Weeknights don’t leave much room for cleanup or second guesses. These 17 one-pot recipes are built to get dinner on the table fast and keep the sink clear. They’re simple, satisfying, and everything cooks in one pan, pot, or sheet. When dinner needs to work every time, these are the ones that do.
Ajiaco Recipe
Ajiaco is a Colombian chicken and potato soup that takes about 90 minutes and uses corn, three kinds of potatoes, and herbs like guasca. The broth is rich and thickened naturally by the potatoes, with pulled chicken adding protein. It’s filling, rustic, and doesn’t need any sides. Everything happens in one pot, and it holds up for days.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Recipe
Creamy Broccoli Stems Soup
Creamy broccoli stems soup takes under an hour and makes use of broccoli stems, potatoes, and onions. The texture is smooth and the flavor is mild and slightly nutty. It’s a smart way to use ingredients you’d usually toss. The entire pot turns what you have into something that feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Stems Soup
Vegetarian Ukrainian Borscht
Vegetarian Ukrainian borscht simmers in about 75 minutes with beets, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. The broth is earthy, slightly sweet, and deep red from the beets. It’s best served hot with sour cream, but doesn’t need anything extra to work. One pot of this can carry you through multiple meals.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Ukrainian Borscht
Belgian Endive Soup
Belgian endive soup is ready in 40 minutes and combines endives, leeks, potatoes, and broth. The flavor is smooth and mellow with just a hint of bitterness from the endive. It’s a simple soup that works year-round. One pot delivers something warm and quietly satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Belgian Endive Soup
Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta
Mediterranean white bean salad with feta comes together in 15 minutes using canned beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and a lemon dressing. It’s bright, salty, and balanced with soft and crunchy textures. You can make it all in one bowl, no cooking required. It holds up well for leftovers and still tastes fresh.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta
Baked Creamy Salmon
Baked creamy salmon cooks in 25 minutes with yogurt, garlic, lemon, and herbs. The salmon is soft and the sauce turns into a warm coating that keeps everything moist. It’s rich enough to serve solo or with a side of greens. Everything happens in one baking dish and cleanup is fast.
Get the Recipe: Baked Creamy Salmon
Homemade Matzo Ball Soup
Homemade matzo ball soup simmers in 90 minutes with chicken, carrots, celery, and matzo meal dumplings. The broth is golden and full of flavor, while the matzo balls are tender and light. It’s filling without being heavy. One pot is all you need for a meal that always feels like care.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Matzo Ball Soup
Creamy Citrus Chicken with Rosemary
Creamy citrus chicken with rosemary takes about 40 minutes using chicken thighs, cream, orange juice, and fresh rosemary. The sauce is tangy and smooth, coating the meat without overpowering it. The rosemary gives it depth and balance. One skillet handles the whole job from start to finish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Citrus Chicken with Rosemary
Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe
Chicken sausage and veggies sheet pan recipe is done in about 35 minutes using pre-cooked sausage, bell peppers, onions, and zucchini. Everything roasts together and picks up a caramelized, slightly charred finish. It’s balanced, hearty, and doesn’t require extra dishes. One pan covers dinner and lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe
Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe
Classic Jewish chicken soup simmers in 2 hours with a whole chicken, carrots, celery, and dill. The broth is clear, light, and packed with depth from slow cooking. It’s a complete meal that doesn’t need much else. One pot delivers comfort that lasts past dinner.
Get the Recipe: Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe
Vegetarian Rice Plov
Vegetarian rice plov takes about 50 minutes with basmati rice, carrots, onions, and warm spices. It’s cooked low and slow, letting the rice absorb all the flavor. The texture is fluffy but packed with savory flavor. It’s a one-pot dinner that tastes like more than the sum of its parts.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Rice Plov
Creamy Vegan Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Apples
Creamy vegan Jerusalem artichoke soup with apples is ready in about 45 minutes using sunchokes, apples, onions, and broth. It’s silky, sweet, and slightly nutty, with a clean finish. The flavor feels refined, but the process stays simple. One pot gets you something that tastes restaurant-ready.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Apples
The Perfect Rice Pilaf
The perfect rice pilaf is done in about 40 minutes with long-grain rice, onions, carrots, and spices like cumin and coriander. It’s light, fluffy, and soaks up the flavor from the sautéed vegetables. Served on its own or as a base, it’s always enough. Everything happens in one pot and stays mess-free.
Get the Recipe: The Perfect Rice Pilaf
Tunisian "Tirshi" Squash Salad
Tunisian tirshi squash salad takes about 45 minutes with pumpkin or squash, garlic, paprika, and chickpeas. The vegetables cook down into a mash, with the spices giving it warmth and depth. It works hot or cold, and keeps well in the fridge. One pot handles all the cooking without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Tunisian "Tirshi" Squash Salad
Eggplant Shakshuka
Eggplant shakshuka comes together in 45 minutes with eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and eggs cracked right into the sauce. The dish is rich, spiced, and hearty enough to skip sides. The eggs poach gently in the sauce and soak up flavor. One skillet covers the whole meal and gets scraped clean.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Shakshuka
Vegetarian Biryani Rice
Vegetarian biryani rice cooks in under an hour using basmati rice, vegetables, yogurt, and warm spices like turmeric and cardamom. The rice is tender and layered with flavor, while the vegetables add texture and color. It’s one of those dishes that feeds a lot with very little effort. Everything cooks together and tastes better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Biryani Rice
Authentic Rice and Lentils
Authentic rice and lentils comes together in about 45 minutes with lentils, rice, caramelized onions, and spices. The flavor is savory and just a little smoky from the onions. It’s filling without needing meat or extras. It’s one pot and no reason to overthink dinner.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Rice and Lentils
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