Fast and Easy One Pot Recipes (2024)

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 recipesfor when your life is as busy as mine! :D 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 potrecipes 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 flavorfulor 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!

4.56 from 94 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!

4.80 from 111 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.

4.77 from 71 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!

4.84 from 196 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!

4.65 from 31 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!

4.68 from 355 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.

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!

4.67 from 145 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.

4.79 from 73 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!

4.98 from 45 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.

4.64 from 115 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.

4.76 from 262 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!

4.77 from 72 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.

4.86 from 42 votes

$3.74 recipe / $0.94 serving Get the Recipe

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!

4.91 from 21 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 Stroganoff

One Pot Beef Stroganoff

This one pot Beef Stroganoff is a delicious and comforting weeknight dinner and is easy like hamburger helper, but homemade!

4.68 from 195 votes

$5.54 recipe / $1.39 serving Get the Recipe

Creamy and beefy, this one pot beef 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!

4.85 from 165 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!

4.72 from 53 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!

4.70 from 82 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!

4.32 from 50 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.

4.92 from 73 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.

4.83 from 174 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.

4.82 from 136 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.

4.87 from 108 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

This super fast and easy Sausage and Vegetable Skillet is the ultimate busy-day meal and is perfect for meal prep!

Author: Beth – Budget Bytes

Servings 4 about 1.25 cups each

Cook 15 minutes mins

Total 15 minutes mins

Save Recipe 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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