This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
One-pot meals are one of the easiest ways to save time and money on a busy night: fewer ingredients, less cleanup and leftovers that reheat well. Everything below cooks in a single pot or skillet, from cheesy chicken and rice to a pantry-friendly chickpea stew.
Each recipe lists its total time, servings and what it costs at Walmart and ALDI. Most are ready in 45 minutes or less, and most cost under $2 a serving.
Jump to a section
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice
- One-Pot Taco Pasta
- Hearty Vegetable Lentil Soup
- One-Pot Chili Mac
- Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo
- Chicken Alfredo Skillet
- Sausage and Potato Hash
- One-Pot Curry Chicken
- Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Mediterranean Chickpea Stew
- Why One-Pot Meals Save Money
- Tips for Cooking Everything in One Pot
- One-Pot Meal Questions
Prices are from Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites for stores in Columbus, Ohio, checked in October 2026. Ohio’s grocery prices are within about 1% of the national average, so you may pay more or less depending on where you live, and prices change often. Here’s how we price our recipes.
1. Cheesy Chicken and Rice
Chicken, rice and broth cook together until the rice is tender, then cheese melts in at the end. It’s a reliable family dinner that needs only one pot.
Time: 40 minutes · Serves: 4
Cost: Ingredients – $4.94 from Walmart, $5.00 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.23 to $1.25
Tip: Stir in frozen peas or spinach during the last few minutes for an easy vegetable.
2. One-Pot Taco Pasta
Ground beef or turkey, pasta, diced tomatoes and taco seasoning simmer together, with cheese melted over the top. Serve with sour cream and cilantro.
Time: 35 minutes · Serves: 6
Cost: Ingredients – $11.30 from Walmart, $10.61 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.77 to $1.88
Why it works: Kids and adults both like it, and it reheats well for lunch.
3. Hearty Vegetable Lentil Soup
Lentils, carrots, potatoes and onions simmer with herbs into a thick, filling soup that makes six bowls.
Time: 50 minutes · Serves: 6
Cost: Ingredients – $4.75 from Walmart, $4.79 from ALDI · Per Serving – $0.79 to $0.80
Savvy tip: Double the batch and freeze half for another night.
4. One-Pot Chili Mac
Chili and macaroni in one pot: ground beef, beans, tomatoes and pasta cooked together and finished with cheese.
Time: 40 minutes · Serves: 6
Cost: Ingredients – $13.07 from Walmart, $11.92 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.99 to $2.18
Quick tip: Canned beans and tomatoes keep the prep to a few minutes.
5. Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo
Orzo cooks right in a garlic butter broth, and the shrimp go in at the end. It looks special but takes about 30 minutes.
Time: 30 minutes · Serves: 4
Cost: Ingredients – $10.09 from Walmart, $10.76 from ALDI · Per Serving – $2.52 to $2.69
Tip: A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens the whole dish.
6. Chicken Alfredo Skillet
Chicken, garlic and pasta cook in one skillet with a creamy sauce made from broth and milk. Dinner is ready in about 30 minutes.
Time: 30 minutes · Serves: 4
Cost: Ingredients – $6.18 from Walmart, $5.61 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.40 to $1.55
Money-Saving Tip: This version uses broth and milk instead of heavy cream, which keeps the cost down.
7. Sausage and Potato Hash
Smoked sausage, diced potatoes, onions and peppers brown together in one pan. It works for breakfast or dinner.
Time: 35 minutes · Serves: 4
Cost: Ingredients – $6.22 from Walmart, $6.77 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.55 to $1.69
Time Saver: Smoked sausage is already cooked, so it only needs to brown.
8. One-Pot Curry Chicken
Chicken and rice simmer in a creamy curry sauce until tender. Serve it as is or with warm naan.
Time: 45 minutes (includes 5 minutes of resting) · Serves: 4
Cost: Ingredients – $5.42 from Walmart, $5.38 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.35 to $1.36
Tip: Coconut milk makes the sauce creamy and adds a little sweetness.
9. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Thin strips of beef and broccoli cook quickly in a savory sauce. Serve over rice for a takeout-style dinner at home.
Time: 25 minutes · Serves: 4
Cost: Ingredients – $12.38 from Walmart, $12.38 from ALDI · Per Serving – $3.09
Pro Tip: Slice beef thinly and cook quickly to keep it tender.
10. Mediterranean Chickpea Stew
Chickpeas, tomatoes, spinach and warm spices simmer into a filling meatless stew.
Time: 40 minutes · Serves: 6
Cost: Ingredients – $4.42 from Walmart, $4.79 from ALDI · Per Serving – $0.74 to $0.80
Serving idea: Spoon it over rice or couscous.
Why One-Pot Meals Save Money
- Fewer ingredients. Most of these recipes use pantry staples you already buy.
- Less waste. Leftovers reheat well for lunch, so nothing gets thrown out.
- Less cleanup. One pot to wash on a busy night.
Keep rice, pasta, canned beans, canned tomatoes and frozen vegetables on hand, and most of these meals need only a quick trip to the store.
Tips for Cooking Everything in One Pot
- Brown first. Sear the meat and onions before adding liquid. The browned bits on the bottom of the pot flavor the whole dish.
- Measure the liquid. Pasta and rice absorb what you add, so the amounts in the recipe matter more than they do in a soup.
- Stir pasta, leave rice alone. Pasta needs stirring so it doesn’t stick. Rice cooks best with the lid on and no peeking.
- Add quick-cooking ingredients last. Shrimp, spinach, peas and cheese go in during the final few minutes.
- Use a bigger pot than you think you need. A wide, heavy pot gives everything room to cook evenly.
One-Pot Meal Questions
What is the best pot for one-pot meals?
A 5 to 6 quart Dutch oven covers soups, pasta and rice dishes. A deep 12-inch skillet with a lid works for hashes, skillet pastas and stir-fries.
Why did my one-pot pasta turn out mushy?
It usually had too much liquid or cooked too long. Start checking the pasta two minutes before the time on the package, and take the pot off the heat while it still has a little bite.
Do one-pot meals freeze well?
Soups and stews freeze best, including the lentil soup and the chickpea stew. Pasta dishes soften when frozen, so those are better eaten within a few days.
Equipment we love: a 6-quart enameled Dutch oven handles the soups, pasta and rice dishes, and a cast iron skillet covers the hash and the stir-fry.
