30-minute one-pot wonders: 13 recipes for busy people

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If you’re tired of spending hours in the kitchen making dinner, you’ll love this collection of 13 one-pan and one-pot recipes that can be made in only 30 minutes! These quick and easy meals are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious and satisfying dinner without the hassle of using multiple pots and pans.

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is a dish made in one pot that takes only 30 minutes to cook. It has Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy whipping cream, which give it a great taste and texture.

Get the recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup.

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

To make this recipe for Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts, you’ll first season chicken thighs with spices and sear them until golden brown. Then, a creamy sauce is made by mixing butter, garlic, heavy cream, and chicken stock. Finally, artichokes and lemon juice are added to give the dish a unique taste and texture that goes well with the sauce.

Get the recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts.

Creamy Dijon Chicken

Pan of creamy dijon chicken with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Dijon Chicken is a meal that can be cooked in one pan and is ready in 30 minutes. The chicken is seasoned and cooked, and then a sauce made with dijon mustard, spinach, and crumbled bacon is poured over it. It’s a protein-packed, flavorful, and filling meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

Get the recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute Tuscan Garlic Shrimp recipe has deliciously cooked shrimp with a flavorful garlic sauce that’s dairy-free. It’s served with fresh spinach and grape tomatoes that add a pop of color.

Get the recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon garnished with parsley in a pot.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a quick and easy recipe that takes only 25 minutes to cook. It has cabbage, bacon, and onion, which create a well-balanced dish with great flavors and textures.

Get the recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon.

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower risotto in a pan.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Sara Nelson.

This Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is a one-pot dish that takes only 30 minutes to make! It’s creamy, flavorful, and nutritious, making it a great dish for a family dinner during the week. Serve it as a main dish with your favorite protein on top.

Get the recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms.

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken in a cast iron skillet.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a mouth-watering one-pan skillet dish that’s great for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Boneless and skinless chicken thighs are cooked in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce that has heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.

Get the recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken.

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Green Chile Chicken with Shredded Chicken Thighs recipe is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. It’s a one-skillet recipe that’s quick and easy to make, taking only 20 minutes. If you have leftover shredded chicken and are looking for a delicious recipe, this is the perfect option.

Get the recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs.

Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy

Curry salmon with coconut milk and bok choy in a bowl with a fork.
Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy is a healthy, gluten-free one-pan stovetop dish that’s high in protein. The homemade curry paste and sauce contain curry powder, fresh ginger, and coconut milk, which add rich flavors. The recipe is quick and can be ready to eat in 30 minutes.

Get the recipe: Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk and Bok Choy.

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Creamy ground beef and cauliflower rice skillet on a marble countertop.
Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is a low-carb dinner recipe that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The dish contains ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms, and it’s all cooked in one skillet, making it easy to make and extra flavorful!

Get the recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet.

Sticky Sauce Chicken

Sticky sauce chicken, broccoli, and sesame seeds in a pot.
Sticky Sauce Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sticky Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that features juicy, tender cubed chicken thighs smothered in a sweet and tangy garlic-ginger sauce. Topped with the satisfying crunch of sesame seeds, this flavorful and savory meal can be prepared in under 30 minutes and contains minimal grams of net carbs per serving.

Get the recipe: Sticky Sauce Chicken.

Creamy Garlic Chicken

Garnished creamy garlic chicken over cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Garlic Chicken is an easy, one-pan dish that features tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy white sauce made with garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. It’s a low-carb meal that’s quick to make and full of flavor.

Get the recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken.

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Lemon garlic scallops garnished with parsley in a skillet.
Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Lemon Garlic Scallops are a quick and impressive one-pan meal that can be on your table in just 25 minutes. They are also a great source of protein and are easy to prepare.

Get the recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops.

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