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20 One-Pot Dinners That Are Perfect for Back-to-School Season

Meghan Splawn
Meghan Splawn
Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the…read more
published Aug 1, 2025
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Creamy pasta shells with broccoli, topped with grated cheese and red pepper flakes in a white bowl.
Credit: Joe Lingeman
One-Pot Creamy Broccoli Pasta

The first weeks back to school can be rough. So, dinner should be an easy, comforting respite that gives you time to linger at the dinner table and listen to everyone’s days (even if you all were in the same house together). Making that dinner should not take up too much time or dirty too many dishes — remember you have lunches to pack still (try one of our go-to easy school lunch ideas)!

One-pot dinners are here to help make back-to-school time easier, tastier, and more comforting. Here are 20 of my favorites.

1 / 20
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Brett Regot
One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Tomato Rice

Chicken and rice are forever friends. The timeless combination always manages to be a hit with the entire family, and this cheesy, tomato-rich version is no different. The very best part? It all comes together in just a single pot.

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2 / 20
Credit: Photo: Tara Donne | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell
One-Pot Creamy Zucchini Pasta
Whole-milk ricotta cheese is the secret to this extra-luxe and lemony zucchini pasta.
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3 / 20
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food styling: Cyd McDowell
One-Pot Orzo with Peas and Parmesan
This one-pot dish cooks orzo pasta in flavorful stock and is finished with lemon, peas, and Parmesan for a lighter take on risotto.
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4 / 20
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?
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5 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
One-Pot Weeknight Beef Stroganoff
Tender noodles, ground beef, and mushrooms all cooked together in a creamy, comforting sauce.
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6 / 20
Credit: Amelia Rampe
One-Pot Pesto Tortellini with Broccoli
Here, a few smart cooking tricks elevate just three ingredients into a spectacular one-pot meal that really, truly wows.
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7 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
One-Pot Tomato Chickpeas and Orzo
A recipe for quick and easy tomato orzo studded with chickpeas, which is made in just one pot.
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8 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice
A stovetop chicken and rice casserole with a creamy Cajun sauce.
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9 / 20
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 SpaghettiOs.
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10 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
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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11 / 20
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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12 / 20
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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13 / 20
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 and cheese — creamy, cheesy, and packed with good-for-you greens and chicken.
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14 / 20
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.
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15 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
Cheesy Broccoli Pasta
Creamy, comforting mac and cheese gets a bright boost, thanks to sweet and tender broccoli florets.
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16 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
One-Pot BBQ Chicken Burrito Bowls
These burrito bowls are filled with tender spiced rice, beans, corn, and tangy barbecue chicken.
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17 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
One-Pot Chili Mac
Never cook your chili and macaroni cheese separately again. Learn how to make one-pot chili mac in your Dutch oven.
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18 / 20
Credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani
Shortcut Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
This weeknight-friendly chicken pot pie recipe comes together in just one pot and is topped with flaky cheddar and thyme biscuits.
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19 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Pearl Jones
One-Pot Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Orzo

Here, orzo is cooked risotto-style with a salty Parmesan rind and leafy Brussels sprouts, then finished with a squeeze of lemon juice and topped with crispy, browned panko breadcrumbs.

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20 / 20
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.
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This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: 20 One-Pot Dinners That Are Perfect for Back-to-School Season

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