Robert Redford’s One-Pot Dinner Is Simple & Cozy

If you’re looking to switch it up during your lunch break, these recipes are calling your name! These hot lunch recipes will warm you up and keep you satisfied, a welcome option during colder weather. These recipes take just 30 minutes or less, so you can assemble them the night before to save time in your morning routine, or whip them up in the morning. Dishes like our Cheese Dreams with Tomatoes and our 20-Minute Black Bean Soup are delicious and flavorful offerings that are perfect for fall and winter work days.
01 of 15
Abbey Littlejohn
Cheese Dreams are nostalgic open-faced cheesy toasts—simple, satisfying and perfect for lunch. This version is inspired by a family favorite: juicy tomato slices layered under melted Cheddar cheese on crisp whole-wheat toast. Toasting the bread first keeps it from getting soggy under the tomatoes.
02 of 15
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
This easy black bean soup takes only 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Canned black beans help speed things up, and taco seasoning and fire-roasted tomatoes help build rich, savory flavor in just minutes. Cream cheese melted in at the end gives this soup a silky texture. Pair it with warm tortillas or crusty bread for a simple, comforting meal.
03 of 15
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Torie Cox, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
This sandwich brings together the elegance of a Niçoise salad with the comfort of a classic tuna melt. It combines tuna with briny olives, chopped hard-boiled egg and tomato, all piled onto crusty sourdough bread and topped with melted fontina cheese. The flavors are rich and savory, with a hint of creaminess mixed into the tuna. It’s perfect for a hearty lunch or casual dinner.
04 of 15
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
This grilled cheese with spinach and tomato is a flavorful twist on the classic sandwich, cooked to golden perfection on the stovetop. Wilted spinach is infused with plenty of garlic. Juicy tomato slices add color and a fresh bite to the melty mozzarella filling. This sandwich makes for an easy lunch or dinner and pairs well with tomato soup or a simple green salad.
05 of 15
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These creamy pesto beans come together in just 30 minutes. The sauce clings to tender white beans, and whatever is left is perfect for sopping up with a warm, crusty baguette. For a heartier meal, serve the beans over whole-grain pasta, letting the sauce coat every bite.
06 of 15
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Gochujang, mayonnaise and honey combine to bring a spicy-sweet flavor to roasted salmon fillets. The honey allows the sauce to cling to the salmon while also providing a slight caramelization. Store-bought kimchi adds a nice tang to complete these weeknight-friendly rice bowls.
07 of 15
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This ultra-quick tuna melt with white beans is a protein-packed sandwich that’s perfect for a fast and satisfying lunch or dinner. The beans add creaminess and fiber, while the tuna provides lean protein and omega-3s, making this dish as nutritious as it is flavorful. Plus, it comes together in minutes—ideal for days when time is in short supply.
08 of 15
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This creamy orzo with white beans and sun-dried tomatoes is the ultimate weeknight winner, ready in just 30 minutes! This comforting dish combines tender orzo, protein-packed white beans and tangy sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy garlic-and-herb cheese sauce. This one-pot meal is both quick and satisfying, perfect for those busy evenings when you want something hearty without the hassle.
09 of 15
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These creamy garlic-Parmesan butter beans are a quick and comforting plant-based dinner. Velvety butter beans are simmered in broth with plenty of garlic and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich and flavorful stew-like dinner. Served with crusty bread for dipping, it’s the perfect cozy meal to whip up on a busy evening—hearty, warm and utterly delicious.
10 of 15
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This sick-day chicken noodle soup, packed with tender chicken, warm broth and soft noodles, is designed to soothe and nourish when you’re feeling under the weather. The combination of tender chicken breast, ginger and garlic boosts flavor, while the warm broth helps clear congestion and keep you hydrated. Ready in just 20 minutes, this soup is the perfect remedy for a cold, offering comfort and relief with minimal effort.
11 of 15
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
These broccoli-cheese melts combine crisp-tender broccoli with a layer of melted cheese inside two crispy pieces of bread for a sandwich that’s rich and creamy. These 20-minute cheese melts are the ultimate comfort food—satisfying and packed with that cheesy goodness everyone loves. We crisp up these sandwiches on the stovetop, but if you have a sandwich press, you can use that instead.
12 of 15
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This broccoli pesto pasta is a delicious fiber-rich dinner that can help maintain a healthy gut. Seek out artichoke hearts packed in water or use thawed frozen artichokes in their place. Serve this plant-based meal with a green salad and a hunk of whole-grain bread on the side to sop up the leftovers.
13 of 15
Ali Redmond
Tender pieces of salmon get a sweet and crispy coating thanks to sweet and savory teriyaki glaze in this salmon rice bowl. Because the glaze is sweet and sugar can burn easily, it’s best to roast the salmon pieces without it, then apply the glaze to cook for just a few minutes under the broiler. We love crunchy cucumber and creamy avocado as toppings, but feel free to add whatever toppings you like best for your own spin on this easy meal. If you can’t find Sriracha mayo, you can make your own by mixing mayo and Sriracha to your preferred spice level.
14 of 15
Wheat berries, a nutty-tasting whole grain with a pleasantly chewy texture, are the base of this hearty breakfast bowl recipe. The fiber-rich grain freezes very well, so cook up a batch to stash away for salads, bowls and more. Topped with spinach, peanuts and an egg, these bowls make for a satisfying breakfast or lunch. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper for extra heat.
15 of 15
This veggie-heavy bowl is loaded with crunch and color, thanks to crispy carrots, chickpeas, fresh kale and a vibrant avocado dressing. It also delivers more than 50% of your daily dose of fiber, which is key for weight loss, energy and healthy digestion. Bulgur, also called cracked wheat, is a quick-cooking whole grain. These bowls would be excellent make-ahead lunches. Pack the avocado mixture separately, adding a little water to thin it as needed.
Photographer: Rachel Marek
These cozy casserole recipes are healthy and tasty meals that are packed with fiber. With at least 8 grams of the nutrient per serving, these casseroles can help support gut health, heart health, bone health and more. Recipes like our Cheesy Black Bean & Quinoa Skillet Casserole and Pesto Tuna Noodle Casserole are the comforting main dishes you'll want on your dinner table tonight.
01 of 14
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
This broccoli and white bean casserole is the ultimate comfort food dinner. This hearty dish combines tender broccoli and creamy white beans in a velvety lemon-Parmesan sauce with a bubbly, cheesy top. It’s perfect for cozy family dinners or for bringing to someone as part of a meal train. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad for a meal that feels like a warm hug on your plate.
02 of 14
Photographer: Rachel Marek
This Southwestern-inspired one-skillet casserole is stuffed with quinoa and plenty of fresh vegetables. Sharp Cheddar cheese flavors the filling and adds a layer of ooey-gooey melted cheese on top.
03 of 14
Rachel Marek
A cozy, cheesy casserole is classic comfort food. We amped up the nutrition by including plenty of nourishing veggies. Black beans provide powerful plant-based protein while the sweet potatoes offer up a healthy dose of vitamin A, an antioxidant important for vision and immunity.
04 of 14
This cauliflower casserole is inspired by nachos and stuffed with tender roasted cauliflower, sweet red pepper and brown rice. Salsa helps bind the ingredients together, along with melted cheese. Crushed tortilla chips on top add crunch. Serve with the suggested garnishes, or add your own favorite toppings to complete the dish.
05 of 14
Stacy Allen
This lemony salmon and orzo casserole is a one-dish dinner that's packed with omega-3 fatty acids—a polyunsaturated fat in salmon that can help tame inflammation and may even help lower blood pressure. Here, omega-3-rich salmon sits on top of an orzo mixture that bakes in the oven, instead of boiling on the stovetop, absorbing all the bright and lemony flavors while it cooks.
06 of 14
Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl
A creamy pesto sauce with sweet shallots and wilted spinach gives a light and bright spin to classic tuna noodle casserole. Albacore tuna is an ideal choice, as it holds its texture well once mixed in, although any water-packed tuna will do the job. For the best results, we recommend using refrigerated pesto for its fresh flavor which enhances the overall dish.
07 of 14
Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl
Think of this baked spaghetti as a cousin to lasagna. Instead of layering ingredients, spaghetti is tossed with ricotta cheese, ground beef, veggies and marinara sauce before it's topped with cheese and baked until set. Serve this family-friendly casserole with a Caesar salad on the side.
08 of 14
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
We took the best parts of chicken Parmesan—ooey-gooey cheese, crispy breadcrumbs and plenty of tomato sauce—and spun them into an easy family-friendly casserole.
09 of 14
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist Julia Bayless
Our breaded eggplant recipe is baked for crispy results with fewer calories. This healthy eggplant Parmesan was originally developed by our Test Kitchen in 1995 and updated for our 30th anniversary.
10 of 14
Think of this vegetarian enchilada casserole as a veggie-packed Mexican-inspired lasagna with corn tortillas standing in for the noodles! If your peppers are mild and you like heat, opt for spicy pico de gallo. This easy vegetarian dinner recipe is sure to become a new family favorite.
11 of 14
This easy, one-skillet casserole is packed with heat thanks to two kinds of peppers, poblanos and jalapeño. If you want to increase the spice level, leave the seeds in the jalapeño. Finish with your favorite toppings like Cheddar, cilantro and crumbled tortilla chips.
12 of 14
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Addelyn Evans
Layers of tender eggplant, creamy white beans, ricotta and marinara combine to create a flavorful skillet casserole. Serve this hearty casserole directly from the skillet for a fun presentation. Pair with a side salad for a complete meal.
13 of 14
Mushrooms and creamy black beans spiced with cumin and oregano create the filling for this vegetarian enchilada casserole. Pepper Jack adds nice flavor, but you can substitute regular Monterey Jack cheese if you don't want the heat.
14 of 14
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
This easy, toss-together casserole offers all the flavors of a pepperoni pizza, with fusilli pasta absorbing the rich tomato sauce while mingling with gooey melted cheese and meaty pepperoni slices. For a meatless option, simply replace the pepperoni with sliced mushrooms and frozen bell peppers. Pair it with a Caesar salad for a complete meal.
Photographer: Jen Causey
Prioritizing your bone health doesn’t have to mean sticking to a container of yogurt for breakfast. All of these recipes have more calcium than what's in a standard 6-ounce container of plain low-fat yogurt, meaning they all exceed 311 milligrams per serving. From overnight oats to chia pudding, you can spice up your morning meal while improving your heart health, bone health and even lowering your blood pressure. Keep it sweet and simple with our Berry-Kefir Smoothie or serve a crowd with our Broccoli, White Bean & Cheese Quiche.
01 of 16
Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
This high-protein blueberry and peanut butter chia pudding is a perfect make-ahead breakfast packed with fiber and protein to keep you energized throughout the day. Chia seeds soak up the blended almond milk and blueberries overnight, creating a creamy pudding that’s layered for a peanut butter-and-jelly effect.
02 of 16
Ali Redmond
For Dylan Dreyer, “Today’s 3rd Hour” co-host and NBC News meteorologist, this smoothie is a staple in her household during cold and flu season. The vitamin C from the oranges helps support immune health, so she and her kids can feel their best. Plus, it tastes just like a creamsicle. If you don’t have almond milk, any other dairy or nondairy milk will work.
03 of 16
Photographer: Jen Causey
This healthy vegetarian quiche recipe is as simple as it gets. It's a quiche without the fussy crust! It's filled with sweet wild mushrooms and savory Gruyère cheese. Enjoy it for breakfast or brunch, or serve it with a light salad for lunch.
04 of 16
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This easy fruit smoothie recipe calls for just three ingredients: yogurt, fruit juice and frozen fruit. Mix up your fruit combinations from day to day for a healthy breakfast or snack that never gets boring.
05 of 16
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This easy overnight oats with chia seeds recipe is naturally sweetened with peaches, but any chopped fresh or frozen fruit works well here. Chia seeds thicken the mixture as it sits, and they offer a healthy dose of fiber and omega-3 fats. Store these oats in individual airtight containers (like Mason jars) for an easy breakfast on the go.
06 of 16
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This broccoli, white bean and cheese quiche is an easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for any meal. This quiche skips the crust but keeps all the savory goodness in the filling, featuring protein-packed white beans and savory roasted broccoli. It’s light yet satisfying and simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight or as part of your meal-prep routine. Pair it with a crisp green salad, roasted veggies or fresh fruit for a delicious meal anytime.
07 of 16
Ana Cadena
Get a probiotic boost at breakfast when you add kefir to your smoothie. Feel free to use any berries and nut butter you have on hand for this healthy smoothie recipe.
08 of 16
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This strawberry chia pudding is a convenient grab-and-go breakfast with plenty of anti-inflammatory benefits. Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants, while chia seeds offer omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein—all key nutrients that can help lower inflammation. This chia pudding is easy to prepare the night before and can be stored in the fridge, making it perfect for busy mornings.
09 of 16
The combination of prebiotic ingredients like oats, flaxmeal and dates makes these pumpkin overnight oats a delicious and nutritious option for supporting gut health. Dates add natural sweetness, while yogurt adds tang as well as a healthy dose of probiotics to start your day off right.
10 of 16
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Grennwood.
This broccoli, tomato and white bean quiche is perfect for a simple breakfast, brunch or light dinner. Made without a crust, it’s much quicker to prepare than a traditional quiche, saving time without skimping on flavor. The blend of tender roasted broccoli, juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy white beans creates a filling, protein-rich meal that’s both comforting and nourishing.
11 of 16
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
These cannoli-inspired overnight oats are a nutritious twist on the classic Italian dessert, perfect for a convenient and satisfying breakfast. This dish combines the creamy texture of overnight oats with the rich, sweet flavors of cannoli filling. Removing some of the moisture from the ricotta cheese with paper towels or cheesecloth helps firm up the filling and prevents the oats from becoming soggy.
12 of 16
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist Jennifer Wendorf
The kale, hemp seeds and green tea in this bright, lemony smoothie all contain antioxidants that can help fight inflammation. If you can’t find baby kale, baby spinach will work well in its place. Banana adds natural sweetness. If you want the smoothie a little sweeter, a touch of honey will do the trick.
13 of 16
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These fiber-rich cranberry cheesecake overnight oats will transform your breakfast into something special. Combining the tangy sweetness of cranberries with the rich, creamy flavors of cheesecake, these oats offer a delicious start to your day.
14 of 16
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
Flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup and a Greek-style yogurt “frosting,” this cinnamon-roll oatmeal is a winning breakfast worth waking up for. Oats offer lots of filling fiber to help keep you full and your heart healthy. Add toasted chopped walnuts if you want a little extra crunch.
15 of 16
Peanut butter and banana is a classic combo that's even more delicious with the addition of tangy probiotic-rich kefir. Plus, this peanut butter banana smoothie helps you up your veggie servings for the day with a bit of mild-flavored spinach mixed in.
16 of 16
Chia seeds are a good source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, plus they have fiber, iron and calcium. Here they're mixed with a fruity base and refrigerated until the chia seeds expand to form a thick, creamy texture similar to tapioca. Pudding for breakfast? We're in.