17 easy one-pot recipes that’ll make you side-eye every other pot you own

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One-pot recipes are a great way to keep things simple and make you wonder if you really need more than one pot. With fewer dishes to wash and no need to keep track of multiple steps, cooking gives you a little breather. When everything comes together in one pot, focusing on the joy of making a meal is easier than worrying about cleanup. These recipes aren’t just about saving time — they’re about making things easier for you, one meal at a time.

Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is your go-to for a no-stress, comforting meal ready in just an hour. This one-pot wonder blends sweet potatoes and red peppers with a hint of cream for a smooth texture. This soup is easy to make and packed with nutrients, perfect for an evening when you only want to relax and enjoy a hearty meal without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites is a delicious dinner option that comes together in one pot in about 20 minutes. They combine chicken, garlic, and butter for a straightforward, flavorful dish. This meal is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious but simple to clean up after. With this recipe, you’re all set for a stress-free dinner that leaves you more time to enjoy your evening.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole brings all your ingredients together in one pot for a stress-free cooking experience. Ready in about 45 minutes, this meal mixes bell peppers, ground meat, rice, and cheese for a filling dinner that’s both delicious and easy to prepare. It’s particularly good for those busy nights when you’re looking for a nutritious meal but want to keep cleanup to a minimum. It’s smart to include more veggies in your dinner in a form that even the pickiest eaters will appreciate.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is your answer to a quick, delicious meal that’s also easy to clean up. This one-pot recipe features tender chicken thighs and mushrooms in a luscious creamy sauce, ready in about 30 minutes. This dish is also a practical way to use leftover mushrooms, making sure nothing goes to waste. It’s all about enjoying a gourmet meal with none of the stress.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice makes your dinner routine delightfully simple. It combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and cheese in just one skillet, this meal is ready in 30 minutes and makes cleanup a breeze. This dish is perfect for when you’re short on time but still want a good meal for you and your family — showing you don’t really need a pile of pots and pans to create something truly good.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Simplify your dinner routine with Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. This one-pan meal mixes shrimp, fresh spinach, and tomatoes with a touch of garlic for a quick and good dish. Ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish and perfect when you want a nutritious dinner but don’t want a messy kitchen afterward. It’s a simple, effective way to enjoy a seafood dish that feels special without all the effort.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

If you want to cut down on kitchen clutter, Sausage Curry could be just what you need. It combines sausages and veggies in a rich curry sauce cooked in one pot. This meal is ready in 45 minutes, perfect for busy nights when you need a comforting meal without the stress of cleaning multiple pots and pans — making your dinner routine smoother and simpler.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a one-pot meal that’s easy to make and comforting. This soup takes the classic flavors of chicken pot pie — tender chicken, creamy broth, and hearty vegetables — and simplifies the process into an approachable 45-minute cook time. It’s the perfect dish for a busy evening when you need something soothing but simple to prepare. With everything cooked in one pot, you’ll have fewer dishes to wash and more time to enjoy your dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make your evening meals stress-free with Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken, a one-skillet wonder that’s both delicious and easy to clean up. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish features chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy sauce that perfectly combines everything. It’s perfect for those nights when you’re short on time but still want a delicious meal. Using just one skillet keeps your kitchen tidy and your evening relaxed.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken mixes succulent chicken, crispy bacon, and a smooth, tangy Dijon mustard sauce, all enhanced with herbs and spinach. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor or heartiness. It’s a helpful, straightforward approach to making a filling dinner that keeps your kitchen orderly and your family satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is a game-changer on busy nights. It’s packed with Italian sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and spices. This soup combines rich flavors in a creamy broth. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a full meal that doesn’t require sides and is perfect for evenings when you want something hearty and easy. This one-pot meal cuts down on washing up and saves you time — which is time you could spend relaxing instead of cleaning.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup with vegetables and herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tortellini Soup combines chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, carrots, peas, and a rich broth seasoned with garlic and herbs. This 40-minute meal is a straightforward solution for those evenings looking for comfort without effort. It’s perfect for any day of the week, particularly when you’re short on time but crave something comforting and filling. With this one-pot recipe, you’ll have less to clean and more time to enjoy your evening.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a must-have with chicken breasts in a lush sauce made with garlic, herbs and melted Parmesan. It’s a crowd-pleaser, ready in about 30 minutes, and involves minimal prep and cleanup. This meal is great for impressing guests or treating yourself on a weeknight. Plus, it keeps your evening free from the chaos of dishes — because sometimes, one pot is all you need.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage and Sausage is the straightforward, no-frills dinner solution you’ve sought. Just throw cabbage, sausage, onion, and spices into a pan and have it ready in less than 30 minutes. The combination of sausage and crunchy cabbage is a simple yet delicious meal. This recipe is great for a weeknight when your time is on a short leash and you need something nutritious and filling.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a gold spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a creamy, comforting mix of mushrooms, onions, garlic, and a touch of paprika in a rich broth in just about 45 minutes. This one-pot wonder shows just how easy it is to deliver a full-flavored meal without the hassle of multiple pans. And it’s perfect for mushroom lovers looking for a simple way to enjoy a classic comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Corn Soup is a light, creamy soup that combines chicken, creamed corn, potatoes, and a gentle chicken broth to create a comforting dish in less than an hour. This one-pot meal is a lifesaver on busy nights, serving a quick, delicious dinner that won’t leave you with a sink full of dishes. It’s perfect for when you need a nutritious meal that doesn’t require much attention or time. With this recipe, one pot does all the work, letting you kick back sooner and enjoy your meal stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

White Bean Soup

A bowl of white bean soup with carrots and croutons.
White Bean Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

White Bean Soup is your answer to a quick, healthy dinner. It’s loaded with white beans, carrots, and seasonings, and this soup thickens perfectly without cream, thanks to puréed beans. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s perfect for a nutritious weeknight meal without skimping on flavor. Plus, it’s cooked in just one pot, so you can enjoy a wholesome dinner and have only one dish to wash — making it perfect for busy folks.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

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