These are strange times, and staying close to home — in the house, the backyard, and on familiar sidewalks — has become the new normal. Video calls with friends, small groups and family have replaced many in-person gatherings, and streaming church or other events on Sundays is common. It’s not effortless, and everyone is ready for things to return to normal, but after a few weeks the constant shock fades and daily life finds a rhythm.
With more time at home comes more family time, and while that’s a gift, it can also feel chaotic. Parenting is hard, and it’s unrealistic to expect to enjoy every single moment. Still, it helps to be reminded to savor the small joys. A friend shared a line that stuck with me: “The year is 2036. I’m in an eerily quiet house. Both kids are grown and have moved out. I’d do anything to be quarantined with my 5 and 2 year old and hear the sounds of their tiny feet running all over the house.” It can bring perspective without guilt — it’s okay to acknowledge the difficulty of the present while appreciating moments of sweetness.
After long, busy days, the last thing most of us want is an elaborate dinner. So I’ve pulled together some of the simplest, most reliable one-pot or minimal-prep recipes that are ideal for sheltering at home. Most require only a handful of ingredients and can be ready in 30 minutes or less. They’re easy, comforting, and perfect for simplifying meal time while still tasting great. Here are some favorites to try.
1. One Pot Coconut Lemon Chicken
- 3 ingredients
- 20 minutes
- Simple, wholesome, and bursting with flavor. Serve over rice and spoon extra sauce on top for a satisfying weeknight meal.
2. Dump and Go Taco Soup
- 25 minutes
- 8 base ingredients + optional extras
- Just dump ingredients into a pot, simmer, and top like tacos. Most components are pantry or freezer staples.
3. Sheet Pan Tomato Soup
- 5 ingredients (not including olive oil)
- 1 hour 15 minutes total (mostly hands-off)
- Roast everything on a sheet pan, then blend with olive oil until smooth. Pair with grilled cheese for an easy comfort meal.
4. Lemon Garlic Salmon and Asparagus Packs
- 7 ingredients
- 30 minutes
- Wrap salmon and asparagus in foil and roast. Minimal prep, lots of flavor.
5. Coconut Squash Soup
- 5 ingredients
- 35 minutes
- Dice vegetables, simmer with curry powder and coconut milk, then puree. Simple, warming, and deeply satisfying.
6. World’s Easiest Instant Pot Frozen Shrimp
- 3 ingredients
- 3 minutes prep + cook time (plus time for the Instant Pot to reach pressure)
- Place large frozen shrimp, water, lemon juice, and seasoning in the Instant Pot and cook. Quick, impressive, and delicious. Use large shell-on frozen shrimp for best results.
7. 3 Ingredient Pimento Mac and Cheese
- 3 ingredients
- 15 minutes
- Boil pasta, stir in pimento cheese and milk until smooth. Comforting, fast, and crowd-pleasing.
8. 20 Minute Korean Ground Turkey Bowls
- 6 ingredients (not including oil or garnish)
- 20 minutes
- Serve over rice for a quick, flavorful meal with minimal fuss.
9. Instant Pot Green Chili Chicken
- 3 ingredients
- 15 minutes (plus time to reach pressure)
- A true dump-and-go recipe. Make a batch and use it in bowls, tacos, nachos, or simply over rice.
10. Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
- 5 ingredients
- Long cook time but completely hands-off. Perfect for a set-it-and-forget-it dinner that’s great on sandwiches or with simple sides.
I hope these recipes help take the stress out of dinner and make evenings a little easier while you shelter at home. If you’d like more ideas — extra easy recipes, more slow cooker options, or tips for staying sane with toddlers during quarantine — tell me what you need and I’ll put together more suggestions.