19 one-pot dinners that’ll make cooking the easiest part of your day

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One-pot dinners are the secret to making cooking feel like the easiest part of your day. No endless pots to clean or complicated steps to follow — just toss everything in one pot, hit go, and let dinner take care of itself. These recipes are perfect for when you need something simple, fast, and — most importantly — easy to clean up.

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

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

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

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is a great one-pan dinner that’ll make cooking the easiest part of your day. In less than 30 minutes, shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, and garlic all come together for a light and flavorful meal. It’s perfect for when you want to eat well without spending too much time in the kitchen. Serve it over pasta or with bread to soak up the sauce and make it even more filling.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

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 a cozy, one-pot dish that’s ready in about an hour. It mixes sweet potatoes, red peppers, and spices for a creamy texture with just a little kick. It’s a great choice when you want something comforting without a lot of effort. Plus, it’s a perfect way to use up extra sweet potatoes. Serve it on its own or with some bread for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

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 takes all the great flavors of stuffed peppers and puts them in one easy dish. In under 45 minutes, you’ll have a hearty meal with bell peppers, ground meat, rice, and cheese. This is a perfect one-pot dinner for when you want something filling without spending much time or energy. It’s a complete meal on its own, but you can add a quick side if you want.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup

A bowl of creamy soup topped with croutons and chopped green onions, with a spoon in the bowl. Another bowl of soup is partially visible on the right.
Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup is a simple, one-pot dish that’ll have you feeling cozy in about an hour. Sharp cheddar, beer, and veggies come together for a creamy, comforting soup. You sauté the veggies, stir in some flour, then add broth and beer to let it simmer until thick. Toss in cheddar for that rich finish. It’s easy, quick, and perfect for a hearty meal without too much work.
Get the Recipe: Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

A hand holding a spoon serves a portion of fried rice mixed with beef, cabbage, and garnished with chopped herbs from a beige bowl.
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are perfect for turning a classic into a quick, stress-free dinner. In just one pot and about an hour, you’ll have ground beef, onions, cabbage, and rice simmering together with spices for a hearty meal. Cleanup is a breeze since it all stays in the same pot, and leftovers store great in the fridge or freezer. This recipe makes cooking feel like less of a chore.
Get the Recipe: Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage and Sausage

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

Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan recipe combines sliced sausages, cabbage, and onions with simple spices for a meal that’s both hearty and quick. The cabbage soaks up all the flavor, giving you a dish that’s delicious without being heavy. Perfect for nights when you need to keep things easy in the kitchen. Dinners cooked in one pan can be both practical and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

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 one-pot dish ready in just 20 minutes, making it great for busy evenings. Crispy chicken bites get coated in a rich garlic butter sauce with herbs for a meal that feels special without much work. Pair it with veggies or a salad for a complete meal. This recipe shows how easy one-pot dinners can be when it comes to keeping cooking simple and cleanup quick.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

A skillet of creamy mushroom sauce chicken with chunks of chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce garnished with chopped parsley, stirred with a wooden spoon.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a perfect one-pan dinner that brings big flavor with minimal effort. Juicy chicken thighs and a creamy mushroom sauce come together in just 30 minutes. It’s the kind of meal that feels fancy but keeps things simple. Pair it with a salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal, and since it’s all in one pan, cleanup is quick.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

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

This rich and comforting Hungarian Mushroom Soup comes together in just 45 minutes using one pot. Earthy mushrooms and a touch of cream create a cozy meal that doesn’t feel heavy. It’s perfect for evenings when you need something soothing but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Dishes like this remind you how much simpler cooking can be when everything comes together in a single pot.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom 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.

This one-skillet Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken brings chicken thighs and sun-dried tomatoes together in a creamy sauce that’s packed with flavor. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s perfect for nights when you want a rich and comforting meal without a lot of effort. Cleanup is easy since it all stays in one pan. Recipes like this show that great dinners don’t have to be complicated when you can cook everything in one pot.
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 is a one-pot dinner that makes cooking the easiest part of your day. It combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy Dijon sauce — all in one pan and ready in just 30 minutes. The tangy sauce pairs perfectly with the bacon’s richness. With minimal cleanup, you get a meal that’s easy to make and full of flavor without the extra work.
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 just what you need for a comforting meal with no extra cleanup. In 30 minutes, you get Italian sausage, cream cheese, and tomatoes blended into a rich, creamy soup. The sausage adds some kick, while the cream cheese makes it smooth and filling. This one-pot dish keeps dinner simple while still packing in lots of flavor. It’s easy and comforting without the extra mess.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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

If you love the flavor of chicken pot pie but don’t want the hassle, Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a great choice. You get all the same comfort — chicken, veggies, and creamy broth — all in one pot, ready in about an hour. The creamy broth ties everything together, giving you the same classic taste with less work. It’s perfect for when you want something cozy and comforting without dealing with a ton of dishes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is as simple as it gets. Toss sausages, broccoli, zucchini, and peppers on a sheet pan, bake, and you’re done in 30 minutes. This one-pan meal is great for keeping things easy and quick. With just a few ingredients and minimal cleanup, you get a flavorful dinner without the mess. It’s a perfect solution when you want a good meal but don’t want to deal with a bunch of dishes.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Chicken Tortellini Soup

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

Chicken Tortellini Soup is the kind of one-pot dinner that practically makes itself. In about 40 minutes, you’ll have chicken, tortellini, and veggies in a rich, hearty broth. It’s a perfect soup for busy nights when you want something comforting without a lot of effort. The tortellini gives it a nice touch, while the chicken and veggies make it balanced and filling. It’s an easy way to get a delicious meal with minimal cleanup.
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 perfect one-pot dinner when you want something comforting without extra dishes. Juicy chicken, garlic, cream, and Parmesan come together in just 30 minutes, making dinner feel effortless. It’s rich without being heavy. This is the kind of meal that makes cooking the easiest part of your day, leaving you more time to relax. Great flavor, minimal cleanup — what’s not to love?
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

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.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet is a great choice for quick one-pot dinners that make cooking feel simple. Ground beef, cauliflower rice, cream cheese, and cheddar melt together into a hearty dish ready in 30 minutes. It’s filling and flavorful while keeping the cleanup easy. Perfect for those nights when you want something low-carb but don’t want to spend all evening in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Sausage Curry

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

Sausage Curry is the kind of one-pan dinner that makes you feel like you’ve got it all together. Juicy sausages and veggies are cooked in a bold curry sauce that’s done in no time. It’s packed with flavor and keeps things simple, making cooking the easiest part of your day. With just one pan to clean, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something great without the extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Chicken Corn Soup

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

Chicken Corn Soup is all about keeping dinner simple and great. Toss chicken, creamed corn, potatoes, and broth into one pot, and you’ve got a hearty soup ready in under an hour. The slightly sweet corn flavor makes it comforting without being heavy. This is the kind of meal that takes care of itself, making cooking the easiest part of your day. One pot, no stress, and plenty of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

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