10 One-Pot Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners

After a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. One-pot recipes offer a practical solution, allowing you to prepare delicious, hearty dinners with minimal cleanup. These recipes combine convenience and flavor, ensuring that you can enjoy a satisfying meal without the hassle. Here are ten fantastic one-pot recipes perfect for easy weeknight dinners.

1. One-Pot Chicken Alfredo

Creamy, cheesy, and comforting, this chicken Alfredo is a weeknight staple that comes together in just one pot.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer.
4. Add fettuccine and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally.
5. Once pasta is cooked and sauce is thickened, stir in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Tips:

• For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
• Add steamed broccoli for extra nutrition.

2. One-Pot Beef and Vegetable Stew

This hearty beef stew is perfect for cooler evenings, packed with tender beef and flavorful vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add beef and cook until browned.
2. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
3. Stir in carrots, potatoes, beef broth, diced tomatoes, and thyme.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, or until beef and vegetables are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Tips:

• Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.
• Freeze leftovers for a quick meal later.

3. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

This refreshing shrimp pasta is light yet satisfying, perfect for a quick and easy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice.
4. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally.
5. Once pasta is cooked, stir in shrimp, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Tips:

• Garnish with extra lemon zest for added flavor.
• For a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes.

4. One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

This creamy tomato basil soup is comforting and full of flavor, perfect for pairing with a grilled cheese sandwich.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
2. Stir in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer.
3. Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add fresh basil and season with salt and pepper.

Tips:

• Blend the soup with an immersion blender for a smooth texture.
• Serve with a sprinkle of additional basil and a drizzle of olive oil.

5. One-Pot Sausage and Peppers Pasta

This flavorful dish combines savory sausage with sweet bell peppers in a delicious pasta meal.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned.
2. Add bell peppers, onion, and garlic, and cook until tender.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning.
4. Add pasta and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until pasta is cooked and the sauce is thickened.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

Tips:

• Top with shredded mozzarella cheese for extra flavor.
• Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

6. One-Pot Chicken and Rice

A simple yet flavorful dish, this chicken and rice recipe is a complete meal cooked in one pot.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken thighs, bone-in and skinless
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
3. Stir in rice and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add chicken broth and oregano. Return chicken to the pot.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes, or until rice is cooked and chicken is tender.
6. Stir in frozen peas and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Tips:

• Use boneless chicken thighs for a quicker cooking time.
• Add your favorite vegetables for a customized dish.

7. One-Pot Beef Stroganoff

This rich and creamy beef stroganoff is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (8 oz) mushrooms, drained
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 ounces egg noodles

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add beef and cook until browned.
2. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
3. Stir in beef broth, sour cream, mushrooms, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Add egg noodles and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

Tips:

• Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
• Serve with a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

8. One-Pot Mediterranean Chicken

This Mediterranean-inspired chicken dish is packed with olives, tomatoes, and herbs for a flavorful dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken thighs, bone-in and skinless
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Add onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened.
3. Stir in cherry tomatoes, olives, chicken broth, and oregano.
4. Return chicken to the pot and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
5. Top with crumbled feta cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Tips:

• Serve with a side of couscous or quinoa.
• Add fresh basil or parsley for extra flavor.

9. One-Pot Spaghetti Bolognese

This classic spaghetti Bolognese is a rich, flavorful meal that’s easy to make and clean up.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
2. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, basil, and oregano.
4. Add spaghetti and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips:

• Add a splash of red wine for extra depth of flavor.
• Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.

10. One-Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

This hearty and flavorful tortilla soup is perfect for a cozy dinner, featuring chicken, beans, and a zesty broth.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla strips and shredded cheese for topping

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
2. Stir in diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, chicken broth, cumin, and chili powder.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Stir in shredded chicken and cook until heated through.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve with tortilla strips and shredded cheese.

Tips:

Serve with a squeeze of lime for a zesty touch.

Add avocado slices and fresh cilantro for extra freshness.