22 One-Pot Recipes That Make Dinner a Breeze

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One-pot recipes are a busy cook’s best friend, combining simplicity, flavor, and minimal cleanup. This collection of 22 dishes brings together hearty meals like chili mac, risottos, and Swedish meatballs alongside fresh and flavorful options like Tuscan salmon and Mexican soup. Whether you’re in the mood for pasta, paella, or rice-based dishes, these recipes are perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want to spend less time in the kitchen. Let’s dive into these easy, satisfying one-pot meals that are as convenient as they are delicious.

Lemon Orzo Soup

A pot of chicken orzo soup with slices of carrots, celery, lemon wedges, and chopped parsley beckons from within its vibrant blue-edged embrace. Perfect for comfort food recipes, this soup cradles a ladle ready to serve warmth and flavor. — Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Enjoy a fresh and zesty Lemon Orzo Soup packed with tender chicken, veggies, and pasta—it’s comfort food in a bowl! Quick, tasty, and a hit with the whole family.

Get The Recipe: Lemon Orzo Soup

Skillet Chicken with Beans and Greens

A cast iron skillet with a chicken and beans dish. — Photo credit: Noshing with the Nolands

This one-pot skillet chicken with beans and kale is a French-inspired dish cooked in a flavorful wine mustard sauce, perfect for pairing with mashed potatoes, polenta, or rustic bread.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken with Beans and Greens

Parmesan Lemon Orzo Pasta

A creamy sauce infused with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of lemon zest coats your favorite ingredients in this easy one-pan wonder. A final squeeze of lemon juice adds a burst of brightness for a flavor explosion in every bite.

Get The Recipe: Parmesan Lemon Orzo Pasta

Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables

A pork loin with vegetables on a plate. — Photo credit: xoxoBella

This Instant Pot pork loin roast is awesome because you can whip it up way quicker than with a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Pork roast with veggies is perfect for a simple dinner on hectic weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables

Potato Leek Soup

A white bowl filled with creamy potato soup, a staple of old school recipes, topped with shredded cheese and garnished with chopped green onions and ground black pepper. A spoon rests nearby on a napkin. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Who says you need cream for a creamy soup? This recipe utilizes leeks, potatoes, and butter to create a surprisingly silky texture without any dairy. It’s a simple and wholesome option packed with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Potato Leek Soup

One Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

Pasta and spinach with tomatoes in a pot. — Photo credit: xoxoBella

One-pot pasta with spinach and tomatoes is a fantastic dinner choice. It’s super quick and easy to whip up. I enjoy making this simple spinach pasta, and cleaning up after is a piece of cake since it’s all in one pot! You’ll adore the fresh ingredients in this baby spinach and cherry tomatoes dish.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes

One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

A close-up of an easy beef and mushroom stroganoff with wide egg noodles, garnished with chopped parsley. The creamy sauce coats the ingredients, making it perfect for simple yet satisfying dinners, and a wooden spoon is partially visible. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This super easy one-skillet ground beef stroganoff is creamy, tasty, and just right for those busy weeknights. Whip it up in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients!

Get The Recipe: One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

One Pot Chicken & Chorizo Paella

Chicken & Chorizo Paella - Erren's Kitchen - Instead of traditional seafood paella, try a this simple Chicken & Chorizo recipe. This hearty family dinner for four is a flavorful, one pot meal with chicken, Spanish sausage and saffron rice. — One Pot Chicken & Chorizo Paella

Craving paella without the fuss? This One-Pot Chicken & Chorizo Paella is your answer! Tender chicken, savory chorizo, and fragrant saffron rice come together in a single pan for a family-friendly feast.

Get The Recipe: One Pot Chicken & Chorizo Paella

One Pan Swedish Meatballs

A pan of Swedish Meatballs with gravy. — Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Savory Swedish meatballs, crafted with a blend of ground beef and pork, are smothered in a decadent, creamy gravy. This indulgent dish is perfectly paired with mashed potatoes, creating a comforting culinary experience.

Get The Recipe: One Pan Swedish Meatballs

Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Breasts

Sliced roasted chicken breast garnished with rosemary sits on a white plate alongside green beans and two lemon slices. The chicken appears juicy with a golden-brown glaze, showcasing the best of slow cooker recipes for mouthwatering results.

This slow cooker chicken breasts recipe makes juicy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for any meal. The savory seasoning blend, combined with onions and garlic, adds a burst of flavor, making it a versatile option for salads, sandwiches, tacos, and more.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Breasts

One-Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese

A big bowl of Vegan Mac and Cheese on a table. — Image Credit: Marly McMillen/Namely Marly

Craving creamy, cheesy goodness without the hassle? This one-pot vegan mac and cheese is your answer! Made entirely in a single pot, this recipe is the epitome of simplicity and flavor.

Get The Recipe: One-Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese

Hamburger and Rice

Calling all hamburger lovers! This recipe combines juicy ground beef with fluffy rice for a symphony of savory goodness. It’s easy to make and perfect for enjoying any night of the week.

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

Chicken and Yellow Rice

A skillet filled with yellow rice mixed with shredded chicken and garnished with herbs—a tried-and-true recipe that's sure to be a hit. A blue spoon rests on the side of the pan. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Turn your leftover chicken into something amazing with our tasty Chicken and Yellow Rice recipe! This easy, one-pot dish breathes new life into your ingredients, making sure nothing goes to waste. Enjoy a delicious meal with minimal hassle!

Get The Recipe: Chicken and Yellow Rice

Mexican Soup

This Mexican Soup bursts with fresh veggies and bold spices for a flavorful fiesta in a single pan.

Get The Recipe: Mexican Soup

Easy One Pot Scallops & Chorizo Paella

A close up image of a pan of Scallops & Chorizo Paella. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Skip the mess, savor the paella! This one-pot dish features succulent Spanish sausage and fluffy saffron rice. A delicious alternative for those craving a simpler paella experience.

Get The Recipe: Easy One Pot Scallops & Chorizo Paella

Lemon Chicken Rice Bake

A spoonful of chicken and rice being scooped from a blue pan. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe turns your oven into a flavor factory. Juicy chicken thighs nestle on a bed of lemony garlic rice, all baking together for a stress-free and delicious weeknight dinner.

Get The Recipe: Baked Chicken and Rice

One Pot Chili Mac

Ditch the boxed dinner! This One-Pot Chili Mac is a grown-up version of your childhood favorite, made entirely from scratch for a super filling comfort food classic.

Get The Recipe: One Pot Chili Mac

Easy Mushroom & Bacon Risotto

Mushroom and Bacon Risotto in a white bowl scattered with fresh herbs. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Easy Mushroom & Bacon Risotto recipe makes cooking risotto a breeze with a 30-minute, no-stir method. It’s the ideal dish for busy weeknights.

Get The Recipe: Easy Mushroom & Bacon Risotto

One Pot Southern Pastalaya

Get a taste of Louisiana with Pastalaya, a quick, budget-friendly, one-pot wonder! This flavorful pasta dish is like a shortcut jambalaya, perfect for a festive meal.

Get The Recipe: One Pot Pastalaya

One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

One pot taco mac and cheese in a pot. — Photo credit: xoxoBella

Taco mac ‘n cheese – whip up this easy 30-minute meal in just one pot. Cream cheese, pasta, and south-of-the-border flavors come together to create a hearty dish. A fresh spin on the classic mac ‘n cheese!
Get the Recipe: The BEST One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

Easy Saffron Risotto

a close up image of The cooked Saffron Risotto in a black pan with a wooden spoon — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Craving creamy risotto without the wait? This Easy Saffron Risotto whips up in under 30 minutes, offering a luxurious, restaurant-inspired meal at home.

Get The Recipe: Easy Saffron Risotto

One Pot Sausage and Rice

A vibrant one pot recipe, this sausage and rice is a feast for the senses, boasting sliced sausage, rice, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, and chopped green onions. The dish is presented in a white pot with a ladle ready to serve up deliciousness. — Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This one-pot Sausage and Rice is a delicious symphony of flavors! Smoky, savory sausage pairs perfectly with sweet, vibrant bell peppers and tender, fluffy rice, all brought to life with a bold blend of spices that pack just the right kick of heat.

Get The Recipe: One Pot Sausage and Rice