10 One Pot Southern Comfort Food Recipes

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The only thing better than a hearty, home-cooked Southern comfort food meal is one that doesn’t leave you with a mountain of dishes to wash at 8:00 pm.

We all want those nostalgic soul-warming flavors we grew up with, but as a busy home cook, I understand that ‘all-day’ simmering isn’t always an option on a random weekday. 

That’s why I’ve gathered my favorite one-pot Southern comfort food recipes that use the Instant Pot to take the stress out of your weeknight.

From my #1 Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings to a fork-tender Mississippi Pot Roast, these bold, flavor-packed meals make a cozy family dinner an achievable endeavor rather than a chore.

Table of Contents

• Big Bowls of Comfort
• Southern Kitchen Classics
• One Pot Southern Main Dishes
• Reviews

Big Bowls of Comfort

These are the recipes you’ll need when you’re craving that nostalgic, Grandma-made bowl of comfort but only have an hour to get it on the table, and won’t have the mountain of dishes to wash afterward – yet the family will love them!

Southern Kitchen Classics

Sometimes you want a real dinner – the kind with a hearty main dish, with all the fixings, but you don’t want the stress of watching a bunch of different pots. These one-pot Southern classics are the recipes I turn to for that full meal feel, like my smothered pork chops, all cooked together so you can actually sit down together with your family, and enjoy your evening.

You don’t have to wait until Sunday to enjoy a fork-tender roast that melts in your mouth. These Instant Pot Roast recipes give you that slow-braised, all day flavor in a fraction of the time – perfect for when you want a “fancy” family dinner on a busy Tuesday night.

One Pot Southern Main Dishes

Sometimes you just want a ‘real’ dinner – the kind with a hearty main dish and plenty of rich, bold gravy, but you don’t want the stress of managing a bunch of different pots.

These Instant Pot Southern main dishes, like my Smothered Pork Chops and Salisbury Steak, give you that slow-cooked, Sunday flavor while the pressure cooker does all the heavy lifting.

These are my favorite ‘Success Insurance’ for a busy weeknight; just whip up some mashed potatoes to soak up that gravy and a quick vegetable and you’re good to go!

This Instant Pot Beef and Mushroom Gravy is for when you want that deep, savory beef flavor but don’t want to wait all day for a roast. It’s perfect served over creamy mashed potatoes – just the kind of simple comfort for a busy weeknight.

If you’d prefer to let the food cook all day, then check out my Flavor Mosaic Slow Cooker recipes.