12 Healthy One-Pot Recipes You’ll Want to Make Every Week

Cooking healthy food sounds great in theory but when you’re tired, hungry, and short on time, it can feel like a lot of work. The chopping, stirring, and especially the pile of dirty dishes afterward can turn anyone off from making a meal at home.

If you’ve ever struggled to keep up with healthy eating during a busy week, you’re not alone. The good news is, there’s a simple solution: one-pot meals. These one-pot meals are a godsend. You can have a complete, nutritious meal in one pot or skillet, shorter cooking time, less cleanup, and reduced stress. They're perfect for hectic weeknights, meal prep, or even lazy Sundays. Some of them are even fantastic as a healthy breakfast to get you off to a flying start for the day.

1. Quinoa Breakfast Skillet

Cook chopped spinach, tomatoes, and bell peppers in a bit of olive oil. Put in 1/2 cup of washed quinoa and 1 cup of water. Cook until the quinoa is tender and puffed. Garnish with a poached egg or a soft-boiled egg.

Quinoa is a great source of protein and fiber. Add the veggies and egg, and you’ve got a filling, healthy breakfast. It takes only one pan, and everything cooks together in one pot, no fuss, no mess.

2. Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew

Add diced sweet potatoes, red lentils, chopped onion, garlic, and carrots to a pot. Season with vegetable broth and spices with cumin and paprika. Simmer for 25–30 minutes.

This dish is high in fiber, plant protein, and vitamins. That's it. Just place everything in the pot and boil.

3. One-Pot Chicken and Brown Rice

Brown the chicken thighs in a pan. Add onions, garlic, carrots, raw brown rice, and chicken broth. Close the lid and let simmer until the rice is cooked through and chicken is done.

A balanced dish with protein, whole grain and vegetables. No prep time for rice, bounces around in one pan with the others.

4. Spinach and Chickpea Coconut Curry

Sauté garlic and onions in oil. Add curry powder, diced tomatoes, canned chickpeas, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 10–15 minutes before adding fresh spinach.

Spinach adds iron, and coconut milk adds healthy fat. Chickpeas are high in protein and fiber. Most of the ingredients are from a can or your cupboard, extremely easy.

5. One-Pot Pasta with Veggies

In a pot, add whole wheat pasta, chopped zucchini, mushrooms, peas, garlic, and broth. Cook everything together until the pasta is soft and the broth has thickened into a light sauce.

You’re getting whole grains and several servings of vegetables. No second pot of boiling pasta necessary, everything simmers in one spot.

6. Mexican Black Bean Skillet

Sauté bell peppers and onions in a pan. Include canned black beans, corn, tomatoes, and taco spices. Heat and thicken. Squeeze lime and serve on top of avocado.

Fiber-dense and filled with plant protein. Made in under 25 minutes with basic ingredients.

7. Creamy Mushroom and Barley

Sauté diced mushrooms, onions, and garlic in a pan. Add barley, broth, and a few sprigs of thyme. Simmer until the barley is tender and liquid is gone.

Barley is a healthy whole grain, and mushrooms help you stay healthy. It simmers slowly while you do something in between, no babysitting involved.

8. Teriyaki Tofu and Rice

Pan-fry tofu into golden cubes. Add rice, broccoli, water, and teriyaki sauce. Cook until rice is done and vegetables are tender.

Tofu offers a good meatless protein source, and broccoli adds vitamins and fiber. All in one pan, vegetables, rice, and protein in one process.

9. Turkey Taco Skillet

Brown onions and garlic with ground turkey. Add taco spices, diced tomatoes, corn, black beans, and stir to combine. Simmer until hot and flavorful.

A lean, high-protein meal with no added fat. No taco preparation, just scoop into a bowl and serve.

10. Eggplant and Tomato Orzo

Cook garlic, onion, and diced eggplant in olive oil. Add canned tomatoes and orzo pasta. Add broth and bring to a simmer until orzo is cooked.

Eggplant contains antioxidants and orzo is light pasta. These one pot recipes take only 25 minutes from start to finish.

11. Coconut Chickpea Rice

Mix raw rice, canned chickpeas, coconut milk, garlic, and curry powder in a pot. Add water and boil until the rice is tender.

A plant-based protein dinner with carbs and good fats. Just add it all to the pot and cook, there is no recipe to follow.

12. Zucchini Noodle Soup

Pan-sauteed garlic and onions. Added spiral zucchini noodles, broth, and carrots. Heat on low heat for about 10 minutes then add herbs to taste.

Low in carbohydrates, full of nutrients and water content, optimal for digestion and hydration. Easy one to prepare and requires nearly no preparation.

Final Thoughts

Cooking healthy night meals does not necessarily have to be tiresome and time-wasting. With these easy one pot recipes, you will be using less time on the stovetop and in scrubbing the kitchen, more time enjoying your meal. These meals are perfect for hectic weeknights, making lunches ahead, or even for relaxing weekends when you still desire to eat well.

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