17 One-Pot Spring Dinner Recipes That Go Way Beyond Pasta

Once spring rolls around, the weather pleads for you to spend more time outside rather than in the kitchen cooking elaborate meals and then having to clean up a ton of dishes. You already know all about the magical world of sheet-pan dinner recipes, but some of these one-pot meals are so quick, they’re done before your oven could even pre-heat. Soon your farmer’s market will be full of fresh seafood, avocados, peas and baskets of zucchini, all ripe for the taking. Take advantage of the spring bounty and whip up one of these 17 one-pot dinners before you head to that outdoor sunset yoga sesh.

1. Quick + Easy Black Bean Enchilada Quinoa: Traditional enchiladas can be a pain to make. By the time you sauté all of the vegetables, make the sauce and transfer everything to a baking dish, you have a sink full of dishes and no energy left to wash them. This quick quinoa bake hits all the same flavor spots with minimal cleanup and optimal nutrition. (via Simple Healthy Kitchen)

2. One Pan Chicken and Spinach Gnocchi: Comfort food doesn’t have to be time consuming. Case in point: this luscious and creamy skillet dish that’s loaded with spinach and mushrooms and takes only 25 minutes from start to finish. As if that wasn’t simple enough, you can also use shredded rotisserie chicken to make even quicker work of the dish. (via Chelsea’s Messy Apron)

3. One Pot Greek Meatballs With Lemon Dill Rice: This dish is so full of fresh Greek flavor, you won’t believe just how easy it is to prepare. When the rice is cooked in the oven with the meatballs, it takes on a creamy, risotto-like texture that seems like it should take way longer than it actually does. (via Dinner at the Zoo)

4. Lamb Tagine With Dates and Pistachios: One-pot meals don’t have to be basic. You can still show off your broad culinary skills without dirtying every piece of cookware you own. This lamb tagine is the perfect sweet and savory way to let out your inner Ina Garten on a weeknight. (via Drool Worthy Daily)

5. Moroccan Chicken Skillet: It’s time to take a quick trip to Morocco in just 30 minutes. If only it was that easy, right? Good thing it is that easy to create a Moroccan-inspired chicken dish that also happens to be incredibly nutritious and chock full of seasonal veggies like cauliflower and cucumber. (via Food Faith Fitness)

6. Olive Oil Braised Veggies: Roasting veggies is great and all, but braising your vegetables in good olive oil keeps them moist and imparts a healthy dose of flavor. This could easily stand as a meal on its own or as a lovely side to poached fish. (via Witchy Kitchen)

7. One Skillet Baked Chicken Shawarma and Rice Pilaf: Everyday chicken gets a Middle Eastern makeover thanks to the sweet flavors of cinnamon, cardamom and raisins. Chickpeas and a simple rice pilaf round out a meal that looks like it took up every burner on your stove. (via Recipe Tin Eats)

8. One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice: Once all of the ingredients are added to this dish… just let it go. No peeking. Just trust that the final product will be amazing, and you will be rewarded handsomely with fresh and tangy lemon and herb flavors that will have you coming back for more. (via Recipe Tin Eats)

9. One Pot Italian Sausage Skillet: Recipes like this one are a must for nights when you feel like you can’t even deal with making dinner… but you absolutely have to. Frozen potatoes are the secret ingredient — they’ll shave 10 minutes off your cooking time. (via Foodfanatic)

10. One Pot Shrimp and Squash Orzo: One-pot recipes that are elegant enough to serve to guests belong in every recipe arsenal. This meal has a light citrus flavor and use up the last bit of hearty butternut squash before they’re gone for the season. (via Sweet Peas and Saffron)

11. Seafood Paella with Saffron Aioli: Paella is the O.G. of one-pot meals. This one has an authentic saffron flavor in the paella itself, as well as a creamy saffron aioli on top. The seafood makes this dish light enough to enjoy in the spring and summer. (via Platings and Pairings)

12. One Pan Ranch Pork Chops and Veggies: If you can handle just five ingredients, five minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking, then you can get this delicious dinner on the table for your whole family. One packet of ranch seasoning will flavor this whole dish like you wouldn’t believe. (via Damn Delicious)

13. One Pot Basmati Rice and Sausage Casserole: Cherry tomatoes are the first to ripen in the spring, and they’re absolutely perfect for this dish. Paired with fresh spinach, they add a necessary brightness to this otherwise creamy recipe. (via Hungry Couple)

14. Smoky Steak, Potato and Pepper Skillet: This one-skillet version of steak and potatoes has zesty rounds of mini-peppers for an added kick. You could even throw a sunny-side up egg on top of leftovers for a quick and hearty breakfast the next day. (via Running to the Kitchen)

15. 30-Minute Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps: The whole family is going to love this fun, hands-on way to enjoy a quick meal with spring veggies. Feel free to switch out the ground chicken for pork or beef if you prefer! (via Fit Foodie Finds)

16. One-Pot Zucchini, Tomato, Bacon and Eggs: Coming home from the farmer’s market on a Saturday with a reusable bag filled with local and seasonal ingredients can be a little intimidating. When you want the flavors of your new vegetable purchases to shine, sauté them with some bacon and top with eggs for a fresh and simple meal. (via Travel, Cook, Tell)

17. Vegan Mole Chilaquiles: This authentic Mexican dish of tortillas simmered in a unique mole sauce is designed to use up whatever bits and pieces of veggies you have lingering in the fridge. Throw in whatever you like, but be sure to top with plenty of buttery avocado. (via Avocado a Day Nutrition)

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