Looking for quick and easy dinner ideas to make on busy weeknights? Find 30 days of one-pot meals that you can enjoy all month long, helping you to save time in the kitchen with minimal prep, simple ingredients and easy clean-up because everything is cooked in one pot or pan.
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Life can get super busy, and the last thing we want to do when we get home is spend hours cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. We want to unwind, relax, and spend time with the people we love.
That is why I love making one-pot meals. They are perfect for quick and easy weeknight dinners because they require minimal prep, simple ingredients, and fewer dishes since you only have to use one pot or pan to make the entire meal making clean-up a breeze.
One-pot recipes are my favorite meals to make for my family which is why I love sharing them with you because they are the ultimate time-saver when it comes to making no-fuss dinners on busy days.
So, with that in mind, I decided to gather up 30 of the best one-pot meals (one for every day of the month) so you can enjoy simple and satisfying family dinners for 30 days. Enjoy!
You May Like: 30 Days of Dump and Go Crockpot Meals
30 Days of Easy One-Pot Meals
Enjoy stress-free dinners all month long with these 30 days of easy one-pot meals that are budget-friendly, kid-approved, and delicious. Find everything from flavorful one-pot pasta recipes, to cozy casseroles, savory skillet meals, and simple sheet pan dinners that can be made up in less than 30 minutes.
Week 1
Monday- Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs are definitely our go-to dinner on busy weeknights because of how quick, easy, and family-friendly it is. Plus, it’s the perfect simple dinner to throw together when you have guests on the way because it’s such a crowd-pleaser.
We love this one-pot spaghetti and meatball recipe from Valerie’s Kitchen, it’s not only delicious but it uses frozen meatballs for a simple 30-minute dinner.
If you would prefer homemade meatballs, I share our family’s homemade meatball recipe in my 30 quick and easy ground beef dinner ideas.
Tuesday- One-Pan Chicken Fajitas
Chicken sheet pan dinners are the ultimate easy dinner for busy weeknights, simply add your ingredients to a sheet pan and before you know it you will have dinner ready and waiting for you to enjoy.
To make easy one-pan chicken fajitas, add 1lb. boneless chicken breasts or tenderloins cut into thin strips on a baking sheet, along with 2 sliced bell peppers, one onion (sliced), and a packet of fajita seasoning mix, drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil ( I like to stir everything around so it’s coated with the oil) Then bake in a 400° oven for about 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Warm 10 tortilla shells in the microwave for 1 minute. Add the fajita mixture to the shells, and serve with your favorite toppings (salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, etc.)
Wednesday- One-Pot Chili
Looking for a hearty meal to make when the weather gets cold? How about some easy and delicious chili? This chili recipe from Spend with Pennies is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s simple to make and freezer-friendly, so you can make a big batch to enjoy later.
Do you prefer vegetarian chili? Try this delicious vegetable chili recipe from The Endless Meal for a comforting dinner idea you are sure to love.
If you are short on time, you can always brown some ground beef in a skillet, add your favorite marinara sauce and a packet of chili seasoning, a can of black beans, and corn. Then, let simmer and add shredded cheddar cheese on top and serve with tortilla chips.
Thursday- Chicken and Dumpling Soup
There is nothing more cozy and delicious than a hearty bowl of homemade soup especially on chilly days in the fall or winter. This one-pot chicken dumpling soup from Midwest Foodie is the ultimate comfort food that is easy to make and so satisfying.
If you are looking for something with minimal prep and simple ingredients then this recipe won’t disappoint.
Find more easy soup recipes-40 Comforting Winter Soup Recipes
Friday- One-Pan Baked Ziti
Baked Ziti is my oldest son’s favorite dinner so much so that he asks for it for his birthday dinner every year. And this one-pan ziti recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch is the perfect quick and easy recipe. It’s so cheesy and delicious and we love that it’s made in just one pan in less than 30 minutes.
Although, we like the classic baked ziti in the oven, when we are looking for something super simple with less clean-up this is our go-to dinner recipe.
Saturday- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken casseroles are the ultimate comfort food, perfect for weeknight dinners, especially when the weather is cold. Plus, they are super easy to assemble and delicious.
To make this easy recipe, preheat your oven to 375° and cut 4 boneless (uncooked) chicken breasts into chunks and mix with a can of cream of chicken soup, 1 ½ cups of chicken broth, a cup of uncooked white rice, and a package of frozen broccoli. Sprinkle with Italian seasonings and garlic powder, then top with a cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked and the casserole is brown and bubbly. If you want a crispier top, remove the foil in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Sunday- Stuffed Bell Pepper Skillet
When it comes to simple but flavorful family meals, this one-pan stuffed pepper skillet from I Wash You Dry, is ideal for not only a busy weeknight but a comforting Sunday dinner. It takes less than 30 minutes and you can have dinner on the table with minimal effort.
So, if you are looking for a new easy dinner recipe to add to your meal plan this week, you won’t be disappointed with this hearty and savory meal everyone is sure to love.
Week 2
Monday- Sloppy Joe Skillet
Sloppy joes are one of the best simple dinner recipes to make on crazy busy days as they are the perfect 10-minute meal when you are short on time and need dinner on the table fast.
But if you are looking for something a little different when it comes to sloppy joes, you can try this one-pan sloppy joe skillet. To make this easy one-pan recipe, preheat your oven to 375°, and then brown one pound of ground beef in a skillet with some diced onions. Mix in some sloppy joe sauce (or use this homemade recipe from Five Heart Home), and add store-bought biscuits on top of the sloppy joe mixture.
Place skillet in preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until the biscuits are cooked through. Sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top and bake for an additional 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and enjoy!
Tuesday-Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Chicken Alfredo Pasta is not only super easy to make but it’s the perfect inexpensive kid-friendly meal idea. To make this simple dish, we use shredded rotisserie chicken, penne pasta, jarred alfredo sauce (if you prefer homemade, you can always make a batch of alfredo sauce and freeze it so you have it on hand when you need it), and parmesan cheese.
Start preparing your pasta according to the directions on the box, once the pasta is cooked, drain and then combine the pasta, shredded rotisserie chicken, a jar of alfredo sauce, a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a pot and simmer until heated through. Stir in the parmesan cheese for a quick and simple weeknight meal.
Looking for more shortcut rotisserie chicken recipes?
Wednesday- Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole
When it comes to favorite family dinners, delicious and juicy burgers are at the top of the list, especially in the summer months. But, when you are craving something cozy for those colder days, a ground beef casserole that includes cheese, ground beef, and rice like this easy one-pan cheesy hamburger rice casserole from Berly’s Kitchen may be just what you are looking for.
Hearty and satisfying this delicious recipe has minimal prep and uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand for an easy family-friendly meal idea that is perfect for busy weeknights.
Thursday- Sausage and Potato Bake
Some of our go-to dinners include smoked sausage because it’s so flavorful and delicious. I’ve shared our recipe for kielbasa with onions and peppers. As well as easy kielbasa with zucchini and noodles, which is our favorite 20-minute dinner recipe.
Recently, I stumbled across this sheet pan sausage and potato bake recipe from Meatloaf and Melodrama and knew I needed to give it a try. It’s the perfect quick and easy one-pan dinner especially if you love smoked sausage like we do.
Friday- One-Pot Taco Pasta
Who says taco night has to be on Tuesdays? You can enjoy delicious taco recipes all week long (we do!) Honestly, though tacos are probably one of our very favorite family dinners. They are super easy to make and so customizable.
We can’t get enough of this easy layered nacho casserole because it’s so simple to throw together for a quick weeknight meal. We also love this one-pot taco pasta from The Cozy Cook because it combines two meals we love together- tacos and pasta!
This one-pot dinner is sure to be a hit with your whole family! (even picky eaters!)
Saturday- Lemon Chicken with Orzo
Since I’m always on the lookout for new dinner recipes to add to my meal plan (we are all about variety in our home). Last week, I discovered this easy one-pot lemon chicken orzo from My Baking Addiction.
It’s the perfect quick and easy recipe that is made with chicken, spinach, tomatoes, and orzo pasta in a lemony cream sauce that is so delicious you will wonder why you haven’t made it sooner.
Sunday- Beef and Vegetable Stew
Beef and Vegetable Stew is the perfect middle-of-the-week meal. It’s hearty comfort food at its finest and this easy one-pot beef stew from Feel Good Foodie that is cooked on the stovetop is ideal for a cozy family dinner idea. It’s perfect for warming you up on chilly days.
Prefer to use your crockpot instead, add 4 carrots (peeled and sliced) and 4 potatoes (peeled and diced) along with one onion, a couple of sliced celery stalks, and about 1-2 pounds of beef stew meat. Add 3 cups of water and a package of beef stew mix to your slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 5 hours.
Looking for more easy crockpot recipes?
- 20 Dump and Go Crockpot Soup Recipes
- 25 Frugal Crockpot Ground Beef Recipes
- 30 Cozy Crockpot Chicken Dinners
- 42 Kid-Approved Crockpot Dinners
Week 3
Monday- Ground Beef Stroganoff
Ground beef one-pot recipes are some of my favorite meals to make during the busy work week, because of how quickly I can get dinner on the table with no fuss. But, the best part is that since everything is cooked in one pot or pan, clean-up is a breeze.
One of our go-to one-pot meals made with ground beef is this tasty ground beef stroganoff from Taste and Tell. This hearty dish features ground beef and mushrooms in a creamy, savory sauce tossed with egg noodles. It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that my family can’t get enough of.
Tuesday- One-Pot Teriyaki Chicken & Rice
If you are looking for a super easy one-pot chicken recipe to make during the week on busy nights then you need to try this teriyaki chicken and rice from the Recipe Rebel. This family-friendly recipe combines chicken, vegetables, and rice with a savory homemade teriyaki sauce cooked all in one pot.
And, just like most of these easy one-pot meals, this delicious dish takes just 30 minutes or less for a fast and no-fuss dinner everyone will love.
Wednesday- One-Pot Mac and Cheese with Broccoli
There is nothing better than a quick and easy dinner recipe (especially one that you know your kids will eat). Macaroni and cheese is our go-to on busy days when we need something quick. I’ve even shared a single-serve homemade macaroni and cheese recipe when you want a fast 5-minute meal.
But, if you are looking to add in some veggies and make it a simple one-pot meal that will feed the whole family, then this one-pot stove-top mac and cheese from Half-Baked Harvest is sure to be a hit with everyone.
Thursday- One-Pot Burrito Bowls
I have been obsessed with burrito bowls lately, I love how easily they come together and are so customizable. If you are like me and can’t get enough of this tasty dish, then you will love this one-pot chicken burrito bowl recipe from – No. 2 Pencil.
When I am short on time, I will make this easy dish with rotisserie chicken, and combine it with black beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and shredded cheddar cheese topped with salsa and sour cream for a quick 15-minute dinner idea.
Friday- One-Pot Pizza Pasta Skillet
If I could only pick one food to eat ever, it would definitely be pizza. I love everything about it which is why I’m always trying to find new recipes that include that delicious pizza flavor. One of our favorite pizza-inspired meals is this one-pot pizza pasta bake from Damn Delicious
The best part of this tasty meal is that it’s super easy to make so it’s perfect for school night dinners plus, it is kid-approved (my picky eaters even love it!) I’m sure your family will too!
Saturday- Shepherd’s Pie Skillet
My son loves shepherd’s pie, and it’s highly requested during the colder months of the year. Honestly, it’s the perfect cold-weather food and this one-skillet shepherd’s pie from The Chunky Chef is cozy comfort at its finest.
Made with ground beef, vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes, this simple dish is sure to get rave reviews from everyone who tries it.
Sunday- One-Pot Minestrone Soup
When the weather starts to get chilly the first thing I add to my meal plan is homemade soup. There is just something so comforting about a nice, hot steaming bowl of soup on a cold day.
This delicious minestrone soup recipe from Minimalist Baker is made in just 30 minutes in one pot for a delicious cozy dinner idea that is sure to warm you right up.
Week 4
Monday- Cheeseburger Pasta
If you like that classic cheeseburger flavor, then you will love this delicious one-pot cheeseburger pasta from Taming Twins. It combines all your favorite cheeseburger flavors like ground beef, onions, pickles, and cheese into a satisfying meal that can be made in just a few minutes.
It’s such a tasty and hearty one-pot recipe that I know your whole family will enjoy. Perfect for a quick kid-friendly dinner on busy days.
Tuesday- Tuna Noodle Casserole
It’s so funny how your sense of taste changes as you get older. When my youngest son was small he would never eat tuna fish but now he loves it. Which I am so happy about because I can finally make tuna noodle casserole for dinner again.
Honestly, it’s the perfect frugal recipe for busy weeknights so being able to add it to our meal plan has been a great way to save on groceries.
To make tuna noodle casserole simply boil a package of egg noodles for 7-8 minutes, then drain. Melt ¼ cup of butter with 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup and ½ cup of milk, 2 cans of tuna (drained), a can of peas (drained), sprinkle of garlic and onion powder and 8 ounces of cheddar cheese. Stir until all the cheese is melted, then add the noodles back in and enjoy!
Wednesday- BBQ Chicken and Rice Bake
During the summer months, I can’t get enough of BBQ grilled chicken so when colder weather rolls around, I start looking for ways to add it to our monthly meal plan. Whether it’s baked BBQ chicken legs in the oven, BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches, or this easy BBQ chicken and rice bake from Picky Palate, these recipes are the perfect way to satisfy my BBQ chicken craving.
But, if you are looking for a quick one-skillet meal then the BBQ chicken and rice bake is sure to satisfy your whole family as it combines shredded chicken, cooked rice, sweet corn, and red onions with a tangy BBQ sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. So delicious! You are guaranteed to want seconds!
Thursday- Breakfast for Dinner Skillet
When you love big breakfasts as much as my family does, you don’t just save it for Sunday mornings, you add it to your meal plan to enjoy for dinner during the week.
Although we love breakfast casseroles, and easy breakfast crunch wraps, we can’t pass up a delicious breakfast skillet, especially since they are so easy to make.
Start out by cooking a pound of bacon in your skillet until crispy. Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb some of the grease. Add frozen diced potatoes (we like the ones that already have peppers and onions) to your skillet and cook according to package directions.
Crumble your bacon and add it to your cooked potatoes, stirring it to combine. Crack 4-5 eggs into your skillet, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then, top with shredded Colby jack cheese and cover for a few minutes until the eggs are cooked to your liking and the cheese is melted on the top.
If you prefer sausage or ham, you can switch out the bacon or if you want a super hearty and protein-packed breakfast you can use all three.
You May Like:
- 40 Quick 5-Minute Breakfast Ideas
- 45 Grab and Go Breakfast Ideas for Teens
- 70 Easy Back-to-School Breakfast Ideas for Kids
Friday- One-Pot Lasagna Soup
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy a hearty plate of lasagna. It’s so cheesy and delicious but it also takes a lot of time and is not ideal if you are looking for a quick weeknight dinner idea.
Luckily, you can still get all those delicious flavors in traditional lasagna with this easy one-pot lasagna soup from Sailor Bailey. This satisfying dish combines ground beef and sausage with tomato sauce, noodles, and cheese into a comforting bowl of soup that’s perfect for cozy evenings at home.
Saturday- Pork Chop and Apple Skillet
Looking for a cozy weekend dinner idea? These one-pan pork chops with apples and onions from Cooking For My Soul are perfect for chilly days during the fall or winter. One of my mother’s favorite meals has always been pork chops, apples, and onions so when I saw this recipe I knew I had to include it in this 30 days of one-pot meals.
This easy dish features juicy pork chops seared with Honeycrisp apples and sweet onions in a flavorful cider glaze. Enjoy with mashed potatoes and your favorite veggies for a quick dinner idea any night of the week.
Related–26 Quick and Easy Pork Recipes
Sunday- One-Pot Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
My youngest son loves chicken pot pie so when I discovered this chicken pot pie pasta from Jo Cooks, I knew it was going to be a keeper. It’s the perfect comfort food without all the fuss. This dish has all the flavors of a classic chicken pot pie but it’s cooked in one pot.
The combination of the chicken, hearty vegetables, and pasta cooked in creamy sauce is easy to prepare and so delicious. Although the recipe includes white wine, you can substitute chicken broth (which we do) and it’s still such a flavorful and hearty recipe perfect for Sunday dinners (or busy weeknights).
Week 5
Monday- Vegetable Fried Rice
Looking to add Meatless Mondays to your meal plan? Theme night dinners are the perfect way to change up your dinners every week and it makes planning your meals super easy and fast. Let’s start this week with vegetable fried rice. A super simple recipe that can be made up in no time.
For best results, this recipe uses leftover cold rice but you can always make some instant rice and let it cool. Heat 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add chopped onions and garlic, and cook until softened. Then, add a cup of frozen mixed vegetables and cook until heated through.
In the same skillet add 2 beaten eggs and scramble (you can push the vegetables to the side), add in the rice stirring everything together until combined, and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until rice is warmed. Stir in a few tablespoons of soy sauce and salt and pepper to taste.
You can always adjust the seasoning. We like to keep it simple but you can also add in some sesame oil if you would like.
Tuesday- One-Pot Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Are you craving a quick and easy Mexican-inspired dinner? This one-pan chicken enchilada skillet from The Girl Who Ate Everything is a fast 10-minute dish that combines shredded rotisserie chicken, enchilada sauce, salsa, and tortilla strips topped with melted cheese for a delicious weeknight meal your whole family won’t be able to get enough of.
There you go! A whole month of super easy one-pot meals to make dinner time stress-free. From hearty soups to comforting casseroles, sheet pan meals, and easy skillet recipes, these meal ideas prove that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. And, the best part- fewer dishes! Enjoy!
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