15 Easy One Pot Meals for Unfussy Family Dinners

Belly Full’s Skillet Beans and Rice with Kielbasa is the kind of hearty dinner that stretches to feed the whole family. Budget-friendly, filling, and only one skillet to clean.

Kelly R said:  This beans and rice skillet has quickly become one of my favorite easy one pot meals for fall and winter, and it turned my kids into kielbasa lovers! The rice tastes magical after simmering with the smoked sausage, and it's great as leftovers for lunch the next day.

This Skillet Creamy Macaroni and Cheese from Mel's Kitchen Cafe is the ultimate one pot pasta — creamy, cheesy, and made from scratch. The noodles cook right in the milk for rich flavor and quick cleanup, making this comfort food weeknight-friendly.

Kelly R said:  This is one of the easy one pot meals that shows up on our family dinner rotation frequently! It's so delicious, and much easier than most other homemade mac and cheese recipes because everything cooks together in one pan - including the pasta! I like to add chopped broccoli during the last couple minutes of simmering for a truly one-pot dinner. You can also let each person customize their bowl with toppings of their choice...green onions, bacon, etc!

You only have to dirty one skillet to make this all-in-one chicken and veggie meal, with a delicious pan sauce that tastes decadent but is light and fresh. It's a great option if you want easy one pot meals that don't use pasta or rice as a base. The ingredients include a bit of white wine, but you can easily substitute chicken broth if you prefer - or if you want to make it a Whole 30 friendly recipe.

Martha Stewart’s One-Pot Chicken and Dumplings is a cozy dinner with tender chicken, hearty veggies, and fluffy dumplings. It’s classic comfort food that feels like Sunday supper, but simple enough for busy weeknights.

Kelly R said:  This delicious and comforting chicken and dumplings is a well-rounded one pot dinner for families. I love making it in the fall and winter! Because it calls for cooked chicken, it's a great way to use up rotisserie chicken.

The Quick Beef and Broccoli Noodles from Simple Home Edit tastes like takeout but comes together faster than delivery. A kid-friendly way to sneak in some veggies, all in one pan.

A flavorful one-pot pasta gets a nice texture from a trip under the broiler and a toasty breadcrumb topping.

Sarah C. said:  My kids love any pasta dishes! This is healthy, easy to make and delish. We serve with garlic bread and caesar salad.

Tasty’s One Pot Chicken Chow Mein is a fun, slurpable noodle dinner that feels like takeout night. Everything cooks together for less mess.

Sarah C. said:  My whole family loves this dish! We serve with wontons on the side.

The Defined Dish’s One Pot Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff is a cozy, homemade version of the boxed classic, all cooked in a single pot for a hassle-free meal. Same kid-approved comfort, but fresher and made from scratch.

This tasty chicken and rice dish hits all of the major food groups for a one pot family meal.

Spend With Pennies’ Easy Goulash is a nostalgic, kid-approved dinner that comes together in one pot. It’s hearty, comforting, and makes enough for leftovers — perfect for lunchboxes or another easy family meal.

Alexandra F. said:  I'd never heard of goulash before my dad requested it for a birthday dinner, and now this tasty and ridiculously easy one pot meal is in our regular rotation. Ground beef, tomato sauce, macaroni noodles and just a few more ingredients combine in a single pot on the stove to make a yummy, comforting meal our whole family loves. It's super easy to customize, too, if you have allergies to account for or want to sneak in some extra veggies.

Spoon Fork Bacon’s One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo is creamy, cheesy, and total comfort food for kids and adults alike. Cooking it all in one pot makes this indulgent dinner manageable, even on hectic nights.

Budget Bytes’ Parmesan Portobello Orzo is cozy, veggie-forward, and easy enough for a weeknight. With everything cooked in one pot, it’s family-friendly, nourishing, and even picky eaters might ask for seconds.

This one pan tortellini with sausage from Salt & Lavender is a total comfort food shortcut. Everything — the cheesy pasta, savory sausage, and creamy tomato sauce — cooks together in just one skillet, so it’s hearty, cozy, and low on cleanup.

Diethood’s Creamy Tomato One Pot Pasta is a quick, saucy dinner that even picky eaters love. Everything cooks together in one pot, so it’s easy for busy weeknights and leaves more time for family around the table.

Erin Lives Whole’s One Pan Cabbage and Potato Skillet is a hearty weeknight dinner the whole family can enjoy. The smoky sausage and tender veggies cook in one pan, making it perfect for busy nights.