No one likes a pile of dirty dishes after cooking dinner. Luckily, one-pot meals exist to save you from drowning in kitchen cleanup. These recipes not only make dinner easy, but they also keep things exciting with bold flavors and minimal fuss. From cozy chili to creamy risotto, these meals give you everything you need in just one pan. Grab a spoon and dig in knowing there’s not a mound of clean-up left for you in the kitchen.
Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili
This spicy hummus turkey chili is creamy and comforting, making it a great one-pot meal for cold days. Plus, fewer dishes to clean up afterward!
Get the Recipe: Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili
Mexican Vegetable Soup
Packed with quinoa and veggies, this Mexican vegetable soup is ready in under 20 minutes. It’s an easy, one-pot meal that’s hearty and quick to customize with what you have.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Vegetable Soup
Pineapple Fried Rice
Pineapple fried rice brings Thai flavors, sweet pineapple, and veggies into one pan. A simple, meatless dinner that keeps dishes to a minimum.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Fried Rice
Short Rib Chili
Spicy porter short rib chili is the comfort food you need on a chilly day. It freezes well, making it a great one-pot dish to enjoy now or save for later.
Get the Recipe: Short Rib Chili
Italian Tomato Pasta Soup
Ground beef, sausage, mushrooms, and escarole come together in this Italian tomato pasta soup. It’s a cozy one-pot meal that will satisfy your need for comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tomato Pasta Soup
Chicken Lime Soup
Chicken lime soup is a spicy mix of chicken noodle and tortilla soup without the noodles. It’s a great one-pot choice when you’re craving something with a little extra kick.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lime Soup
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
This one-pot turkey mac and cheese is a grownup take on hamburger helper. Loaded with veggies and real cheddar, it’s ready in 30 minutes and saves you from extra dishes.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili
Creamy chicken apple cheddar chili brings together white beans, cheddar, and fall flavors. It’s a non-traditional one-pot meal that’s perfect for cozying up in cooler weather.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili
Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles
Butternut squash noodles, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes come together in this easy one-pan meal. A comforting vegetarian dish with minimal cleanup needed.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles
Brisket Chili
Brisket chili is the perfect way to use up leftover brisket. Loaded with beans, peppers, and corn, this one-pot chili brings big flavors without piling up the dishes.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Chili
Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas
Creamy turmeric chicken with chickpeas is an easy, one-skillet meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Serve it over rice for a flavorful dinner with hardly any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas
Turkey Stew
This turkey stew combines shredded turkey, veggies, and fresh herbs in one pot. It’s the kind of meal that simmers together perfectly for a cozy night without the dish overload.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Stew
Turkey Chili Pie
Turkey chili pie is a leaner chili baked with a cornbread topping in one skillet. Perfect for when you need a hearty meal without making a mess of your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili Pie
Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
This pork ramen stir fry is ready in just 20 minutes. It’s sweet, spicy, and full of vegetables, making it a great one-pan alternative to takeout on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
Creamy Mushroom Risotto
This dairy-free mushroom risotto is rich and packed with flavor. A one-pan dish that’s creamy, comforting, and saves you from a mountain of dirty dishes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Risotto
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.