Cooking is fun. Scrubbing dishes? Not so much. That’s why Louise and I lean on these one–pot meals when we want dinner to be easy, nourishing, and cleanup-friendly.
You might also enjoy our 45 easy pasta recipes and 30-minute recipes for busy weeknights.
We’ve tested more than 800 vegetable-forward recipes (with thousands of ⭐️ reader ratings along the way), and these are the ones we come back to week after week.
They’re healthy one-pot meals that sneak in more veggies. Hearty enough for dinner, light enough to feel good afterward, and best of all? Fewer dishes in the sink.
What you’ll find in this roundup:
- Protein-packed soups and stews with beans and lentils that actually fill you up.
- Easy pastas and orzos that cook right in their own sauce.
- Veggie-forward skillet meals where flavor builds in just one pan.
- 30-minute options that make weeknights less stressful.
Cooking healthy doesn’t have to mean hours in the kitchen or complicated steps. With pantry staples like beans, pasta, and fresh veggies, these dinners prove that simple food can be both wholesome and crave-worthy.
Coconut Chickpea Curry: This creamy one-pot curry is rich in protein and fiber, made with chickpeas simmered in coconut milk. Louise always insists we serve it with homemade naan bread, while I’m team basmati rice.
Easy Lentil Pasta: everything cooks in one pot, including the pasta and lentils, for a naturally creamy sauce without cream. Pair with a crisp Greek salad or quick garlic bread.
Black Bean Soup: This is our rainy-day soup. Louise tops hers with pickled onions, I add avocado. Either way, no leftovers ever!
Spiced Lentil Soup: this 30-minute soup layers warm spices with quick-cooking lentils for a cozy dinner. Serve with homemade pita or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Sweet Potato Chickpea Stew: Naturally sweet and earthy, sweet potatoes balance chickpeas in this comforting stew. Louise usually serve hers with grilled flatbread.
Creamy Red Lentil Soup: Velvety smooth without cream, this soup is a weeknight favorite for its speed and satiety. Top with lemon zest, feta crumbles, or fresh parsley.
Nonna’s Minestrone Soup: An Italian staple loaded with beans, pasta, and seasonal vegetables (and my nonna Lidia’s favorite soup recipe). Serve with grated Parmesan and rosemary focaccia.
Creamy Mushroom Orzo: This one-pot orzo soaks up mushroom flavor for a risotto-like dinner in half the time. It’s Louise’s go-to when we want risotto vibes but zero stirring.
Pasta e Ceci: A humble Roman pasta-and-chickpea soup that’s cozy, nourishing, and budget-friendly. We make it with canned or cooked chickpeas depending on our busy-ness.
Lentil Chili: Hearty and smoky, this lentil chili is protein-packed and freezer-friendly. Load it with toppings like guacamole, cilantro, or crunchy tortilla chips.
Moroccan Vegetable Tagine: Fragrant with cinnamon and cumin, this stew layers vegetables with chickpeas for depth. Pair with couscous, olives, and flatbread.
Pumpkin Coconut Soup: Creamy pumpkin and coconut milk create a velvety autumn soup in under 30 minutes. Top with pumpkin seeds or a swirl of yogurt.
Vegetable Curry: Flexible is the keyword here; we toss in whatever veggies are hanging around. The curry sauce ties it all together, so even the veggie skeptics go back for seconds. Serve with yogurt raita or paratha bread.
Mediterranean Lentil Soup: bright with lemon and herbs, this lentil soup is hearty but not heavy. Add a drizzle of olive oil and serve with focaccia.
Mushroom Risotto: Creamy and elegant, this risotto uses pantry staples and earthy mushrooms. Louise and I love serving it with Sicilian fennel and orange salad for a Mediterranean dinner.
Kale Soup: Cannellini beans make it filling, but the real trick is sneaking in a mountain of kale that softens down into something silky and satisfying. Add crusty bread on the side and you’ll forget you just ate a bowl of greens.
Mashed Chickpea Salad: A quick, high-protein mash of chickpeas, Greek yogurt, and herbs. We make a big batch on Sundays and use it all week in wraps, toasts, and over cooked sweet potatoes.
Marry Me Orzo: This one is a playful twist on our viral marry me butter beans. It’s a one-pot orzo that offers plenty of veggies hidden in a creamy and glorious sauce.
Spanakorizo: We first had this spinach rice at a seaside taverna in Crete, and I’ll admit, Louise begged the cook for tips. Now, every time we make it, it feels like bringing a little Greek summer to our table.
Healthy Potato Soup: This is Louise’s rainy-day favorite, creamy from potatoes (no cream needed) and sneaky with celery and leeks for extra veggies.
Pasta e Fagioli: A rustic Italian bean-and-pasta soup that’s hearty and timeless. Garnish with Parmesan, chili flakes, or a drizzle of good olive oil.
One-pot Beans and Rice: Tomato-scented rice with warm spices, beans, and corn for a one-pot side or main. Serve with avocado slices, pico de gallo, or pickled onions.
Cherry Tomato Pasta (Orzo): Every fall we overbuy cherry tomatoes, and this is our fix. They burst into a quick sauce while the orzo cooks, and we sneak in handfuls of spinach at the end. A little basil on top makes it taste like we planned it.
Curry Lentil Soup: Red lentils, curry powder, and coconut milk turn into a fragrant one-pot soup. Serve with naan, yogurt, or a cucumber salad.
Zucchini Pasta: This is our lazy garden pasta. Zucchini turns into a silky sauce that makes you wonder why you ever bought jarred pesto.
Our Tips for One-Pot Success
- Use canned beans: Canned beans are instant dinner heroes. Rinse, toss, done.
- Pasta trick: Cooking pasta in the sauce isn’t just lazy, it’s genius. The starch makes things creamy without cream.
- Bread matters: A good hunk of sourdough or naan saves any “too-soupy” one-pot.
- Leftovers is king: Most of these dishes taste even better on day two. Future-you will thank present-you.
- Shortcut veggies: Frozen spinach or peas are the sidekicks no one talks about. We always keep a stash.
Save this for later
If you tried these one-pot recipes or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!
