Our Best One-Pot Meals That Require Minimal Cleanup

One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

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 for tonight, 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 easily preparing meals.

You might think one-pot recipes can only be pastas or casseroles, but it 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 everyone can gather around the table for, the Creole Seafood Jambalaya perfect. These easy one-pot dinners are perfect for any night of the week. Check out the entire list of easy one-dish dinners and prepare one of these tasty one-dish recipes tonight.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls

Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls

We topped our casserole with dinner rolls, but you can also use crescent rolls or biscuits if you prefer.

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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

Skillet Enchiladas Suizas
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

This one-skillet meal delivers the flavors of enchiladas with no rolling required.

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One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

If you'd like to add a little bit of heat to your pasta, you can add chopped jalapeños.

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Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables

Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling; Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sheet Pan Hanger Steak and Vegetables

A compound butter made with thyme, lemon zest, and mustard takes this sheet pan steak to the next level.

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One-Pot Pasta Primavera with Bacon and Feta

One-Pot Pasta Primavera with Bacon and Feta
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: One-Pot Pasta Primavera with Bacon and Feta

This recipes is made to serve six, so if you have a smaller family you'll have plenty of leftovers to enjoy the next day.

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Cajun Shrimp Boil Pasta

shrimp-boil-pasta

Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Boil Pasta

We've taken a traditional shrimp boil and made it even better with the addition of pasta.

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BBQ Rub Roasted Chickens with Potatoes and Carrots

BBQ Rub Roasted Chickens with Potatoes and Carrots
Greg DuPree

Recipe: BBQ Rub Roasted Chickens with Potatoes and Carrots

This recipe allows you to cook dinner and then serve it family style all on one sheet pan.

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Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl

Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl
Greg Dupree

Recipe: Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl

Lime juice gives these bowls a summery zest while cayenne and jalapeño pepper add a nice kick. Perfect for pairing with margaritas.

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Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

This winner of a chicken dinner is our new favorite roasting-pan supper for weeknights or easy entertaining with friends.

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Chicken-and-Collards Pilau

Chicken-and-Collards Pilau
Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Chicken-and-Collards Pilau

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.

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One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo

One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo

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, crushed red pepper, so there's not shortage of flavor.

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One-Pan Chicken with Lemon, Olives, and Artichokes Recipe

One-Pan Chicken with Lemon, Olives, and Artichokes
Greg DuPree

Recipe: One-Pan Chicken with Lemon, Olives, and Artichokes Recipe

When serving, make sure to add plenty of pan sauce to each plate.

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Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

Breakfast for dinner just got easier with just one-skillet and the help of frozen biscuits.

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Chicken Bog

Simple Suppers Challenge: Chicken Bog
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Bog

Using a rotisserie chicken helps this one-pot dinner come together with just 30 minutes of hands-on time.

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Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

For the best results, make sure your vegetables are cut into evenly-sized pieces.

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Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables Recipe

Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables Recipe

Browning the chicken in the same skillet as you cook the veggies will help make the flavorful pan sauce.

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Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges

Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon with Veggies and Oranges

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.

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Chicken and Shrimp Skillet Rice

Skillet Rice with Shrimp and Chicken
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Chicken and Shrimp Skillet Rice

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.

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One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards
Greg DuPree

Recipe: One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

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.

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Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

This one-pan dish is as impressive as it is easy to make. Once you complete this hearty dish of savory apples and whipped cream, you'll also finish with a side and a sauce all-in-one. The Granny Smith apples add sweet notes to the otherwise savory flavor profile, and pull richness from the bourbon.

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Ancho Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos

Ancho Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos
Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Ancho Chile Flank Steak and Sweet Potato Tacos

For an extra burst of flavor, stir a few tablespoons of pan drippings into your sour cream.

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King Ranch Chicken

King Ranch Chicken
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken

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.

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Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes

Make sure to select chicken breasts that are similar in size so they'll cook evenly on the sheet pan.

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Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

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.

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Skillet Orzo with Fish and Herbs

Skillet Orzo with Fish and Herbs
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Skillet Orzo with Fish and Herbs

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.

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Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes

Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes

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.

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Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad

Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad

Reinvent the Caesar by roasting the lettuce to caramelize it, and jazz up store-bought dressing to make it taste like homemade.

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Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

Tomato and Beef Casserole with Polenta Crust Recipe
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

A flavorful cornmeal-based crust is topped with hearty ground beef, tomato paste, and sharp Cheddar cheese in this easy Italian casserole.

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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

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.

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Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits

Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits

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.

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Curried Shrimp with Peanuts

Curried Shrimp with Peanuts

Recipe: Curried Shrimp with Peanuts

"This is an updated version of my favorite dinner as a kid," says Test Kitchen Specialist Vanessa McNeil Rocchio. "Cooking the curry powder with the flour brings out the essential oils, making the dish even more flavorful.

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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

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.

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White Lightning Chicken Chili

White Lightning Chicken Chili
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: White Lightning Chicken Chili

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.

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Quick Beef Chili

Quick Beef Chili
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Quick Beef Chili

Hearty chili like this has chunks of meat cooked to perfection in a Dutch oven before being combined with its other ingredients.

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Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons

Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons

You may want to consider serving this chicken dish with mashed potatoes so you can enjoy them covered in the delicious pan sauce.

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All-In-One Spaghetti

All In One Spaghetti Recipe
Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: All-In-One Spaghetti

Not only is this classic spaghetti recipe easy to make, cooking it all in one pot means quick and simple cleanup later.

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Tuscan Pasta With Tomato-Basil Cream

Easy Pasta Recipes: Tuscan Pasta With Tomato-Basil Cream
Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Tuscan Pasta With Tomato-Basil Cream

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.

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Summer Tortellini Salad

Summer Tortellini Salad Recipe
Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Summer Tortellini Salad

Toss pre-made tortellini with chicken and an array of herbs for a palate-pleasing summer salad.

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Black Bean Chili

Black Bean Chili Recipe
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Black Bean Chili

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.

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Pizza Spaghetti Casserole

Pizza Spaghetti Casserole
Beth Dreiling; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Recipe: Pizza Spaghetti Casserole

We preferred turkey pepperoni, so you don't get a greasy appearance. Freeze the unbaked casserole up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator; let stand 30 minutes at room temperature, and bake as directed.

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Spinach-Ravioli Lasagna

Easy Pasta Recipes: Spinach Ravioli Lasagna
Van Chaplin

Recipe: Spinach-Ravioli Lasagna

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.

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One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

Recipe: 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.

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