It’s a pretty busy week around the Budget Bytes household, so I’m just going to take a quick minute today to round up some really fast and easy ONE POT recipes for when your life is as busy as mine! 😀 All of these recipes feature your protein, vegetables, and grains cooked together in one skillet or pot, making dinner ridiculously easy to prepare and serve. Here are 24 of our best super easy one pot dinner ideas that require little effort and even less clean up. XOXO
See our full One Pot Category here.
Tips for One Pot Recipes
I find that the success of “one pot” recipes rests on two things: quality cookware and a good flavored broth (most of these recipes use broth as a cooking liquid). One pot recipes need very even heating, so good cookware is crucial. Poorly constructed cookware or vessels that are too thin tend to have hot spots that cause rice and pasta to scorch or stick to the bottom of the pot. I use Better Than Bouillon to make my broth for cooking, which not only offers a lot of flavor, but usually provides enough salt to season the entire dish. If your recipe turns out bland, your broth may be less flavorful or less salted than mine. Sometimes adding a pinch of salt to your final recipe can really help the flavors pop!
One Pot Pastas
1. One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
Cheeseburger Pasta is a fast and easy homemade version of hamburger helper that cooks all in one pot for easy cleanup!
from votes $5.03 recipe / $1.26 serving Get the Recipe
When you’re craving a cheeseburger but need that ground beef to stretch to more servings, this one potp cheeseburger pasta is IT!
2. One Pot Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
One Pot Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
This incredibly fast and easy Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta cooks in 30 minutes and uses just one pot. The perfect quick and satisfying weeknight dinner!
from votes $4.22 recipe / $1.06 serving Get the Recipe
When you want something that feels fancy, but is still incredibly easy, try this one pot creamy sun dried tomato pasta!
3. One Pot American Goulash
Easy American Goulash
This easy one pot version of American Goulash cooks the pasta and beef in the same pot with a homemade red wine tomato sauce for extra flavor.
from votes $10.96 recipe / $1.83 serving Get the Recipe
This American Goulash is such a classic comfort food! It’s definitely in my regular rotation during the colder winter months.
4. One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
This super lush and Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is perfect for busy weeknights. Everything cooks in one pot and is done in under 30 minutes!
from votes $10.41 recipe / $2.60 serving Get the Recipe
Need a dish that’s going to impress a date, your in-laws, or even yourself? Whip up this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta. 😉
5. One Pot Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese
One Pot Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese
This One Pot Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese is fast, easy, and absolutely fool proof. This sauce stays smooth and creamy!
from votes $6.81 recipe / $1.70 serving Get the Recipe
Take your classic mac and cheese up a notch with bacon and broccoli!
6. One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cook a complete dinner in one pot with this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, using mostly pantry-stable items. Perfect for busy weeknights!
from votes $9.41 recipe / $2.35 serving Get the Recipe
This Cajun chicken pasta is FULL OF FLAVOR. A healthy does of herbs and spices make every bite a flavor explosion.
7. One Pot Sausage and Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
One Pot Sausage and Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
This One Pot Sausage and Sun Dried Tomato Pasta cooks quickly and in one skillet so that no flavor is lost! Make dinner fast, easy, and delicious.
from votes $5.58 recipe / $1.40 serving Get the Recipe
Simple, delicious, and well rounded, this one pot pasta is a classic.
8. Cheesy Vegetarian Chili Mac
One Pot Cheesy Vegetarian Chili Mac
This rich and comforting One Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac and Cheese is the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal. Works great for meal prep!
from votes $8.90 recipe / $1.11 serving Get the Recipe
Vegetarian comfort food at its best!
9. One Pot Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
One Pot Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
This smoky, sweet, and creamy One Pot Roasted Red Pepper Pasta cooks in one single pot and can be on the table in about 30 minutes.
from votes $7.54 recipe / $1.26 serving Get the Recipe
This amazing roasted red pepper pasta is great whether you make it creamy or not!
10. Pastalaya
Pastalaya
Celebrate like you’re in Louisiana with this easy, filling, and inexpensive one pot favorite, Pastalaya. It’s the shortcut pasta version of Jambalaya!
from votes $7.51 recipe / $1.25 serving Get the Recipe
If you need to feed a crowd, this Pastalaya is always a winner. It has tons of flavor and is a breeze to prepare.
11. Bacon and Spinach Pasta with Parmesan
Bacon and Spinach Pasta with Parmesan
Bacon and Spinach Pasta with Parmesan is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that only requires a few ingredients.
from votes $5.23 recipe / $1.31 serving Get the Recipe
Bacon makes everything better! …And we add a couple handfuls of fresh spinach for good measure. 😉
12. Tomato and Spinach One Pot Pasta
Tomato Spinach One Pot Pasta
All the ingredients for this Tomato Spinach One Pot Pasta cook together to make an incredibly fast, flavorful, and easy weeknight meal.
from votes $6.24 recipe / $1.04 serving Get the Recipe
This simple one pot pasta is where it all started!
13. Beef Taco Pasta
One Pot Beef Taco Pasta
This Beef Taco Pasta is like a homemade version of hamburger helper with a southwest flavor spin. Hearty, delicious, and comforting!
from votes $10.33 recipe / $1.72 serving Get the Recipe
All the flavors of tacos in a simple to prepare (and eat) pasta dish.
14. One Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta
One Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This creamy mushroom pasta is a rich, umami-filled delight that cooks quickly and easily in one pot. The perfect dinner for busy nights.
from votes $3.74 recipe / $0.94 serving Get the Recipe
This creamy pasta is full of earthy mushrooms and umami!
15. One Pot Veggie Pasta
One Pot Veggie Pasta
This one pot veggie pasta is an easy, satisfying, and quick dinner. Use whatever vegetables you have on hand and make it your own!
from votes $7.99 recipe / $2.00 Get the Recipe
Get your daily dose of veggies in this hearty and delicious one pot meal.
16. One Pot Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff
One Pot Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff
This super easy one pot Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff is a delicious and comforting weeknight dinner that requires just a few ingredients.
from votes $5.54 recipe / $1.39 serving Get the Recipe
Creamy and beefy, this one pot beef and mushroom stroganoff can help you stretch your ground beef over more meals.
One Pot Rice Recipes
17. One Pot Cajun Sausage and Rice
Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
This easy Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet is the perfect easy and filling weeknight dinner, packed with plenty of smoky-spicy flavor!
from votes $7.21 recipe / $1.80 serving Get the Recipe
It’s like jambalaya “lite”. Fast, easy, simple.
18. One Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Rice
One Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Rice
You only need one pot and 8 ingredients to make this easy and flavorful Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Rice. Fast, easy, and delicious!
from votes $7.53 recipe / $1.88 serving Get the Recipe
This is the perfect light, fresh, and zesty spring or summer meal!
19. Unstuffed Bell Peppers
Unstuffed Bell Peppers
All the ingredients and flavor of stuffed bell peppers cooked in one skillet for an easy, free-form bowl meal. It’s UNstuffed Bell Peppers!
from votes $8.29 recipe / $1.38 serving Get the Recipe
If stuffing bell peppers is a bit too tedious or tricky for you, just throw it all into one pot!
20. One Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
One Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
This One Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice is an easy and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. It also meal preps well for lunches all week!
from votes $6.26 recipe / $1.57 serving Get the Recipe
Utilizing frozen vegetables makes this meal so fast and easy, and with next to no chopping!
21. Greek Turkey and Rice Skillet
Greek Turkey and Rice Skillet
Greek Turkey and Rice Skillet is an easy and flavorful ground turkey recipe that cooks in one skillet for maximum flavor and minimum effort.
from votes $9.96 recipe / $2.49 serving Get the Recipe
Super flavorful ingredients like lemon, feta, olives, and sun dried tomatoes takes the flavor of this rice dish to the NEXT LEVEL.
22. Southwest Chicken Skillet
Southwest Chicken Skillet
If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner, this Southwest Chicken Skillet is it! Precooked chicken makes this dinner possible in about 30 minutes.
from votes $6.76 recipe / $1.69 serving Get the Recipe
You can never go wrong with rice, beans, and salsa, and this meal takes it a step further with some chicken and cheese. All in one pot!
23. Spanish Chickpeas and Rice
Spanish Chickpeas and Rice
This one pot Spanish Chickpeas and rice has big flavor thanks to liberal dose of spices, artichoke hearts, and fresh lemon.
from votes $7.39 recipe / $1.84 serving Get the Recipe
This is, hands down, the most flavorful vegan meal I’ve ever had in my life!
24. Chorizo and Sweet Potato Skillet
Chorizo Sweet Potato Skillet
It only takes one skillet and a few ingredients to make this incredibly flavorful and filling Chorizo Sweet Potato Skillet.
from votes $7.09 recipe / $1.81 serving Get the Recipe
Spicy chorizo and sweet potatoes make a perfect match in this simple rice-based one pot meal.
And here’s a bonus low-carb one pot meal for you:
Sausage and Vegetable Skillet
from votes This super fast and easy Sausage and Vegetable Skillet is the ultimate busy-day meal and is perfect for meal prep! 
Servings 4 about 1.25 cups each Cook 15 minutes Total 15 minutes Save RecipeSaved! Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.04)
- 1 lb. Italian sausage ($5.99)
- 1/2 lb. frozen cauliflower florets ($1.00)
- 1/2 lb. frozen peppers and onions ($1.00)
- 1/4 lb. frozen kale ($0.83)
- ½ tsp seasoning salt or seasoning blend (or to taste) ($0.05)
Instructions
- Add the cooking oil and sausage to a skillet. Cook the sausage over medium heat until brown and crispy.
- Add the cauliflower, peppers and onions, and kale to the skillet with the sausage. Continue to stir and cook until the vegetables are heated through.
- Add a liberal amount (or to taste) of your favorite seasoning salt or seasoning blend and stir to combine. Serve hot.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.25cupsCalories: 484kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 20gFat: 40gSodium: 1178mgFiber: 5g Read our full nutrition disclaimer here. 
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