go-to one-skillet dinner.
Creamy Alfredo pasta with tender chicken, all in one pan! It’s a family favorite, no doubt.
Quick, easy, and minimal cleanup. Perfect for those hectic weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without the fuss.
3. One Pot Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a fusion of vibrant flavors – it’s a little sour, a little sweet, a little nutty, and a whole lot of delicious.
This popular Thai dish is often enjoyed as takeout, but this one-pot recipe will have you making your own from now on.
You’ll only need 15 minutes of prep time and another 15 minutes of cooking time to make this recipe.
4. One Pot Beef Stroganoff
This creamy and savory beef stroganoff can be made all in one pot!
In this recipe, you will cook the egg noodles in the beef broth along with all of the other ingredients. The pasta will absorb all the flavors.
It will reduce, and you’ll end up with a creamy and delightful dish that’s budget-friendly.
You’ll thank yourself with each chewy bite.
5. One Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta
Take a break from rich and creamy pasta dishes and treat yourself to this refreshing lemon garlic pasta.
It gets richness from cream cheese and parmesan, but the lemon balances everything out.
Plus, this meal is super quick and easy. You don’t even need to boil the pasta in a separate pot!
6. Campbell’s Chicken Pot Pie
Campbell’s chicken pot pie is pure comfort in a dish.
It’s got chicken, veggies, and creamy goodness sandwiched between flaky crusts.
It’s simple to make and transforms leftovers into a mouthwatering meal.
Now that’s pie perfection.
7. Chicken Tortilla Soup
This chicken tortilla soup will warm your heart. It’s certified comfort food!
The recipe is by Trisha Yearwood, so you’re assured it’s a crowd-pleaser.
The soup is loaded with chicken, beans, corn, and tortilla chips. Topped with cheese and sour cream, it’s also rich and creamy.
Serve this any night of the week, and you won’t be disappointed
8. Texas Roadhouse Chili
Make your own chili at home in less than an hour. You can even make a big batch and store it in the freezer for when you need it.
It’s meaty and beefy, with creamy and tender beans adding a playful texture.
And with its rich, savory, and spicy flavors, this chili pairs well with just about anything.
Chips and salsa, coleslaw, cornbread, and salad are my favorite options.
9. Paula Deen Chicken and Dumplings
Craving comfort food? Try chicken and dumplings – a classic southern delight made easy with store-bought ingredients.
This cozy bowl of shredded chicken, soft dumplings, and creamy broth is perfect for chilly evenings.
It’s rich, hearty, soul-satisfying, and ready in just 30 minutes.
Make a double batch; one bowl won’t cut it.
10. New England Clam Chowder
Warm up with a bowl of New England clam chowder on a chilly, rainy night.
This creamy soup stars briny clams, silky potatoes, and smoky bacon in a thick, cream-infused broth.
No need for culinary wizardry; it’s easy to whip up in just 45 minutes.
11. Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This broccoli cheddar soup is a comforting classic that warms you with creamy cheese and tender broccoli.
This velvety delight is ready in about an hour, making any winter night cozier.
For extra creaminess, use cream instead of milk. Keep it veg-friendly with vegetable stock instead of chicken.
Regardless, it’s a flavor knockout.
12. Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
For weeknight dinners, Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup is another knockout.
Juicy chicken, crisp carrots, celery, and spinach mingle in a creamy broth.
The gnocchi steal the show – these soft, doughy dumplings elevate every spoonful.
It’s comfort in a bowl, ready to enchant your evening in no time.
13. Easy Skillet Lasagna
This easy skillet lasagna is a lazy day’s dream.
It has all your favorite Italian flavors without the fuss of traditional lasagna.
Think juicy Italian sausage and tangy marinara, hugged by a trio of cheeses.
No pre-cooking noodles, no layers, just straight-up deliciousness in a pan.
Perfect for when you crave comfort but need it fast!
14. Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This creamy Tuscan chicken is a weeknight wonder.
It’s a symphony of buttery garlic flavors in a lush, creamy sauce.
Parmesan cheese and heavy cream join the mix, creating a rich, velvety texture.
Cherry tomatoes and spinach add a fresh, earthy twist, sneaking in those greens.
It’s low-carb, high-flavor, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
Serve it up with pasta, and watch it disappear.
15. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Sheet pan chicken fajitas are effortlessly delicious.
Juicy chicken, bell peppers, and onions roast together, creating a smoky, spicy flavor.
They’re vibrant, full of life, and packed with taste.
It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, ready to dig in and enjoy.
16. Cheeseburger Casserole
This cheeseburger casserole turns easy dinners into a feast.
It’s like your favorite cheeseburger went gourmet in casserole form!
Ground beef, melted cheddar, and macaroni noodles bathed in a rich tomato sauce.
It’s the upscale cousin of Hamburger Helper, giving you comfort with a cheesy twist.
17. Green Lentil Curry
This green lentil curry is inspired by the delicious and aromatic curry dishes of Thailand and India.
The blend of spices with the creamy coconut milk is what gives the curry its unique taste.
With this quick and easy curry recipe, you’ll be able to make your own at home. You can serve this with a hot bowl of rice or bread (like naan).
18. One Pot Pork Ragu With Orzo
Let’s get a little adventurous with this entry: a spicy pork ragu with orzo.
A medley of ground pork, tomato sauce, veggies, spices and orzo, this dish is another awesome addition to your meal ideas.
If you love your food with a bit of heat, you will enjoy this dish!
19. One Pot Goulash
This American Goulash recipe is reminiscent of school lunches but better. It’s made of beef, macaroni, and seasoned red sauce.
This recipe can be made on weeknights or for game nights and potlucks. You can dress it up or down depending on the occasion.
Serve with garlic bread and enjoy!
20. Lasagna Soup
Turn the awesome flavors of lasagna into a rich and hearty soup!
Everybody loves lasagna, and you can’t really go wrong with soup, so this lasagna soup is a no-brainer!
The soup has Italian sausage, bite-sized lasagna noodles, and lots of cheese in a tomato-based broth.
Basically, you’ll find all the flavors of a lasagna in this bowl of soup.
21. Chicken Fried Rice
If you have leftover rice, there’s no other option but to make… fried rice!
Nothing says simple and straightforward like a stir-fry. This chicken fried rice has protein, veggies, and carbs all in one dish.
It’s a great meal that’s so easy, you won’t need to order takeout.
22. One Pot Jambalaya
This jambalaya is cooked in one pot and can be enjoyed in a bowl as well. It’s easy to cook and just as easy to eat.
It’s no-mess and fuss-free. Now, that’s what I’m talking about!
You can make this dish in less than 30 minutes. It’s a great weeknight meal if you want to take it easy but still want to eat like a king.
23. One Pot Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Chicken, rice, and crunchy vegetables coated in a sweet and salty glaze — that’s teriyaki chicken.
The teriyaki sauce is addicting, especially when mixed with soft and fluffy rice.
For this one-pot recipe, you don’t need to cook the rice separately.
You simply cook the chicken then add all the other ingredients, and simmer until it’s done.
24. Kielbasa and Cabbage
Kielbasa and cabbage make a perfect pair.
Kielbasa is smoky, peppery, and garlicky, while the cabbage adds crunch.
This recipe uses a dijon vinaigrette for a bit of a tangy kick, enhancing the overall flavor of this dish.
It’s simple but has a lot to offer. If you’re trying to stay off carbs, try this one out.
24 Easy One-Pot Meals
4
servings10
minutes30
minutes578
kcalLooking for irresistible one-pot meals? This creamy chicken and orzo skillet is your ticket to a quick, delicious, and comforting Tuscan-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into strips
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 spoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Orzo Pasta:
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
1 1/2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Optional: fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into strips, then rub them with the salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to blister, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Stir in the orzo pasta. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for about 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente.
- Return the chicken strips to the skillet, nestling them into the orzo. Continue to simmer until the chicken is heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and Parmesan. Cook until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the sauce.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and garnish with rosemary if desired.
- Let the dish sit for a few minutes off the heat to thicken. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, let the chicken marinate with the spices for about 15-20 minutes before cooking.
- Stir the orzo occasionally while it simmers to keep it from clumping and to absorb flavors evenly.
Nutrition
- Calories: 578kcal
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Protein: 51g
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 133mg
- Sodium: 638mg
- Potassium: 943mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
- Calcium: 165mg
- Iron: 4mg
