10 Easy and Delicious One-Pot Meals

Posted on by Morgan

One-pot meals are perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, offering simplicity in preparation and cleanup. Here are ten easy and delicious one-pot meals that are sure to become family favorites.

1. Classic Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb beef stew meat or thinly sliced beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 oz egg noodles

Instructions:

  1. Cook Beef: In a large skillet or pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Brown beef on all sides. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, and mushrooms until soft.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Add flour, stir for 1 minute, then add beef broth, sour cream, and Dijon mustard. Stir until smooth.
  4. Simmer: Return beef to the pot and simmer for 15 minutes until beef is tender.
  5. Cook Noodles: In a separate pot, cook egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and mix into the beef mixture before serving.

2. Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Sear Chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven, sear chicken on both sides until golden. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper until soft.
  3. Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in rice, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  4. Simmer: Return chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice and chicken are cooked.

3. One-Pot Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz pasta (penne or spaghetti)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 cup zucchini, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
  2. Add Vegetables: Add bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes until slightly tender.
  3. Cook Pasta: Stir in pasta and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked and liquid is absorbed.
  4. Finish: Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.

4. Beef and Bean Chili

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can kidney beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
  • 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook Beef: In a large pot, cook ground beef with onion and garlic until beef is browned.
  2. Add Ingredients: Stir in beans, diced tomatoes, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  3. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • 1 cup white wine (optional)
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.
  2. Add Rice: Stir in Arborio rice and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Deglaze: Pour in white wine (if using) and cook until mostly absorbed.
  4. Cook Risotto: Gradually add broth, one cup at a time, stirring constantly until liquid is absorbed and rice is creamy (about 20-25 minutes).
  5. Finish: Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.

6. Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 oz spaghetti

Instructions:

  1. Cook Beef: In a large pot, cook ground beef with onion and garlic until browned.
  2. Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  3. Simmer: Simmer for 20 minutes to develop flavors.
  4. Cook Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and mix with the sauce.

7. One-Pot Mediterranean Quinoa

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook Quinoa: In a pot, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is cooked and broth is absorbed.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Fluff quinoa with a fork. Stir in cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

8. Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 lb andouille sausage, sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions:

  1. Cook Sausage: In a large pot, cook sausage slices until browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sear Chicken: In the same pot, sear chicken pieces until browned. Remove and set aside.
  3. Make Roux: Add oil and flour to the pot. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is golden brown.
  4. Add Vegetables and Liquids: Stir in onion, bell pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning. Return chicken and sausage to the pot.
  5. Simmer: Simmer for 30-40 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Serve over rice.

9. One-Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into pieces
  • 1 cup rice
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup carrots, sliced
  • 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions:

  1. Sear Chicken: In a large pot, heat oil and sear chicken pieces until browned.
  2. Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in rice, teriyaki sauce, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
  3. Simmer: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Add broccoli and carrots, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes until rice is tender and vegetables are cooked.

10. Creamy Chicken and Spinach Tortellini

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 package (9 oz) refrigerated tortellini
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook Chicken: In a large pot, cook diced chicken until browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
  3. Add Liquids: Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Cook Tortellini: Add tortellini and cook according to package instructions.
  5. Finish: Return chicken to the pot. Stir in spinach and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

These one-pot meals offer a variety of flavors and ingredients, making them perfect for any day of the week. Enjoy the convenience and deliciousness of these easy-to-make recipes!