25 Paleo One Pot Meals to Cook on a Busy Weeknight

Whether you prefer chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, salmon or vegan dishes, here are 25 paleo one pot meals to try when you find yourself short on time and energy for meal prepping and cooking.

After a particularly busy day, getting a delicious and nutritious meal on the table can feel like an absolute struggle. The last thing you want to do is spend your evening slaving away in the kitchen.

Thankfully, one-pot meals, sheet pan recipes, and other simple single dish dinners make it so much easier. This is a clever cooking hack that allows you to make healthy meals without hours of time-consuming prep work or creating a mountain of dirty dishes!

What I love most about one-pot meals is the simplicity. Often they only require a little bit of prep time before they're on their way to becoming a delicious dinner. Whether you choose single dish meals that are prepared in a pot, on a pan, or (for ultimate convenience) in your Instant Pot or slow cooker, you'll feel relieved to know that your dinner is taken care of without the hassle of endless dishes and prep work.

Here are 25 delicious one-pot meals to try – almost enough for an entire month of meal planning! All are paleo, gluten-free and grain-free, and many are also keto and Whole30-friendly. There's a dish for every preference, no matter whether you prefer chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, salmon or vegan dishes.

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One Pot Meals to Make in Your Instant Pot

These Instant Pot meals are the perfect choice when you're feeling crunched for time. You can go from frozen chicken thighs to paleo burrito bowl in under 30 minutes! These are great for quick and easy dinners.

The Easiest Instant Pot Pulled Pork (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

Not only has my family declared this pulled pork "the best pulled pork ever," but it's almost too simple to make. And it only requires 5 minutes of prep time and 4 ingredients! There are plenty of ways to serve this simple dish, but my favorite is to make a pulled pork sandwich with chipotle lime coleslaw on a paleo-friendly bun.

Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs (Keto, Paleo, Whole30)

This simple Instant Pot recipe is perfect for burrito bowls, tacos, and fajitas. And it can be prepared from frozen, so no planning, thawing or even browning required! This is an emergency dinner recipe to keep in your back pocket. You only need 3 minutes of prep time, and it can be on the table in 30 minutes!

Instant Pot Ham with Honey Mustard Pomegranate Glaze

This simple main course recipe is equally great for special occasions or for a simple Sunday dinner. Both the ham and glaze are prepared in the Instant Pot which keeps dirty dishes to a minimum. And with just 5 minutes of prep time and 5 ingredients, this quick ham recipe is simplicity at its finest.

Pressure-Cooker Lamb Stew

Stew is one of those dishes that usually takes hours to simmer away on the stove, but this quick and simple meal from The Paleo Mom takes just under an hour to prepare from start to finish! With minimal prep and cooking time, you'll have a hearty stew ready in no time. Perfect for quick dinners and meal prepping in advance.

Thai Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk and Basil

Give the Instant Pot variation of this recipe a whirl when you're crunched for time. This dish from My Natural Family comes together quickly and can even be made with frozen boneless chicken thighs. Simply serve over "rice." If you're like me and keep cauliflower rice meal prepped in advance, then serving this meal is really quick and easy.

Easy Crockpot & Slow Cooker One Pot Meals

While crockpot and slow cooker one-pot meals are just as easy to prepare as an Instant Pot meal, these recipes are best when you have a couple of minutes in the morning to prepare your ingredients and set your cooking timer. They take a little advance planning to prepare, but it's worth it when you walk in the door to a delicious home-cooked meal that's ready to serve!

Crock Pot Cauliflower Chicken Chili (Paleo, Whole30)

This crowd-pleasing chili is so easy to make and is absolutely loaded with vegetables. No beans in sight! You can have it simmering away in your slow cooker in under 10 minutes. And serving it is just as simple – throw on a squeeze of lime, sprinkle of cilantro and some sliced avocado. Yummmm!

Crockpot Whole Chicken (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

This is not only a fantastic way to prepare your dinner, but also a great trick for meal prepping for weekday lunches. This roast chicken requires just 10 minutes of prep time and a handful of pantry staples. It's the perfect way to cook a whole chicken, even if you're kept busy during the day with work and errands!

Crock Pot Chicken Soup (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

This chicken soup is simple, delicious comfort food at its finest. And this one-pot meal is so simple – just put everything in the pot and you're done! You can have it cooking with just 5 minutes of prep time. This chicken soup is delicious on its own, but I also love to serve it with a paleo biscuit. Perfect for dipping!

Crock Pot Turkey Bolognese Sauce with Zucchini Noodles (Paleo, Whole30)

This one-pot recipe is way easier than your Nonna's Bolognese sauce! Take 10 minutes to prepare and start your crockpot in the morning and come home to a delicious simmering sauce later that day. Spiralize your zoodles and dinner is served! Try meal prepping and freezing this sauce for quick weeknight dinners.

Crock Pot Barbecue Turkey Thighs

This is the easiest "BBQ" recipe. It's perfect for when you have absolutely no time to cook dinner. Even if you have to prepare the peach barbecue sauce, your hands-on prep time should be under 15 minutes. Try serving this recipe shredded and tossed with some sauce on a bun. Such a quick weeknight meal!

Simple Chipotle Barbacoa

You'll need minimal prep time for this simple Barbacoa adaption. Your sauce ingredients are prepared in a blender and then simply added over the roast in your slow cooker. And serving this meal is just as easy – add it to a bed of lettuce with some salsa, guacamole, and cilantro. Dinner is served!

Simple Sheet Pan Meals You Can Make In Your Oven

I love sheet pan meals for their simplicity. The recipes I've included in this section require a maximum of 10 minutes of prep time – whether they're cooked on a baking sheet or baking pan they're all easy one pan recipes. These chicken, shrimp, beef and salmon recipes are quick, easy and so delicious!

Easy Keto Meatloaf Recipe (Paleo, Gluten Free, Whole30)

This super simple meatloaf recipe is the perfect way to use up ground beef. You can have the recipe prepared in just 5 minutes and there's no chopping required – talk about easy! There are plenty of different sides you could serve this fast one pan meal with, but the quickest is a simple salad with homemade dressing.

Easy Baked Salmon with Roasted Asparagus (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

This simple baked salmon sheet pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights – it can be on the table in 15 minutes! It's hard to believe that in just 5 minutes you can have this 7-ingredient dinner prepared and in the oven. I love serving it with a simple garden salad to round out the meal.

Garlic Roasted Shrimp with Zucchini Pasta (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

This easy roasted shrimp dinner can be on the table in 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights! The garlic and lemon flavors are delicious, and meal prep couldn't be easier. Simply toss the shrimp to coat and pop them in the oven. Once they're done, you'll add the zucchini noodles and your dinner is ready to serve!

Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken and Fennel

This simple one pan dish takes just 10 minutes to prepare but looks like you spent the whole day slaving away in the kitchen. You'll need to marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours, so this dish does take a little bit of advance planning if you're including it on your weekly menu. The silver lining is that it turns out perfectly every time!

Garlic Herb Salmon Foil Packs with Potatoes (Paleo Whole30 Keto)

Here's another quick and simple salmon recipe, this time prepared in a foil packet. This recipe from Tasty Thin is wonderfully versatile – it can be cooked on the grill or in the oven. I like serving one-pan meals like this with a simple garden salad, but feel free to add your favorite veggies into the packet to complete the meal.

Easy One-Skillet Dishes for a Busy Weeknight

Single skillet meals are often a great way to use up leftover veggies in the fridge. I've included a couple of my favorite frittata recipes as well as a chicken stir fry, salmon, and ground beef skillet. All are delicious without any extra sides!

Sausage and Butternut Squash Frittata (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

This is a delicious low carb skillet meal no matter whether you serve it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Frittatas are quick, easy and perfect for using up leftover ingredients you may have floating around in your fridge. This one skillet meal comes together in a flash – you can have it on the table in 20 minutes!

Easy Chicken & Veggie Stir Fry with Zoodles

This healthy one skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights – plenty of nutritious, delicious ingredients with minimal prep work and clean up required. This stir fry is particularly fun because it tastes a little like a classic Chinese takeout dish...without any of the unhealthy ingredients!

Sausage and Mushroom Frittata (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

Here's another frittata variation that's easy to pull together no matter the time of day. Frittatas are one of my favorite no-fuss one skillet meal and this recipe is no exception. you can (and should!) serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! You can have this delicious recipe ready to serve up in under 50 minutes.

One Pan Garlic Butter Salmon and Swiss Chard (Paleo, Whole30)

If you think you're too busy to cook salmon, you're wrong. This dish from Bowl of Delicious is the perfect meal for you if you're looking for a one-skillet recipe that's fast, easy and healthy. You really only need a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes to pull this delicious dinner together.

Keto Ground Beef Spinach Skillet (Paleo)

This beautiful mixture of mushrooms, grass-fed ground beef, and spinach is a match made in heaven. This recipe from The Healthy Foodie can be pulled together and ready to serve in under 30 minutes, so it's a great choice for a busy weeknight. And the portion sizing is perfect if you're cooking for only one or two people.

Quick & Easy Single Pot Soups

Is there anything more quick and simple than a one-pot soup recipe? Enjoy these easy soups on their own or serve with a paleo biscuit and simple salad for a heartier meal.

Easy Broccoli Soup (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

This is the healthier version of your favorite classic cream of broccoli soup. It's impossibly creamy and yet you won't find any cream on this ingredient list! You can have this soup whipped up and ready to serve in just 15 minutes. Perfect for a fast, light dinner. There are even dairy-free and vegan variations.

Easy Cauliflower Celeriac Soup with Bacon (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

Here's another wonderfully creamy soup without any hint of actual cream in sight. The celeriac transforms the texture into a decadent dish. I love garnishing this soup with duck bacon and chives, but you could substitute coconut bacon for a vegan version. And this soup is ready to serve in under 30 minutes!

Easy Rotisserie Chicken Soup in a Hurry (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

This is a quick and easy alternative to the slow cooker chicken soup previously mentioned. You'll take a few clever shortcuts – like cooking as you chop and using a rotisserie chicken – and have this hearty soup whipped up in under 30 minutes. I would recommend serving this soup with easy paleo biscuits.

10-Minute Paleo Tomato Soup (Paleo, Low Carb, Whole30)

This might just be the speediest tomato soup recipe. You can have it served in 10 minutes! The ingredient list is short and sweet here, so it's important to use the best quality ingredients you have available. While delicious on its own, I love it with a 3-minute keto English muffin. It's perfect for dipping!

Roasted Asparagus Avocado Soup (Paleo, Keto, Whole30)

If you're looking for a soup recipe that tastes like spring then this is the recipe for you! You can have this soup served up in about 20 minutes. It comes together so quickly! And I love how the avocado provides a smooth and creamy texture. No cream or milk necessary. You'll also find dairy-free and vegan soup variations. You can even roast the asparagus in the air fryer!

So, there you have it. Almost a month's worth of one-pot meals to round out your meal plan. Whether you're looking for chicken, beef, salmon, shrimp or simple soups, you're sure to find at least a couple of quick and easy recipes to suit your tastes.