Finding a good rotation of weeknight recipes that everyone in the family will love can be challenging. Everyone enjoys a delicious meal, but nobody wants to deal with a bunch of complicated steps or the mountain of dirty dishes to clean afterward. That’s why you need easy one-pot meals for those busy weeknights—they're not just incredibly tasty and comforting but also remarkably simple.
If you're looking for a wealth of easy options at your fingertips, look no further than this list of one-pot meals and skillet dinners. Here, you'll find one-pot pastas, easy chicken dinners, and even some 30-minute meals. And best of all, there are way fewer dishes at the end. There’s nothing better than a recipe that’s easy to make and even easier to clean up!
Need to keep warm on a chilly evening? Cook up some family-friendly chili mac and cheese, make pizza night easy with cast-iron baked pizza, or cut down on the dishes for Taco Tuesday with a beef taco skillet. These easy dinner recipes are so good, your family will be happy to wash that one dish when the meal is done. And don’t forget, many cozy chilis, soups, and stews fit the bill, too. Never dirty a dish you don’t have to, especially on a busy night.
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are basically the easiest dinner idea that kids and adults of all ages will love. They pretty much go well with any side, but chips make it fun if the kids just won’t touch more veggies tonight.
Get Ree’s Sloppy Joes recipe.
Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken
This creamy, herby chicken dish is not only economical and exceedingly delicious, it's quick, too! Have it on the table in under a half hour. Serve with a side salad and some crusty bread.
Get Ree's Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken recipe.
Perfect Pot Roast
Ree’s pot roast is, indeed, the perfect pot roast. It’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious and will make anyone fall in love. Make it in advance because it tastes even better the next day!
Get Ree’s Perfect Pot Roast recipe.
Smothered Pork Chops
Pork chops smothered in what, exactly? A creamy pan gravy made of red bell pepper and onions, that's what! Serve over rice, potatoes, or whatever you like to sop up the goodness.
Get Ree’s Smothered Pork Chops recipe.
Mango Salsa Chicken
Try something a little different! Here, juicy chicken thighs are seared until golden, then nestled into fluffy white rice and simmered with sweet mango salsa. Use the jarred stuff and prep only takes 15 minutes.
Get the Mango Salsa Chicken recipe.
Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi
Easy, cheesy gnocchi loaded with sausage and garlic butter breadcrumbs is the answer to all your carb cravings! This easy meal is made in less than 35 minutes, all in the same skillet.
Mediterranean Chicken
Briny olives really bring an otherwise simple dish of chicken and veggies to the next level. Any kind of pitted green olives will do! A squeeze of lemon and some fresh parsley help finish the dish.
Get Ree's Mediterranean Chicken recipe.
Chili Mac and Cheese
What could be better than a mash-up of pure comfort food? A mix of hearty beef chili and gooey mac and cheese will make the whole family happy. It will be ready in just 30 minutes, all from scratch.
Get Ree's Chili Mac and Cheese recipe.
Cabbage and Sausage
When cabbage is cooked down, it becomes exceedingly tender. And when mixed with well-seasoned sausage, it's an easy meal that needs nothing more than some crusty bread on the side.
Get the Cabbage and Sausage recipe.
Chicken Florentine
If you've never had chicken Florentine style, you're in for an experience! Picture crispy golden chicken, a cream and white wine sauce, and a final flourish of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan.
Get the Chicken Florentine recipe.
Lemon Pasta
It's amazing how such simple ingredients like garlic, lemon, and parmesan can turn into a luxurious meal in just ten minutes of prep. Best of all, you only need one pot to do it.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
Pierogi and Meatball Skillet
For a simple dinner that has a perfect balance of carbs and protein, look no further! It features Swedish-inspired meatballs made from ground pork and beef, as well as cheese and potato-stuffed pierogis in a rich pan gravy.
Get the Pierogi and Meatball Skillet recipe.
Arroz con Pollo
This Latin American comfort food may be made in one pot, but it's anything but one-dimensional! Along with rice and braised chicken, this one-pot meal is rich in flavor thanks to a vegetable puree called sofrito and Sazón seasonings.
Get the Arroz con Pollo recipe.
One-Pot French Onion Pasta
Turn hearty French onion soup into a cheesy, baked pasta dish! The recipe starts and ends in one Dutch oven, where onions and mushrooms are caramelized and cooked before being combined with pasta and cheesy bread.
Get the One-Pot French Onion Pasta recipe.
Marry Me Chicken
This creamy chicken dinner is sure to win anyone's heart! The tender chicken breasts simmered in a mouthwatering sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and parmesan are made in just 30 minutes.
Get Ree's Marry Me Chicken recipe.
Green Chile Enchilada Casserole
Yum! Enchiladas without all the rolling and folding. The tortillas are layered instead! When you pull this beauty from the oven, it will be melty and bubbly hot. One slice and you’re transported to heaven.
Get Ree’s Green Chile Enchilada Casserole recipe.
Dutch Oven Roast Chicken
This one-pot wonder makes an entire juicy chicken dinner, including all the vegetables and potatoes in one Dutch oven. It's perfect for the whole family any time of year.
Get the Dutch Oven Roast Chicken recipe.
Beef Taco Skillet
Everyone loves a taco night, but there are often a million dishes that go with all of the toppings. Well, follow Ree’s lead and turn taco night into taco skillet night where everything is served right in one dish.
Get Ree’s Beef Taco Skillet recipe.
Chicken Primavera
There’s nothing better than creamy, cheesy one-pot pasta! It’s a well-balanced meal, chock-full of veggies and chicken. Use a short, sturdy pasta shape for this: cavatappi, penne, or rotini all work great.
Get the Chicken Primavera recipe.
Roasted Veggie Cast-Iron Pizza
Make pizza night extra easy! Baking it in a hot skillet will make the bottom nice and crusty, while the cheese bubbles and bakes. Use refrigerated pizza dough to make the whole process easier.
Get Ree’s Roasted Veggie Cast-Iron Pizza recipe.
13 Easy Meal Prep Dinners to Save Busy Weeks
15 Things to Always Have in Your Fridge for School
One-Pot Pastas Save You from a Sink Full of Dishes
15 Bell Pepper Recipes Perfect for Family Dinners
