Food and Recipes Quick and Easy Dinners 54 Easy One-Pot Meals That Require Minimal Cleanup By Kimberly Holland Kimberly Holland Kimberly Holland is a writer and editor with 15 years of experience in food, lifestyle, health, and nutrition content. She has been published in Southern Living, Real Simple, Allrecipes, EatingWell, Cooking Light, and other publications. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 31, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Make meal planning easy by preparing one of these tasty one-dish entrées for dinner tonight. If you're in need of an easy recipe, nothing is better than a one-dish dinner recipe. Whether you're throwing the ingredients together in one pot, on a sheet pan, on a skillet, or into your slow cooker, one-dish dinner recipes are perfect for quickly preparing meals. You might think one-pot recipes can only be pastas or casseroles, but they can be anything from our Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl to Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions. For a light dinner, go with the Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad. For a meal that everyone can gather around the table for, the Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet is perfect. These easy one-pot dinners are excellent for any night of the week. Check out the entire list of easy one-dish dinners and prepare one of these recipes tonight. 01 of 54 One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Rather than cooking the pasta in water, this recipe uses sautéed shallots, white wine, butter, oil, and vegetable broth as the base for cooking the orzo. The shrimp is then coated with a mixture of garlic paste, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper, so there's no shortage of flavor. get the recipe 02 of 54 Lasagna Soup Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Enjoy all the flavors of lasagna without all the dirty dishes and time-consuming layering. This lasagna-inspired soup is ready in just 25 minutes and only dirties up one pot. get the recipe 03 of 54 Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This hanger steak cooks on a sheet pan, so you can make it anytime a craving strikes. A compound butter made with thyme, lemon zest, and mustard takes this sheet pan steak to the next level. get the recipe 04 of 54 Marry Me Chicken Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox We love when a recipe turns out to be worth all the hype. But for us, the best thing about Marry Me Chicken is it all comes together in one pot. get the recipe 05 of 54 Chicken-And-Rice Casserole Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox When it comes to casseroles, there are few more classic and heartwarming recipes than this. get the recipe 06 of 54 One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Creamy, cheesy, smoky, and satisfying, this skillet meal hits the spot. If you'd like to add a little bit of heat to your pasta, you can add chopped jalapeños. get the recipe 07 of 54 Skillet Enchiladas Suizas Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox This one-skillet meal delivers the flavors of enchiladas with no rolling required. Take this dinner straight from the oven to the table. Set out toppings so diners can customize their meal. get the recipe 08 of 54 French Onion Pasta Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Everything about this pasta recipe—onions, sauce, and yes, pasta—are cooked in one Dutch oven so you have just one dish to clean up—and odds are, someone will volunteer to do that so they can scrape the last bits of the dish before the pan is scrubbed clean. get the recipe 09 of 54 One-Pot Pasta Primavera with Bacon and Feta Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch The pasta cooks in the sauce, making this meal a dream for busy nights. Bacon drippings add irresistible flavor. This recipe is made to serve six, so if you have a smaller family you'll have plenty of leftovers to enjoy the next day. get the recipe 10 of 54 Cajun Shrimp Boil Pasta We've taken a traditional shrimp boil and made it even better with the addition of pasta. Lemon, Old Bay seasoning, and thyme flavor the tangy sauce. Sausage and fresh corn combine with shrimp for a Lowcountry pasta dish. get the recipe 11 of 54 BBQ Rub Roasted Chickens with Potatoes and Carrots Greg DuPree This recipe allows you to cook dinner and then serve it family-style all on one sheet pan. The classic rub is tasty. Make extra to keep on hand for pork or salmon. get the recipe 12 of 54 Southwest Chicken Cutlet Rice Bowl Greg Dupree Lime juice gives these bowls a summery zest while cayenne and jalapeño pepper add a nice kick. Perfect for pairing with margaritas. get the recipe 13 of 54 Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner This winner of a chicken dinner is our new favorite roasting-pan supper for weeknights or easy entertaining with friends. After a few minutes on the stovetop, this meal finishes in the oven. Serve with a side of crusty French bread. get the recipe 14 of 54 Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck We topped our casserole with dinner rolls, but you can also use crescent rolls or biscuits if you prefer. This no-fuss dinner features a cheesy middle layer that gives the favorite sloppy sandwich an upgrade. get the recipe 15 of 54 Chicken-and-Collards Pilau Photo: Greg Dupree Chicken, rice, and greens fill one soulful pot in our family-friendly take on a Lowcountry staple. Quick-cooking basmati rice helps turn this recipe into dinner in no time and stays fluffy throughout the entire cooking process. get the recipe 16 of 54 One-Pan Chicken with Lemon, Olives, and Artichokes Recipe Greg DuPree When serving, make sure to add plenty of pan sauce to each plate. This bold, lemony dish takes inspiration from the Mediterranean. get the recipe 17 of 54 Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet Jennifer Causey Breakfast for dinner just got easier with just one skillet and the help of frozen biscuits. Make the creamy sausage gravy, then top with biscuits and bake. get the recipe 18 of 54 Chicken Bog Greg DuPree Make this Lowcountry chicken and rice dish for a comforting weeknight meal. Using a rotisserie chicken helps this one-pot dinner come together with just 30 minutes of hands-on time. get the recipe 19 of 54 Slow-Cooker Pot Roast Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton Enjoy this Sunday supper any night of the week, thanks to the trusty slow cooker. For the best results, make sure your vegetables are cut into evenly-sized pieces. get the recipe 20 of 54 Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables Recipe Greg DuPree This comforting spring meal is a cross between a sauté and a stew. Browning the chicken in the same skillet as you cook the veggies will help make the flavorful pan sauce. get the recipe 21 of 54 Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges Alison Miksch Here's the delicious proof that you can serve a complete, no-mess fish dinner in less than 25 minutes. This recipe only uses one pan making cleanup a breeze. Just pile everything on your sheet pan and follow our instructions for perfectly broiled fish that will be on the table in no time. get the recipe 22 of 54 Chicken and Shrimp Skillet Rice Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham While we love making this recipe with chicken thighs and fresh shrimp, you can easily swap sausage for chicken, crabmeat for shrimp, or make a vegetarian option by subbing vegetable stock and omitting proteins. get the recipe 23 of 54 One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards Greg DuPree Cooking the pasta in the same pan as the sausage and vegetables helps create a rich sauce without needing to add any butter or cream. Use a large skillet with high sides to cook and stir the pasta easily. get the recipe 24 of 54 Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions Becky Luigart-Stayner This one-pan dish is as impressive as it is easy to make. Once you complete this hearty dish of savory apples, onions, and mustard, you'll also finish with a side and a creamy sauce all in one. The Granny Smith apples add sweet notes to the otherwise savory flavor profile and pull richness from the bourbon. get the recipe 25 of 54 Ancho Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos Photo: Alison Miksch Flank steak marinates in a spicy, flavorful mixture before broiling. For an extra burst of flavor, stir a few tablespoons of pan drippings into your sour cream. get the recipe 26 of 54 King Ranch Chicken Iain Bagwell If you're in a rush, use a large rotisserie chicken in place of smoked chicken. It's hard to mess up this age-old crowd-pleaser. get the recipe 27 of 54 Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos Fresh tomatoes, lemon, cinnamon, and nutmeg add layers of flavor to this one-dish dinner. Make sure to select chicken breasts that are similar in size so they'll cook evenly on the sheet pan. get the recipe 28 of 54 Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole Hector Sanchez This rustic meal, a company's-coming riff on the old-school chicken-and-rice number, is held together by a tangy gravy flavored with country ham and mushrooms. The wild rice soaks up the rich gravy. get the recipe 29 of 54 Skillet Orzo with Fish and Herbs Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner Cook the orzo-like rice, paella-style, on the stove, then top with fish, and bake. Feel free to substitute salmon for any flaky white fish. get the recipe 30 of 54 Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes Photo: Hector Sanchez A zesty marinade livens up this pork-and-veggie one-sheet-pan supper. Flavorful roasted squash, zucchini, and red potatoes make the perfect bed to serve pork loin chops. get the recipe 31 of 54 Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner Reinvent the Caesar by roasting the lettuce to caramelize it, and jazz up store-bought dressing to make it taste like homemade. Brush chicken tenders with the dressing before broiling them. get the recipe 32 of 54 Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas This recipe is sure to be one you reach for often. A flavorful cornmeal-based crust is topped with hearty ground beef, tomato paste, and sharp Cheddar cheese in this easy Italian casserole. get the recipe 33 of 54 Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner No rolling pin is needed for this pot pie. Refrigerated pie crusts give you a leg up in the preparation of this classic comfort dish. Creole seasoning adds a new twist to the creamy gravy. get the recipe 34 of 54 Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner Replace the traditional pastry crust in chicken pot pie with homemade biscuits — trust us, the added cook time is worth it. These homemade buttery biscuits are made with sharp Cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, and chives, making them just as tasty solo as atop this chicken pot pie. get the recipe 35 of 54 King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese Becky Luigart-Stayner All the flavors of a favorite casserole come together in the comfort of mac and cheese. Serve this dish to your family, and it will become a quick favorite. get the recipe 36 of 54 White Lightning Chicken Chili Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner White Lightning Chicken Chili gets its name because it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish to get this one-dish meal to the table. Don't drain the chopped green chiles or navy beans. Serve chili with cornbread. get the recipe 37 of 54 Quick Beef Chili Becky Luigart-Stayner Hearty chili like this has chunks of meat cooked to perfection in a Dutch oven before being combined with its other ingredients. Top with favorite ingredients like sour cream, cheese, and green onions. get the recipe 38 of 54 Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons Hector Manuel Sanchez You may want to consider serving this chicken dish with mashed potatoes so you can enjoy them covered in the delicious pan sauce. A side of crusty bread also ensures you get every last drop. get the recipe 39 of 54 All-In-One Spaghetti Photo: William Dickey Not only is this classic spaghetti recipe easy to make, but cooking it all in one pot means quick and simple cleanup later. Cook the sauce for 30 minutes, then add the pasta and cook until the noodles are done. get the recipe 40 of 54 Tuscan Pasta With Tomato-Basil Cream Photo: Ralph Anderson This elegant pasta dinner will have your family thinking you worked in the kitchen all day long. The secret, though, is refrigerated ravioli and jarred Alfredo sauce that's heated with white wine, chopped fresh tomatoes, and fresh basil. Top with grated Parmesan cheese for a tasty finishing touch. get the recipe 41 of 54 Summer Tortellini Salad Photo: Ralph Anderson Toss pre-made tortellini with chicken and an array of herbs for a palate-pleasing summer salad. This recipe packs in the flavor with black and green olives, onion, and diced red peppers. get the recipe 42 of 54 Pizza Spaghetti Casserole Beth Dreiling; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey We preferred turkey pepperoni, so you don't get a greasy appearance. Freeze the unbaked casserole for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator; let stand 30 minutes at room temperature, and bake as directed. get the recipe 43 of 54 Spinach-Ravioli Lasagna Van Chaplin This top-rated spinach-ravioli lasagna uses convenience items, like store-bought pesto sauce, jarred Alfredo sauce, and frozen cheese-filled ravioli, to deliver a delicious main dish with little time and effort on your part. get the recipe 44 of 54 One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice It's true, you can cook your chicken, rice, and vegetables all in one pan for a delicious, well-rounded meal with minimal cleanup. Honey-chile sauce adds flavor, and baby bok choy and red bell pepper add texture. get the recipe 45 of 54 One-Pot Shrimp-and-Sausage Jambalaya Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Food Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl This Creole-seasoned rice is loaded with shrimp, andouille sausage, and the Holy Trinity of onions, celery, and green bell peppers. Ingredients are incrementally added to one pot to create layers of flavor. get the recipe 46 of 54 One-Pot Pasta Southern Living Jarred pasta sauce, pre-sliced mushrooms, and refrigerated ravioli help this delicious dinner come together in a flash. The pasta cooks in the sauce for convenience and speed. get the recipe 47 of 54 Collard Green Creole Dirty Rice Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton This dirty rice dish gets its flavor from chicken sausage. Add collard greens to enhance this Southern classic. Serve with plenty of cornbread and hot sauce. get the recipe 48 of 54 Green Chile Mac and Cheese with Chicken Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Beloved mac and cheese gets a kick from the addition of poblano chiles. Rotisserie chicken makes this an exciting main-dish meal. Spike the creamy sauce with cumin to round out the flavors. get the recipe 49 of 54 Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-Fry Greg DuPree A cast-iron pan works well to sear the flank steak quickly. Substitute broccoli, cauliflower, or any other cruciferous veggie for the Brussels sprouts if you prefer. get the recipe 50 of 54 Oven-Baked Risotto with Ham, Leeks, and Peas Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Baking the risotto reduces the hands-on time in this recipe, meaning you can prepare a quick side or relax while it’s cooking. Add in cooked ham, leeks, and thyme for an impressive weeknight meal. get the recipe 51 of 54 Shrimp Fried Rice Greg DuPree This meal comes together faster than you can pick up take-out. For perfect fried rice that’s not sticky, make the rice a day in advance or use leftover rice. get the recipe 52 of 54 Beefy Skillet Lasagna Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Enjoy this easy lasagna on a weeknight. Layers of noodles, beef, and cheese create a comforting meal you’ll turn to again and again. get the recipe 53 of 54 Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples Hector Manuel Sanchez This variation on peppers, onion, and sausage gets cozy flavor from fennel and apples. Reserve some of the fennel fronds to sprinkle on top as a pretty garnish and for added flavor. get the recipe 54 of 54 Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This comforting soup is a great way to use your spring farmer’s market haul. Combine ingredients in a slow cooker, and it will be ready when you get home. Top with fresh dill and Parmesan cheese. get the recipe Was this page helpful? 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