Now that spring is here, we have one thing on our minds: spending as much time as possible shaking the winter chill from our bones and enjoying the ever-warming sunshine outside. With the days getting longer, it’s sometimes possible to go for a walk or play in the yard before dinner, and eventually, even after. The only thing is, those dinner dishes won’t wash themselves. Enter: one-pot spring dinners that are tasty, filling, and so easy to clean up after.
The following spring meals all come together in a single pot, and combine simple favorites like rice, pasta, and potatoes with a dose of vegetables and protein. In other words, these kid-friendly recipes are surprisingly well-balanced. Many of them also have a generous amount of cheese, which definitely helps sway picky eaters who may be on the fence about things like asparagus or broccoli.
Related story
Giada De Laurentiis Just Showed Us the Italian Way to Make PB&J & It's Savory, Not Sweet
The next time you’re looking to get in and out of the kitchen as quickly as possible, try a one-pot spring dinner recipe from the list below. All are relatively simple, call for ingredients you can find at any grocery store, and are loaded with familiar flavors your family will love.
One-Pot Sausage & Pepper Fettuccine Pasta
Here’s an easy, family-friendly weeknight meal that pairs chicken sausage with bright bell peppers. Throw in any other spring veggies your family likes for even more nutrition.
Get the recipe from Chef Elizabeth Reese.
Dutch Oven Chicken Stew
Spring nights can still be chilly, so we like to have a few hearty recipes on hand. This one-pot Dutch oven chicken stew fits the bill, and it’s a creamy delivery service for kid-friendly veggies including corn, carrots, celery, and green beans.
Get the recipe from The Rooted Farmhouse.
One-Pot Orzo Primavera
Orzo is one of our favorite weeknight meal ingredients. It’s quick cooking, a fun change from traditional pasta shapes while still having a familiar flavor and texture (important for picky kids), and pairs perfectly with spring vegetables.
Get the recipe from Cafe Delites.
One-Pot Easy Broccoli Carrot Pasta
Chances are there are already some vegetables your family eats on a regular basis, but now’s the time to highlight them, like in this kid-friendly one pot broccoli carrot pasta recipe.
Get the recipe from Nourish and Fete.
One-Pot Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus
Think of this creamy parmesan orzo recipe as a spin on macaroni and cheese that adults and kids will both like. Add fresh spring asparagus and chicken to complete the meal.
Get the recipe from My Daily Meals.
One-Pot Orzo with Asparagus and Peas
Sweet spring peas and snappy green asparagus join up to turn this one pot orzo recipe into a seasonal special.
Get the recipe from Skinny Spatula.
One-Pot Vegan Fettucine Alfredo With Peas & Tomatoes
It can be even more difficult to find dairy-free kid-friendly recipes, but this creamy vegan alfredo pasta, made with cherry tomatoes and green peas, is one you’ll want to try.
Get the recipe from Neurotic Mommy.
One-Pot Pasta Primavera
Pasta primavera literally means spring pasta, so feel free to add all of your favorite seasonal veggies into this one pot recipe.
Get the recipe from The Girl on Bloor.
One-Pot Veggie Mac and Cheese
Boxed mac and cheese has a time and place, but it can’t beat homemade. Homemade macaroni and cheese is also the perfect place to add extra vegetables into your weekly menu.
Get the recipe from Better Home Base.
One-Pot Vegetable Skillet Lasagna
How can you make lasagna on a weeknight? Skip the separately boiled noodles and time-consuming layering, opting for a one-pot skillet lasagna instead.
Get the recipe from Making Thyme For Health.
One-Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup
Vegetable and bean soup is a family favorite, and you can load this minestrone soup with all of your favorite veggies. Just be sure to serve with biscuits or bread to soak up all of that broth.
Get the recipe from Happy Kitchen.
Ham, Cheese & Spinach Bake
Sometimes getting the family to eat vegetables is as simple as adding something green to ingredients everyone already likes, this the spinach in this easy one-pan ham and cheese bake.
Get the recipe from 31 Daily.
In search of more summer recipes? Giada De Laurentiis has plenty:
More Stories from Food & Recipes
