10 Quick and Easy One-Pot Dinners for Busy Weeknights

When the weekdays get hectic, cooking can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Between work commitments, family obligations, and everything in between, there’s little time and energy left for elaborate meal prep. Thankfully, one-pot dinners come to the rescue! These meals are not only quick and easy to prepare, but they also minimize cleanup, giving you more time to unwind at the end of a busy day. In this article, we’ve compiled ten delicious one-pot dinner recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights.

1. One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice

This comforting dish combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a creamy cheese sauce, all cooked in one pot. It’s an excellent option for those craving something hearty without the fuss.

Ingredients:

• • 1 lb chicken breasts, diced

• • 1 cup long-grain white rice

• • 1 cup chicken broth

• • 1 cup milk

• • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• • 1 onion, diced

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until translucent.

1. 1. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned.

1. 1. Stir in the rice, chicken broth, and milk. Bring to a boil.

1. 1. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for about 20 minutes or until rice is cooked.

1. 1. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.

2. One-Pot Pasta Primavera

A colorful dish that highlights seasonal vegetables, this recipe is perfect for showcasing any fresh produce you have on hand.

Ingredients:

• • 8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli)

• • 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli)

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 2 cups vegetable broth

• • 1 tablespoon olive oil

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Parmesan cheese for garnishing

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.

1. 1. Add the mixed vegetables and cook for about 5 minutes.

1. 1. Stir in the pasta and broth, and bring to a boil.

1. 1. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked.

1. 1. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with grated parmesan cheese.

3. One-Pot Beef Stroganoff

This rich and creamy beef stroganoff is ideal for a filling dinner that’s simple to make and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• • 1 lb beef strips

• • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cups beef broth

• • 1 cup sour cream

• • 1 tablespoon flour

• • 2 tablespoons olive oil

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • 8 oz egg noodles

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef strips, then set aside.

1. 1. In the same pot, add onions and mushrooms. Cook until softened.

1. 1. Add flour, stirring to combine. Slowly whisk in beef broth and bring to a boil.

1. 1. Add the egg noodles and cooked beef back into the pot, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer.

1. 1. Cook for about 10 minutes or until noodles are tender. Stir in sour cream before serving.

4. One-Pot Mexican Quinoa

Full of flavor and nutrition, this dish is a fantastic meat-free option, perfect for a quick and wholesome dinner.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup quinoa

• • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

• • 1 can diced tomatoes

• • 1 cup corn

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cups vegetable broth

• • 1 teaspoon cumin

• • 1 teaspoon chili powder

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, sauté the onion until translucent.

1. 1. Add quinoa, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, vegetable broth, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Cook for about 15-20 minutes until quinoa is fluffy.

1. 1. Fluff with a fork before serving. Garnish with avocado or cilantro if desired.

5. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus

This bright and zesty meal comes together in just a few minutes, making it perfect for a last-minute dinner option.

Ingredients:

• • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

• • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into pieces

• • 1 lemon, juiced and zested

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 2 cups vegetable broth

• • 1 cup rice

• • 2 tablespoons olive oil

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant.

1. 1. Add shrimp and asparagus; cook for a few minutes until shrimp is pink and cooked through.

1. 1. Remove shrimp and asparagus; set aside.

1. 1. Add rice, vegetable broth, lemon juice, and zest to the pot. Bring to a boil.

1. 1. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until rice is cooked. Stir in shrimp and asparagus to warm through before serving.

6. One-Pot Spinach and Feta Orzo

This light and refreshing dish is filled with flavor and is a great way to use up leftover spinach.

Ingredients:

• • 8 oz orzo pasta

• • 2 cups fresh spinach

• • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cups vegetable broth

• • 2 tablespoons olive oil

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions until softened.

1. 1. Add orzo and broth, and bring to a boil.

1. 1. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes until orzo is al dente.

1. 1. Stir in spinach and feta, allowing spinach to wilt. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

7. One-Pot Thai Coconut Curry Chicken

This delightful dish is full of fragrant spices and smooth coconut milk, giving it a unique taste that is sure to please.

Ingredients:

• • 1 lb chicken breasts, diced

• • 1 can coconut milk

• • 1 tablespoon red curry paste

• • 1 cup bell peppers, sliced

• • 1 onion, sliced

• • 2 cups vegetable broth

• • 2 cups rice or noodles

• • 1 tablespoon olive oil

• • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onions and bell peppers until soft.

1. 1. Add the chicken and cook until browned.

1. 1. Stir in red curry paste, coconut milk, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.

1. 1. Add rice or noodles, cover, and reduce heat to simmer for about 15 minutes until cooked through.

1. 1. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

8. One-Pot Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

This hearty vegetarian chili is perfect for those chilly nights and is packed with nutrients and flavor.

Ingredients:

• • 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

• • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

• • 1 can diced tomatoes

• • 1 onion, diced

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 2 cups vegetable broth

• • 1 tablespoon chili powder

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.

1. 1. Add sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and chili powder.

1. 1. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 20 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.

1. 1. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

9. One-Pot Mediterranean Couscous

This quick recipe is bursting with Mediterranean flavors and can easily be made vegetarian or vegan by omitting the feta.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup couscous

• • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• • 1 cup cucumber, diced

• • 1/2 cup olives, sliced

• • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

• • 2 cups vegetable broth

• • 2 tablespoons olive oil

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Stir in couscous and remove from heat.

1. 1. Cover and let sit for about 5 minutes until couscous is fluffy.

1. 1. Stir in cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

1. 1. Serve warm or chilled.

10. One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Vegetables

This dish offers a delicious way to enjoy BBQ flavors without firing up the grill, perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients:

• • 1 lb chicken drumsticks or thighs

• • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, zucchini)

• • 1 cup BBQ sauce

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 1 cup chicken broth

• • 1 tablespoon olive oil

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Brown the chicken on all sides.

1. 1. Add onion and mixed vegetables; cook for a few minutes until slightly softened.

1. 1. Stir in BBQ sauce and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.

1. 1. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for about 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

1. 1. Serve over rice or on its own.