Some evenings you want to cook something delicious, but you absolutely do not want a mountain of washing up afterwards.
That’s where one-pan dinners come in.
Everything cooks in a single pan, pot or tray. That means fewer dishes, less faff and usually a much calmer cooking experience. These are the recipes I reach for when everyone is hungry, the day has been busy, and I need dinner on the table without turning the kitchen upside down.
Over the years I’ve realised that some of my most reliable meals fall into this category. Whether it’s a cosy chicken stew, a colourful tray bake packed with vegetables, or a quick pasta cooked entirely in one pot, one-pan recipes have a way of making dinner feel manageable again.
So I’ve gathered together some of my favourite one-pot and one-pan dinners from the site in one place. These are the meals I cook when I want something hearty, flavourful and simple.
You’ll find:
- comforting chicken dishes
- colourful tray bakes
- quick pasta dinners
- flavourful vegetarian meals
- cosy soups and stews
All with one thing in common: minimal washing up and maximum flavour.
Why One-Pan Dinners Are So Brilliant
One-pan cooking isn’t just convenient – it often produces incredibly flavourful meals.
When ingredients cook together in the same pan, their flavours mingle and build naturally. Vegetables release their sweetness into sauces, meat juices season grains and pasta, and spices develop beautifully as everything simmers together.
Take something like One Pot Chicken, Chorizo and Butter Bean Stew. The smoky oil from the chorizo seasons the entire dish, while the beans absorb all those flavours as they cook.
Or a recipe like One Pan Tomato and Mozzarella Gnocchi, where the passata creates a natural sauce that coats the gnocchi perfectly.
These dishes prove that simple cooking can still produce incredible flavour.
My Top Tips for Cooking One-Pan Meals
After making countless one-pan dinners over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make them work beautifully.
- Give ingredients space For tray bakes especially, it’s important not to overcrowd the pan. Ingredients need a little room so they can roast properly rather than steaming.
- Season early – Seasoning ingredients at the beginning of cooking helps build flavour throughout the whole dish.
- Use a large enough pan – A wide frying pan, roasting tray or casserole dish allows everything to cook evenly.
- Save pasta water If your recipe includes pasta, always save a little of the cooking water. The starch in the water helps create silky sauces that coat the pasta beautifully.
One-Pan Chicken Dinners
Chicken works brilliantly in one-pan meals because it releases delicious juices as it cooks, which season everything else in the dish.
These recipes are comforting, reliable and perfect for weeknight dinners.
One Pan Peri Peri Roast Chicken and Rice
A bold and flavourful dinner where the chicken roasts alongside spicy rice in the same pan. Minimal effort, maximum flavour.
One Pan Peri Peri Roast Chicken and Rice
One Pan Roast Chicken and Pilau Rice
A beautifully fragrant dish with warm spices and fluffy rice cooked in chicken juices.
jOne Pan Roast Chicken and Pilau Rice (Madras Spiced Whole Chicken)
One Pan Mediterranean Roast Chicken and Vegetables
Juicy chicken roasted with colourful vegetables and Mediterranean flavours.
jEasy One Pan Mediterranean Roast Chicken and Vegetables
One Pan Chicken and Vegetable Tray Bake
A simple, wholesome tray bake that’s perfect for busy evenings.
One Pan Chicken and Vegetable Tray Bake
One Pot Chicken, Bacon and Peas
A comforting dish where everything cooks together in a rich, savoury sauce.
One Pot Chicken, Bacon and Peas
One Pot Chicken and Green Olive Tagine
A wonderfully fragrant one-pot meal inspired by North African flavours.
One Pot Chicken and Green Olive Tagine
Vegetarian One-Pan Dinners
Vegetarian one-pan meals are some of my favourites. Beans, vegetables and grains cook beautifully together and absorb loads of flavour as they simmer.
These dishes are hearty, satisfying and incredibly easy to make.
Creamy Butter Beans with Lemon and Dill
A light but comforting dish where butter beans simmer in a creamy lemon and herb sauce.
Creamy Butter Beans with Lemon and Dill
Harissa Baked Feta and Beans
A bold, spicy tray bake packed with flavour.
Easy One Pot Saag Paneer
A comforting spinach curry that cooks entirely in one pot.
One Pot Cheesy Pesto and Spinach Pasta
A creamy pasta dish with vibrant pesto flavour.
One Pot Cheesy Pesto and Spinach Pasta
One Pot Mushroom and Thyme Risotto
A deeply savoury vegetarian risotto that feels luxurious but is surprisingly simple.
hOne Pot Mushroom and Thyme Risotto
One-Pot Comfort Meals
When the weather turns cold or you simply want something cosy for dinner, these one-pot comfort dishes are perfect.
They simmer gently in a single pot and fill the kitchen with wonderful aromas.
One Pot Chicken, Chorizo and Butter Bean Stew
Smoky, hearty and packed with flavour.
One Pot Chicken, Chorizo and Butter Bean Stew
One Pot Chicken and Spring Vegetable Stew
A lighter stew that celebrates fresh vegetables.
One Pot Chicken and Spring Vegetable Stew
One Pot Chorizo and Chickpea Stew
A warming dish with Mediterranean flavours.
One Pot Chorizo and Chickpea Stew
One Pot Mexican Bean Stew with Quinoa
A vibrant vegetarian stew packed with spices and protein.
One Pot Mexican Bean Stew with Quinoa
Quick One-Pot Pasta and Rice Dinners
Some of the easiest one-pan meals involve pasta or grains, which absorb flavour as they cook.
These dishes are particularly good for weeknight dinners when you want something filling and satisfying without much effort.
One Pot Sausage, Pepper and Pea Pasta
A colourful pasta dish packed with flavour.
One Pot Sausage, Pepper and Pea Pasta
One Pot Bacon and Lentil Pasta
A comforting pasta dish with plenty of savoury depth.
One Pot Bacon and Lentil Pasta
Chicken and Pea Risotto
A creamy, comforting risotto that’s perfect for using leftover roast chicken.
Chicken and Pea Risotto – Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Recipe
Chorizo and Pea Pearl Barley Risotto
A slightly different take on risotto using pearl barley instead of rice.
Chorizo and Pea Pearl Barley Risotto Recipe
One-Pan Tray Bake Dinners
Tray bakes are one of the easiest ways to cook dinner. Everything goes onto a single tray, into the oven, and comes out beautifully roasted and ready to serve.
One Pan Hot Honey Sausage and Vegetable Tray Bake
Sweet, spicy and packed with colour.
One Pan Hot Honey Sausage and Vegetable Tray Bake
Smoked Sausage Tray Bake
A hearty tray bake with deep smoky flavour.
One Pan Tomato and Mozzarella Gnocchi
A wonderfully comforting tray bake with golden gnocchi and melted cheese.
One Pan Tomato and Mozzarella Gnocchi
One Pan Baked Cod and Noodles
A lighter one-pan dish that still delivers plenty of flavour.
Soups and Lighter One-Pot Meals
Sometimes you want something comforting but not too heavy. These soups and broths are perfect for that.
They’re easy to make, full of flavour and ideal for lunch or a lighter dinner.
Green Lentil Broth
A nourishing bowl packed with protein and vegetables.
Leek and Ricotta Soup
A creamy, delicate soup with gentle flavour.
Cauliflower Cheese Soup
Comforting and warming with classic flavours.
Crab and Sweetcorn Chowder
A rich and satisfying seafood soup.
Why One-Pan Dinners Are Perfect for Busy Lives
One-pan cooking isn’t just convenient – it’s also incredibly adaptable.
Most recipes can easily be adjusted depending on what you have in the fridge. Vegetables can be swapped, spices can be tweaked and grains can be substituted.
This flexibility is part of what makes one-pan dinners such a lifesaver on busy evenings.
Instead of following complicated instructions or juggling multiple pots on the stove, you can focus on simple ingredients and let them cook together naturally.
The result is food that feels relaxed, comforting and genuinely enjoyable to make.
Looking for More Easy Dinner Ideas?
If you enjoy recipes like these, you might also like exploring some of my other collections.
For example, I’ve put together a guide to delicious ways to cook with halloumi, which includes everything from cosy curries to quick wraps and salads.
I also share plenty of quick weeknight meals and family-friendly dinner recipes across the site – all designed to make the daily “what should we have for dinner tonight?” question a little easier to answer.