One Pot Dinners

We have hit summer here in Southwest Florida, even if the calendar doesn't quite reflect it yet. I know this because the boys are heading into their third (!) week out of school, it's hitting 90 degrees most days, and I can't get the chlorine smell off my skin. I love the slower pace of summer and the fact that we don't have to set an alarm most days and that we can do things like spend hours at the library and the pool. This also makes me a little more relaxed about having meals planned and prepped for the week, and I am newly obsessed with one-pot meals. Most involve some type of pasta and meat, perfect for the ravenous hunger my boys seem to have after a day of sun and swimming. They all will make cleaning up the kitchen a little less time-consuming so you can get out and enjoy the extra sunlight of those long summer evenings.

1. One Pot Wonder Tomato Basil Pasta - This recipe, from Anne and Donna at Apron Strings made the rounds on Pinterest and was the first to pique my interest in easy one-pot pasta dinners. 

2. One Pot Wonder Chicken Lo Mein - A variation on the recipe above, this dish from Amanda at The Wholesome Dish puts an Asian spin on the same mix of noodles, veggies, chicken, and pasta. 

3. One Pot Spaghetti - Granted, spaghetti and meat sauce isn't exactly a labor-intensive dish to begin with, but this one-pot version from Sarah at Fantastical Sharing of Recipes is now my go-to for when we're in the mood for spaghetti, one of my boys’ favorites. 

4. One Pan Spicy Chicken Lemon Pasta with Tomatoes - This one from Kristin at Yellow Bliss Road was a hit with me and my husband. I thought the lemony pasta was perfect for a summer meal, but I will cut back a little on the lemon juice next time (and I cut out the red pepper all together) for my boys' delicate palates. Kristin also has lots more one pot meals on her site that look delicious and are pinned for me to try. 

5. Homemade Hamburger Helper - If you were raised on, or just sometimes feel the sirens' call of, the boxed dinner with the cute anthropomorphic white glove, this is a less guilt-inducing version. Suzanne from Chickens in the Road provides measurements for many of the familiar flavors and directions on how to pre-assemble packets with the ingredients to keep on hand that are just as convenient as the boxed stuff and have real ingredients. The Cheeseburger Macaroni is a favorite in our house.

6. Skillet Lasagna - This dish from Melissa at No. 2 Pencil takes what is usually a fairly complicated and time-intensive meal and adapts those flavors to a quick one-dish meal.

7. One-Pot Southwest Chicken and Rice - This recipe from Mel at Mel's Kitchen Cafe takes the kid-friendly chicken and rice casserole, gives it a Southwest spin, and adapts it to a one-pot dish.

8. One-Pot Cheeseburger Casserole - Another dish from Melissa at No. 2 Pencil, this one really does capture the flavors of a cheeseburger, and Corbie was amused by the pickle in his pasta dinner.

9. One Pot Chicken Risotto - Okay, so risotto isn't exactly a quick dinner recipe, but I'm a sucker for it. And this one from Courtney at Sweet C Designs looks yummy and fairly adaptable.