20 Easy, 5-Ingredient One Pot Meals

Cooking doesn’t have to mean juggling a mountain of ingredients or scrubbing a sink full of dishes afterward.

With just five ingredients and a single pot, you can whip up meals that are big on flavor and light on effort.

These one-pot meals are perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or whenever you crave something delicious without the chaos or massive cleanup.

1. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This quick and flavorful pasta dish brings together juicy shrimp, fragrant garlic, and a buttery sauce for a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. Perfect for seafood lovers looking for an easy dinner!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti in a large pot according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Toss in the cooked spaghetti and lemon juice. Stir well and serve warm.

2. Chicken Alfredo

This creamy chicken Alfredo is a comforting classic that comes together in a single pot. With rich flavors and minimal effort, it’s perfect for an indulgent weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 jar Alfredo sauce (15 oz)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook chicken until browned and cooked through.
2. Add Alfredo sauce, 2 cups of water, and uncooked pasta. Stir and bring to a boil.
3. Lower the heat and simmer until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in spinach and Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.

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3. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Satisfy your takeout cravings with this easy and healthier version of beef and broccoli. It’s loaded with flavor and comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups cooked rice

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
2. Add garlic and broccoli, cooking until broccoli is tender.
3. Stir in soy sauce and cook for 2–3 minutes.
4. Serve over cooked rice.

4. Lemon Herb Salmon and Veggies

Bright, zesty, and packed with nutrients, this lemon herb salmon dish is as healthy as it is delicious. It’s an all-in-one meal with tender veggies and perfectly cooked fish.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Optional: Garnish with fresh, minced parley

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Season salmon with garlic powder and place in the skillet alongside asparagus.
3. Cook for 4–5 minutes on each side, or until salmon is flaky.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over the dish. Sprinkle on the fresh, finely chopped parsley if using, and serve.

5. Taco Skillet

This cheesy taco skillet is a crowd-pleaser that’s ready in a snap. With bold Mexican flavors, it’s perfect for taco night or as a fun alternative to traditional tacos.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• Optional: Garnish with fresh, chopped cilantro

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Drain any excess grease.
2. Stir in taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and corn. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle cheese on top and cover until melted. Garnish with cilantro, if using.
4. Serve with tortilla chips or over rice.

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6. Sausage and Cabbage Stir Fry

This hearty and flavorful stir fry combines smoky sausage and tender cabbage for a budget-friendly meal that’s ready in no time. It’s simple, nutritious, and perfect for a quick dinner.

Ingredients:

• 4 sausage links, sliced
• 1 small head cabbage, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add sausage and cook until browned.
3. Stir in cabbage and cook until tender, about 8–10 minutes. Serve warm.

7. Chili Mac

A mashup of chili and macaroni, this one-pot meal is comforting, cheesy, and packed with flavor. It’s a kid-friendly dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz macaroni
• 1 can chili beans (15 oz)
• 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Brown ground beef in a large pot and drain excess grease.
2. Add tomato sauce, chili beans, and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
3. Stir in uncooked macaroni and simmer until pasta is tender.
4. Top with shredded cheese and serve.

8. Chicken Teriyaki Rice

This quick and flavorful dish combines tender chicken, teriyaki sauce, and rice for a takeout-inspired meal that’s easy to make at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken thighs, diced
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 2 cups frozen mixed veggies
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 cups water
• Optional: Finely minced green onions or parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook chicken until browned.
2. Add rice, mixed veggies, teriyaki sauce, and water. Stir well.
3. Cover and simmer until rice is cooked, about 15–20 minutes. Serve warm.

9. Pesto Pasta with Chicken

This fresh and flavorful pasta is a crowd-pleaser with juicy chicken, tangy pesto, and bright cherry tomatoes. It’s a perfect quick meal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta of choice
• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1/4 cup pesto sauce
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• Optional: Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook chicken in a large pot until golden and cooked through.
2. Add pasta, 2 cups of water, and pesto sauce. Simmer until pasta is tender.
3. Stir in cherry tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

10. Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

This comforting soup is creamy, cheesy, and filled with tender tortellini. It’s an easy one-pot meal that’s perfect for a cozy night in.

Ingredients:

• 1 package cheese tortellini (9 oz)
• 1 can tomato soup (15 oz)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups spinach
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat tomato soup and 2 cups of water over medium heat.
2. Stir in tortellini and cook until tender, about 8 minutes.
3. Add heavy cream, spinach, and Parmesan cheese (or sprinkle on after plating). Stir well and serve warm.

11. Spaghetti Carbonara

This classic Italian dish features creamy pasta coated in a rich egg and Parmesan sauce, with crispy bacon adding a smoky bite. It’s deceptively simple and oh-so-delicious!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti in a large pot. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. In the same pot, cook bacon until crispy. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Reduce heat, then stir in spaghetti, beaten eggs, Parmesan, and reserved pasta water. Toss quickly and serve.

12. Chicken and Rice Soup

This comforting chicken and rice soup is simple to make and packed with flavor. It’s a warm and hearty one-pot meal perfect for cold days.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté chicken until cooked through.
2. Add rice, chicken broth, carrots, and celery.
3. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until rice and veggies are tender. Serve hot.

13. One-Pot Lasagna

All the flavors of lasagna without the hassle, this one-pot dish layers ground beef, noodles, and cheese for a family-friendly meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz)
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Brown ground beef in a large pot. Drain excess grease.
2. Stir in marinara sauce, 2 cups of water, and lasagna noodles. Simmer until noodles are tender.
3. Dollop ricotta and sprinkle mozzarella on top. Cover until cheese is melted. Serve.

14. Sausage and Lentil Stew

This hearty and satisfying stew is packed with smoky sausage, protein-rich lentils, and tender carrots. It’s the perfect one-pot comfort meal for chilly evenings.

Ingredients:

• 4 sausage links, sliced
• 1 cup lentils
• 2 carrots, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, brown the sausage over medium heat.
2. Add lentils, carrots, chicken broth, and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
3. Simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Serve hot.

15. Mushroom Risotto

Creamy, rich, and packed with umami flavor, this mushroom risotto is a luxurious yet easy one-pot dish that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion, garlic, and mushrooms until softened.
2. Add Arborio rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring.
3. Gradually add chicken broth, one cup at a time, stirring until absorbed before adding more. Continue until rice is creamy and tender. Serve warm.

16. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

This vegetarian chili is packed with hearty sweet potatoes and protein-rich black beans for a healthy and delicious meal. It’s spiced to perfection and ready in no time.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz)
• 1 packet chili seasoning
• Optional: Fresh, chopped parsley to garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion until softened.
2. Add sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning, and 1 cup water. Stir well.
3. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender. Serve warm.

17. Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry

Light, fresh, and flavorful, this zucchini noodle stir fry is a low-carb option that’s packed with shrimp and seasoned with soy sauce and garlic.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium zucchini, spiralized
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and shrimp, cooking until shrimp is pink.
2. Add zucchini noodles and soy sauce. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until noodles are tender. Serve immediately.

18. One-Pot Lemon Herb Orzo with Chicken

Bright, zesty, and packed with flavor, this lemon herb orzo dish features tender chicken and a light, citrusy sauce. It’s a refreshing and satisfying one-pot meal that feels fancy but is incredibly simple to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Optional: Sprigs of fresh rosemary to garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil and cook chicken until golden and fully cooked.
2. Add orzo and chicken broth, stirring well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
3. Cook until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 10–12 minutes.
4. Stir in lemon zest and juice for a burst of flavor. Serve warm.

19. Pulled Pork Nachos

This quick and easy one-pot nacho dish is packed with savory pulled pork and topped with gooey melted cheese. It’s perfect for game day or a fun family dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked pulled pork
• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions:

1. Layer tortilla chips in a large skillet. Top with pulled pork, cheese, and salsa.
2. Cover and heat over low heat until cheese is melted.
3. Serve topped with sour cream.

20. Chicken Curry with Rice

This flavorful chicken curry is made with creamy coconut milk and served over tender rice. It’s a quick and satisfying one-pot dinner with a touch of spice.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 1 tbsp curry paste
• 1 can coconut milk (15 oz)
• 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté chicken until golden.
2. Add curry paste, rice, coconut milk, and 1 cup water. Stir well.
3. Simmer until rice is cooked, then stir in frozen peas. Serve warm.

There you have it—20 simple, 5-ingredient one-pot meals that will make dinner a breeze!