In the world of long, hectic days, getting to put a nutritious and delicious meal on the table can be a struggle. Look no further than the amazing world of one-pot meals! These all-in-one wonders are the ultimate lifesavers for busy weeknights, allowing you to whip up a satisfying and flavorful dish with minimal effort and cleanup.
Benefits of One-Pot Meals:
One-pot meals offer convenience and several benefits. They require minimal cleanup after making the dish, they are budget-friendly with simple ingredients, which means, you don’t have to break a bank to get them done. They are ideal timesavers, as they require less preparation. Simply put in your ingredients, let them simmer, and there it is! Dinner is served.
Recipe 1: One-Pot Chicken and Rice
This dish is a perfect meal in itself. It’s a meal where you add chicken, rice, and a variety of vegetables all together. The best part is, the ingredients all cook together in a single pot, making the flavors blend sweetly. It usually takes about 35-40 minutes to prepare, including prep time and cooking time. It is a balanced dish that provides a good amount of protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, vitamins and minerals.
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Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup frozen peas
Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the chicken pieces to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides.
- Stir in the paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the rice to the pot and stir to coat it with the spices.
- Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the frozen peas and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the peas are heated through.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious one-pot chicken and rice meal!
Recipe 2: One-Pot Pasta Primavera
Oh ye pasta lovers, rejoice! This pasta dish is easy to make and sure satisfies the whole family. This meal usually takes about 25-30 minutes to prepare, including prep time and cooking time. This meal also provides a good amount of whole grains, protein, vegetables, healthy fat and calcium.
Ingredients
8 oz pasta (such as spaghetti or fettuccine)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Directions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the bell pepper, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and peas to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes.
- Add the pasta to the pot, along with the vegetable broth and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.
- Serve the One-Pot Pasta Primavera hot, garnished with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Recipe 3: One-Pot Lentil Soup
For a soothing and nutritious meal, this lentil soup is the way to go. This meal usually takes about 35-40 minutes to prepare, including prep time and cooking time. It is high in protein and fiber, rich in vitamins and minerals, low in fat, contains antioxidants, provides complex carbohydrates and supports digestive health.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the garlic, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and smoked paprika to the pot. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute, or until the spices are fragrant.
- Add the lentils, vegetable broth, water, and diced tomatoes to the pot. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
- Serve the One-Pot Lentil Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy!
One-Pot meals are a game-changer for busy individuals who would like to have nice and easy meals without sacrificing too much. With these delicious recipes, you can enjoy a homemade meal without the hassle of multiple pots and pans. So, the next time you’re short on time, consider making one of these one-pot wonders for a stress-free and satisfying dish.
Vernon Alston, a former chef, is an extraordinary personality with a rich history of food and a creative cooking style. Being the one for Vernon high proficiency in pro cuisine and also thanks to the years of his experience, he has succeeded in enhancing his skills, thus, deputtering the reputation of him as a chef, who is league in creating unforgettable dishes.
