10 Hearty One-Pot Dinners for Busy Weeknights

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Indulge in this luscious Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, a quick and easy weeknight meal that brings the vibrant taste of Tuscany right to your table.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups spinach
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 12 ounces fettuccine pasta

Cooking method

1. Cook the fettuccine pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, add the sliced chicken breast, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through.
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet, sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.
5. Mix in the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking until the spinach is wilted and the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring it is well coated with the creamy sauce.
7. Serve hot and enjoy the rich flavors of this Tuscan-inspired dish.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

This rich and flavorful Tuscan chicken is sure to become a weeknight staple with its creamy sauce and simple preparation.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking method:

1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. In a hot skillet, sear chicken on both sides until golden and cooked through; set aside.
3. In the same pan, sauté garlic until fragrant.
4. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, and sun-dried tomatoes; simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Stir in spinach and Parmesan, then add chicken back to the pan.
6. Cook until sauce thickens and chicken is heated through.

One-Pot Beef Stroganoff

Enjoy a comforting bowl of creamy beef stroganoff that comes together effortlessly in just one pot.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef sirloin, sliced into strips
• 8 oz egg noodles
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking method:

1. Brown beef in a large skillet, then set aside.
2. In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic.
3. Add mushrooms and cook until softened.
4. Stir in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and egg noodles; bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer until noodles are cooked through.
6. Stir in sour cream and beef; heat until warmed through.

Hearty Lentil Stew

This filling lentil stew is packed with protein and vegetables, perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried lentils
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large pot, sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
2. Stir in cumin and paprika.
3. Add lentils and vegetable broth; bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Mexican Chicken and Rice

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Mexico with this easy and zesty one-pot chicken and rice dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking method:

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin.
2. Brown chicken in a large skillet, then set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté onions until soft.
4. Add rice, chicken broth, black beans, and corn; stir well.
5. Nestle chicken back into the pot.
6. Cover and simmer until rice is cooked through and chicken is tender.

Lemon Herb Shrimp Pasta

A bright and zesty shrimp pasta dish that comes together in no time, making it perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz linguine
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook linguine according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink.
4. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and cooked linguine.
5. Toss with Parmesan and parsley.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Spicy Sausage and Bean Casserole

Warm and comforting, this sausage and bean casserole offers a spicy kick perfect for chilly nights.

Ingredients:

• 4 spicy sausages, sliced
• 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking method:

1. Brown sausage slices in a large pot; remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, sauté onions and garlic until soft.
3. Stir in smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.
4. Add diced tomatoes and cannellini beans; bring to a simmer.
5. Return sausages to the pot and cook until heated through.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli

A quick and satisfying teriyaki chicken and broccoli stir-fry that’s sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and sauté garlic.
2. Add chicken and cook until browned.
3. Stir in teriyaki sauce, broccoli, and bell pepper.
4. Cook until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Chickpea and Spinach Curry

A vibrant chickpea and spinach curry that’s both nourishing and simple, making it an ideal choice for a busy night.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups spinach leaves
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until softened.
2. Stir in curry powder and turmeric.
3. Add coconut milk and chickpeas; bring to a simmer.
4. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Vegetarian Paella

This colorful vegetarian paella is bursting with flavor and makes for an impressive one-pot meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup arborio rice
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup peas
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp saffron threads
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large skillet, sauté onions and garlic until soft.
2. Add bell pepper and cook until slightly tender.
3. Stir in rice, smoked paprika, and saffron.
4. Add vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
5. Stir in tomato and peas; cover and cook until rice is tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.