Cooking shouldn’t feel like a chore, and cleaning up definitely shouldn’t take longer than the meal itself. These easy one-pot recipes keep things simple without sacrificing flavor or fun. No juggling five pans or scrubbing a mountain of dishes after dinner. It’s all the comfort and ease you need on a weeknight that’s already stretched thin. Plus, it’s kind of nice when your sink isn’t holding a grudge.
Chicken Creole
Chicken Creole brings bold spices together in one hearty dish. With chicken, tomatoes, and a rich sauce, it’s a great option for a filling dinner. Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is quick. You can serve it with rice to round out the meal.
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Pizzaiola Chicken
This recipe blends chicken, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella for a quick dinner packed with flavor. It only needs a few simple ingredients and cooks in a single pan. Serve it with pasta or vegetables. It’s a good way to mix up your usual routine.
Get the Recipe: Pizzaiola Chicken
Turkey Rigatoni
This one-pot turkey rigatoni has lean protein, pasta, and tomato sauce all in one dish. It’s a solid pick if you’re planning ahead for the week. Since it reheats well, it’s also great for lunches. Recipes like this are perfect examples of easy one-pot recipes.
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Chicken Broccoli Fettuccini Alfredo
Creamy Alfredo, chicken, and broccoli come together in a single skillet for this comfort dish. Since it cooks in one pot, cleanup is a breeze. It’s great for a family meal or next-day leftovers. This is one of those easy one-pot recipes you’ll keep using.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Fettuccini Alfredo
Mac and Cheese
This stovetop mac and cheese comes together in 20 minutes and only uses one pot. It’s cheesy, simple, and pairs well with veggies or a side of chicken. You can also store leftovers for another meal. It’s a great addition to your easy one-pot recipes list.
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Chinese Dumpling Soup
Light and warming, this soup features dumplings in a simple broth. It’s easy to prepare and doesn’t require many ingredients. Everything simmers together in one pot for convenience. It’s a good option for a quick, comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Dumpling Soup
Simple Fasolakia
Fasolakia combines green beans, tomatoes, and onions into a tomato-based vegetable stew. It cooks low and slow, making it rich in flavor without a lot of effort. You can serve it with bread or over rice. This dish also fits well into easy one-pot recipes.
Get the Recipe: Simple Fasolakia
Lemon and Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This lemon garlic shrimp pasta comes together fast and brings plenty of flavor. With sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and shrimp, it’s bright and filling. It all cooks in one pan, which helps on busy nights. If you need quick dinner ideas, this belongs in your list of easy one-pot recipes.
Get the Recipe: Lemon and Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Chicken Manchow Soup
Chicken Manchow Soup is packed with vegetables, shredded chicken, and bold broth flavors. It’s quick to prepare and works well for lunch or dinner. Because everything simmers in one pot, cleanup is easy. Add chopped green onions on top for extra flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Manchow Soup
Minestrone Soup
This minestrone uses beans, grains, and fresh vegetables to build a hearty vegan meal. It cooks slowly in one pot and is full of fiber. You can freeze the leftovers or pack them for lunch. Serve with crusty bread or enjoy it on its own.
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Rice and Beans
I throw everything in one pot and let it simmer while I handle the rest of my day. It comes out hearty, filling, and super budget-friendly. I usually pair it with hot sauce or avocado if I have them around. It’s low effort but always hits the mark.
Get the Recipe: Rice and Beans
Tomato Orzo
This tomato orzo cooks fast and tastes like you spent more time on it than you did. I keep it light with fresh herbs or sometimes throw in spinach if I’ve got extra. It’s easy, warm, and works great for busy weeknights. Plus, the cleanup’s a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Orzo
Easy Lasagna
I skip all the layering and just cook it in one pot on the stove. The noodles soak up all the sauce, and it still gets bubbly and cheesy. Nobody misses the oven version, especially when dinner’s ready faster. Honestly, I like this version better.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lasagna
Pasta with Chicken
I cook the chicken, toss in the noodles, and let the tomato cream sauce bring it all together in one pot. It’s a quick fix for nights when I need dinner on the table without drama. The cheese melts in perfectly and adds just the right amount of richness. Simple, no stress.
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Lemon Orzo with Shrimp
The shrimp cooks fast, and the lemon gives everything a little kick without being too much. I like how light and fresh this feels, even though it fills me up. It comes together quickly and doesn’t use a ton of ingredients. Great when I want something that looks fancy but takes no brainpower.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Orzo with Shrimp
Lasagna Soup
This soup tastes like lasagna but skips all the layers and the oven time. I brown the meat, pour in broth and noodles, and let it bubble while I prep the whipped cottage cheese topping. It’s warm, cheesy, and way easier than the real deal. Honestly, this is my go-to now.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Soup
Mexican Quinoa
I dump everything into the pot, quinoa, beans, corn, and spices. Then let it cook until fluffy. It’s packed with flavor, and I can eat it as a main or a side. Leftovers hold up great too, so I usually make a big batch. Cleanup is one spoon and done.
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Green Chicken Chili
I throw the chicken, tomatillos, and spices into the pot, and let it all simmer until the chicken’s easy to shred. There’s one ingredient in here that takes the flavor up a notch, but it’s still super simple. It works well on its own or over rice. I like to top mine with crushed tortilla chips.
Get the Recipe: Green Chicken Chili
Roasted Chicken
I brown the chicken right in the pot, then let it finish with veggies and herbs in a light sauce. Everything turns out tender and full of flavor without much effort. I usually serve it straight from the pot, it’s that easy. It also stretches well for leftovers the next day.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken
Egg Roll Bowl
I throw ground turkey, cabbage, carrots, and seasoning in a skillet and cook it until it smells amazing. It’s got all the flavor of an egg roll without any deep frying. Best part? Just one pan to wash after. My whole family cleared their plates.
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Beef Ragu Linguine
I let the beef cook low and slow in one pot until it’s super tender, then toss in the linguine to soak up the sauce. It tastes like something from a fancy place, but it’s actually super budget-friendly. I usually make extra because it reheats like a dream. Weeknight win.
Get the Recipe: Beef Ragu Linguine
Parmesan Chicken Pasta
I sear the chicken, add pasta, and stir in cream and parmesan until it turns into a thick, cheesy pot of goodness. Everything cooks together, which means less mess and more flavor. It’s one of those recipes that never fails. Definitely a repeat meal in my house.
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Cheeseburger Pasta
I brown the beef, mix it with noodles, and stir in a cheesy sauce that coats every bite. It tastes like a burger, but you don’t need a bun or a grill. My kids ask for this on repeat. And honestly, I don’t mind.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Pasta
Skillet Lasagna
I cook everything in the same skillet, meat, noodles, sauce, and cheese, then it all comes together way faster than regular lasagna. No layering, no baking, no dishes piling up. It’s cheesy, saucy, and gets devoured fast. Works great for any night you want a shortcut.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Lasagna
Beef Ramen
I throw the beef and veggies into the pot, then simmer it all with broth and noodles until it’s just right. The flavor is bold, but it’s still simple enough for a weeknight. My kid even ate the pea pods without a fight. That’s a win in my book.
Get the Recipe: Beef Ramen
Roman Chicken Cacciatore
I sear the chicken thighs and braise them in a garlicky white wine sauce with rosemary and vinegar. It’s different from the usual red sauce version, and honestly, I prefer this one. The chicken turns out juicy, and the sauce packs a ton of flavor. One pan does it all.
Get the Recipe: Roman Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken Pesto Pasta
I cook the pasta and chicken in one pot, then mix in the pesto and a splash of cream. It comes together fast but still feels like a full dinner. Great for nights when I want to eat well without babysitting the stove. Plus, leftovers hold up nicely.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
I toss chicken, veggies, and broth in one pot and let it simmer into a creamy, cozy soup. It feels like comfort food but skips the heavy crust. The flavors still hit all the right notes. It’s one of those meals I keep on standby when I need something warm and easy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Leek and Chicken Rice
I cook the leeks until soft, add rice and chicken, then let it all steam in the same pot. It’s low effort but tastes like I spent more time on it. The leeks add just the right touch of flavor. And everything’s done with minimal cleanup.
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Goulash Recipe
I brown the beef, throw in tomatoes, noodles, and cheddar, and let it all bubble together. It’s a one-pot wonder that’s always a hit at my house. The noodles soak up all the flavor, and there’s nothing complicated about it. It’s just easy, cheesy comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Goulash Recipe
