10 Healthy One Pot Meals to Save You Time (and Dishes)

Harissa Chicken, Polenta and Egg Skillet Bake, Thai Shrimp and Quinoa. Photos via Platings + Pairings / Ambitious Kitchen / Sweet Phi

We’ve all been there—you have a dish you’re excited to make, so you spend hours chopping, prepping, cooking and next thing you know, you have a stack of dishes piled high in the sink and you’re ready for a nap.

Well, we have good news for you. The next time you want to cook something healthy, you don’t have to spend time washing dishes until your fingers are wrinkly. These healthy one pot meals will make cooking easy, saving you time and dishes. Whether you’re a meat lover or a vegetarian, these dishes satisfy a variety of preferences and flavors.

1. One Pot Harissa Chicken with Chickpeas and Yogurt
Via Platings and Pairings

Cook the chicken first then add in the onions and tomato paste, before bringing the rest of the ingredients to a simmer. Serve the chicken with cilantro and lemon and the yogurt on the side.

2. One Pot Turkey Skillet
Via Bijoux and Bits 

Simplify your taco Tuesday by cooking everything together in one skillet. The filling can be served on its own, in small corn tortillas, or a large flour tortilla if you’re in the mood for a burrito.

3. Creamy Lemon Penne with Peas and Asparagus
Via Modern Table 

This recipe uses lentil penne and dairy-free cream cheese, which makes it a nutritious meal for vegans and vegetarians. Serve with a wedge of lemon and a sprinkle of black pepper.

4. One Pot Thai Shrimp and Quinoa
Via Sweet Phi 

Coconut milk, fish sauce, and sesame oil help give this dish its Thai flavor. While the recipe calls for uncooked shrimp, you can also use frozen, pre-cooked shrimp to reduce the cooking time.

5. Cuban Sweet Potato Picadillo Bowls
Via Cotter Crunch 

This Cuban-inspired meal is full of sweet and savory flavors. You have the option to include either raisins or cranberries for a punch of extra sweetness, but chopped dates would also work well.

6. One Pot Teriyaki Chicken Zoodles
Via Life Made Sweeter 

For this recipe, be careful not to overcook the zoodles, tossing them in with the cooking chicken for one to two minutes should suffice. If desired, you can also add broccoli florets, sesame seeds, or green onions to the dish.

7. One Pot Honey Lemon Salmon with Asparagus
Via No Plate Like Home 

Eight ingredients and 20 minutes are all you need to make this well-balanced meal. Leftovers can last in the freezer for up to three months, making it the perfect meal to store and have on hand when you don’t have time to cook.

8. Vegetarian Ramen with Garlic-Ginger Broth
Via The Roasted Root 

Warm up with this immune-boosting broth and noodles. This soup is loaded with green vegetables, like spinach, bok choy, and broccoli. If you’re not vegetarian, you can also add meat, such as chicken.

9. One Pot Chicken and Orzo with Spinach and Tomatoes
Via Diethood 

For cheesy comfort food (that’s still nutritious) this recipe does the trick. Baby spinach and tomatoes add some color and nutrients, while browned chicken keeps you full and satiated.

10. Polenta, Refried Beans, and Egg Skillet Bake
Via Ambitious Kitchen

Breakfast for dinner? Yes, please. This easy skillet contains over 14 grams of protein per serving. Top your meal with avocado, hot sauce, or cilantro if desired.