19 One-Pot Secrets for a No-Mess, No-Stress Dinner

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These easy one-pot dinner will turn your weeknights from chaotic to calm and delicious! Forget about the mountain of dirty dishes and the stress of juggling multiple pots and pans.

Two ribs on a tray with sesame seeds and sesame seeds.
Asian Spare Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil.
Olive Garden Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup transforms into a no mess, no stress one-pot meal with the Instant Pot. It’s a hearty, nutritious option that’s ready in just 30 minutes, brimming with vegetables and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are a perfect no-fuss meal, turning simple ingredients into a flavorful dish. It’s a hands-off approach to a home-cooked dinner that promises ease and minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Taco Rice Skillet is the perfect one-pot meal for a stress-free family dinner. Ready in about 20 minutes, it utilizes just 8 ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying dish with very little cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Two bowls of instant pot vegetable soup in front of the pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup is a wholesome, effortless one-pot meal that’s both hearty and simple to make. It’s the ideal choice for a busy day when you want a satisfying meal without the hassle of extensive kitchen time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Guinness Beef Stew

Top view of a bowl of Guinness beef stew with a black checked napkin and a spoon.
Guinness Beef Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Guinness Beef Stew is a one-pot wonder, rich with tender beef and vegetables, and a gravy that’s robust in flavor. It’s a comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion, with minimal mess involved.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Beef Stew

Orange Chicken

Plate of orange chicken in a metal bowl from the top.
Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken brings the vibrant flavors of a beloved Asian-inspired meal to your table with ease. It’s a one-pot dish that’s ready in minutes, offering a flavorful and stress-free dining experience.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken

Beijing Beef

Beijing beef in a slow cooker.
Beijing Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Beijing Beef is the answer to takeout cravings, providing a budget-friendly meal with restaurant-quality taste. Enjoy this one-pot dish on busy weeknights for an effortless, flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Beijing Beef

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Mexican chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy the homestyle comfort of Chick-fil-A Tortilla Soup in a one-pot recipe that captures their renowned flavor. It’s an easy, comforting meal that allows for a hassle-free preparation.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Asian Spare Ribs

Two ribs on a tray with sesame seeds and sesame seeds.
Asian Spare Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Asian Spare Ribs are slow-cooked to perfection, allowing a harmonious infusion of spices and sauces for a tantalizing result. This one-pot meal is the definition of an effortless, set-it-and-forget-it dinner.
Get the Recipe: Asian Spare Ribs

Chicken Stew with Squash

An Instant Pot recipe featuring a spoonful of chicken and squash soup.
Chicken Stew with Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Squash is a flavorful one-pot meal that’s both gluten and dairy-free. Packed with chicken, squash, carrots, and spinach, it’s a complete meal that simplifies your dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stew with Squash

Colcannon Soup

Colcannon Soup in a green bowl with a spoon.
Colcannon Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Irish Colcannon Soup is a creamy one-pot dish combining potatoes and cabbage for a simple, yet hearty meatless option. It’s an Irish-inspired meal that’s perfect for a no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Colcannon Soup

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Plate of spaghetti and meatballs topped with parmesan.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs is an all-in-one meal that simplifies dinner prep. This one-pot wonder combines homemade meatballs with sauce and pasta for a complete meal that’s ready without any extra dishes to wash.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Beef tips with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Beef Tips with gravy is a comforting, one-pot meal that’s the ultimate in no-stress cooking. Let your Crock Pot do the work and enjoy tender beef with a savory gravy that requires minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Instant Pot Meatball Soup

Instant Pot Meatball Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Meatball Soup is a quick and easy one-pot dinner featuring beef meatballs, carrots, and potatoes in a savory tomato broth. It’s a convenient meal that’s perfect for a busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Meatball Soup

Italian Mushroom Stew

Top view of a big pot of mushroom stew with cheese and basil on a cutting board next to the pot.
Italian Mushroom Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Italian Mushroom Stew is a rustic, one-pot meal that’s a nod to traditional comfort food. Serve it over Italian bread for a simple, satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Mushroom Stew

Instant Pot Chili

Bowl of chili in front of the Instant pot.
Instant Pot Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Instant Pot Chili is a hearty one-pot recipe that serves up classic comfort food without the hassle. It’s a Cincinnati-style chili that’s easily prepared in the pressure cooker for a convenient and mess-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chili

Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background.
Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Recreate Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup in a one-pot slow cooker recipe. This comforting soup combines a creamy broth with chicken and vegetables for a simple, stress-free meal that’s reminiscent of the restaurant favorite.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Instant Pot Jambalaya

Instant pot jambalaya with rice, sausage, and shrimp in a white bowl.
Instant Pot Jambalaya. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Jambalaya is a Cajun-inspired one-pot recipe that delivers a spicy dinner complete with shrimp, andouille sausage, chicken, and rice. It’s a flavorful meal that simplifies your cooking routine.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Jambalaya

Salmon Chowder

spoonful of salmon chowder
Salmon Chowder. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This easy Salmon Chowder comes together in one pot using canned salmon and cannellini beans. Mixed with vegetables in a creamy, dairy-free broth, it’s a simple, no-stress meal that’s full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Chowder

anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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