Looking for Something Quick and Easy?
Some days, you just don’t have the time (or energy) to cook a complicated meal—and that’s where one-pot recipes come to the rescue! These dishes are easy to throw together, require minimal cleanup, and still taste amazing. Whether you’re craving comfort food, something hearty, or a quick fix, these 19 one-pot lazy meals will save your day!
1. One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice
This is the ultimate lazy-day comfort meal. Just sauté some chicken with garlic and onions, add rice, broth, and seasonings, and let everything simmer until the rice is fluffy. Stir in cheese at the end for a creamy, satisfying dish with minimal effort.
2. One-Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
No need to boil the pasta separately! Just brown some ground beef or turkey, add tomato sauce, seasonings, and dry spaghetti, and let it cook together in one pot. The pasta absorbs all the flavors, making it extra delicious with minimal cleanup.
3. One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Love creamy pasta but don’t want multiple pans to wash? Sauté chicken breast, add pasta, milk, broth, and seasonings, and let it cook until the pasta is tender. Stir in Parmesan and cream cheese at the end for a restaurant-quality dish made in one pan.
4. One-Pot Chili
A big, hearty pot of chili is the perfect lazy meal! Just brown some ground beef or turkey, then toss in canned beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, and chili seasoning. Let it simmer, and in 30 minutes, you’ve got a warm, cozy bowl of goodness.
5. One-Pot Taco Rice
This dish combines everything you love about tacos in one easy pot. Brown some ground beef, add taco seasoning, uncooked rice, broth, and salsa, then let it simmer. Top with cheese, avocado, and sour cream for a taco-style bowl without the mess.
6. One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice
For a quick seafood fix, cook shrimp with garlic, butter, and a splash of lemon juice, then add rice and broth to the same pot. In 20 minutes, you’ll have a flavorful and easy meal with minimal effort.
7. One-Pot Chicken and Veggie Stir-Fry
No need for multiple pans—just throw chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots into a skillet with soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. Add pre-cooked rice or noodles, and you’ve got a super easy meal in minutes!
8. One-Pot Beef and Broccoli
Skip the takeout and make this easy stir-fry in one pot. Cook sliced beef with garlic and soy sauce, then add broccoli and a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Serve it over rice or just eat it as-is for a low-carb option.
9. One-Pot Mac and Cheese
No draining, no mess! Just add pasta, milk, broth, and seasonings into a pot and let it cook until creamy. Stir in cheese and butter at the end, and you’ve got a rich, cheesy mac without the hassle.
10. One-Pot Sausage and Peppers
This is a lazy meal packed with flavor! Sauté some sliced sausage, onions, and bell peppers, then let them cook down with tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Eat it on its own, over rice, or stuffed into a hoagie roll!
Final Thoughts
One-pot meals are life savers when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something delicious and filling. With minimal ingredients, easy cleanup, and big flavors, these 19 lazy meals are perfect for any night of the week.
