Weeknights are busy, and cooking shouldn’t be a hassle. These 29 one-pot meals keep things simple with less cleanup and no extra steps. Each recipe is easy to make, filling, and doesn’t require a bunch of pans. If you're tired and hungry, these are the kinds of dinners that get the job done.
Ajiaco Recipe
Ajiaco is a Colombian potato and chicken stew layered with corn, herbs, and capers. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to make and delivers a thick, savory broth with a slight tang. The combination of starchy and waxy potatoes creates a comforting texture. Each spoonful is earthy, filling, and deeply satisfying.
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1-Pot Pomegranate Chicken and Rice
1-Pot Pomegranate Chicken and Rice blends tender chicken thighs with fragrant rice, pomegranate juice, and spices. It comes together in under 45 minutes with a sweet and tangy flavor. The dish is hearty and balanced, with the rice soaking up all the juice. It’s an easy weeknight meal that tastes rich and complete.
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Thai-Style Red Curry Soup
Thai-Style Red Curry Soup features a coconut milk base with red curry paste, tofu, and vegetables. It takes about 30 minutes to make and has a spicy, creamy kick. The flavors are bold but balanced by the sweetness of coconut milk. It’s a fast, comforting bowl with real depth.
Get the Recipe: Thai-Style Red Curry Soup
Middle Eastern Spiced Cauliflower Soup With Caramelized Onions And Raisins
Middle Eastern Spiced Cauliflower Soup blends roasted cauliflower, cumin, and turmeric with sweet raisins and caramelized onions. It’s ready in 45 minutes and offers a rich, savory base with a hint of sweetness. The texture is creamy and smooth with chewy bites of raisins. It’s filling and a little unexpected in the best way.
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Moroccan Carrot Soup With Chermoula
Moroccan Carrot Soup With Chermoula uses carrots, spices, and a bright herby topping made with cilantro and garlic. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare and tastes earthy, slightly sweet, and fresh. The chermoula adds a punchy, garlicky lift to every bite. It’s a warming, one-bowl dinner with a citrusy finish.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Carrot Soup With Chermoula
Orange Vegetable Tagine With Peaches
Orange Vegetable Tagine With Peaches combines sweet potatoes, squash, and dried peaches simmered in orange juice and spices. It’s ready in about 1 hour and delivers a sweet-savory balance that’s warming and rich. The texture is soft and stew-like with tender chunks of vegetables. It’s a meatless dish that’s hearty and flavorful.
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Chicken Sancocho
Chicken Sancocho is a traditional Colombian stew made with chicken, root vegetables, and corn on the cob. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and offers a brothy, mildly seasoned taste. The yuca and plantains give it a starchy bite that fills you up fast. It’s rustic and satisfying without being heavy.
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Creamy, Vegan Jerusalem Artichoke Soup With Apples
Creamy Vegan Jerusalem Artichoke Soup With Apples features blended sunchokes and tart apples for a silky finish. It’s ready in around 45 minutes and tastes nutty, slightly sweet, and a little earthy. The mix of savory broth and fruity undertones makes it complex but light. It’s smooth, simple, and comforting without any dairy.
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Homemade Matzo Ball Soup
Homemade Matzo Ball Soup is a Jewish classic with broth, fluffy matzo balls, and simple vegetables. It’s done in about 1 hour and tastes clean, comforting, and slightly herby. The matzo balls are soft but substantial enough to make it a meal. It’s the kind of soup that hits the spot year-round.
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Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe
Classic Jewish Chicken Soup uses whole chicken, carrots, and dill to create a clear, savory broth. It takes about 2 hours, but delivers deep, rich flavor that’s worth it. The soup is warming and full of tender meat and soft vegetables. It’s a go-to comfort food that doubles as a cure-all.
Get the Recipe: Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe
Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta
Mediterranean White Bean Salad With Feta mixes white beans, cucumbers, and olives with a tangy vinaigrette and crumbled feta. It takes just 20 minutes to pull together and tastes fresh, salty, and bright. The beans make it hearty enough to stand alone as dinner. It’s fast, filling, and full of texture.
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Chicken And Rice Casserole
Chicken and Rice Casserole blends rice, bone-in chicken, carrots, and spices cooked in one pot until perfectly tender. It’s ready in about 1 hour and tastes savory with warm spice from cumin. The rice absorbs all the juices from the chicken for a rich, full flavor. It’s a full meal with minimal work.
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Belgian Endive Soup
Belgian Endive Soup blends endives, potatoes, and broth into a creamy, mild-tasting dish. It’s done in about 45 minutes and offers a slightly bitter note with a buttery finish. The texture is velvety and smooth with just enough body to feel satisfying. It’s a subtle, balanced soup that’s great for colder nights.
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Butternut Squash Soup with Apple and Coconut Milk
Butternut Squash Soup With Apple and Coconut Milk mixes roasted squash, tart apples, and creamy coconut milk. It’s ready in about 50 minutes and delivers a smooth, sweet-savory flavor. The texture is thick and velvety with a warm spice profile. It’s rich without being heavy and easy to enjoy in one bowl.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup with Apple and Coconut Milk
Winter Dilly Carrot and Zucchini Curry
Winter Dilly Carrot and Zucchini Curry brings together carrots, zucchini, and dill in a spiced, coconut-based curry. It takes 40 minutes to make and has a mildly spiced, herbaceous taste. The vegetables keep their bite for added texture. It’s a bright, plant-forward dinner that works well with rice or bread.
Get the Recipe: Winter Dilly Carrot and Zucchini Curry
Barley, Kale And Romano Beans Soup
Barley, Kale and Romano Beans Soup combines chewy barley, hearty greens, and creamy beans in a savory broth. It’s ready in about 1 hour and tastes earthy, wholesome, and filling. The beans and grains make it feel substantial without meat. It’s a nourishing soup you can keep eating for days.
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Mujadara For One
Mujadara For One is a mix of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions with warm spices. It takes just 30 minutes and delivers deep, toasty flavor from the onions. The texture is soft and chewy with crispy onion bits on top. It’s simple, hearty, and built for solo dinners.
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One-Pot Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole
One-Pot Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole cooks bone-in chicken and potatoes in a creamy, tangy buttermilk sauce. It takes about 1 hour and has a rich, savory flavor with a slightly tart finish. The potatoes soak up all the flavor for a melt-in-your-mouth bite. It’s comforting without being complicated.
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Creamy Broccoli Stems Soup
Creamy Broccoli Stems Soup uses leftover stems blended with potatoes and broth into a smooth, savory puree. It takes around 35 minutes to make and offers a clean, earthy flavor. The soup is creamy without cream and has a satisfying body. It’s a practical way to use scraps for something delicious.
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Oyster and Maitake Mushroom Pasta
Oyster and Maitake Mushroom Pasta mixes earthy mushrooms with pasta in a light, garlicky sauce. It takes just 30 minutes and tastes rich, umami-packed, and slightly nutty. The mushrooms add chew and depth to every bite. It’s a quick, meatless dinner with real substance.
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Vegetarian Ukrainian Borscht
Vegetarian Ukrainian Borscht blends beets, cabbage, and potatoes in a tangy, savory broth. It’s done in about 1 hour and has a bright, earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness. The texture is chunky and satisfying with a touch of acidity. It’s hearty, colorful, and great with bread or sour cream.
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Authentic Rice and Lentils
Authentic Rice and Lentils cooks together basmati rice, lentils, and caramelized onions for a simple, bold-flavored dish. It takes about 45 minutes and is seasoned with cumin and allspice. The onions give it depth and contrast against the soft grains. It’s humble, tasty, and surprisingly filling.
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Vegetarian Biryani Rice
Vegetarian Biryani Rice layers fragrant basmati rice with spiced vegetables and herbs. It’s ready in about 1 hour and bursts with warm, aromatic flavor. The rice is fluffy with golden bits from the pan. It’s a festive one-pot meal packed with color and spice.
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Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup combines ground sausage, spinach, and a creamy broth with parmesan. It comes together in 40 minutes and tastes rich, savory, and slightly garlicky. The soup is thick and hearty with a slight kick from the sausage. It’s a full meal that’s fast and filling.
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Easy Keto Hash Browns
Easy Keto Hash Browns use shredded turnips or cauliflower cooked crisp with oil and seasoning. They take just 25 minutes and taste savory with a hint of sweetness. The texture is crispy on the edges and soft in the center. It’s a low-carb side that holds up on its own.
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Pineapple Rice
Pineapple Rice combines cooked rice with sweet pineapple, soy sauce, and scallions in one skillet. It’s done in about 30 minutes and has a balance of sweet, savory, and umami. The pineapple adds juicy bites that brighten the dish. It’s a quick, flavorful twist on fried rice.
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Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes
Easy One Pot Stewed Potatoes simmers sliced potatoes in broth with herbs until tender. It’s done in about 35 minutes and tastes simple, starchy, and a little buttery. The texture is soft but not mushy, perfect for soaking up flavor. It’s a budget-friendly side or light main dish.
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Easy Lamb Pilaf Recipe: Authentic Xinjiang Style
Easy Lamb Pilaf combines tender lamb, rice, carrots, and spices in one pot. It takes about 1 hour and has a rich, slightly sweet flavor from the caramelized vegetables. The lamb is soft and the rice is fluffy but full of spice. It’s a bold, comforting dish with roots in tradition.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lamb Pilaf Recipe: Authentic Xinjiang Style
Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken
Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken bakes juicy chicken breasts with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. It’s done in about 45 minutes and tastes savory, cheesy, and slightly tangy. The chicken stays tender under the bubbling sauce. It’s a no-fuss, one-pan dinner that covers all the bases.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken
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