Family Friendly One Pot Dinner Ideas

Looking for some one pot dinner ideas? Look no further! Here are 10 delicious recipes for the whole family.

One pot dinners are without a doubt my favorite. They are usually pretty darn simple and the fact that they require minimal pots and pans is a plus. I know my husband would have to agree. After all, I do the cooking and he does the cleaning. Yes, I knew I picked a good one when I found out he loved to clean 😉

In this list of one pot dinner ideas, you’ll find a mix of different entrees from sloppy joes (a fan favorite over here) to pasta’s like mac and cheese. I love that some of these really incorporate veggies in the dish. I find kids tend to eat more veggies when they are mixed in with foods they love rather than just a good ‘ol side of broccoli. Can’t say I blame em, though.

If you make any of these recipes, make sure to snap a pic and tag them (and me!–@firstbitesnutrition) on Instagram so we can see your creations.

1. ONE POT CHILI MAC AND CHEESE

BY LEMONS & ZEST

What do you get when your favorite comfort foods hang out? Simple and delicious One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese! An easy weeknight dinner without any extra dishes or mess! GET THE RECIPE HERE.

2. INSTANT POT SLOPPY JOES

BY SHAW SIMPLE SWAPS

Picture of sloppy joes in a bun with jalapenos coming out.

Made in under 15 minutes in your Instant Pot, you’ll be shocked at how much time you’ll have to do all the other things on your list! Plus, this recipe is swapped with a special ingredient to boost the nutrition while lowering the traditional sugar found in your standard Joe! GET THE RECIPE HERE.

3. CAULIFLOWER PIZZA CASSEROLE

BY HUNGRY HOBBY

Cauliflower Pizza Casserole is a healthy pizza casserole with less mess than the cauliflower pizza crust, but even more delicious (more toppings and more cheese!) | Gluten Free. GET THE RECIPE HERE.

4. SANTA FE STYLE RICE AND BEANS

BY SARAH PFLUGRADT NUTRITION

The breakdown: a base of carrots, onions, celery, zucchini and corn, a mix of spices, rice, and beans. Add whatever toppings you have on hand to jazz it up. GET THE RECIPE HERE.

5. INSTANT POT CHICKEN STEW

BY LEANNE RAY

This Instant Pot Chicken Stew will be a cool-weather dinner staple! It’s packed with colorful vegetables and is extra filling due to the protein and fiber from chicken and beans. GET THE RECIPE HERE.

My tip for babies: just strain the soup and serve all the hearty pieces of veggies, beans, and grains!

6. CROCKPOT MAC AND CHEESE

BY CREATE KIDS CLUB

A no-boil mac and cheese that’s made in the slow cooker. This simple pasta is super creamy made with evaporated milk, chicken broth, and loads of cheese. GET THE RECIPE HERE.

7. STUFFED CABBAGE BOWLS

BY THE CROWDED TABLE

Comforting and delicious, these Stuffed Cabbage Bowls are filled with meat and vegetables, and taste just like the stuffed cabbage rolls you know and love. CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE.

My tip for younger kids: Try deconstructing it and serving each component individually if they’re still working on mixed textured meals like this!

8. INSTANT POT CHANA MASALA

BY ME (FIRST BITES NUTRITION)

This flavorful instant pot chana masala is the perfect quick and easy one pot dinner weeknight meal made with chickpeas, a healthy plant-based protein for kids. CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE.

My tip for babies: smash the chickpeas to avoid a choking hazard and mix in a small amount of rice.

9. EGG ROLL IN A BOWL

BY HUNGRY HOBBY

This dinner can be made in less than 20 minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!

My tip for younger kids: Try deconstructing it and serving each component individually if they’re still working on mixed textured meals like this!

10. CREAMY ONE POT PASTA

BY LEMONS AND ZEST

This is the easiest Creamy One Pot Pasta you will ever make! Less than 10 minutes to prep and as easy as tossing everything in the pot and stirring. Dinner doesn’t get any easier, or tastier than this creamy, parmesan pasta! GET THE RECIPE HERE.

DID YOU TRY ANY OF THESE ONE POT DINNERS?

After you make one of these, make sure to give some love to the creators by tagging them on Instagram (and me too!) so I can see what you and your family are enjoying.

All of these one pot dinners are perfect for meal planning, too! If you’re looking for more meal ideas, check out my meal plan bundle–a free download that will help you meal plan for the whole family, plus 6 weeks worth of ideas.

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Grace is a Dietitian in pediatric nutrition, Mom of two, and founder of First Bites Nutrition. In her work, she teaches parents how to raise a happy, healthy eater for life using evidence-based feeding practices and mindful eating methods to transform their child’s relationship with food, have less mealtime stress, and feel confident in feeding their kids.