Growing Homes for Growing Kids

50+ One-Pot Meals for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Nicole RufusAssistant Food Editor

published Jan 31, 2023

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
One-Pot BBQ Chicken Burrito Bowls

The next time you don’t really feel like cooking or don’t want to deal with a pile of dirty pots and pans after dinner, reach for your trusty Dutch oven or pull out your slow cooker. Why? Because one-pot meals are the answer. Not only do they cut down on active kitchen time, but (more importantly!) they also cut down on cleanup time. Whether you’re looking for an easy and quick pasta dish or the perfect no-effort slow cooker meal, there’s something for you among these 54 recipes.

One-Pot Pastas

Is there anything more comforting than a big bowl of pasta? These one-pot pasta recipes help make it so quick and easy.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot Spicy Sausage and Tomato Pasta

For such a short ingredient list, this 20-minute pasta dish is bursting with bold flavors, thanks to fire-roasted tomatoes and smoky andouille sausage.

2 / 11

Credit: Kelli Foster

One-Pan Eggplant Parm Gnocchi

Pan-fried gnocchi joins tender eggplant, melty mozzarella, and marinara in this saucy skillet dinner

3 / 11

Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot Lemon Shrimp Pasta

This one-pot pasta, made with protein-packed shrimp, creamy white beans, and nutrient-dense kale, is a complete meal all-in-one.

4 / 11

Credit: Amelia Rampe

One-Pot Pesto Tortellini with Broccoli

Here, a few smart cooking tricks elevate just 3 ingredients into a spectacular one-pot meal that really, truly wows.

5 / 11

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell

One-Pot Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

This vegetarian one-pot pasta, which is made with mostly pantry staples, is ready in 15 minutes flat.

6 / 11

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell

French Onion Soup One-Pot Pasta

This one-pot pasta boasts all the classic flavors of French onion soup.

7 / 11

Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot Meatballs & Pasta Os

Make everyone around the table excited about dinner with this recipe for pasta and meatballs inspired by spaghetti-os.

8 / 11

Credit: Photo: Tara Donne | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell

One-Pot Penne All'arrabbiata with Greens

This twist on the classic Italian pasta comes together easily in one pot and features wilted spinach for a feel-good hit of green.

9 / 11

One-Pot Orecchiette with Sausage, Peppers, and Greens

This pasta dinner is mixed with Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, and whatever tender greens you have handy, then blanketed with a simple white wine sauce that thickens with a splash of starchy pasta water and a pat of butter.

10 / 11

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell

One-Pot Creamy Cacio e Pepe Orzo

This creamy, comforting orzo, inspired by the classic Roman pasta dish, is loaded with salty Pecorino cheese and plenty of black pepper. Enjoy it as a side or dollop it with ricotta and call it the main affair.

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Credit: Kristin Teig; Food Styling: Catrine Kelty

One-Pot Eggplant Caponata Pasta

All the tangy, sweet, and savory elements of the classic Sicilian eggplant dish of tomatoes, olives, capers, and more come together in this flavor-packed one-pot pasta.

Vegetarian One-Pot Meals

Whether you’re a vegetarian, or just have a lot of veggies in the fridge to use up, these recipes are great inspiration.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Ben Weiner; Prop Styling: Paige Hicks

Baked Risotto with White Beans, Herbs, and Lemon Recipe

While most risottos are weighed down with cheese, this plant-based one is fresh and vibrant, with a crunchy panko topping.

2 / 9

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Brett Regot

One-Pot Farro with Carrots and Chickpeas

This quick and easy farro with veggies and beans can play both a wholesome vegan main dish or a satisfying side.

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One-Pot Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Orzo

This creamy orzo is very likely to remind you of risotto, but comes together with a fraction of the time and effort.

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Credit: Lauren Volo

One-Pot Rich Lemon Rice

This vegetarian dish is part risotto, part carbonara. Rich and creamy thanks to eggs and Parmesan, its burst of brightness comes from a squeeze of lemon.

5 / 9

Credit: Maria Siriano

One-Pot Smoked Almond and Herb Couscous

This side dish is so smoky and fragrant, you may find yourself pushing aside the main course so that you can focus your attention on it.

6 / 9

Credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani

Easy One-Pot Cabbage & White Bean Soup

This recipe ushers in a fresh start for cabbage soup. Let’s celebrate its flavor, color, and the fact that it’s chock-full of healthful vegetables.

7 / 9

Credit: Andrea Bemis

One-Pot Mediterranean Orzo Pasta

This simple orzo dish is packed with fresh and zesty flavors.

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Credit: Faith Durand

One-Pot Braised Coconut Spinach & Chickpeas with Lemon

Fresh baby spinach and chickpeas, slow-cooked with ginger, garlic, and onion in a creamy coconut milk sauce, finished off with a healthy dash of lemon.

9 / 9

Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot Tomato Chickpeas and Orzo

This is the kind of dinner you make when you get home late and are greeted by a nearly empty fridge. In less time than it takes to call for takeout, you can grab a few ingredients from the pantry and assemble this comforting one-pot meal.

One-Pot Slow Cooker Meals

Who doesn’t love the ease of a hands-off meal? These are some of our best slow cooker recipes.

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Credit: Faith Durand

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

Here’s a step-by-step recipe for blissfully delicious French onion soup made from start to finish in the slow cooker.

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Credit: Christine Han

Slow Cooker Ginger Chicken Congee

If you’re a savory breakfast-lover, this chicken congee, which takes less than two minutes to throw into the slow cooker, will make you look forward to waking up and facing the day.

3 / 9

Credit: Joe Lingeman

Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

This easy slow cooker lasagna soup is everything you love about the classic Italian casserole, but it's so much easier to make.

4 / 9

Credit: Joe Lingeman

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

This is a hearty slow cooker chicken stew with white beans, Southwest spices like cumin and coriander, and a few cans of fire-roasted green chilis.

5 / 9

Credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani

Slow Cooker Coconut Lentil Curry

This slow cooker coconut lentil curry is seasoned with garam masala & turmeric, laced with tomatoes, & finished with coconut milk for a touch of richness.

6 / 9

Credit: Christine Han

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken and Broccoli Bowls

The superstar slow cooker strikes again with this tasty combination of brown rice, white beans, chicken, and broccoli florets.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

Slow Cooker Chicken Posole

Cook up a giant batch of posole in your slow cooker, and after an all-day simmer you’re in for a dinner packed with warm spices, rich flavors, and meaty shredded chicken.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Mapo Tofu

Typically made with ground pork, this plant-based version swaps in shiitake mushrooms for a lighter dinner option with just as much umami flavor.

9 / 9

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell

Slow Cooker Hominy Squash Casserole

Here, plump, juicy hominy stars in a cozy slow-cooked casserole. The hominy, Mexican squash, onions, diced tomatoes, oregano, crema, and plenty of cheddar cheese are cooked low and slow until the squash is tender and all the broth is absorbed.

One-Pot Chicken Recipes

If you’ve got chicken at home, these recipes will help you have dinner on the table in absolutely no time.

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Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Styling: Kelli Foster

One-Pot Lemon Pasta with Asparagus and Chicken

The creamy lemon sauce makes this one-pot pasta dinner taste like spring.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot BBQ Chicken Burrito Bowls

These saucy, loaded bowls are ready to hit the table in 30 minutes.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice

This stovetop rice casserole has everything you love about the classic version, but with way more flavor. Plus the leftovers make a great lunch the next day, too.

4 / 8

Credit: Joe Lingeman

Easy One-Pot Chicken Taco Soup

Loaded with juicy chicken, hearty black beans, and sweet corn, this quick soup was made with weeknight dinners in mind.

5 / 8

Credit: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell

One-Pot Creamy Chicken Orzo

This easy orzo dish is pure veggie-packed comfort. Made all in one pot, it tastes like grown-up mac 'n cheese — creamy, cheesy, and packed with good-for-you greens and chicken.

6 / 8

Credit: Lauren Volo

One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

If you’re looking for a comforting one-pot meal that will please the whole family, look no further.

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Credit: Brie Passano

Rotisserie Chicken Coconut Curry Soup

Take your chicken noodle soup routine on a trip to Thailand with lime juice, red curry paste, and the creamy richness of coconut milk.

8 / 8

Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta

This all-in-one dinner, which starts with smart shortcuts like pre-cooked chicken sausage and marinated artichoke hearts, is ready in 15 minutes.

One-Pot Beef Recipes

A hearty beef dish on a cold fall night is always a good idea. These recipes are a great place to start.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot Weeknight Beef Stroganoff

This recipe hits all the same notes of a classic stroganoff, but is decidedly much more weeknight- and budget-friendly.

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Credit: Irene Yoo

Galbi Jjim Recipe

These one-pot Korean braised short ribs nestled with hearty vegetables are the definition of umami-rich winter comfort food.

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Credit: Tara Holland

This ultra-comforting meat pie features braised beef, a medley of hearty vegetables, and a top layer of flaky pastry. With one-pot pie comes the added bonus of not having to blind bake the crust.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

Easy One-Pot Beef Goulash

From the sauce-slicked macaroni to the crumbles of ground beef and generous pockets of melted cheddar, one-pot beef goulash is as comforting as it is easy to get on the table.

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One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

With smoky seasoned ground beef, spicy salsa, and gooey cheese, this one-pot pasta dinner is everything you love about the classic ground beef taco without the tortilla.

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Credit: Lauren Volo

One-Pot Zoodles and Meatballs

Using spiralized zucchini and frozen, cooked meatballs means that you can make this twist on spaghetti and meatballs in just one pot and in less than 30 minutes.

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One-Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

From the tender bell pepper to the ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, this is everything you love about stuffed peppers, in soup form.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

Quick & Easy One-Pot Sloppy Joes

A family dinner classic, these easy sloppy Joes are ideal for any night of the week.

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Credit: Lauren Volo

One-Pot Beef and Broccoli Fried Rice

We’ve paired up this classic Chinese-American dish with another takeout staple, fried rice, resulting in a one-pan meal loaded with crisp-tender broccoli, savory ground beef, and fragrant, garlicky rice.

10 / 11

Credit: Christine Han; Food Styling: Pearl Jones

One-Pot Creamy Beef and Shells

If you grew up loving Hamburger Helper, you're going to love this quick and easy from-scratch version of cheesy beef and shells.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

Easy Skillet Tamale Pie

This family-friendly tamale pie cooks all in one skillet, making for easy prep and clean-up.

Healthy One-Pot Recipes

On nights when you’re looking for something healthy and filling, these recipes are a must.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Shrimp and Orzo

The orzo and shrimp cook right in the creamy sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce for a comforting and quick one-pot meal.

2 / 10

Credit: Kimberley Hasselbrink

One-Pot Vegetable Jambalaya

This vegetable-heavy jambalaya is faster and just as good, in my opinion, as the Southern original.

3 / 10

Credit: Lauren Volo

One-Pot Chicken Teriyaki with Vegetables & Rice

Chicken? Check. Vegetables? Check. All in one pot? Check check. This teriyaki one-pan meal is kid-friendly and easy — what more do you want?

4 / 10

Credit: Photo: Tara Donne | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell

One-Pot Mediterranean Shrimp and Rice Pilaf

This vibrant dinner has a little bit of everything: tender rice, protein-packed shrimp, crunchy fresh veggies, and tangy, creamy cheese.

5 / 10

Credit: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell

One-Pot Coconut-Cilantro Rice with Chicken

This 30-minute, one-pot recipe is perfect for nights when you want something warming and tasty without a whole lot of fuss. Store-bought rotisserie chicken keeps the cooking to a minimum, and snow peas and cilantro add a pop of freshness to an otherwise pantry-friendly meal.

6 / 10

Credit: Guy Ambrosino

One-Pot Braised Cabbage with Bacon

The South knows the best way to eat cabbage: braised with bacon, made in just one pot, and so satisfying to the body and soul.

7 / 10

Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot Butternut Squash Soup

We upgraded the classic soup with a few key ingredients (like apples and pumpkin puree) that makes it even better than Panera's.

8 / 10

Credit: Photo: Tara Donne | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell

One-Pot Sausage and Peppers with Zucchini Noodles

The classic combination of sausage and peppers is tossed with tender zucchini noodles in this easy summery one-pot meal.

9 / 10

Credit: Amelia Rampe

Quick, One-Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry

Use your favorite curry paste as a base for this one-pot weeknight dinner.

10 / 10

Credit: Joe Lingeman

One-Pot Pasta Primavera

This light and buttery pasta primavera is the best way to bring the fresh flavors of spring produce to your table.

This post was originally published on Kitchn. Read it there: 50+ One-Pot Meals for Easy Weeknight Dinners

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