Hey mamas, are you scrambling after a long day to get dinner on the table? Meal planning is an effective tool to keep things running smoothly, especially when you have a large family. I always love to put One-Pot Meals on the table as they are synonymous with easy meal prep for busy moms. The cleanup will also be a breeze!
With these simple meals gone are the days of constantly running around, and feeling like you have no time to cook a “real meal”. I won’t get started on what constitutes a real meal (I’m a mom that has served up cereal for dinner and we LOVE it). But I am always searching for a balance between delicious, healthy, simple, and budget-friendly.
These recipes will help you get a nutritious dinner ready for your family by using some of my favorite tools – the Instant Pot, the Crock Pot, and the tried and true cast-iron skillet. Almost all of these recipes are an all-in-one meal but if you want you can always add an extra simple side dishes, and you will be all set!
One-Pot Meals: Easy Dinners for Busy Moms
These recipes will take you on a trip down memory lane and transport your family around the globe. Whatever you are feeling hungry for, you will be able to find a great option for your meal plan. I always love to put the Crock Pot recipes into my meal plan when I know things will be chaotic. You don’t need to sacrifice flavor just because your family schedule is hectic – these were written with easy meal prep for busy moms like you in mind.
Beef One-Pot Meals
Skillet Shepherd’s Pie by Jo Cooks – If you have leftover mashed potatoes this old-style comfort food will be even quicker! It takes beef, frozen veggies, potatoes, and about 40 minutes to bake them to perfection.
Beefy Lasagna Soup by The Girl On Bloor – Pro tip: This recipe can be frozen so make a double batch. You’ll have one to eat for dinner and one stashed away for a different busy night.
Garlic Ginger Beef Stir Fry – by 9 on a Dime – Ready, set, stir-fry! Enjoy this quick and easy garlic ginger beef stir fry recipe that is extremely delicious and colorful. Perfect for any day of the week!
Slow Cooker Beef Stew by Belly Full – This Crock Pot recipe amps up the flavor with a tender stew packed full of veggies. Set it and forget it!
Skillet Spaghetti by Julie’s Eats and Treats – Make the sauce and noodles all together in this quick and easy weeknight dinner. This Greek Salad would be a tasty side dish.
Pork One-Pot Recipes
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta by Amanda’s Cookin – This casserole takes just 20 minutes. Add in simple fruit and vegetable side dishes and it’s a perfect easy dinner for busy moms like you.
Sausage and Rice One Pot Meal by Recipe Tin Eats – Smoked sausage is the key to this recipe. The ingredient list is set for 5 servings so if you have a big family like mine, you will want to double it. Actually, you might want to double it anyway just so you can have leftovers the next day!
Fried Pork Chops With Apples by Spend With Pennies – Pork chops, apples, and a delicious Dijon sauce in one skillet makes dinner time a breeze!
Eggs, Sausage And Hash Browns Skillet by Averie Cooks – I love a good recipe that can be used for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. This one goes from skillet to table in 30 minutes! Eggs, sausage meatballs, hash browns, sweet Vidalia onions, a bit of garlic, and crisp-tender bell peppers all cook together in one pot.
Dutch Oven Pork Tenderloin And Sweet Potato Stew by Zesty Olive – Super easy meal prep for this hearty stew. All you need to do is cube the pork and sweet potatoes, add some beans and spices, and let the Dutch Oven simmer it to perfection.
Jambalaya Recipe by House Of Nash Eats – One-pot meals make the best easy dinners for busy moms. This one uses all the flavors of down-home Louisiana cooking and needs just 45 minutes from start to finish.
Chicken One-Pot Meals
Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Pot Pie – by 9 on a Dime – This cast iron skillet chicken pot pie recipe is simple and tastes amazing. The best part is that it’s kid-friendly!
One Pan Chicken Enchilada Skillet by The Girl Who Ate Everything – If your family loves Mexican flavors, then this one will be a hit! Meal prep is easy because you use rotisserie or leftover chicken.
Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup by The Bettered Blondie – This mixes comfort food flavors with the convenience of the Instant Pot. It’s also a great dairy-free option if anyone in your family has sensitivities.
White Chicken Lasagna Soup by Carlsbad Cravings – Talk about comfort food and one-pot meals! The ingredient list is on the longer side because it’s packed with FLAVOR. You’ll have a simmering and aromatic soup on the table in about 45 minutes.
Vegetarian Meals
Roasted Garlic Mac & Cheese by 9 on a Dime – This amazing version of mac and cheese is an easy, cheesy, and creamy dish that’s a perfect frugal recipe for large families. Eat gourmet without breaking the budget!
Thai Coconut Curry Soup by Sweet Peas And Saffron – Do you need a vacation? With chickpeas, fresh veggies, cilantro, lime, and noodles, you’ll be immediately transported to the streets of Bangkok. Soak it in, mamas. You deserve a rest.
Instant Pot Vegan Chili by Detoxinista – Your family won’t even miss the meat in this one-pot meal. The chili is packed with fiber and protein so adding in a fresh salad would be the perfect side dish. This is seriously easy meal prep for busy moms!
This collection of one-pot meals gives you everything from classic comfort food to ethnic flavors and features chicken, pasta, beef, and more! These easy dinners for busy moms are sure to be a hit with your families. Meal prep and cleanup are quick and easy when you have just one pot to clean, leaving you with more time to do the things you love.
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