25 One-Pan Dishes That Let You Enjoy The Rest Of The Holiday Season

If you’re tired of spending more time scrubbing pans than enjoying the holiday lights, these one-dish dinners are your lifesaver. They bring the dish without the fuss, so you spend less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing with family, friends, or a good movie. With minimal cleanup and cozy flavors, everyone stays well fed while you actually enjoy the season.

Mississippi Pot Roast

Mississippi pot roast was made for holiday weeks when you want comfort but only have energy to toss a few things in the slow cooker. You get all the cozy flavor of classic pot roast in one pot, with tender beef soaking up ranch, pepperoncini, butter, and rich gravy. Five simple ingredients turn into fall-apart meat that feels like a cozy reward after a hectic winter day.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast

Sheet Pan Pancakes

Sheet pan pancakes keep Christmas morning calm since the whole batch bakes at once while everyone stays in pajamas. You spread the batter on a single tray, sprinkle on different toppings, then let the oven handle the rest while coffee brews. One pan leaves you with fluffy squares, happy eaters, and zero standing at the stove.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pancakes

Potato and Leek Soup

Potato and leek soup brings gentle comfort to chilly holiday evenings when big party plates have started to feel like a lot. Everything simmers quietly in one pot until the potatoes turn tender, the leeks mellow out, and the broth blends into something velvety. A warm bowl on the table feels like pressing reset on your whole week.
Get the Recipe: Potato and Leek Soup

Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken

Slow cooker Marry Me chicken is perfect for hectic holiday days when you want rich comfort but no extra fuss. Chicken simmers in one pot with garlic, tomatoes, cream, and herbs until it turns tender enough to fall apart under your fork. Dinner appears tender, saucy, and ready to spoon over pasta, rice, or cauliflower mash with barely any effort from you.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Sheet pan chicken fajitas bring the sizzle vibe of restaurant fajitas to your oven without the juggling. Strips of chicken with peppers and onions roast until smoky and tender, so you can pile everything into warm tortillas. A single pan coming out of the oven sets you up for a fun DIY fajita night with almost no cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Taco Soup

Taco soup turns all your favorite taco night flavors into a single cozy pot that fits right into busy holiday weeks. Chicken, meatballs, veggies, and spices simmer together into a hearty bowl that feels playful but still grounding after heavy spreads. A big pot on the back burner takes care of dinner while you wrap gifts or finish party prep.
Get the Recipe: Taco Soup

Low-Carb Hot Cereal

Low-carb hot cereal steps in on December mornings when you want something easy and soothing that won’t weigh you down after so many treats. Coconut flour, flax, chia, eggs, and milk come together in one pan for a cozy, spoonable bowl that still feels light. Each scoop brings gentle energy that actually helps you ease back into your routine.
Get the Recipe: Low-Carb Hot Cereal

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken

Slow cooker cheesy ranch chicken keeps weeknights calm when parties and gatherings fill every square on the calendar. Chicken cooks low in a creamy ranch sauce, then finishes under a gooey layer of cheese that everyone loves over rice or cauliflower mash. One slow cooker on the counter quietly handles dinner so you can actually enjoy the evening.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken

French Onion Soup

French onion soup turns a quiet winter night into something special with sweet caramelized onions and a deep, cozy broth. Everything builds in one pot before you crown it with toasted bread and a blanket of melted cheese under the broiler. A crock of soup beside a glass of wine feels like pure winter magic with almost no extra dishes.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Slow cooker beef stroganoff brings classic comfort to the table on nights when the season has you running in ten directions. Tender beef, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce hang out low and slow until everything is rich and velvety. One pot waiting on the counter means dinner feels special without stealing your evening.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Sheet Pan Eggs

Sheet pan eggs step up on hectic December mornings when you want breakfast ready with almost no effort. Thick, fluffy slices bake all at once, so you can feed a crowd while the oven quietly does its thing. Cleanup stays blissfully simple so you can linger over coffee instead of hovering at the stove.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Eggs

Chipotle Rice

Chipotle rice brings bright, limey flavor to holiday plates that are heavy on roasts and rich casseroles. You cook the rice in one pot, then toss it with cilantro, citrus, and a touch of oil for a fresh side that still feels comforting. A bowl on the table makes tacos, burrito bowls, or leftover turkey feel brand new.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Rice

Deconstructed Egg Roll Soup

Deconstructed egg roll soup lets you lean into takeout flavors while still feeling light on your feet after big seasonal feasts. Ground meat, cabbage, carrots, and seasonings simmer together in one pot so you get all the flavor without any frying. Each ladleful feels hearty enough for dinner yet gentle enough for a post-celebration reset.
Get the Recipe: Deconstructed Egg Roll Soup

Low-Carb Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Low-carb slow-cooker beef stew is holiday gold for days when you want guilt-free comfort without hovering over the stove. Beef, low-carb veggies, herbs, and rich broth hang out in the slow cooker until everything turns tender and full-flavored. You set it once, then come back to a steaming pot that feels like a warm welcome home.
Get the Recipe: Low-Carb Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

Sheet pan sausage and vegetables turn simple ingredients into a hands-off dinner that still feels cheerful during the end of year rush. Juicy sausage, tender crisp veg, and browned edges all develop together under high heat. One roasting pan gives you options for bowls, wraps, or nibbling straight from the tray.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

Slow cooker butternut squash soup is the cozy pot you want bubbling away while you come and go from holiday errands. Naturally sweet squash, warm spices, and creamy coconut milk turn into a soothing bowl that feels gentle after big feasts. A crock simmering in the corner gives you comfort on repeat with almost no work.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

Sheet pan chicken thighs rescue weeknights between celebrations when you still crave something hearty. Seasoned thighs roast beside broccoli until the edges are caramelized and the centers stay juicy. One pan in the oven handles the main dish plus veg while you catch your breath.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow cooker pot roast keeps family dinners feeling special even when the season is packed from morning to night. Beef, root vegetables, spices, and broth slowly melt together into a rich gravy that tastes like an all-day project from a single pot. You load it in early, then come back to a classic plate that needs almost nothing on the side.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Salsa chicken in the slow cooker is perfect for those in-between celebration days when you still want bold flavor without effort. Chicken breast plus jarred salsa turns into tender, tangy meat that works for tacos, bowls, or quick lettuce wraps with almost no cleanup. Leftovers stretch into easy meals, so you spend more time relaxing than cooking.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Coconut Pumpkin Soup

Coconut pumpkin soup is exactly what you want simmering on the stove when winter gatherings start to catch up with you. Bone broth, coconut milk, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, and a touch of cayenne turn into a creamy, gently spiced bowl that feels soothing after rich party plates. One pot on the burner gives you comfort while you relax back into the holiday mood.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Pumpkin Soup

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Slow cooker mashed potatoes take the chaos out of big holiday spreads by babysitting themselves. Potatoes simmer in butter, garlic, and cream until they mash into the fluffiest side dish you can scoop straight from the crock. Your stovetop stays free so you can focus on the main event instead of boiling pots.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Beer Cheese Soup

Beer cheese soup steps in when you want party comfort that still keeps your one pan doing all the work. You get a creamy, cheesy bowl with that pub-style flavor, lightened up enough to fit into a long season of feasting. One batch on the stove covers lunch or a simple supper while you focus on everything else.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup

Sheet Pan Chicken

Sheet pan chicken makes a colorful, fuss-free dinner that slots perfectly between parties and potlucks. Tender pieces roast with a rainbow of vegetables, so you get a full meal straight from the tray. The whole pan comes to the table in one trip, which keeps things simple on hectic nights.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken

Chicken Paprikash

Chicken paprikash brings cozy classic flavor to winter nights when you want something warm but low effort. Chicken simmers in a paprika-rich sauce that turns silky and comforting over noodles or rice. One pan on the stove gives you a dinner that feels festive enough for company.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Tom Kha Gai Soup

Tom kha gai soup brings fresh holiday energy with fragrant coconut broth, tender chicken, and mushrooms all cozied up in one pot. Lemongrass, ginger, garlic, fish sauce, and chili paste make it feel like a takeout treat without leaving the house. A single simmering pot keeps dinner easy, so you can linger longer with guests.
Get the Recipe: Tom Kha Gai Soup

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Slow-cooker beef and broccoli brings cozy takeout vibes to your holiday kitchen with almost zero hands-on time. Beef, broccoli florets, garlic, and ginger simmer in a savory sauce until everything turns soft enough to spoon over rice or cauliflower rice. One crockpot delivers a comforting, crowd-friendly main while you focus on guests.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Beef Shank in the Slow Cooker

Beef shank in the slow cooker turns a tough cut into fall-off-the-bone comfort while you are busy with guests or wrapping gifts. Aromatics, broth, and herbs slowly melt into the meat until it tastes like it was cooked all day in Grandma’s kitchen. A single pot delivers a hearty centerpiece you can ladle over cauliflower mash without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Beef Shank in the Slow Cooker