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35 One-Pot Meals that Save the Day (and Your Sanity)

August 8, 2024 by Iryna Bychkiv Leave a Comment

Weeknights can be brutal, and the idea of cooking a fancy meal feels impossible. But what if dinner could be delicious, satisfying, and require minimal cleanup?

Enter the one-pot meal! These wonder dishes are here to save your weeknights (and your sanity). Imagine coming home after a long day to the enticing aroma of a complete meal simmering in a single pot. No chopping boards overflowing, no counters covered in bowls – just a pot of goodness waiting to be devoured.

Creamy Tomato Risotto

Tomato risotto with shredded cheese on top in a bowl.
Photo credot: Lavender & Macarons

This Tomato Risotto is an incredibly simple recipe but is still packed with flavor in each bite to give you a dinner meal that’s sure to become a family favorite! It features perfectly cooked risotto with a beautiful, creamy texture and the fresh summer flavors of cherry tomatoes. What’s best is that it’s also vegan and can be made in just 30 minutes from scratch! Get the recipe.

Pork Vegetable Stew

Pork Vegetable Stew in a plate.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

Easy to prepare one-pot Pork Vegetable Stew is a delicious and comforting weeknight meal your family will enjoy. Get the recipe.

Spanish Chicken and Rice

Spanish chicken and rice in a pan.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

Bursting with flavor, juicy, hearty, and comforting, this Spanish Chicken and Rice makes a delicious one-pot recipe for the whole family. Perfect for a weeknight or Sunday dinner. Get the recipe.

Thai Eggplant Red Curry

Coconut Red Curry with eggplant, tofu and zucchini in a pan.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Thai Eggplant Red Curry is simple yet flavor packed meal perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights. Zucchini and tofu add richness and nutrients to this already healthy freezer-friendly dish. Made in one pot and ready in just 30 minutes. Get the recipe.

Homemade Pork and Beans Recipe

Homemade Pork and Beans in a pan.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

Craving a delicious dish that’s quick and easy to make? This Homemade Pork and Beans recipe is the one for you! With tender chunks of pork shoulder, crispy bacon, and soft navy beans, it’s a dish that’s as satisfying as it looks! What’s best is that it’s ready from scratch in just 35 minutes! Get the recipe.

Old-Fashioned Minestrone

Minestrone in a bowl.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Hearty Old-Fashioned Minestrone soup is filled with wholesome ingredients like leeks, beans and potatoes. It’s popular among kids and adults and is sure to fill you up on chilly winter days. Be sure to add some crusty bread to round out the meal. Get the recipe.

Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey Mustard Chicken in a pan. Close up.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

Decadent and delicious, this Stovetop Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken skillet meal is just 30 minutes away. Filled with rich flavors and made in one pan, this simple and easy recipe is sure to be your new fave. And the creamy honey mustard cream sauce is amazing on rice, potatoes, and roasted veggies, too! Get the recipe.

Eggplant Potato Stew

Vegetable stew in a cast iron skillet.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This thick and hearty Eggplant Potato Stew Recipe features chewy eggplants, tender potatoes, and aromatics full of flavor. Made with plenty of veggies and in just under an hour, it’s the ultimate vegan stew. Get the recipe.

Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

Chicken and mushroom stroganoff with sour cream in a sour cream sauce.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This creamy Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is an easy yet luxurious dinner recipe and it’s ready to eat in just half an hour! Your family will be asking for seconds. Get the recipe.

Fried Potato and Mushrooms

Fried Mushrooms and Potatoes in a pan.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Fried Chanterelle Mushrooms and Potatoes Recipe is an easy and delicious comfort food that never fails! Made in one pan and with just 5 ingredients, this cozy and flavorful dish is sure to become a hit. Get the recipe.

Mushroom Stroganoff

Mushroom Stroganoff over mashed potatoes in a white bowl.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This creamy and one-pot Mushroom Stroganoff is as easy to make as it is delicious to eat. It’s the ultimate comfort dish that gets along nicely with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. What’s even better? It’s easy to make with everyday ingredients. Get the recipe.

Cumin Beef Fried Rice

Cumin Beef Fried Rice with chopped green onion in a wok.
Photo credit: Pups With Chopsticks

This beef fried rice recipe is the perfect one-bowl meal that combines ground beef, leftover rice, and the warmth of cumin for the perfect meal! It’s faster than takeout and only takes 15 minutes to make this from scratch. This fried rice tastes incredible and goes with just about everything. Get the recipe.

Salmon Chowder

Salmon Chowder in a bowl and a spoon aside.
Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday

Our Salmon Chowder combines heart-healthy salmon with celery, leek and scallion greens, carrots, stock, coconut milk, bay leaf and thyme. And, this hearty. Comforting chowder can be on the table in about 30 minutes. Get the recipe.

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

Chicken Paprikash in a dutch oven close up.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Hungarian Chicken Paprikash is a one winning dinner recipe. It is simmered in fingerlickin sour cream sauce and loaded with comforting flavors. So good, you’ll be making it again and again. Get the recipe.

Mexican Quinoa Recipe

Mexican Quinoa with sour cream in a bowl.
Photo credit: My Everyday Table

This one pan Mexican quinoa recipe comes together in 30 minutes, is packed with plant-based protein and full of the Mexican flavors we all adore! Get the recipe.

Garlic Mussels in Sour Cream Sauce

Creamy sour cream mussels in a pan sprinkled with parsley.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

Ridiculously quick and easy recipe for dinner that requires just a handful of ingredients. These Garlic Mussels in Sour Cream Sauce are such a comforting seafood dish, perfect for those busy weeknights when you just don’t feel like cooking. Get the recipe.

One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta

Pink tomato pasta in a bowl.
Photo credit: My Everyday Table

You won’t believe this creamy tomato pasta! It’s rich and creamy (without using a lot of cream!), incredibly easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and totally yummy. Get the recipe.

Jackfruit Stew

Jackfruit Stew in a pan.
Photo credit: My Pure Plants

The best thing that can happen to canned young jackfruit is to turn it into a hearty and filling vegan beef stew. It is the perfect dinner recipe when you need a warm and steamy bowl of delicious vegan comfort food. Get the recipe.

Easy One Pot Chili 

Chili and a scoop in a pot.
Photo credit: Pass Me Some Tasty

This easy one pot chili is perfect for fall, winter, and watching the big game with friends and family! Make it the day before, serve it up at your tailgater, or let it simmer on the stove while you watch the game at home! Get the recipe.

Vegetarian Taco Soup

Vegetarian Taco Soup close up.
Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry

Stay warm with this healthy Vegetarian Taco Soup made in a pressure cooker. This hearty soup is a dump-and-go recipe with lots of black beans, corn, peppers, and tomatoes to create a delicious, satisfying dinner. Get the recipe.

Tortellini Soup with Sausage

Tortellini Soup with Sausage in a bowl.
Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings

This creamy Tortellini Soup with Sausage will warm your soul on a cold fall night. Easy to make in less than 30 minutes and a family hit for sure. Get the recipe.

Moroccan Chicken with Preserved Lemons

Moroccan Chicken with Preserved Lemons in a pan.
Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday

The enticing flavors of Morocco in a one-pot chicken dinner. Get the recipe.

Vegetarian Hamburger Helper

Vegetarian Hamburger Helper in a pan.
Photo credit: The Wimpy Vegetarian

This is an easy, hearty one-pot vegetarian dinner the whole family will love. It’s a meatless hamburger helper of the boxed version that many of us grew up with, that uses vegan ground beef. Get the recipe.

One-Pot Ratatouille in 30 minutes

One Pot Ratatouille in a pot.
Photo credit: My Pure Plants

This is the best French vegetable stew that you can stir up in one pot within 30 minutes. I say to stir up because the traditional ratatouille is cooked on a stovetop and NOT BAKED. It is a quick and easy dish to make from colorful summer vegetables like fresh tomato, zucchini, eggplant, and bell pepper. Get the recipe.

Garbanzo Beans and Kale Stew

Garbanzo Beans and Kale Stew in a pan. Close up.
Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

This Garbanzo Beans and Kale Stew is a hearty and healthy dish great to be enjoyed on its own or over rice or pasta. It’s easy to make, nutritious and great for meal prep, too. Made in one pan with protein-packed chickpeas that are flavorful and a bit spicy. Get the recipe.

Greek Salmon

Greek Salmon with a side dish on a plate.
Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday

This One-Pot Greek Salmon with Feta & Peppers – AND it can be made in less than 30 minutes, which means it qualifies as Quick & Easy as well. Get the recipe.

Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken

Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken with cherry tomatoes and a wooden spatula in a pan.
Photo credit: The Gourmet Bon Vivant

This tomato spinach chicken is a one-pan wonder, and perfect for a weeknight meal. The creamy sauce is full of flavor, and it’s super easy to make. Pair it with polenta, pasta or mashed potatoes for a great family dinner experience. Get the recipe.

Eggplant Lentil Curry

Eggplant Lentil Curry in a pan.
Photo credit: The Fiery Vegetarian

This gorgeous eggplant lentil curry is super easy to make, and comes together in one pot (so less cleaning up!). It’s vegan and vegetarian and absolutely delicious. Get the recipe.

One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese in a scoop.
Photo credit: xoxo Bella

Can’t decide between mac and cheese and tacos? Enjoy the best of both worlds with this taco macaroni and cheese. It’s a one pot, Dutch oven 30 minute meal boasting both Mexican and Italian flavours in every mouthful. It makes really satisfying comfort food and is a perfect meal for the cooler months when you are craving something hearty and warming. This one pot cheesy taco meal is sure to get rave reviews! Get the recipe.

Tortellini Soup

Tortellini Soup in a bowl. An Overhead View.
Photo credit: Cheerful Cook

Tortellini Soup is a delicious, hearty soup recipe that’s simple to whip up and perfect for busy weeknights.

It’s packed with veggies, a savory broth, and rich cheese tortellini. We’ve also snuck in some fresh spinach for a little boost of protein. Get the recipe.

One Pot Harissa Chicken with Prunes

One Pot Harissa Chicken with Prunes in a pan.
Photo credit: Greedy Gourmet

This one pot harissa chicken recipe is a favorite in my arsenal of Mediterranean recipes. With the warm spices and added heat from the harissa paste, this dish is balanced by preserved lemons and the additional sweetness of prunes. Get the recipe.

Easy Carrot and Lentil Soup (Sopa De Lentejas)

Easy Carrot and Lentil Soup in a bowl.
Photo credit: Six Hungry Feet

This carrot and lentil soup, as well known as Spanish lentil soup or “Sopa de Lentejas”, is an amazing one-pot meal to satisfy the whole family. Easy to prepare, healthy, hearty, and delicious, this plant-based lentil soup has everything you need for a busy-weekday meal. Get the recipe.

Chicken and Rice with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

Chicken and Rice with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon.
Photo credit: xoxo Bella

Chicken and rice are staples in many easy weeknight dinner recipes. If you have these simple ingredients and you’re wondering what to make, consider this quick and simple one pot meal with Brussels sprouts and bacon. This baked chicken rice casserole is a hearty, filling and tasty, and something the whole family will love, especially during the cooler months. You will love this tasty rice recipe! Get the recipe.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta in a plate. Tasting with a fork.
Photo credit: Cheerful Cook

Our easy one-pan Cajun Chicken Pasta is a surefire crowd-pleaser and delivers both spicy and creamy flavors in one simple pasta dish. Made with seasoned cajun chicken, satisfying penne pasta, and smooth cream cheese, this meal is simple to make yet absolutely delicious. Get the recipe.

Marry Me Chicken

Marry me chicken in a pan.
Photo credit: Gipsy Plate

his creamy, dreamy Marry Me Chicken recipe is the perfect dish for romantic occasions, or any time you crave something delicious! Marry Me Chicken.

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipe Round Ups

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I'm Iryna, a food writer, photographer, and taster behind Not Enough Garlic. Here, you'll find easy and delicious recipes your whole family will enjoy.

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