Food and Recipes Quick and Easy Dinners 52 Easy One-Pot Meals That Require Minimal Cleanup By Southern Living Editors Updated on May 19, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 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 52 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. 02 of 52 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. 03 of 52 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. 04 of 52 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. 05 of 52 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. 06 of 52 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. 07 of 52 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. 08 of 52 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. 09 of 52 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. 10 of 52 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. 11 of 52 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. 12 of 52 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. 13 of 52 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. 14 of 52 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. 15 of 52 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. 16 of 52 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. 17 of 52 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. 18 of 52 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. 19 of 52 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. 20 of 52 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. 21 of 52 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. 22 of 52 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. 23 of 52 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. 24 of 52 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. 25 of 52 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. 26 of 52 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. 27 of 52 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. 28 of 52 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. 29 of 52 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. 30 of 52 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. 31 of 52 Curried Shrimp with Peanuts This updated version of a dinner favorite can be on the table in 25 minutes. Cook the curry powder with the flour to bring out the essential oils. Serve with a side of lime rice. 32 of 52 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. 33 of 52 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. 34 of 52 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. 35 of 52 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. 36 of 52 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. 37 of 52 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. 38 of 52 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. 39 of 52 Black Bean Chili Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Ready in only 30 minutes, this quick, meatless chili is made with black beans, meatless burger crumbles, and canned tomatoes. You can substitute ground beef for the meatless burger crumbles, if desired. Top with a dollop of sour cream, corn chips, and chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. 40 of 52 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. 41 of 52 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. 42 of 52 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. 43 of 52 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. 44 of 52 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. 45 of 52 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. 46 of 52 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. 47 of 52 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. 48 of 52 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. 49 of 52 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. 50 of 52 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. 51 of 52 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. 52 of 52 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit