Easy One-Pot Dinners That Make Cleanup a Breeze

When life gets hectic and dinner needs to happen fast, the last thing I want is a sink full of dishes. That is exactly when I reach for these one-pot dinners. They are simple, satisfying, and all come together in one pot or skillet, which means minimal cleanup and a whole lot less stress. This collection is full of the dinners I rely on when evenings are busy and energy is low.

Think cozy pastas, hearty rice dishes, and saucy chicken dinners made with ingredients I usually already have on hand. These recipes are not fancy or complicated, but they are deeply comforting and packed with flavor. I make these meals on repeat all year long, but they feel especially helpful when schedules are full and dinner needs to be easy, reliable, and genuinely good.

1. Arroz con Pollo (One Pot Meal)

This Arroz con Pollo is comfort food at its best, with tender chicken, fluffy saffron rice, and colorful vegetables all cooked together in one pot. It feels special enough for company but is easy enough for a weeknight, and everything comes to the table warm, fragrant, and full of flavor with almost no cleanup.

Recipe: Arroz con Pollo (One Pot Meal)

2. One Pot American Goulash (Slumgullion)

This American Goulash is pure nostalgia, made with hearty ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce that coats every bite. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that flavor, and it finishes as a budget-friendly, freezer-friendly dinner that always gets cleaned out at my table.

Recipe: One Pot American Goulash (Slumgullion)

3. Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta (One Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta)

When I need dinner fast and do not want to overthink it, this creamy smoked sausage pasta is my go-to. The sausage, pasta, tomatoes, and cheese all cook together in one skillet, creating a rich, cheesy dinner with big flavor and very little effort.

Recipe: Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta

4. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (One Pot)

This is the dinner I make when everyone is hungry and patience is running low. The pasta cooks in a creamy ranch broth before chicken, bacon, and cheddar are stirred in for a thick, cheesy meal that is done in about 20 minutes, especially easy with rotisserie chicken and precooked bacon.

Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

5. One Pan Ham & Cheese Pasta

This one-pan ham and cheese pasta is perfect for using up leftover ham and getting dinner on the table quickly. The pasta cooks right in the pan with broth and cream, then cheese is stirred in until everything turns creamy and comforting with almost no cleanup.

Recipe: One Pan Ham & Cheese Pasta

6. Smoked Sausage and Rice Skillet Dinner

This smoked sausage and rice skillet is the ultimate throw-it-all-in-one-pan meal. Smoked sausage, fluffy rice, vegetables, and melty cheese come together for a hearty dinner that feels flexible, forgiving, and perfect for clearing out the fridge.

Recipe: Smoked Sausage and Rice Skillet Dinner

7. Unstuffed Peppers (Skillet Meal)

This skillet version of stuffed peppers delivers all the same flavors without the extra work. Ground beef, peppers, rice, tomatoes, and cheese cook together in one pan, making this a hearty, cheesy dinner that is ready in about 35 minutes.
Recipe: Unstuffed Peppers

8. Jambalaya

This jambalaya brings bold, smoky flavor with spicy andouille sausage, tasty shrimp, tender chicken, and perfectly seasoned rice all simmered together in one pot. It is hearty enough to feed a crowd but simple enough for a regular weeknight, with the bonus of easy cleanup.

Recipe: Jambalaya

9. Chicken A La King

This Chicken A La King is old-fashioned comfort at its finest, with tender chicken and vegetables in a creamy, velvety sauce. Everything cooks in one pot and can be served over rice, biscuits, or puff pastry for a cozy dinner that feels special without extra work.

Recipe: Chicken A La King

10. Taco Mac And Cheese

This Taco Mac and Cheese combines seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and classic taco flavors with creamy mac and cheese in one pot. It is fun, filling, and always a hit, especially on nights when dinner needs to be easy but still feel exciting.
Recipe: Taco Mac And Cheese

11. Chicken And Dumplings

This chicken and dumplings recipe is the definition of cozy comfort food, with tender chicken and fluffy dumplings simmered in a rich, savory broth. Everything cooks together in one pot, making it a comforting dinner that is simple, satisfying, and perfect for chilly nights.

Recipe: Chicken And Dumplings

12. Pizza Casserole

This pizza casserole takes all your favorite pizza flavors and bakes them into one cheesy, saucy skillet. Loaded with pepperoni and gooey cheese, it is faster than making pizza from scratch and always a hit with kids and adults alike.

Recipe: Pizza Casserole

13. Easy One Skillet Lasagna

This skillet lasagna delivers all the cheesy, saucy comfort of traditional lasagna without the layering or extra dishes. The noodles cook right in the meat sauce with the cheese, creating a cozy, homemade dinner with a fraction of the effort.

Recipe: Easy One Skillet Lasagna

14. Easy Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

This skillet chicken pot pie has all the creamy, comforting flavor of the classic without the fuss. Tender chicken and vegetables cook in a rich filling, then a biscuit topping bakes right on top, all in one skillet from start to finish.

Recipe: Easy Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

15. Ham Tetrazzini

This ham tetrazzini is my favorite way to turn leftover ham into something completely craveable. Pasta cooks in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and plenty of cheese, creating a rich, comforting dinner that feels indulgent but is easy to pull together.

Recipe: Ham Tetrazzini