16 One-Pot Dinners to Help Lower Cholesterol

Reviewed by Dietitian Madeline Peck, RDN, CDN

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Need easy-yet-delicious dinner ideas that can help keep your cholesterol in check? These one-pot dinners do the job. Every recipe cooks in a single pot, pan or skillet, so cleanup is a breeze. Plus, these dishes are lower in saturated fat and high in fiberwhich can support healthy cholesterol levels. Grab your favorite pot and whip up tasty dinners like our Baked Lemon Boursin Pasta with Spring Vegetables or High-Protein Dill Chicken Orzo.

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Baked Lemon Boursin Pasta with Spring Vegetables

Credit: Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
Credit: Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

This easy baked pasta combines creamy Boursin cheese, bright lemon and a mix of spring vegetables into a fresh and comforting dinner. Everything cooks in one dish, allowing the pasta to absorb all the flavors. It’s a simple, veggie-forward meal that’s perfect for spring.

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High-Protein Dill Chicken Orzo

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spolle.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spolle.

This one-pan dinner delivers on protein and flavor with tender chicken cutlets, whole-wheat orzo and wilted kale in a creamy, lemony herb sauce. Dill and scallions add fresh brightness, while a bold homemade spice blend brings the flavor.

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High-Protein Ginger Chicken Soup

Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

This warming ginger chicken soup is packed with lean protein and plenty of vegetables for a comforting yet nourishing meal. Fresh ginger and warm spices like cumin and coriander give the broth deep flavor, while potatoes and spinach make the soup hearty and satisfying.

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Pizza Bean Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Ruth Skipworth.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Ruth Skipworth.

This one-pan vegetarian dinner captures all the savory, cheesy flavors of pizza in a hearty skillet of beans and vegetables. It’s quick enough for a weeknight and perfect for scooping up with crusty bread or serving over whole grains for a more filling meal.

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High-Protein Butternut Squash & Lentil Soup

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

This hearty, plant-based soup is packed with protein from lentils and gets cozy flavors from warming spices like cinnamon, cumin and coriander. A swirl of tangy Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh parsley finish each bowl with brightness and creaminess. Serve with lemon wedges for an extra pop of flavor.

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Cheesy French Onion Chickpeas

Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.

These French onion chickpeas are a twist on classic French onion soup that adds chickpeas for an extra boost of fiber and protein. Slow-cooked onions and savory broth create a rich, comforting base, while melted Gruyère cheese and toasted whole-wheat baguette slices bring the iconic flavors home—no soup bowl required.

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Garlicky White Bean & Kale Stew with Lemon

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

This lemony kale and white bean stew offers bright, hearty,and comforting flavors all in one pot. Tender carrots, onion and lacinato kale simmer with creamy cannellini beans, some of which are mashed to thicken the broth. A sprinkle of Parmesan and parsley adds a fresh zesty finish. Serve with crusty bread on the side for a nourishing bowl that feels just right for chilly nights.

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Lemon-Turmeric Cabbage & White Bean Soup

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.
Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

This cozy soup turns humble ingredients into a bowl of golden comfort. Tender cabbage and creamy cannellini beans simmer together with aromatic spices for warmth and depth, while a splash of lemon juice at the end brightens every spoonful. It’s light yet satisfying, full of fiber and antioxidants, and easy enough for a weeknight.

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Fall Vegetable Stew

Credit: Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.
Credit: Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

This vegetable stew is a cozy dish for two that highlights the best of late-summer, early-fall produce. Simmered with warm spices and a savory broth, the vegetables become tender and absorb the flavors of the broth. It’s delicious served with warm naan on the side for dipping .

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Bacon Potatoes

Credit: photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle

This cozy one-skillet recipe draws inspiration from two Indian dishes: saag aloo and aloo matar. It’s packed with plenty of vegetables, including leafy greens, potatoes and peas, all simmered in an aromatic tomato-based sauce. Saag aloo matar is perfect on its own or served with warm naan or basmati rice.

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Brothy Lemon-Garlic Beans

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

These brothy lemon-garlic beans offer a comforting dinner that comes together in minutes. The creamy beans soak up the garlicky, lemon-infused broth, which is perfectly sopped up with a piece of toasted whole-wheat bread. For a little extra flair, finish the dish with a drizzle of good olive oil—or, for a creamier take, a dollop of Greek-style yogurt.

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The Best Gut-Healthy Soup

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This garlicky cabbage soup is pure comfort in a bowl. Warm, hearty and nourishing, it’s rich with the aromatic flavor of garlic and tender-sweet cabbage. Packed with veggies and a savory broth, this soup is perfect as a light meal on its own or as a starter.

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Chicken Fajita Soup

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

This chicken fajita soup combines the vibrant, smoky flavors of traditional fajitas with the comforting warmth of a soup. This versatile dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, and can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences. To kick up the heat, add a chopped jalapeño to the veggie mixture. You can swap out the rotisserie chicken for another protein like leftover steak, or make it vegetarian by using no-chicken broth and subbing tofu in place of the chicken.

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Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Diet Stew

Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

With a focus on vegetables, fiber-rich legumes and healthy fats, this slow-cooker stew fits the bill for those following the Mediterranean diet. Swap out the chickpeas for white beans for a different twist, or try collards or spinach in place of the kale.

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Creamy White Chili with Cream Cheese

Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

This rich yet healthy white chicken chili recipe comes together in a flash thanks to quick-cooking chicken thighs and canned white beans.

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Eat-the-Rainbow Vegetable Soup

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This vibrant and wholesome soup recipe helps support your well-being. It’s packed with a variety of colorful vegetables like tomatoes, which contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help reduce inflammation. The base of the soup is prepped ahead of time and stored in separate containers. Simply add the broth and heat it in the microwave when you’re ready to eat. If you don’t wish to travel with vegetable broth or don’t have access to a microwave, you can use reduced-sodium bouillon instead and just add hot water.

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