Don’t Fill Up The Kitchen Sink—These 60 One-Pan Dinners Are Here To Save Your Weeknights
The best way to do your future self the biggest favor? Save time and throw all your dinner ingredients in one pot! Yes, really. With just a bit of prep (and one pot, one skillet, or one Dutch oven), you'll be on your way to feasting on a dinner that'll keep future you from all that dishwashing. As it turns out, pretty much all the best dinners can be made in just one pot, including fancied-up special occasion meals. Go on and give your dishwasher the night off this week with these 50 easy one-pot recipes!
If you think that one-pot meals sound a bit boring, think again. When you layer all your ingredients in just the right way (like rice, aromatics, and spices), some real magic happens. Look no further than classic paella for proof. Between the crispy rice, tender shrimp, and spicy chorizo, the resulting dish is a true party on your plate. And the same is true for many classic dishes, like coq au vin, braised short ribs, and, of course, pot roast.
Only have a short amount of time, but still want to get something exciting on your weeknight dinner plate? We've got you too. Our one-pot Greek chicken drumsticks, our Mexican beef 'n' rice skillet, our one-pot creamy tortellini & greens, and our one-pan coconut-lime chicken are full of flavor (and color!), without taking too much time in the kitchen.
Best of all, we love that we don't need to dirty up more than one pot to make our favorite pasta dishes now either. No need to take our word for it, just try any of these recipes out and you'll soon see. We have a feeling you'll be stunned that our one-pot French onion pasta, our creamy chicken piccata with gnocchi, and our shrimp fettuccine Alfredo all came together in the same pot, but one bite will make you into a believer.
Sheet-Pan Miso Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Bone-in chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and shallots get smothered with miso-chili sauce and baked until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized and the chicken is juicy and golden brown. The whole thing is topped with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, then served with a little extra chili crisp to make sure this really packs a punch.
Get the Sheet-Pan Miso Chicken & Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Chickpea & Broccoli Alfredo Skillet
Butter-toasted chickpeas and seared broccoli are tossed in a rich Alfredo-style sauce made from heavy cream, shallots, garlic, and Parmesan to create this 35-minute skillet dinner. A pinch of lemon zest and crushed red pepper flakes add much-needed brightness and heat to cut through the rich Alfredo sauce.
Get the Chickpea & Broccoli Alfredo Skillet recipe.
Taco Gnocchi Bake
In this recipe, gnocchi gets the taco treatment for a simple weeknight meal. Along with some ground beef, black beans, and plenty of cheddar cheese, it’s a fun twist on the potato-based pasta.
Get the Taco Gnocchi Bake recipe.
Cheesy Chicken & Pepper Bake
In a rut with your weeknight chicken dinners? Spice things up but keep prep easy with this chicken recipe. You get the convenience of cooking the chicken and peppers in one dish, with the added flavor and fancy-ish feel from a thyme-cream cheese stuffing and colorful sweet peppers beneath.
Get the Cheesy Chicken & Pepper Bake recipe.
Marry Me Chicken
Here, chicken breasts are seared until golden brown before being baked in a simple (but extremely satisfying) cream sauce that results in a dish that's packed with flavor. Be prepared—this chicken just might inspire a confession of love at first bite.
Get the Marry Me Chicken recipe.
Mexican Street Corn Skillet
Think elote, the ever delightful Mexican street corn, but include some chicken for a one-pan chicken dinner. Comforting yet bright with fresh lime and smoky spices, the dish lifts the mood and satisfies cravings for explosive Mexican flavors. Serve with queso fresco, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and chiles, either on its own or with warm tortillas.
Get the Mexican Street Corn Skillet recipe.
One-Pan Eggplant Parm Orzo
Eggplant Parm is very high on our comfort food dinners list, but we don’t always feel like breaking out the oil for frying. To get all of the textures and flavors of the OG without the cleanup job, we transformed classic eggplant Parmesan into a one-pan dinner that’s as delicious as it is filling.
Get the One-Pan Eggplant Parm Orzo recipe.
One-Pan Cheesy Broccoli-Cheddar Orzo
This quick and easy orzo recipe is a 30-minute dinner that’s low on dishes and full of gooey, melted cheese flavor. It’s like an adult twist on mac and cheese that the entire family will love.
Get the One-Pan Cheesy Broccoli-Cheddar Orzo recipe.
Black Bean Sweet Potato Taco Skillet
Want taco night without the multiple pans and (semi-?) controlled chaos of a build-your-own dinner? Make this taco skillet. Saucy, spiced sweet potatoes and black beans are tossed with crushed tortilla chips and topped with melty cheese for a simple one-pan meal that will be your new weeknight go-to.
Get the Black Bean Sweet Potato Taco Skillet recipe.
White Chicken Chili
The white beans make it heartier than your average chicken noodle soup, the green chiles and jalapeño add just the right amount of spice, and a dollop of sour cream adds a tangy creaminess that keeps you coming back for more. Considering the whole thing comes together in less than an hour, it's a total weeknight dinner winner.
Get the White Chicken Chili recipe.
Cacio E Pepe White Beans Skillet
Craving 5-star flavors at home on a weeknight? Make these cacio e pepe white beans. Using just six ingredients, this classy one-pan dinner promises the luscious richness and bold flavors of a fine dining restaurant in just 15 minutes.
Get the Cacio E Pepe White Beans Skillet recipe.
Chicken & Broccoli
This fast and easy one-pot chicken and broccoli recipe is coated in a sweet and savory sauce with plenty of ginger and garlic for a weeknight dinner that beats take-out. This dish comes together in 20 minutes with minimal prep work too. Win win!
Get the Chicken & Broccoli recipe.
Chicken Alfredo
While it may seem fancy, this chicken Alfredo recipe is a beginner-friendly dish that truly anyone can master. This one-pot dinner comes together in 30 minutes, making it a perfect easy meal to whip up for any occasion, whether you're searching for a romantic meal for two or the most satisfying weeknight dinner.
Get the Chicken Alfredo recipe.
Classic Paella
This Spanish dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleasing centerpiece for special occasions and parties, but honestly, this dish is enough reason to celebrate all on its own. Listen to the crackling and peek through the rice in the middle to ensure that it’s browning properly and not burning (you can always hide the hole with a piece of shrimp 😉).
Get the Classic Paella recipe.
One-Pan Coconut-Lime Chicken
If our creamy Tuscan chicken is a mainstay at your house, this recipe is going to be just the thing to shake up your weeknight dinner routine. We paired quick-cooking chicken cutlets with a spicy-sweet coconut milk sauce that’s out-of-this-world tasty.
Get the One-Pan Coconut-Lime Chicken recipe.
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
This savory-sweet salmon is quick and easy enough for weeknights (ready in under 30 minutes), but is also fancy enough for special occasions. If you’re a seafood novice, don’t sweat it: Searing fish might seem intimidating, but with our top tips, you’ll be a pro in no time.
Get the Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon recipe.
Skillet Eggplant Parm
This dish has all the eggplant Parm flavors you love—including sliced rounds of tender eggplant, tangy marinara sauce, and plenty of cheese. Instead of breading each slice of eggplant, though, you'll top the entire skillet with panko bread crumbs, making it easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Skillet Eggplant Parm recipe.
One-Pot Creamy Tortellini & Greens
Here, cheese-filled tortellini are delicately simmered in a velvety cream sauce with vibrant, fresh greens (we went with kale and spinach, but feel free to use up whatever you’ve got in the fridge). With this one-pot wonder and just a handful of ingredients, you can have it all—in just 20 minutes.
Get the One-Pot Creamy Tortellini & Greens recipe.
One-Pot Pepperoncini Chicken & Rice
Love our chicken & rice casserole, but craving a little more flavor? In this rendition, deglazing your pan with the pickling liquid from pepperoncini gives creamy rice a zappy hit that leans more sweet than spicy.
Get the One-Pot Pepperoncini Chicken & Rice recipe.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
When it comes to chicken breast recipes, it's hard to beat this one. The sauce is simple but so flavorful thanks to garlic, tomatoes, and most importantly, cream. It's bright and easy and just as good in the summer as it is in the winter, whether you're craving comfort food or a dinner fancy enough for guests.
Get the Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe.
Mexican Beef 'N' Rice Skillet
Is there anything better than a one-skillet meal? We don’t think so, particularly if it’s as family-friendly and quick as this one, featuring spiced ground beef, flavorful rice, hearty beans, and lots of cheese. It all comes together in just 40 minutes with minimal prep too!
Get the Mexican Beef 'N' Rice Skillet recipe.
Perfect Pot Roast
This slow-cooking dish is the meal to make when you want to impress and satisfy without a crazy amount of effort. The shredded beef meal comes complete with tender potatoes and carrots and a sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything. You’ll need some time and patience, but trust us—the result is more than worth it.
Get the Perfect Pot Roast recipe.
One-Pan Crispy Chicken Primavera
Just when you thought pasta primavera was the king of spring comfort food, we’re dropping this one-pan chicken primavera. In it, crispy-skinned chicken thighs are roasted alongside spring veggies and topped with a confetti of goat cheese and herbs for a dinner that captures the promise of warmer days.
Get the One-Pan Crispy Chicken Primavera recipe.
One-Pot Creamy Kimchi Shells
This tangy, rich pasta kind of feels like mac & cheese’s cool older cousin. Maybe that’s because it comes complete with 3 layers of umami flavor: kimchi, Parmesan, and gochujang, a Korean fermented red chili paste.
Get the One-Pot Creamy Kimchi Shells recipe.
Classic Coq Au Vin
Coq Au Vin or rooster with wine is a classic French dish that isn't as complicated as it sounds. Chicken is braised in a silky wine sauce and finished off with butter for the most perfect sauce. Use a nice red wine here and even better if it's from Burgundy!
Get the Classic Coq Au Vin recipe.
Pizza Beans Skillet
Tired, hungry, and running low on groceries? Pizza beans have your back. Featuring simple pantry staples and only 30 minutes of cooking time, this comforting one-pan dinner promises to make any weeknight feel special.
Get the Pizza Beans Skillet recipe.
One-Pan Greek Chicken Drumsticks
Drumsticks are the unsung hero of dinner in this easy-to-execute, one-pan, Greek-inspired chicken meal. To lend the dish Greek vibes, you'll prepare a creamy, lemon-y orzo that finishes off in the oven with the drumsticks. Then a tasty sprinkle of tomatoes, olives, and dill give the whole dish a fresh finish.
Get the One-Pan Greek Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
One-Pot Shrimp Primavera
We use some of our favorite classic veggies for this pasta primavera, but use what you have! Throw in some broccoli or squash or some greens like kale and spinach—nothing is a bad idea here.
Get the One-Pot Shrimp Primavera recipe.
One-Pot Creamy Spinach Artichoke & Chicken Pasta
If spinach-artichoke is one of your favorite dips, then this easy one-pot pasta is for you. The pasta cooks right in the pot with everything else, making dinner hassle-free (and still plenty cheesy!).
Get the One-Pot Creamy Spinach Artichoke & Chicken Pasta recipe.
One-Skillet Creamy Thai Basil Chicken
This totally delicious mashup of coconut rice and Thai basil chicken gets dinner done in one skillet. It brings all the flavors of Thai cuisine you crave into your home with ingredients you can find in most grocery stores. Weeknight dinner win!
Get the One-Skillet Creamy Thai Basil Chicken recipe.
Shrimp & Rice
This particular easy recipe is packed with smart cooking know-how. Rather than just topping plain rice with sautéed shrimp, you'll instead build flavor in the pan before steaming the rice. 😍
Get the Shrimp & Rice recipe.
Vegetable Curry
When you want something comforting, savory, and just a little spicy, you can’t go wrong with some form of curry. In this recipe, a variety of vegetables takes center stage alongside a creamy Thai-style curry. We promise you won’t even miss the meat.
Get the Vegetable Curry recipe.
Creamy Tuscan Orzo
If you love creamy risotto, but not the time it takes to make it, this Italian-inspired orzo recipe is for you. It all comes together in one pot, with starch from the miniature pasta helping to thicken the sauce to great effect. Best part? It only takes about half an hour to cook from start to finish.
Get the Creamy Tuscan Orzo recipe.
One-Pan Tuna Pasta
This recipe is a bit of a riff on a pasta puttanesca, using familiar ingredients such as capers, anchovies, and olives. But instead of sitting over a pot of simmering tomato sauce, I used sun-dried tomatoes to form a paste that, when combined with pasta water, is transformed into a luscious sauce–and it’s all made in one pan!
Get the One-Pan Tuna Pasta recipe.
Cheesy White Bean Skillet
Need a quick brunch meal or breakfast-for-dinner on the fly? We bet you’ve got the ingredients for this in your kitchen already. Believe it or not, if you've got eggs, canned white beans, and some marinara, you've got a meal! The best part? This easy, cheesy recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes. 😉
Get the Cheesy White Bean Skillet recipe.
Lemon Butter Feta Chicken Pasta
A creamy, rich pasta sauce with fresh lemon and tangy feta, plus juicy chicken thighs all come together in one pot for a very simple but satisfying meal. Think of it like the even easier version of everyone’s favorite baked feta pasta.
Get the Lemon Butter Feta Chicken Pasta recipe.
One-Pot Farro With Chicken Sausage & Tomatoes
This one-pot dish is a flavor bomb that is packed with veggies. Chicken sausage, fennel, onions, and hearty farro are seasoned with pickled, mildly spicy pepperoncini and garlic to create a savory, stew-like rice dish. Topped with cherry tomatoes and lots of Parm, there's no better meal.
Get the One-Pot Farro With Chicken Sausage & Tomatoes recipe.
One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Pasta
This creamy pasta is kind of the grown-up version of mac & cheese, but even easier and better. Broccoli is a star here, coated in cheese with a kick of heat from red pepper flakes.
Get the One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Pasta recipe.
One-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus
When we're craving something light and easy, this one-pan meal is one we turn to again and again. Chicken, asparagus and cherry tomatoes are all cooked alongside a sharp, acidic, yet sweet homemade balsamic glaze in this recipe, so you can enjoy a dinner with maximum flavor and minimum cleanup.
Get the One-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus recipe.
Ravioli Shakshuka
Traditional shakshuka has runny eggs that have simmered in the warmly spiced tomato sauce, but in this version we traded out the eggs for ravioli for a dish that's every bit as satisfying. Serve it with some crusty bread for swiping in the sauce and you have the coziest weeknight dinner in about 30 minutes.
Get the Ravioli Shakshuka recipe.
Sweet Corn Shrimp & Rice Skillet
This light but satisfying dinner starts with a vibrant sauce made with some of our favorite flavors: sweet bell peppers, nutty white miso, and earthy turmeric, along with plenty of garlic and ginger. Topped with garlicky sautéed shrimp, this meal comes complete with protein, carb, and plenty of veg.
Get the Sweet Corn Shrimp & Rice Skillet recipe.
One-Pot French Onion Pasta
We’re big fans of one-pot pastas and French onion soup-flavored everything, so it was just a matter of time until we combined those two awesome things into one delicious, caramelized onions-filled dish.
Get the One-Pot French Onion Pasta recipe.
Vegetable Paella (Paella Verdura)
This veggie-packed paella comes together in under an hour, and, even better, most of the cooking happens in the oven. Briefly returning the skillet to the stovetop after baking is the key to achieving a crispy rice crust on the bottom, often referred to as socarrat (meaning “burnt” in Catalan).
Get the Vegetable Paella (Paella Verdura) recipe.
Goulash
We love that everything in this goulash cooks together in one pot—even the pasta! Cooking the macaroni directly in the goulash means the pasta gets to soak up all that beef and tomato flavor while simultaneously releasing some of its starch into the pan, thickening to create a hearty, comforting stew. 😍
Get the Goulash recipe.
Thai Red Curry Coconut Noodles
These 100% vegan noodles are perfect for super-hungry nights when you’re short on time. Feel free to swap in your favorite quick-cooking vegetables and adjust the amount of curry paste to your spice preference. Hot top: make sure to keep stirring once your noodles are added so they don't stick!
Get the Thai Red Curry Coconut Noodles recipe.
One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac
One of our favorite comfort food recipes, this weeknight dinner combines two classics: mac & cheese and hearty vegetarian chili. This smoky, flavor-packed meal all comes together in one pot, and it's SUPER versatile. Throw in your favorite bean and pasta shape, melt in your favorite cheese, and top with whatever you like—as long as it's crunchy 😉.
Get the One-Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac recipe.
One-Pot Shawarma Chicken Orzo Skillet
The flavors in this recipe take their cues from shawarma, the popular Levantine dish that features thin cuts of seasoned meat. The spice mix here is a shortcut to those delicious flavors. Each bite of flavorful chicken is nicely balanced by the tomato-cucumber-feta salad and chewy orzo.
Get the One-Pot Shawarma Chicken Orzo Skillet recipe.
Skillet Chicken Cacciatore
As the origin story goes, this dish emerged as a means to feed hunters, using the meat, mushrooms, and herbs they’d collected. While we may not have been out hunting, after a long day this dish is still particularly comforting, not in the least because it all comes together in one pot.
Get the Skillet Chicken Cacciatore recipe.
Cacio E Pepe Chicken
This recipe starts like just like its inspiration—cacio e pepe—with pecorino Romano and black pepper, but here’s where it deviates: we wanted to create a saucy moment, so we chose to sear and braise succulent bone-in chicken thighs in an aromatic white wine broth until tender.
Get the Cacio E Pepe Chicken recipe.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon & Orzo
The weeknight dinner hall of fame is full of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but we’d argue that salmon fillets deserve a spot too. When you’re in the mood for a one-pan dinner that delivers on the comfort food factor, this recipe with creamy orzo and sun-dried tomatoes is the one to turn to.
Get the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon & Orzo recipe.
One-Pan Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Gnocchi
Do you love spinach & artichoke dip? Us too! While we’re all for a chip and dip dinner, that’s not the most family-friendly weeknight meal, so we thought, What if we turned it into a pasta dish?
Get the One-Pan Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Gnocchi recipe.
One-Pan Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi
When everything cooks together, everyone wins. The chicken finishes cooking in the sauce, making it the easiest comfort meal ever. It's what weeknight dinner dreams are made of!
Get the One-Pan Creamy Chicken & Gnocchi recipe.
One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Orzo
Here, chicken, orzo, spinach, and feta come together into a complete meal that’s quick enough for a weeknight, but beautiful enough to serve to friends at a dinner party. It’s easy and delicious and, best of all, won’t load up your sink with a ton of dishes.
Get the One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Orzo recipe.
Chicken Burrito Bowl Skillet
To make these burrito bowls, you take your basic burrito fillings—in this case taco-spiced chicken and black bean rice—and cook them in the same skillet. The result is a family-friendly dinner with way less dishes to wash after.
Get the Chicken Burrito Bowl Skillet recipe.
One-Pan Salsa Verde Shrimp & Rice
Love the simplicity of our shrimp & rice recipe, but want to add a little something to jazz it up? Grab a jar of salsa verde (or make your own!) and you'll be in business.
Get the One-Pan Salsa Verde Shrimp & Rice.
One-Pan Cajun Orzo With Sausage
A dish this easy and good doesn't come along everyday. It's creamy and spicy with all of the comfort and ease you crave for a weeknight dinner. It also comes together in just about 30 minutes, and the cleanup is even faster.
Get the One-Pan Cajun Orzo with Sausage recipe.
Cajun Shrimp with Bell Peppers & Corn
The star of this shrimp recipe relies on Cajun seasoning, which adds a bold, smoky flavor to the entire dish. Use the jar you have on hand, or make our easy, homemade Cajun seasoning to use again and again. As far as veggies go, we went with bell peppers, onions, and corn, but any stir-fry vegetable would work here.
Get the Cajun Shrimp with Bell Peppers & Corn recipe.
Red Curry Chicken Thighs & Rice
In this one-pan wonder, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs get seasoned with garam masala and pan-seared, then smothered in a creamy, slightly spicy red curry sauce before being served over rice with a wedge of lime.
Get the Red Curry Chicken Thighs & Rice recipe.
One-Pot Adobo Chicken & Rice
Adobo sauce and chipotle chiles bring a little heat and spice this dinner up. The components of adobo seasoning are also featured here and are what you would use if you wanted to make your own version of the Spanish sauce. If you'd rather use chicken breasts, you can always swap out the thighs to.
Get the One-Pot Adobo Chicken & Rice recipe.
One-Pan Chicken & Quinoa
Here’s a quick dinner that’s high in protein and takes very little effort. We love the Tex-Mex spices here; the chili powder and cayenne add a nice kick that the avocado and sour cream perfectly offset. Of course, feel free to use a little less of either spice if you prefer.
Get the One-Pan Chicken & Quinoa recipe.
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