10+ One Pot Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals
One pot recipes are a fantastic solution for anyone looking to simplify meal preparation. These recipes let you create delicious and satisfying meals with minimal cleanup. They are perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to spend more time enjoying food and less time in the kitchen.
These meals often combine proteins, vegetables, and grains all in one pot, making them both nutritious and convenient. You’ll discover a variety of flavors and cooking styles that bring excitement to your dinner table while keeping things easy and stress-free.
1) One-Pot Greek Chicken with Lemon Rice
One-Pot Greek Chicken with Lemon Rice is a delightful meal that is simple to make. It combines tender chicken with zesty lemon and fluffy rice, all cooked together in one pot.
You can use chicken thighs, breasts, or drumsticks. The dish is flavored with garlic, onions, and fresh lemon, giving it a lively taste.
This recipe is both tasty and convenient. You won’t have to deal with many dishes afterward, making clean-up a breeze!
Ingredients
- 5 chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides.
- Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- In the same pot, add onions and garlic; sauté until soft.
- Stir in the rice, lemon juice, and zest.
- Add chicken broth, then return the chicken to the pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Once cooked, fluff the rice and serve!
2) Sausage Bake with Potatoes and Gravy
This delicious Sausage Bake is an easy one-pot recipe that brings comfort to your dinner table. Juicy sausages, tender potatoes, and veggies come together in a rich gravy, creating a tasty meal you’ll love.
To start, brown the sausages in a pan. Then add chopped potatoes, carrots, and onions. Pour in some broth to make the gravy. Bake in the oven at 400°F (200°C) until everything is cooked through and golden.
You’ll enjoy how simple it is to make and clean up, too!
Ingredients
- 4 sausages
- 4 medium potatoes, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large pan, brown the sausages on medium heat.
- Add the potatoes, carrots, and onion to the pan.
- Pour the broth over the ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until everything is cooked through.
3) Creamy Baked Risotto with Lemon Pepper Chicken
This dish combines creamy risotto with flavorful lemon pepper chicken, all made in one pot. It’s a great choice for an easy and comforting meal.
Start by seasoning your chicken. Then, cook it until golden brown. The chicken adds a nice crunch and flavor.
Next, you’ll sauté onions and garlic before adding the risotto rice. Stir until the rice is a bit translucent. Then, pour in chicken broth and let it cook until creamy.
Finally, mix in some parmesan cheese for extra creaminess. Serve it warm, and enjoy this satisfying dish with a side salad.
Ingredients
- 2 lb (1 kg) chicken thighs, skin-on
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 4 cups chicken broth (stock)
- 1 1/2 cups risotto rice (arborio)
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the chicken thighs with lemon pepper.
- In a large pot, brown the chicken on both sides.
- Remove the chicken and sauté onions and garlic until soft.
- Add the risotto rice and stir until translucent.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Return the chicken to the pot and cover.
- Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese before serving.
4) Simple, Perfect Chili
Simple, Perfect Chili is a warm and hearty dish that’s easy to make. This recipe features ground beef, beans, and a mix of spices that come together beautifully. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends.
You’ll start by browning the ground beef in a large pot. Once it’s cooked, add chopped onions and garlic until they soften. Then, stir in diced tomatoes and your choice of beans.
Don’t forget the chili seasoning! A homemade mix adds great flavor. Let everything simmer until heated through. Feel free to adjust the spices to match your taste.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until soft.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and beans.
- Mix in chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5) Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that’s simple to make in one pot. You can whip it up in about 30 minutes, and it’s perfect for a cozy meal.
To start, cook your macaroni right in the sauce for a creamy texture. You’ll need just a few ingredients, making it easy to grab and go.
You can experiment with different cheeses for added flavor. Cheddar is the classic choice, but feel free to mix in mozzarella or pepper jack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups water
Cooking Instructions
- In a pot, combine the macaroni, water, and salt.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Stir in the milk and cook until the macaroni is tender.
- Add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Enjoy!
6) Potato Soup with Onions and Garlic
This hearty potato soup combines the comforting flavors of potatoes, onions, and garlic. It’s perfect for a cozy meal. You can make it all in one pot, saving time on cleanup.
Start by cooking chopped onions and minced garlic in butter until they’re soft. Then, add diced potatoes and broth. Let it simmer until the potatoes are tender.
Blend the soup until it’s smooth or leave it chunky for texture. Adding cream will make it even richer. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Melt butter in a pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until soft.
- Stir in diced potatoes and broth.
- Simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Blend soup until smooth (optional).
- Stir in cream and season with salt and pepper.
7) One-Pan Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
One-Pan Teriyaki Chicken and Rice is a simple and tasty meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This dish is packed with protein and veggies, making it a healthy choice for you and your family.
To start, you cook chicken pieces in a delicious teriyaki sauce, adding your choice of vegetables like broccoli and carrots. The rice cooks right in the pan, soaking up all the flavors.
You can have dinner ready in about 30 minutes, which means less time in the kitchen and more time to relax.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into pieces
- 1 cup (200 g) rice
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- 1 cup (150 g) broccoli florets
- 1 cup (150 g) carrots, sliced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) teriyaki sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pan, cook the chicken over medium heat until browned.
- Add the teriyaki sauce and stir to coat the chicken.
- Add the rice and water, stirring to combine.
- Toss in the broccoli and carrots.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover and cook for 20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
8) Creamy Pesto Orzo with Chicken Meatballs
Creamy Pesto Orzo with Chicken Meatballs is a tasty and easy dish. It cooks in one pot, which makes cleanup simple. The dish combines tender chicken meatballs with creamy orzo pasta and flavorful pesto.
You can make this meal quickly, often in about 20 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying. You’ll enjoy the mix of textures and flavors in each bite.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup cream or milk
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, mix ground chicken, pesto, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, and egg.
- Form the mixture into meatballs.
- In a large pot, heat some oil and brown the meatballs.
- Add orzo and chicken broth to the pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Stir in the cream and let it cook until orzo is tender.
- Serve with grated Parmesan on top. Enjoy!
9) Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a tasty dish made in one pot. It’s filled with poached eggs in a savory tomato sauce. This meal is great for any time of the day, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
To make shakshuka, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. The combination of tomatoes, spices, and eggs provides a delightful flavor. You can also customize it with your favorite veggies or herbs.
This recipe can be ready in about 30 minutes. It’s an easy way to cook a healthy meal using just one pot. You will love how hearty and nourishing it is!
Ingredients
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 diced onion
- 1 diced bell pepper
- 2-4 eggs
- 2 minced cloves of garlic
- Olive oil
- Spices (cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper)
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
- Sauté the onion and bell pepper until soft.
- Add garlic and spices; cook for another minute.
- Pour in the tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Make little wells and crack the eggs into them.
- Cover and poach eggs until done to your liking.
10) One-Pot Lasagna
One-pot lasagna is a simple and tasty dish that you can make without mess. You combine all your ingredients in one pot, which saves time and cleanup.
Start with broken lasagna noodles, ground meat, and your favorite tomato sauce. Add some cheese for that classic lasagna flavor and let everything cook together.
You can also mix in vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition. This meal is great for busy nights when you want comfort food without a lot of work.
Ingredients
- 8 lasagna noodles (broken into 2-3 inch pieces)
- 1 pound ground meat (beef or Italian sausage)
- 1 jar (24 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or your choice)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pot, brown the ground meat over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in broken lasagna noodles, tomato sauce, and water.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Stir occasionally until noodles are tender.
- Sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and cook until melted.