Who has the energy to juggle a sink full of dishes after dinner? Not you, not me, and definitely not anyone who’s tried to keep up with a busy schedule. That’s where these one-pot pasta recipes come in—saving your sanity one easy meal at a time. They’re the no-drama solution to dinner, combining big flavors and minimal cleanup.
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
Spinach, peppers, and turkey give this mac and cheese a grown-up makeover while keeping the comforting vibe intact. One pot, real cheese, and it’s ready in 30 minutes—what more could you want?
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
Italian Tomato Pasta Soup
Ground beef, sausage, mushrooms, and escarole come together in this one-pot Italian soup. It’s hearty and packed with flavor, perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep for the week ahead.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tomato Pasta Soup
Creamy Baked Chicken and Orzo
This one-pot dish combines juicy chicken and tender orzo in a creamy, flavorful sauce that cooks together seamlessly. You’ll only need one pot, making cleanup a breeze. It’s a simple yet satisfying dinner you can rely on any night.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Baked Chicken and Orzo
Hamburger Helper
A vegan spin on the nostalgic favorite, this one-pot recipe ditches the box but keeps all the cheeseburger pasta charm. It’s hearty, flavorful, and ready in just 20 minutes. Great for a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Helper
Lasagna Soup
All the cheesy, meaty goodness of lasagna, but without the layers and the effort. This one-pot soup delivers big flavor with less cleanup and is perfect when you’re craving comfort food that doesn’t weigh you down.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Soup
Lazy Lasagna
Layers of noodles, meat, sauce, and cheese come together in this Instant Pot masterpiece. No need to boil or bake—just toss it in one pot, and you’ve got a great dinner without the kitchen chaos.
Get the Recipe: Lazy Lasagna
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
This one-pot chicken pasta is packed with creamy Tuscan flavors. With tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a dreamy sauce, it’s a quick way to feel like you’re having a restaurant-quality dinner without any extra dishes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Pasta e Fagioli
A hearty Italian soup made with beans, pancetta, and pasta in a rich broth. This classic one-pot meal is easy to prepare and makes for a comforting dinner that warms both your table and your soul.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli
Chicken Piccata Pasta
This creamy pasta with tangy lemon and tender chicken pieces is ready in just 25 minutes. It’s a bright and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple but far from boring.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata Pasta
Cajun Chicken Pasta
This one-pan pasta brings bold Cajun spices and creamy sauce together with tender chicken. It’s a simple, satisfying dish that’s great for nights when you want a little kick with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken Pasta
Pasta Bake with Turkey
A no-boil, one-pot wonder, this turkey pasta bake is perfect for family dinners. Throw everything into a dish, let the oven do the work, and enjoy a hearty meal without standing over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Bake with Turkey
Tuna Mac and Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese gets a protein boost with tuna. It’s an easy dinner that’s ready in under 25 minutes, perfect for those nights when you need comfort food without a ton of prep.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Mac and Cheese
Pasta Carbonara
Classic carbonara comes together quickly in just 20 minutes. With simple ingredients and one pot, this dish is a foolproof way to whip up something flavorful without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Carbonara
Chicken Alfredo
This Instant Pot version of chicken Alfredo delivers tender chicken and perfectly cooked penne in a creamy, cheesy sauce—all in one pot. Less time, fewer dishes, and a dinner that feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Alfredo
Creamy Mexican Taco Pasta
Taco night meets pasta night in this one-pot dish. Ground beef, taco seasoning, and a creamy tomato sauce cook with pasta in one pot. Topped with cheese and cilantro, it’s a quick and flavorful dinner that’s hard to resist.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mexican Taco Pasta
Creamy Sausage Pasta With Tomatoes and Spinach
A 30-minute one-pot meal that pairs creamy sausage with fresh spinach and tomatoes. It’s easy, flavorful, and guaranteed to be a weeknight favorite without the pile of dishes to match.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sausage Pasta With Tomatoes and Spinach
Creamy Pasta and Greens
Coconut milk, ginger, and garlic transform pasta and greens into a bold, flavorful dish that comes together in one pot. Perfect for those nights when you want something a little different without complicating dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pasta and Greens
Beef Stroganoff
Creamy and comforting, this one-pot stroganoff might not follow the traditional recipe, but it hits all the right notes. Ground beef, pasta, and sauce come together fast for a no-fuss dinner everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff
Goulash
American Goulash brings together ground beef, macaroni, and tomatoes for a classic, comforting one-pot meal. This is the kind of dish that’s just as good the next day—if there’s any left.
Get the Recipe: Goulash
Tortellini alla Panna
Cheese-filled tortellini in a creamy, buttery sauce with ham is a quick and great pasta dish for busy nights. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pot recipe delivers big flavor without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini alla Panna
Risotto Pasta
Combining tender orzo with vegetables and grated Parmesan, this risotto pasta delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. One pot means less cleanup, making it the perfect addition to your weeknight lineup.
Get the Recipe: Risotto Pasta
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
