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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Quick One-Dish Dinners You Can Pull Together After the Longest Workday

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated June 3, 2026 · Published June 4, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    When life gets busy, cooking can feel like a chore, but one-dish meals are here to save the day. These quick and easy recipes allow you to whip up a satisfying dinner without the hassle of multiple pots and pans. From hearty casseroles to flavorful stir-fries, these 20 meals will help you get dinner on the table in no time.

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is super easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some ready-made items, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This easy meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, this dish is packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit.

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    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies
    Photo credit: always use butter

    A tasty potato stir-fry with halloumi and veggies can be ready in just 25 minutes. This one-pan meal is great for busy weeknights and is sure to satisfy.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    A delicious Mushroom Truffle Risotto can be ready in under 40 minutes, perfect for impressing your guests. Packed with the rich flavors of mushrooms, white truffle oil, and white wine, this dish is a fantastic option for any meal.

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Sausage Pasta

    ONE POT SAUSAGE PASTA.
    Photo credit: Neil's Healthy Meals.

    Sausage pasta is a quick and tasty dinner option that works well any night of the week. Loaded with tomatoes and vegetables, it's a simple meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Cheeseburger Macaroni

    CHEESEBURGER MACARONI.
    Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a simple and delicious cheesy hamburger mac dish. This is a satisfying one-pot meal that's easy to prepare.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is packed with cheesy goodness and can be made all in one pot. It's a quick and satisfying meal that's easy for anyone to whip up.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Greek Salmon with Feta & Peppers

    A plate of rice, salmon and veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This salmon dinner is quick to prepare and packed with flavor, all cooked together with the rice in one pot. It's a simple and satisfying meal that you'll love.

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    Creamy Coconut Lentil Soup

    A bowl of coconut lentil soup topped with chili flakes and cilantro.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple soup is creamy, warming, and ready in under 30 minutes - whether made on the stove top or in your instant pot. Despite being so simple to make, it has amazing flavor from coconut milk, ginger and garlic, and is perfect for quick and cozy weeknight dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken And Rice

    Spanish chicken thighs and rice with olives on a light plate.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Spanish Chicken and Rice is packed with delicious flavors and is perfect for feeding a group all in one pot. It's an easy recipe that works well any day of the week and is sure to please everyone.

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    Smoked Salmon Risotto

    Smoked salmon risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A tasty Smoked Salmon Risotto with zesty lemon, fresh asparagus, and flavorful cold smoked salmon can be ready in just 30 minutes. This is a great dish to impress your guests at any dinner party.

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    One-Pan Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Cajun chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken pasta is easy to prepare and has a great mix of spicy and creamy flavors. It's a dish you'll want to make again and again!

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    You won't find a simpler pasta dish than this.

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    Baked Salmon with Black Rice

    Salmon with black rice.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    A quick and easy meal featuring salmon and black rice can be ready in just a few minutes. This simple dish is satisfying and will likely become a favorite in your kitchen.

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    Easy Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This paella is a crowd-pleaser that's easy to prepare. Loaded with saffron, white wine, shrimp, chicken, peas, and bell peppers, it's perfect for gatherings and you can easily make extra for larger groups.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy pesto pasta comes together in just 10 minutes with only three ingredients. It's a comforting meal that your family will love and want to have again.

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    Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Skillet

    Teroyaki chicken and broccoli.
    Photo credit: Fit As A Mama Bear.

    This chicken teriyaki broccoli skillet is a quick and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken in a flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce. It's a great option for a fast dinner, especially when time is tight.

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    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines creamy, tangy, and crunchy elements for a delightful experience. It's a delicious option that you'll enjoy.

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    4-Ingredient Lazy Lasagna

    A spoonful of lazy lasagna being lifted out of a baking dish with an amazing cheese pull.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This Lazy Lasagna is ready in just 35 minutes with 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on work! No need to boil pasta, make a ricotta layer or brown meat... just layer ravioli with tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, top with some parmesan cheese and bake!

    Get the recipe

    30 Minute One Pot Creamy Vegan Mushroom Soup

    30 Minute One Pot Creamy Vegan Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: midwest foodie blog.

    This easy vegan mushroom soup comes together in just 30 minutes using only one pot and no cashew cream. It's a perfect dairy-free and nut-free choice for meal prep or a quick family dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Chinese Scrambled Eggs & Shrimp

    chinese scrambled eggs with shrimp.
    Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

    Whip up a tasty Cantonese dish of scrambled eggs and shrimp in just a few minutes. This dish brings together fluffy eggs and savory shrimp for a satisfying meal that's quick and easy.

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    Massaman Chicken Curry

    A bowl of massaman chicken curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy Massaman Chicken Curry comes together in one pot and is ready in just 45 minutes. With creamy coconut milk, tender chicken, potatoes, and peanuts, it's a satisfying meal that's perfect for any night.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Stew

    A bowl of salmon stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon Stew is a simple and tasty dish that comes together quickly. Packed with flavor and a hint of spice, it's bound to be a favorite in your home cooking.

    Get the recipe

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      41 Simple Chicken Dinners That Are Anything but Ordinary
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      23 Breakfast Hacks You'll Wish You'd Known About Years Ago

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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