The convenience of a one-pot dinner is almost too good to beat, but in these warmer months, you might not want a soup or stew. Try some other dinner recipes that cut down on dishes, like these one-pot recipes that feature pasta and rice, beans, veggies and lean proteins. Recipes like our Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo and our Creamy Pesto Beans are simple and flavorful dinners you’ll want to make again and again.
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One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This creamy orzo with white beans and sun-dried tomatoes is the ultimate weeknight winner, ready in just 30 minutes! This comforting dish combines tender orzo, protein-packed white beans and tangy sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy garlic-and-herb cheese sauce. This one-pot meal is both quick and satisfying, perfect for those busy evenings when you want something hearty without the hassle.
Cheesy One-Pot Chicken-Broccoli Orzo
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This cheesy chicken-broccoli orzo is the ultimate weeknight game-changer. This dish brings crowd-pleasing flavors together in one pan for easy cleanup. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying, comforting and delicious. Sharp Cheddar cheese adds savory flavor, but another easy-melting cheese like Gruyère or Swiss would work well too.
One-Pot Potato Curry
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower
This potato curry recipe takes inspiration from both north and south Indian dishes, blending the aromatic spices common in the north, with a nod to thoran in the south with the addition of coconut milk. The simplicity of cooking everything in one pot adds to its appeal, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully for a truly comforting meal.
One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli
Photographer: Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf;Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Shrimp and broccoli cook quickly in this easy one-pot recipe, perfect for busy weeknights. Serve this healthy shrimp recipe over whole-grains or rice.
Creamy Pesto Beans
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These creamy pesto beans come together in just 30 minutes. The sauce clings to tender white beans, and whatever is left is perfect for sopping up with a warm, crusty baguette. For a heartier meal, serve the beans over whole-grain pasta, letting the sauce coat every bite.
Ground Beef & Potatoes Skillet
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Natalie Ghazali
In this healthy one-pan meal, ground beef and potatoes team up with colorful veggies, including kale, tomato and peppers. Everything is cooked in one skillet, which builds layers of flavor while also cutting back on the number of dishes.
One-Pot Pasta With Spinach & Tomatoes
Caitlin Bensel
This one-pot pasta dinner is simple, fresh and healthy—what’s not to love? Cooking the pasta right in the sauce saves time and cleanup while infusing the noodles with more flavor. This speedy recipe is also endlessly adaptable and lends itself to plenty of easy ingredient swaps.
One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
This one-pot pasta with tangy tomato-basil sauce is a simple, fast and easy weeknight dinner. All of your ingredients go into one pot, and with a bit of stirring and about 25 minutes of cook time, you’ll have a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy.
American Goulash
Photographer: Brie Goldman Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can be made in just one pot.
Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach
Simmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.
One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
This chicken Parmesan pasta uses the one-pot pasta method to cook your noodles, chicken and sauce all in one skillet for a fast and easy dinner with minimal cleanup.
One-Skillet Cheesy Ground Chicken Pasta
Victor Protasio
Make this cheesy ground chicken pasta recipe for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve with a simple side salad and a glass of red wine.
Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet
Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet is the perfect dish for scooping up with your favorite toasted whole-grain bread. Juicy cherry tomatoes burst as they roast, mingling with creamy white beans to create a flavorful base. Chunky pieces of feta cheese are nestled into the skillet and baked until warm and soft. The result is a savory, creamy mix with tangy bites of feta in every bite.
Baked Tomato & Feta Rice
Robby Lozano
Juicy roasted tomatoes and creamy melted feta are the stars in this flavorful casserole. Made in just one baking dish, this hearty dinner is the perfect choice for weeknights when you want minimal cleanup. If you want to amp up the tomato flavor, try adding chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the casserole.
Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This creamy spinach-and-artichoke chicken skillet serves up the classic combo often reserved for dips, elevating it to main-dish status with the addition of quick-cooking chicken cutlets. It’s a one-pan wonder that comes together quickly, perfect for those busy nights when you crave something comforting yet sophisticated without spending hours in the kitchen. We prefer tender canned artichokes here, but be sure to give them a good rinse to wash away some of the sodium. Add some crushed red pepper to give this dish a little kick.
Honey-Garlic Chicken Casserole
Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum
This honey-garlic chicken casserole is the perfect option for when you want a stir-fry with less mess to clean up. To keep prep to a minimum, we use precooked brown rice. Look for it in pouches at the store or whip up this one-pot meal when you have leftovers to spare.
Chickpeas alla Vodka
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
This Chickpeas alla Vodka is the ultra-quick, fiber-packed dinner you’ve been waiting for! Chickpeas are swimming in a creamy vodka sauce that gets enhancements from sautéed garlic, onion and vibrant green baby kale. Crispy, toasted whole-wheat bread is perfect for dipping. You can customize this dish easily by using chard or spinach in place of kale.
Skillet Spinach, Mushroom & Wild Rice Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This wild rice and mushroom casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining hearty, wholesome ingredients with rich, savory flavors all in one skillet. The earthiness of the wild rice pairs beautifully with the meaty mushrooms, while fresh spinach adds a burst of color and nutrients. It’s the perfect balance of texture and taste—a cozy, one-pan meal that’s easy to make, which makes it even more comforting on those busy days!
Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Butter Beans
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These creamy garlic-Parmesan butter beans are a quick and comforting plant-based dinner. Velvety butter beans are simmered in broth with plenty of garlic and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich and flavorful stew-like dinner. Served with crusty bread for dipping, it’s the perfect cozy meal to whip up on a busy evening—hearty, warm and utterly delicious.
