15 Family-Friendly One Pot Recipes That Are Low Stress & Low Mess

If you’re like me you’d rather be doing almost anything besides dishes, especially at the end of a long day where you’ve already expended all of your energy. The worst thing about cooking is all the dishes it leaves behind. Well, just because you make dinner at home doesn’t mean there will be lots and lots of cleaning up to do. In my younger days, cooking something complicated that took hours was one way I showed whomever I was cooking for that I really loved them. Running around after my kids these days have left those long-simmer and fussy recipes way in my past. I’ve wised up and realized that just because something is easy to make doesn’t mean that it can’t come out equally as delicious as something that took all day to cook.

Especially on the weekdays, I make a point to cook recipes that take as few pots and pans as possible to cook with. There are a ton of great recipes out there that only require you to use one pot or pan and are amazingly delicious. Try out these fantastic family-friendly one pot recipes that will leave you satisfied rather than overwhelmed. Check them out in the slideshow.

More One Pot Recipes:

Skip the Cleanup: 15 Family-Friendly One Pot Recipes

Easy to clean up and delicious to eat...win-win!

One Pot Cheesy Tex Mex Recipe

One Pot Cheesy Tex Mex from I Heart Naptime: it’s fast, it's delicious, and it makes a great freezer meal too. This one pot meal can be enjoyed with chips and in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and burrito bowls.
One Pot Crock Pot Bacon Mac and Cheese

One Pot Crock Pot Bacon Macaroni and Cheese from 365 Days of Slow Cooking: This is a creamy, cheesy, and smokey macaroni and cheese that is made in one pot—the slow cooker. This recipe is so simple and tastes so amazing, everyone will be asking for seconds.
One Pot Pasta Primavera Recipe

One Pot Pasta Primavera from Oh My Veggies: This creamy, saucy pasta overflows with spring green veggies. But the best part is that it cooks up in a single pot—in just under ten minutes.
One Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe

One Pot Chicken Alfredo from The Slow Roasted Italian: This is a glorious dish that starts with tender pan-fried chicken breast that's finished in a luxurious cream sauce that will blow your mind. It's a simple recipe; the fettuccine is cooked right in the sauce in the same skillet.
One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe

One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta from The Cookie Rookie: This easy one pot chicken parmesan pasta is thrown together in under thirty minutes and will make the entire family happy.
Slow Cooker One Pot Mexican Rice and Beans with Avocado Slices

Slow Cooker One Pot Mexican Rice and Beans with Avocado from 365 Days of Slow Cooking: Make this easy, one pot Mexican brown rice and black bean casserole for your meatless Monday meal. It’s full of flavor thanks to jalapeno, spices, and salsa. Top with cheese, sour cream, and avocado for a creamy and comforting meal.
One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe

One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese from Damn Delicious: Two favorite comfort foods come together in this super easy, one pot dish that the whole family will go crazy for.
One Pot Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta Recipe

One Pot Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta from Recipe Girl: Now this is a meal that both kids and adults will love.
One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe

One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff from Taste and Tell: Comforting and humble, this one pot ground beef stroganoff is full of beefy flavor. And there is only one pot to clean up after dinner.
One Pot Jambalaya Recipe

One Pot Jambalaya from Food Faith Fitness: This quick and easy jambalaya is made in one pot and is loaded with a little New Orleans flavor. It’s the perfect gluten-free meal for busy weeknights.
One Pot Slow Cooker Chicken Tetrazzini

One Pot Slow Cooker Chicken Tetrazzini from 365 Days of Slow Cooking: This is the good old fashioned chicken tetrazzini that you grew up with without all the work. All the ingredients (including uncooked noodles) go into your slow cooker, and then you turn and walk away…it’s that easy. Make it even easier by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
One Pot Lasagna Pasta Recipe

One Pot Lasagna Pasta from Oh Sweet Basil: Here's a quick and easy one pot lasagna pasta that is easy to make and easier to clean up than regular lasagna.
One Pot Taco Casserole Recipe

One Pot Taco Casserole from Wonky Wonderful: Taco casserole is a quick and easy weeknight meal made in one pot. It's a delicious dinner that doesn’t leave a sink full of dishes.
One Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu Stroganoff Recipe

One Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu Stroganoff from 365 Days of Slow Cooking: This version is just as easy to make (less than thirty minutes) as the original beef stroganoff, only it has a fresh new flavor.
One Bowl Fudgy Brownies Recipe

One Pot Fudge Brownies from Neighbor Food: It’s finally here—a super easy, ultra fudgy brownie recipe that can be in your oven in less than twenty minutes.