Nothing’s worse than staring down a sink of dirty pans after finishing a delicious home cooked dinner. The best way to free up your time in the kitchen: Opting for one-pot meals! All of these healthy dinner recipes require just a single pot or pan to get your supper from fridge to table. Enjoy Italian night without the guilt by whipping up some pesto spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles, indulge a craving for Mexican with burrito bowls or have breakfast for dinner with some healthy chorizo hash. Whichever delicious recipe you choose, you can expect the clean up to fly by in a flash. Now that’s a weeknight win!
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15 Delicious One-Pot Meals
1. Paleo Pesto Squash Boats
Not only does this easy dinner recipe require only one-pan, but you won’t even have to dirty a plate. You can serve your roasted spaghetti squash directly in the rind. A classic basil and pine nut pesto adds tons of flavor, but any combination of nuts or greens (e.g. kale and walnut or parsley and almonds) would work just as well. Pro tip: Before roasting, line the baking sheet with foil to make clean up even more of a breeze. Photo and recipe: Courtney / Sweet C’s Designs
2. One-Pot Burrito Bowls
Craving Mexican food? Turn to this simple 30-minute meal. The recipe calls for store-bought taco seasoning, but it’s easy to substitute your own homemade version if you’d prefer. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a few slices of avocado. Photo and recipe: Jamielyn / I Heart Naptime
3. Root Vegetable Red Lentil Stew
Soup is the ultimate one-pot meal, and this version will not disappoint. Each spoonful is packed with vitamins A and C thanks to parsnips, carrots, sweet potato and kale. The warm and spicy lentils add a healthy dose of fiber and protein, too. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
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4. Paleo Chicken and Sweet Potato Bake
It doesn’t get easier than this wholesome eight-ingredient dish. All you need is chicken breast, sweet potatoes, grape tomatoes and a few essentials to give this bake a good flavor boost. Not in the mood for chicken? Swap in pork tenderloin or change up the vegetables if something else strikes your fancy. Photo and recipe: Linda Wagner
5. One-Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Root Vegetables
The subtle sweetness from apples, carrots and parsnips complement the hearty roasted pork tenderloin that serves as the star of this dinner. Thanks to a simple brown sugar spice rub, the pork caramelizes nicely while roasting. Don’t skip the apple-Dijon glaze, either. It keeps the meat moist and flavorful. Photo and recipe: Denise / Sweet Peas and Saffron
6. Summer Vegetables with Sausage and Potatoes
At 326 calories and 23 grams of protein per serving, this one-pan meal makes for light yet filling weeknight eats. Not a fan of bell peppers and zucchini? Other vegetables will work just as well — we vote for kale and butternut squash. Photo and recipe: Gina Homolka / SkinnyTaste
7. Easy One-Pot Baked Pesto Chicken
An oven-safe skillet is your ticket to fewer dishes for this hearty recipe. First, sauté the veggies and chicken on the stovetop. Next, add the chicken and the remainder of the ingredients before sticking the whole thing in the oven to finish the dish. Photo and recipe: Alexa Schirm / Life by Daily Burn
8. One-Pot Zucchini Pasta
This vegan and gluten-free meal comes together in about 20 minutes, so it’s accessible for first-time zoodle-ers. Serve each bowl with a few slices of grilled chicken, fish or pork for an extra serving of protein. Photo and recipe: Sarah / Making Thyme for Health
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9. One-Pan Garlic Roasted Salmon with Brussels Sprouts
It’s Brussels sprouts season! Here, the earthy and slightly sweet sprouts are paired with omega-3-rich salmon fillets. While the recipe calls for garlic-flavored olive oil, a few cloves of crushed garlic mixed with regular olive oil will stand in just fine. Photo and recipe: Katerina Petrovska / Diethood
10. Balsamic Chicken with Barley and Chard
When cooked down, balsamic vinegar lends sweet, rich flavors that will instantly turn a mix of ingredients from bland to bold. Fiber-packed barley and chard make this recipe filling while keeping calories in check. If you’re not a fan of chard, try kale instead. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
11. One Pot Couscous with Shrimp and Peas
When you’re short on time and high on hunger, shrimp that’s ready in a matter of minutes can save the day. Couscous serves as the base for this dish, but quinoa is a great gluten-free alternative. Don’t forget to garnish with chopped pistachios — the added crunch takes this dish to the next level. Photo and recipe: Joanna / Jo Cooks
12. Chorizo Breakfast Hash with Sriracha Honey Lime Sour Cream
Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? Spicy chorizo and sweet potatoes are better together any time of day. Once the hash is cooked, top with a few eggs and bake to achieve picture-perfect runny yolks. The Sriracha Honey Lime Sour Cream will finish off the dish with enough flavor to wake up even the most tired of taste buds. Photo and recipe: Ashley / Spoonful of Flavor
13. One-Pan Tuscan Quinoa Bake
This is what we like to call modern day comfort food. It’s warm and cheesy but also healthy, thanks to a quinoa and vegetable base. Herbs, spices, olives and pickled pepperoncinis (mini peppers) bring a lot of flavor to this dish. If you want to keep things on the lighter side, consider cutting back on or omitting the cheese. Photo and recipe: Tieghan Gerard / Half-Baked Harvest
14. Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup
Mushrooms are good for much more than grilling or sautéing. In this case, they add some meaty texture to a vegetarian dish. (Looking for more meat-free options? Try one of these healthy dinners.) Go for a mix of different ‘shrooms to really get a wide range of flavors working. The best part? A cup of this foolproof soup is just 188 calories! Add shredded chicken or white beans for an extra boost of protein. Photo and recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
15. Steak and Sriracha Lettuce Wraps
We’re fans of any meal that can make it to the table in less than 20 minutes, and this recipe fits the bill. The combination of lean beef and stir-fried vegetables makes for a high-protein and low-carb meal. Plus, it takes just eight ingredients from start to finish. Photo and recipe: Courtney / Sweet C’s Designs