We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

No one likes to sweat in the kitchen for hours when the summer’s oppressive heat seems designed to keep you out. But that doesn’t mean you should resign yourself to eating salad and delivery pizza every day this season. 

Instead of ignoring your kitchen until the first day of fall, these seven one-pot recipes are easy to put together in a flash. From a Mexican shakshuka that comes together in minutes to a tomato basil pasta bake that reinvents the flavors of the season, these options will get you in and out of the kitchen as the summer heat rages on. 

Mexican Shakshuka 

When it’s too much effort to cook a big dinner, stick to one simple dish that’ll make a big impact. This recipe from Joyful Healthy Eats fits that bill. It combines diced poblano, red peppers, sweet onion, and fire-roasted tomatoes into a pot alongside queso fresco, fresh cilantro, and eggs. When the eggs are set, garnish with cilantro and avocado.  

Braised Kale and Crispy Chicken 

Rethink your typical chicken dinner with this flavorful option from The Modern Properwhich pairs the meat with minced shallot, fresh tarragon, baby kale, and chicken broth. Spices, dijon mustard, and cold butter are added in for a dish that’s anything but standard. 

Tomato Basil Pasta Bake

It only takes 30 minutes to put this pasta bake recipe from Half Baked Harvest on the table. Inside, fettuccine, sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto, mozzarella, coconut milk, and crumbled goat cheese are combined. When the cheese is a golden brown, remove the pot from the broiler and top it with fresh summer tomatoes and basil. 

Roast Beef Red Curry 

A large Dutch oven does the heavy lifting of this colorful recipe from The Modern Proper. It cooks chuck roast, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and lemongrass stock in red curry paste, coconut milk, and ginger in only a few steps. Add in cilantro and basil at the end for one final touch. 

Lemon Chicken and Red Potatoes 

Another way to make a fast and delicious chicken feast is to use this recipe from Chelsea’s Messy Apron. It centers the bird in a skillet alongside butter, baby carrots, red potatoes, minced garlic, and fresh parsley for classic flavors that can be served in 30 minutes or less. 

Keto Chili 

Food Faith Fitness has figured out how to serve chili with keto ingredients in an Instant Pot. Ground beef is mixed with chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and allspice and cooked with crushed tomatoes, onions, red pepper, and celery. Stir in parsley when it’s all cooked and dig in. 

Cacio e Pepe

Half Baked Harvest recommends an Instant Pot to help make this cacio e pepe recipe come together easily. Pasta shells, salted butter, parmesan cheese, and pecorino cheese are cooked, and crispy chickpeas are added for additional flavor. 

Read on for more easy recipes:

This Is the Only Cheese Spread You Should Be Serving This Season14 One-Pan Recipes to Make When You’re Short on Time7 Healthy One-Pan Recipes to Get You Out of the Kitchen Quick