Let’s be real, there is some weekends where cleaning a sink full of dishes is not happening. And what do you know, that same energy probably goes to you too. That’s exactly what these 16 one-pot dinners are about. Big, cozy, comforting flavors, minimal mess, and time left over to do something else. Grab a drink, let’s make cooking for the weekend way too easy.
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1) Jambalaya
Recipe and video by Brittney R.
Dinner is handled every Sunday
Get 5 easy family dinners, printable recipe cards, and one grocery list. Simple meals, normal ingredients, no more starting from zero at 5pm.
This is a super simple jambalaya to make at home, and it starts with a rotisserie chicken that you're going to shred and then set aside.
2) Tomato Beef Stew
Recipe by Chelsea Aye
This one-pot beef stew is easy to prep, cook, and let stew without much stress, with all the flavor. It is a warm, soothing meal for the upcoming winter that is perfectly paired with a bowl of white rice.
3) Taco Soup
All the taco night vibes, minus the assembly line of toppings to wrangle.
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the ground beef and onion in a large pot, draining any excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning until fragrant.
- Add the beans, corn, tomatoes and broth.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer 20 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and top with cheese or sour cream.
Notes
4) Chicken Alfredo
Creamy and simple, this one-pot dish lets the pasta soak up all the delicious sauce.
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter in a large pot and cook the chicken until browned, then add the garlic.
- Pour in the broth and cream and bring to a simmer.
- Add the fettuccine and cook, stirring often, until the pasta is tender and the liquid reduces.
- Stir in the parmesan until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Season to taste and serve right away.
Notes
5) Beef Stroganoff
You can sit in comfort and enjoy the memories created around dinner time.
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the sliced beef in butter in a large pot, then set aside.
- Cook the mushrooms and onion until softened.
- Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer.
- Add the egg noodles and cook until tender, stirring often.
- Return the beef and stir in the sour cream off the heat, then serve.
Notes
6) Ratatouille
Bright summer veggies combined to create a delicious dish are even better than their individual charms!
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Ingredients
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot and cook the onion and pepper until softened.
- Add the eggplant and zucchini and cook a few minutes more.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and herbes de Provence.
- Cover and simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and serve warm with crusty bread.
Notes
7) Shrimp Fried Rice
You save time versus takeout and avoid delivery fees. That's a win in my book.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the sesame oil in a large pot or wok and cook the shrimp until pink, then set aside.
- Scramble the beaten eggs in the same pot.
- Add the peas and carrots and cook until heated through.
- Stir in the cold rice and soy sauce, tossing until everything is hot and coated.
- Return the shrimp, fold in the green onions and serve.
Notes
8) Lentil Curry
This delicious meatless dinner is super affordable and will leave you feeling all warm and cozy. Even the most meat-loving family members will ask for it again!
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion and garlic in a large pot until soft.
- Stir in the curry powder and cook until fragrant.
- Add the lentils, tomatoes, coconut milk and broth.
- Simmer 20 to 25 minutes until the lentils are tender and creamy.
- Season with salt and serve over rice.
Notes
9) Minestrone Soup
A big pot of this means lunch is taken care of too, and that’s something I always appreciate!
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion, carrots and celery in a large pot until softened.
- Add the tomatoes and broth and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the beans and simmer 15 minutes.
- Add the pasta and cook until tender.
- Season with salt, pepper and a handful of fresh herbs, then serve.
Notes
10) Tuscan Chicken
This dish is creamy and fancy enough for people to not know how simple it is to make! There are sun-dried tomatoes to make it even more delicious!
Ingredients
Method
- Sear the chicken in olive oil until golden on both sides, then set aside.
- Cook the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in the same pot until fragrant.
- Pour in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the spinach and parmesan until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens.
- Return the chicken and simmer until it reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part, then spoon the sauce over the top.
Notes
11) Pad Thai
This dish has my heart for that sweet, tangy, peanutty sauce.
Ingredients
Method
- Soak the rice noodles in warm water until pliable, then drain.
- Cook the shrimp in a large pot or wok until pink, then push to the side.
- Scramble the beaten eggs in the same pot.
- Add the noodles, fish sauce and tamarind paste and toss until coated.
- Fold in the bean sprouts, top with crushed peanuts and serve with lime.
Notes
12) Lasagna
You can absolutely make one pot lasagna, and yes, it is just as cozy and there is half the clean up!
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the ground beef and garlic in a large pot, draining excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and water and bring to a simmer.
- Add the broken lasagna noodles and cook, stirring often, until tender.
- Dollop the ricotta over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella.
- Cover until the cheese melts, then let it rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
13) Portuguese Chicken
This chicken contains a hint of smokiness and spiciness, so juicy it'll probably become your go-to chicken.
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the chicken thighs in olive oil, then set aside.
- Soften the onion and garlic in the same pot.
- Stir in the smoked paprika and red pepper flakes until fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and return the chicken.
- Cover and simmer 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, then serve over rice.
Notes
14) Egg Fried Rice
Incredible how this fridge-clean-out dinner always tastes great!
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or wok and scramble the beaten eggs, then set aside.
- Add the peas and carrots and cook until heated through.
- Stir in the cold rice and soy sauce, tossing until hot.
- Fold the scrambled eggs back in along with the green onions.
- Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and serve.
Notes
15) Butternut Squash Risotto
Golden, creamy, and worth every minute on a cozy weekend stirring!
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter in a large pot and cook the onion until soft.
- Add the squash and rice and stir to coat.
- Pour in the wine and let it absorb.
- Add the warm broth one ladle at a time, stirring until absorbed before adding more, about 25 minutes.
- Stir in the parmesan once the rice is creamy and tender, then serve.
Notes
16) Chicken Paprikash
This classic Hungarian dish is as delicious as it is comforting.
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the chicken thighs in butter, then set aside.
- Soften the onion in the same pot, then stir in the paprika.
- Pour in the broth and return the chicken, then cover and simmer 25 minutes.
- Whisk the flour into the sour cream, then stir it into the sauce off the heat.
- Simmer gently until the sauce thickens and serve over egg noodles.
