52 One-Pot Meals That Are As Reliable As They Are Comforting (2024)

It doesn't get much easier — or flavorful — than this easy chicken and rice casserole, made in just one pot with simple ingredients.

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Have you been dreaming of a creamy, satisfying dinner that can be made in 30 minutes? This one-pot pasta dish with juicy beef meatballs is it!

Recipe:One-Pot Swedish Meatball Pasta

This flavorful vegetable curry with chickpeas and potatoes iscooked in coconut milk and aromatic spices for an easy weeknight dinner that can be made in just one pot.

Recipe:Simple Veggie Curry

This easy 30-minute pasta recipe transforms ingredients that you already have in your kitchen into a posh, seafood dish fancy enough to serve at your next dinner party. Don’t be surprised if this becomes your favorite quick go-to.

Recipe: One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Chicken thighs are seared until crispy in a cast iron skillet, then the drippings are used to bolster a creamy pan sauce made with garlic, onion, tomatoes, and spinach for a dish that hits all the flavor notes.

Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Is there a more comforting pairing than chicken and rice? Add poblanos for smokiness, black beans for heartiness, and cilantro and lime for freshness and you've got a one-pot winner of a dish.

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The combination of ground beef, cheddar cheese, and Worcestershire sauce perfectly replicates the juiciness and savory flavor of cheeseburgers, without the mess!

Recipe:One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta

Pasta dishes are especially easy to make in a single pot. To put together this pasta dish, for example, just brown the chicken, dump the rest of the ingredients in, and cook!

Recipe:One-Pot Chicken Alfredo

An amazing source of plant-based protein, chickpeas abound in this creamy curry that's also brimming with spices and life-giving tomatoes, broccoli, and spinach.

Recipe:One-Pot Chickpea Curry

Sweet and savory pad Thai is underrated in the world of easy-to-make one-pot dishes. Season as you go with fish sauce, that pungent, salty, umami-loaded liquid that makes everything taste better.

Recipe:One-Pot Pad Thai

Jollof rice isn't just rice, it's a universe of flavors packed into one dish. It's seriously hard to put down and objectively one of the best rice dishes of all time.

Recipe:Chicken Jollof Rice

For an even juicier steak, try marinating the beef beforehand with a sprinkle of kosher salt all over.

Recipe:Beef and Broccoli

This chicken dish is so flavorful, it works with everything from rice and noodles to quinoa or even a bed of greens.

Recipe:Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken

These little tacos are great for small and big hungers alike. Have one as a snack, have three with a side of rice and beans, or load a pair up with all the guac and cheese your heart desires.

Recipe:Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

If you've got time to fill up a single pot with some chopped ingredients and leave it to work its magic for four hours, then you've got time to make this amazing butter chicken.

Recipe:Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

It's hard to nail the complex and layered flavor of a great tikka masala, but this recipe comes pretty darn close — and with a pretty simple recipe at that!

Recipe:Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

There's a reason that lemon pepper is a ready-made seasoning you can buy at any grocery store! It goes great on chicken, salads, and even rice. Try out the perfect flavor combination of this tasty one-pot recipe.

Recipe:Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

Full disclosure: This meal will also require you to sear the meat in a separate pan, but trust me when I say it's worth the flavor!

Recipe:Slow Cooker Barbacoa-Style Beef Tacos

When it comes to soups, this tomato soup puts the canned stuff to shame. Especially because it's so much more flavorful andlow-effort.

Recipe:Slow-Cooker Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

Marinated and cooked in a slow cooker for over seven hours, these ribs will fall off the bone at the slightest tug.

Recipe:Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Serious question: Is there anything more comforting than a sweet, mildly nutty bowl of this butternut squash soup?

Recipe:Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

I can't believe a dish so flavorful comes together so simply. Just place pork shoulder, beans, vegetables, and sauce in a slow cooker, then top with cornbread and cheese.

Recipe:Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Cornbread Chili

If you love someone, make them this soup that's packed with good-for-you vegetables, vitamins, and a soothing broth.

Recipe:Slow-Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup

Ladle over a bed of steaming sticky rice or quinoa for a complete meal.

Recipe:Slow-Cooker Thai Green Curry

I always thought that only years of culinary training could yield tender roast like this. Turns out, all you need is a slow cooker or instant pot!

Recipe:Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

To reduce the juice in the final dish, drain the tomatoes before placing them in the slow cooker.

Recipes:Slow-Cooker Steak Fajitas

If you don't have shells, rigatoni or farfalle are also a great pasta option for scooping up all that cheesy goodness.

Recipe:Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

The simplicity of this one-pot makes it an easy choice for a weeknight dinner. Remember to top with Parmesan for extra umami.

Recipe:One-Pot Basil Pasta

Using an oven-proof pot means you can sear the meat and finish the rest of the recipe in one tool.

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Have some podcast episodes you've been dying to get through? Queue them up and make this risotto, which requires 25 minutes of stirring but not much more than that.

Recipe:One-Pot Bacon and Wild Mushroom Risotto

Broccoli and sweet potatoes become tender, sweet, and creamy vegetables in this velvety coconut curry.

Recipe:Slow Cooker Coconut Curry

The best remedy for a cold, wintry day is this soup, which comes loaded with broccoli, carrots, and cheddar cheese.

Recipe:One-Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

No tortillas, beef, or chicken are needed to make this absolutely delicious Mexican-inspired quinoa.

Recipe:One-Pot Mexican Quinoa

With a jar of pesto, you're only a few steps away from a creamy chicken pesto pasta dinner. You can make your ownor just buy a jar at the store.

Recipe:One-Pan Garlic Chicken Pesto Pasta

This five-ingredient stir-fry sauce — consisting of just soy sauce, garlic, honey, ginger, and sesame seeds — is the literal secret sauce to this pared down stir-fry recipe.

Recipe:One-Pan Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry

Love a spicy kick? This slurp-worthy pasta dish hides layers of tomato and shrimp flavor, all enveloped in a sprinkling of spicy red flakes.

Recipe:One-Pot Garlic Tomato Shrimp Pasta

Chicken thighs are the best cut of chicken — and this recipe doubles the flavor with a one-two punch of sweet brown sugar + honey and savory garlic.

Recipe:One-Pan Honey Garlic Chicken

If your favorite part of a lasagna is the bright tomato sauce, then this one's for you. We swapped meat with lentils but kept 100% of the flavor.

Recipe:Vegan Lasagna Soup

This meal is like three meals in one, but don't be surprised if there are no leftovers.

Recipe:One-Pot Chicken, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Pasta

Make a large batch of this soup, and freeze half of it for a rainy day.

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No meat? No problem. This enchilada rice is shockingly filling and protein-packed, all thanks to a bubbling layer of cheese and lots of creamy black beans.

Recipe:One-Pot Enchilada Rice

Rigatoni might be made with the same stuff as penne or plain ol' spaghetti, but I swear it tastes so much better and chewier. In this sausage and spinach red sauce, it's like enjoying a restaurant-made meal right at home.

Recipe:Sausage, Spinach, Tomato Rigatoni

For those days you want a super flavorful dish that's light on your stomach, this noodle soup comes to the rescue. It comes loaded with good-for-you ingredients like ginger, broccoli, and tofu, and a coconut milk-based broth that will have you eating in complete silence.

Recipe:Curry Noodle Soup

A few people who've tried the recipe recommend that you pre-cook the rice and add an additional half can of cream of chicken for optimal flavor.

Recipe:Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake

Any veggies you include in this recipe will soften into a creamy consistency, so feel free to chop them all into large pieces.

Recipe:Chinese Chicken Curry

I know, nothing beats the convenience of boxed mac 'n' cheese. But the store-bought stuff has nothing on this ooey gooey, can't-stop-until-the-plate's-empty iteration of America's favorite comfort food.

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One hour is all it takes to make this rich and buttery curry sauce that'll go great over a bed of rice or with naan bread (or why not both?).

Recipe:Instant Pot Butter Chicken

It's super easy to personalize this dish with all your favorite seasonings, including paprika, cayenne, hot sauce, or simply some extra salt.

Recipe:Arroz con Pollo with Matt and Patrick

Whether you grew up eating Hamburger Helper or not, get ready to integrate this loaded bacon- and beef-packed pasta dish into your dinner rotation.

Recipe:Elevated Hamburger Helper

This beef stew is so thick and toothsome that you honestly don't need a whole lot of egg noodles, or any at all.

Recipe:Classic Beef Stew

This Indian dish made of braised meat, loads of spices, and yogurt, is made lighter with low fat yogurt and single cream.

Recipe:Lighter Chicken Korma

A chili is one of the best examples of an excellent one-pot meal that benefits from all the ingredients — including beef, beans, vegetables, and seasoning — blended beautifully into one savory soup.

Recipe:Easy Stout Beer Chili