Quick and easy one-pot dinner recipes

Some days you can cook a multi-course lunch, but other times you don't even have time to order restaurant delivery. In this case, a simple pre-made dinner will come in handy: place all the ingredients in a casserole dish, a slow cooker bowl, a baking sheet, or a saucepan—and dinner is practically ready.

Chili with brisket

The long simmering process makes the somewhat tough meat tender and pliable. Keep a couple of servings of this hearty chili in the freezer for an easy weeknight dinner or a game night.

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Enjoy your favorite Tex-Mex flavors in a cozy casserole that's quick and easy to make.

Caprese pasta

This dish is similar to your favorite summer salad, only more filling. Try cooking the pasta in one pot—it saves time. Place all the ingredients in a saucepan, add enough water, and simmer over low heat. The pasta and sauce cook together, so dinner takes just 15 minutes. Stir in fresh mozzarella at the end for an instant creamy sauce that coats the pasta and adds a cheesy flavor.

Baked Cauliflower with Chickpeas and Curry

For an easy lunch, you don't need to cook a pot of rice: just combine the ingredients in a baking dish. Basmati rice and chickpeas are infused with the wonderful flavors of ginger, garlic, curry powder, and coconut milk. Top this simple, filling dish with lime wedges, a drizzle of yogurt, and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro leaves.

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Stew

This stew is the perfect Mexican-inspired dish. Simply add chicken seasoned with salt and cumin, onions, tomatoes, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and oregano to the slow cooker. When you get home, you'll have a tender chicken stew waiting for you: just add frozen corn, stir, and serve with a warm tortilla.

Oven fried rice

Baking the rice on a baking sheet will give you more of the crispy, toasted bits that make fried rice so delicious. For this recipe, it's best to use day-old, slightly dried-out rice. If you must use freshly cooked rice, dry it out in the refrigerator first, spreading it out on a baking sheet.

Mac and cheese in a slow cooker

We love multifunctional kitchen appliances that make life easier, so the Instant Pot (a slow cooker, pressure cooker, and multi-cooker all in one) is a versatile choice for quick meals. Especially for creamy mac and cheese, which cooks in minutes. And afterward, there's only one bowl to clean!

Beef stew "Ropa Vieja"

Ropa vieja is a traditional pulled beef and vegetable stew popular in Cuba and Puerto Rico. This slow cooker version is easy to make on a weeknight. All you need to do is combine the ingredients (tomatoes, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, cumin, and jalapeño) with steak, bell peppers, and onions. Eight hours later, you'll have a delicious, savory dinner that requires no extra effort.

Baked pasta with sausage and ricotta

No need to boil a large pot of water. For a filling dinner, layer uncooked rigatoni pasta, ricotta, and Italian sausage directly in the baking dish—no extra dishes to wash after baking.

Slow Cooker Gumbo

This gumbo doesn't require a roux to thicken it. A small amount of rice, cooked at a low temperature, will give the dish just the right amount of volume. With the prepared ingredients in the freezer, you can serve gumbo even for a weeknight dinner.

Baked noodles with tuna

This delicate egg noodle dish is made entirely in one baking dish. It tastes just like the casseroles of your childhood, but requires fewer dishes (and cleanup is easier). Instead of a classic cream of mushroom soup, we use a combination of cheese, broth, heavy cream, and sour cream, which creates the same velvety texture.



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Pork carnitas

Basic pulled pork is enhanced with oregano, cumin, jalapeño, and orange. Brown the meat in a skillet before eating, and dinner is ready. A nice bonus: there will be plenty of leftovers for later use.

Salmon baked in foil

Giada makes baked salmon in a classic Italian style. Spread the tomato mixture on the fillets, wrap them in foil, and bake. In about 25 minutes, this delicious salmon dinner is ready to serve.

Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry

The cauliflower is cut into quarters instead of florets: this vegetarian dish simmers in the slow cooker all day without turning into mush. Freeze a few containers of this pre-assembled dish for a last-minute fix after a busy day.

Pork loin with chickpeas, garlic and rosemary

Sheet pan recipes like this rosemary pork are perfect for a quick and super-easy dinner. Season the pork loin, toss with chickpeas, garlic, and roasted red pepper, and pop it in the oven. You'll have a complete meal on the table in less than 20 minutes!

Vegetable casserole with tomatoes

Casseroles are a great way to pack a rich flavor into one dish. Giada's vegetable casserole is a perfect example: each vegetable is arranged in a pan so you can appreciate the individual flavors. Best of all, there's only one container to clean up after dinner!

Sausages with vegetables on a baking sheet

This recipe takes all-in-one cooking to the next level. Ree Drummond's dish features seasoned vegetables and Italian sausage, all baked on a single baking sheet. Dinner is ready!

Indian-style chicken in creamy tomato sauce

One of the best things about a slow cooker (besides its convenience) is that it can be used to make any type of cuisine. We think making this creamy chicken is even easier than ordering takeout.

Roast beef with vegetables

You don't need to be a pro to make this hearty dish. Seasoned beef is simmered in broth and Worcestershire sauce alongside baby vegetables—a simple dinner with a multifaceted flavor.

Chicken and Ramen Noodle Casserole

This easy recipe turns ramen noodles (a college favorite) into a delicious casserole for the whole family.

BBQ chicken sandwiches

Chicken thighs are perfect for the slow cooker, remaining tender and juicy even after several hours of cooking. The sauce is sure to please kids: it's rich and sweet, without being overly spicy or tangy. Make this dish ahead of time and keep it in the freezer—it's a great choice for weekdays when you're short on time.

Chicken Teriyaki Casserole

Combine everything you love about teriyaki chicken (including rice) in one baking dish. This quick and delicious dinner requires no extra cookware.

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Chicken chili is always a hit, and thanks to the slow cooker, it's a breeze to make on a weeknight. Dinner is made in one pot, so cleanup is super easy!

Moroccan Turkey Stew

This delicious Moroccan-inspired dish uses turkey thighs. It makes enough for a large gathering, and if you don't finish it all, you can make Moroccan burritos with the leftovers.

Beans with sausages and barbecue spices in a slow cooker

Flavorful beans with chicken and apple sausages, and without much effort? We wouldn't turn down a slow cooker dish like this. The best part: leftovers will be just as delicious.

BBQ Beef Brisket in a Slow Cooker

It turns out you can make classic brisket without a grill or smoker. This recipe makes for a delicious summer barbecue, even on a busy weekday. Serve with potato salad and cornbread.

Mississippi Roast

This roast couldn't be easier: just throw the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook for 8 hours. No stress, no fuss, no long cleanup. Just delicious roast.

Chicken Cacciatore with Pasta in a Slow Cooker

Who can resist a big bowl of Italian pasta with red sauce? It's even more delicious as a full meal with tender chicken and briny olives. Simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, and with minimal effort, this Italian classic will be on the table in just half an hour!

Chicken and broccoli teriyaki with rice in a slow cooker

This popular takeout dish from Chinese restaurants can be easily prepared in the comfort of your own home, in less time than it takes to get it delivered. Simply add all the ingredients to your slow cooker and let it do the rest! Dinner will be on the table in just 30 minutes.

BBQ chicken with corn porridge in a slow cooker

This dinner is a real find for those who love to cook everything in one pot without any fuss. Barbecue chicken with corn mush is a traditional dish of the American South. It cooks in just 40 minutes in a slow cooker. Simply add the ingredients to the slow cooker, and the appliance will take care of the rest.







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