15 One-Pot Wonders That Save Time, Energy and Your Sanity

When life’s throwing chaos your way, the last thing you need is a kitchen war zone. That’s where these one-pot wonders come in—saving time, energy, and your sanity in one swoop. Just toss it all in, let the magic happen, and pat yourself on the back for being a dinner genius. Whether you’re craving something cozy or just need to get food on the table fast, these recipes have your back. Ditch the drama, keep it simple, and enjoy a meal that’s as easy as it gets.

A skillet full of mac and cheese with turkey and herbs. — Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Brisket Chili

A hearty, one-pot meal that makes use of leftover brisket. Filled with beans, peppers, and corn in a thick tomato base, it’s a great way to save time and energy while delivering big flavors.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Chili

Chicken Lime Soup

Two bowls of chicken soup with limes and jalpenos. — Spicy Chicken Lime Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A spicy blend that’s like chicken noodle meets chicken tortilla, without the noodles. Perfect for cold days when you need a quick and comforting one-pot solution.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lime Soup

Mexican Vegetable Soup

A bowl of mexican chili soup with corn tortillas and limes. — Mexican Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A fast and nutritious soup with quinoa for extra protein. Easily customizable with whatever veggies you have on hand, and it’s ready in under 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Vegetable Soup

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

A grown-up take on mac and cheese that’s healthier and tastier than the boxed stuff. Loaded with spinach, peppers, and real cheddar, it’s on the table in just 30 minutes with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Ciambotta

A skillet filled with vegetables and herbs. — Ciambotta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This Italian vegetable stew is a celebration of summer produce. It’s a flexible, one-pot meal that can be customized with beans, crusty bread, pancetta, or ground meat.
Get the Recipe: Ciambotta

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Mushroom and pea risotto in a pan with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Mushroom Risotto. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Rich and comforting, this dairy-free risotto is packed with umami flavors. A one-pot dish that delivers creamy texture without the need for any heavy ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Italian Tomato Pasta Soup

A pot of tomato pasta soup with a spoon next to it. — Italian Tomato Pasta Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A hearty soup filled with ground beef, sausage, mushrooms, and escarole. This cozy one-pot meal is perfect for when you need something comforting and easy.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tomato Pasta Soup

Turkey Stew

Two bowls of chicken soup with vegetables and potatoes. — Turkey Stew. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Shredded turkey meets baby red potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and more in this cozy stew. Tomato paste and balsamic vinegar add a perfect balance to the savory flavors in this one-pot wonder.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Stew

Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles

A skillet full of butternut squash noodles with spinach and ricotta cheese. — Butternut Squash Noodles. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Butternut squash noodles, wilted spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts come together in a comforting, one-pan vegetarian meal that’s perfect for colder nights.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles

Italian Black Bean Meatballs

Black bean meatballs in tomato sauce with a spoon. — Italian Black Bean Meatballs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A plant-based alternative that’s just as hearty as traditional meatballs. Serve over pasta or zoodles with your favorite marinara for an easy, comforting dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Black Bean Meatballs

Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Chicken and chickpea curry with rice. — Creamy Turmeric Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This easy one-skillet meal combines turmeric chicken with hearty chickpeas. Serve over rice with a cilantro garnish for a delicious dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Easy Creamy Stroganoff

Venison stroganoff on a plate of noodles with mushrooms and parsley. — Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A twist on the traditional stroganoff, using plain coconut yogurt instead of sour cream for a dairy-free version. Make it with beef or venison for a rich, one-pot winter meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Stroganoff

Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry

Stir fried noodles with pork and vegetables in a skillet. — Ramen Pork Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A sweet and spicy pork ramen stir fry that’s ready in 20 minutes. Filled with vegetables, this one-pot dish is a great choice for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry

Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili

A bowl of chili with potatoes, beans and sour cream. — Cheddar Apple Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Creamy and filled with white beans and cheddar, this chili has a non-traditional twist with apple. A one-pot wonder that’s perfect for fall.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili

Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili

A skillet full of turkey and beans with a wooden spoon. — Spicy Turkey Hummus Chili. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This creamy turkey chili has a spicy kick and a smooth texture thanks to hummus. A comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for those cold winter days.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili

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.