Easy One Pot Dinners can seriously save the day (and your sanity). Some nights, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cooking and even longer doing dishes.
Let’s be real, when life gets busy (which feels like, um, always?), the last thing you want to do is spend hours cooking and cleaning. That’s where easy one pot dinners swoop in like the superheroes they are.
Seriously, nothing beats tossing a bunch of ingredients into a single pot and having dinner basically cook itself. One pot meals are total lifesavers for busy weeknights, feeding a hungry crowd, or even those moments when you glance into your fridge and think, “Hmm, time for a clean-out before everything goes bad.” With grocery prices climbing higher than my patience some days, wasting food is so not an option.
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Whether you need a cozy comfort meal, a high-protein hit, a budget-friendly dish, or something vegetarian and fresh, this collection of easy one pot dinners has your back. And bonus, less dishwashing = more time for you.
Let’s dive into these 45+ crowd-pleasing, easy one pot meals that are about to make your life so much easier!
This Post Is All About 40+ Easy One Pot Dinners That Are Crowd-Pleasers.
Table of Contents
40+ Easy One Pot Dinners:
Chicken One Pot Meals
Chicken and Potatoes One Pot
Tender chicken thighs and legs roasted with golden potatoes, simple, hearty, and absolutely delicious. This is such a great recipe when you want something super quick and tasty, especially on weeknights.
One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice
Tender rice infused with bright lemon and savory herb-seasoned chicken, like a Greek island getaway for your taste buds! As the chicken and rice cook together, the rice absorbs all the rich, flavorful juices from the chicken, making it extra fluffy, tender, and bursting with deliciousness.
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One Pot Chicken Spaghetti
The ultimate comfort food. Rich, cheesy, and made in one pot, no extra dishes, no hassle! It features spaghetti noodles, tender chicken, and veggies, all coated in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce with a hint of chili spice.
One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
This chicken fajita pasta blends three of our favorite things: flavorful chicken fajitas, comforting pasta, and the ease of a one-pot meal. It’s a hearty, crave-worthy dish packed with all the bold flavors of classic fajitas, made even better with a creamy pasta twist, perfect for busy weeknights!
One Pot Chicken Orzo
This Creamy chicken orzo is a rich and comforting one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Ready in just 30 minutes, it features tender chicken, buttery orzo, cherry tomatoes, and spinach all tossed in a flavorful basil pesto cream sauce. Cozy yet impressive!
One Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls
Thanks to the Instant Pot, this is the ultimate dump-and-go dinner. It requires minimal prep, no extra pans, and zero sautéing, just toss everything in and let it cook. Packed with everything you love about burritos, tender chicken, rice, beans, and bold taco spices, all layered together with no mess.
One Pot Sesame Chicken
Skip the takeout! This sticky-sweet sesame chicken comes together faster than delivery, and tastes even better.
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One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Spicy, creamy, and cheesy, the ultimate comfort food trifecta! And the best part? It all comes together in just one pot. Yes, please! Tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, pasta, and veggies simmer together in a rich, creamy tomato sauce for a deliciously satisfying meal.
One Pot Chicken Alfredo
Indulge in the ultimate weeknight comfort food with this creamy, dreamy homemade Alfredo sauce that perfectly coats tender pasta and juicy chicken. This one-pot chicken Alfredo is a quick and easy dinner recipe that comes together in no time. Cook the chicken right in the pan or use pre-cooked grilled chicken for an even faster meal.
One Pot Honey Garlic Chicken and Rice
Sweet, savory, and a little sticky, this easy chicken and rice combo will have everyone begging for seconds! The simple honey garlic sauce in this recipe is the element that really sends this dish over the top, making it better than any takeout.
One Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and creamy parmesan sauce make this one pot chicken dinner seriously restaurant-worthy.
High Protein One Pot Meals
One Pot Beef and Quinoa Skillet
Loaded with lean beef, light and fluffy quinoa, and a generous helping of vegetables, this protein-packed dish is as satisfying as it is delicious. This easy Beef and Quinoa Enchilada Skillet delivers bold Mexican-inspired flavor with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights and bound to become a family favorite!
One Pot Turkey Taco Skillet
Ground turkey, spinach, tomatoes, and spices are combined in one hearty, flavor-loaded dish. It’s perfect for meal prep, too such a easy one pot dinners! This low-carb, low-calorie dish features lean ground turkey and hidden veggies.
One Pot Shrimp and White Beans
Juicy shrimp + creamy white beans + garlic and smoked sausage? It’s light, protein-packed, and totally swoon-worthy. Garlicky Shrimp with creamy white beans and smoky chorizo in tomato sauce. Perfect on bread or with rice for a well-rounded dinner.
One Pot Ground Chicken Stir Fry
Juicy ground chicken and crisp veggies come together in a mouthwatering sweet-and-savory sauce you’ll be tempted to sip, no shame here. This spicy ground chicken stir-fry is a flavorful, Asian-inspired dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights, made with fresh ingredients and a homemade sauce that packs a punch.
One Pot Tuscan Sausage and Lentils
Smoky sausage and hearty lentils come together in this ultra-satisfying one-pot dish, perfect for a cozy night in. One Pot Tuscan Sausage and Lentils, featuring tender kale and a sprinkle of Parmesan, is comfort food at its finest. This wholesome dinner is naturally gluten-free, packed with protein and fiber, and ideal for make-ahead meals.
One Pot Egg Roll in a Bowl
Enjoy all the mouthwatering flavors of your favorite egg roll, ground meat, coleslaw, ginger, and more, without the deep frying or guilt. This lighter, faster one-skillet meal brings the taste of a classic Chinese restaurant appetizer to your dinner table. ‘Egg roll in a bowl’ is a quick, healthy dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes!
One Pot Salmon and Rice
Flaky salmon over buttery rice. High-protein, easy cleanup, and totally delicious too. Featuring juicy, perfectly-cooked salmon and fluffy, aromatic rice, all bursting with flavors from fresh bell peppers, garlic, and a hint of lemon, all coming together effortlessly in just one pot.
One Pot Meal Prep Recipes
One Pot Chili Mac
This comforting blend of mac ‘n cheese and chili is both freezer-friendly and ideal for batch cooking, a double win. This one-pot chili mac is like a grown-up take on Hamburger Helper: cheesy, beefy, and a breeze to clean up.
One Pot Asian Beef Noodles
Meal prep doesn’t have to be dull; these mouthwatering noodles beat takeout any day and come together in minutes. Savory ground beef is simmered in a flavorful hoisin-based sauce with tender veggies and ramen noodles, all cooked in one pan for a quick and easy dinner ready in just 25 minutes.
One Pot Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Saucy, sweet, and loaded with veggies, perfect to make ahead for easy grab-and-go lunches.
One Pot Mediterranean Chickpea Rice
Meal prep perfection! This vibrant rice dish, packed with chickpeas and bursting with flavor and stays delicious all week. It’s wholesome, rich, cheesy, and has just a hint of heat. Protein- and fiber-packed chickpeas are simmered with gently spiced tomatoes and greens for a satisfying, nourishing bite.
Cheap One Pot Meals
One Pot Cheesy Taco Rice
Budget-friendly and family-approved, this cheesy taco rice is a go-to when you’re low on time and ingredients.
One Pot Lentil Soup
Hearty, healthy, and insanely cheap with ingredients you would normally have in the kitchen, lentils are a pantry MVP for a reason!
One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta
All the messy, tangy goodness of sloppy joes in an easy-to-eat pasta form, without breaking the bank.
One Pot Ramen Stir Fry
Instant ramen gets a glow-up! Just a few pantry staples turn this into a crowd-pleasing favorite.
One Pot Peanut Butter Chicken
Sweet, savory, a little spicy, and so easy. Plus, most of the ingredients are already in your pantry! This recipe can easily be keto or vegan, perfect for those looking for something a little healthier.
One Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole
A nostalgic favorite that’s crazy cheap and even crazier good. Cozy and comforting with every bite.
Vegetarian One Pot Meals
One Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
Dreamy, creamy tomato sauce hugs every twirl of pasta, and it’s entirely meat-free! switch out the mozarrela and heavy cream in this recipe for vegan cheese / creram or no cheese at all and it will still be as delicious.
One Pot Chickpea Curry
Rich, packed with indian spices, and totally comforting, this vegan curry is a go-to for meatless Mondays and beyond.
One Pot Mushroom Stroganoff
Buttery mushrooms and silky noodles come together in a hearty, satisfying dish even carnivores will love.
One Pot Vegan Jambalaya
Big bold flavors, zero meat. This louisana recipe inspired jambalaya is packed with veggies and Cajun spices for an unforgettable bite.
One Pot Spinach Artichoke Pasta
All the cheesy, garlicky goodness of spinach-artichoke dip, but turned into a dreamy pasta dinner.
One Pot Moroccan Couscous
Light, fluffy couscous with roasted veggies and warm spices. So flavorful you won’t even miss the meat.
One Pot Rice Recipes
One Pot Chicken and Rice
A timeless classic! Chicken, rice, and veggies simmer to perfection, and it smells heavenly while cooking.
One Pot Coconut Rice with Vegetables
Fluffy rice cooked with creamy thai coconut milk and bright mixed veggies, a tropical twist you’ll crave again and again.
One Pot Dirty Rice
Savory, spicy, and loaded with flavor, dirty rice makes the perfect simple weeknight meal.
One Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
Sticky, sweet, and seriously addicting, everything cooks together for a super easy dinner win.
One Pot Slow Cooker Meals
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Set it, forget it, and come back to a pot of rich, hearty beef stew that’s pure comfort in a bowl.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Melty, tender pulled pork that’s perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or just eating straight from the fork. No judgment.
Slow Cooker Lentil Chili
Healthy, filling, and packed with smoky flavor, this plant-based chili is a slow cooker must.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Fluffy, buttery dumplings floating in creamy chicken goodness. It’s like a warm hug from your slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs
Sweet, savory, and fall-apart tender, these meatballs are magic for busy nights or easy entertaining.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor, this white chicken chili is pure cozy magic in a bowl.
Easy One Pot Dinners:
Seriously, once you fall in love with easy one pot dinners, there’s no going back.
They make weeknight chaos so much easier, help you avoid food waste during those fridge cleanouts (hallelujah ), and keep your wallet happy with all the cheap one pot meals and pantry-friendly options. Plus, there’s just something extra satisfying about throwing everything into one pot and letting it work its magic, right?
Whether you’re hunting for chicken one pot meals, vegetarian one pot meals, high protein one pot meals, or just need some easy one pot dinners recipe to get you through the week, this list has your back!
This Post Is All About 40+ Easy One Pot Dinners That Are Crowd-Pleasers.
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