17 Easy One Pot Meals for Lightning Fast Dinner Cleanup

Save yourself from a pile of dirty dishes in the sink with these easy one pot meals. All of these dinner recipes use just one pot, pan, or dish.

This will save you so much time in the kitchen both preparing your meal and with after-dinner cleanup.

So whether you need a one pot meal idea for chaotic weeknights or fun weekends with the family, this collection of recipes will be a lifesaver.

One Pan Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

This Tuscan chicken orzo pasta comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.

The sun-dried tomatoes along with fresh herbs make this dish incredibly flavorful.

Get the Recipe: One Pan Creamy Chicken Pasta

Mediterranean Chicken

Simple and delicious, this one pot wonder is made with chicken thighs, orzo pasta, olives, chickpeas, and other ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken

One Pot American Goulash

This comforting meal is made with ground beef, diced tomatoes, pasta, cheese, and more. Make a big batch so you have plenty of leftovers.

Get the Recipe: One Pot American Goulash

One Pot Taco Mac and Cheese

Combining two family favorites, mac and cheese with tacos is guaranteed to be a favorite with everyone.

Get the Recipe: One Pot Taco Mac and Cheese

Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

Dinner will be on the table in 25 minutes with this easy sausage gnocchi skillet recipe. Kate from I Heart Eating recommends dipping bread in any remaining sauce, yum.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

Southern Chicken Pot Pie

When you’re craving some good old-fashioned comfort food, this skillet chicken pot pie will hit the spot.

The golden puff pastry crust is so good. This recipe uses Rotisserie chicken, which will save you a lot of time.

Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Pot Pie

Ground Beef Burrito Skillet

If you’re craving burritos but don’t want the mess of washing a bunch of dishes after dinner, make this tasty one-skillet meal.

The entire family will enjoy these deconstructed burritos.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Burrito Skillet

Chicken and Rice Casserole

It’s hard to find casseroles that don’t require separate pans for cooking different ingredients. In this recipe, everything cooks in the same casserole dish, even the rice.

This casserole is creamy, delicious, and full of tender chicken.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole

Smoked Sausage and Potato Skillet

Your entire family will love this skillet meal made with potatoes, smoked sausage, bell pepper, broth, and other ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Smoked Sausage and Potato Skillet

One Pot Cabbage Roll Soup

If you love cabbage rolls but don’t love how time-consuming they are to make, you must make this easy soup recipe that takes only 15 minutes to prep.

Get the Recipe: Cabbage Roll Soup

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

This kid-friendly chili cheese dog casserole is made with just five ingredients. It makes yummy leftovers the next day too.

Get the Recipe: Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

One Pot Beef Coconut Curry Soup

So many soups take all day to make, but this one comes together in only 30 minutes. The addition of ground beef complements the coconut curry flavor.

Get the Recipe: Beef Coconut Curry Soup

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Once you try this homemade version of Hamburger Helper, you’ll never go back to store-bought again. 

Get the Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper

Garden Vegetable Beef Skillet 

Get in your veggies for the day with this delicious and healthy garden vegetable beef skillet. 

Get the Recipe: Garden Vegetable Beef Skillet

Turkey and Ham Crescent Sandwiches

Making sandwiches in a casserole dish will save you so much time versus making individual sandwiches for everyone.

Get the Recipe: Turkey and Ham Crescent Sandwiches

Chili Recipe

Many chili recipes have 10 to 15 ingredients or more, which can get pretty expensive. Luckily, this chili recipe only has five ingredients (not including salt). 

Unlike other chili recipes that take hours to make, this one is ready in just 15 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Chili Recipe

Pizza Tater Tot Casserole

The entire family will want this pizza tater tot casserole every week, it’s that good. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to throw together.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Tater Tot Casserole