12 One-Pot Meals
One pot meals are an absolute game-changer for busy families. Instead of boiling pasta, roasting veggies, and making a sauce in separate pans, everything cooks together in one pot or pan.
This saves time but also makes clean-up so much easier. Don’t worry, though; convenient doesn’t mean bland. These meals are just as tender, flavorful, and delicious as the “real” versions!
One Pot Chicken Chili
Chili is a perfect example of a one pot meal. It only requires one large pot, yet you prepare the dish in phases to get just the right balance of texture and flavor.
This version uses ground chicken, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, and lots of warm spices for a deeply comforting meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Chicken Chili
One Pot Sausage Pasta
This all-in-one method also works wonderfully with pasta. In this recipe, you start by browning the sausage, then setting it to the side so you can saute the aromatics and build the sauce.
Cook the pasta in the sauce to soak up all that flavor, and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Sausage Pasta
Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
Fajitas are the perfect recipe for sheet pan meals because you just need to cook the meat and vegetables, then serve with tortillas and all your favorite toppings.
In this version, the peppers and onions soak up the meaty juices and seasonings from the flank steak for crazy good flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
Shrimp and Spinach Pasta
Since shrimp cooks so quickly, it’s the perfect protein for one pot meals. All the flavor you build in the tomato sauce will be wicked up into the pasta, and the shrimp will add a perfect pop of sweetness to balance it all out.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Spinach Pasta
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Egg Roll in a Bowl is basically the filling normally hidden inside of egg roll wrappers, but without the fuss of rolling or deep-frying. It’s packed with veggies and protein, takes just over 20 minutes, and will feed the entire family.
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl
Garlic Parmesan Steak Tortellini
If you want a quick, convenient meal that tastes like you went out for dinner, give this one a try.
The steak is cooked to perfection with onions, cherry tomatoes, and peppers, then cooked with tortellini, garlic parmesan sauce, and parmesan cheese for tons of flavor. It’s like a date night meal but at home.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Steak Tortellini
One Pan Chicken Marsala
Chicken Marsala sounds like something that will leave you with a mountain of dishes to wash, but this one-skillet version definitely will not.
You still get perfectly tender chicken, lots of mushrooms, and the most deliciously creamy sauce, but with less clean-up so you can sit back and relax.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Chicken Marsala
One Skillet Lasagna
How can you possibly make lasagna in one skillet? Normally, lasagna requires at least two pans, a baking dish, and a bowl.
This clever version simplifies the prep (and the cooking time) by basically cooking the beef and pasta in a rich tomato sauce, then garnishing with the ricotta and cheese just before serving. Same flavors, way less work.
Get the Recipe: One-Skillet Lasagna
Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast
If you don’t have time to slowly braise a pot roast all day, you can still enjoy those slow-cooked flavors with the Instant Pot.
This recipe has a classic flavor profile and super short ingredients list that will make you want to add it to your regular meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast
Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables
Loading a sheet pan with sausages, peppers, potatoes, and seasonings is a classic example of a sheet pan meal.
You get your protein, veggies, and starch all perfectly cooked and ready to serve at exactly the same time.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables
One Pan Spaghetti
Normally, when you make spaghetti, you need to boil the pasta and prepare any toppings or the sauce in a separate pan.
This version starts by preparing the meaty tomato sauce, but then cooks the pasta in the sauce for lots of extra flavor (and way less mess).
Get the Recipe: One Pan Spaghetti
One Pan Shrimp Boil
If you want a dinner that will have everyone asking for more, you definitely want to try this shrimp boil.
Boiling the shrimp, sausages, corn, and potatoes together gives them incredible flavor, and it’s a dump-and-serve, eat-with-your-fingers experience.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Shrimp Boil
