One Pot Meals

One Pot Meals: 7 Quick, Easy, and Delicious Recipes

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Updated on February 4, 2024

Reviewed by Eman Sameh

Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen, juggling multiple pots and pans, and ending up with a sink full of dishes? Look no further than one-pot meals! 

These quick and easy dishes have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for a good reason. With just one pot, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. 

Let’s now explore the benefits of one-pot meals and provide some popular and delicious recipes from around the world. So, grab your favourite pot and get ready to cook up some tasty meals!

Benefits of One Pot Meals

Not only are they convenient and easy to make, but they also offer a wide range of benefits. Here are some benefits of one-pot meals:

Saves time on cooking and cleaning

With only one pot to use, the preparation and cooking process becomes much more straightforward and less time-consuming. Moreover, there are fewer dishes to wash because all the ingredients are cooked together, which saves both time and effort. 

Can be budget-friendly

One-pot meals are cost-effective since they often use affordable and readily available ingredients like rice, beans, and pasta. They also reduce the amount of cookware and utensils needed, saving money on dishware and reducing water and energy usage for cleaning. 

Allows for easy meal prep and leftovers

By preparing a larger batch of a one-pot meal, you can have several servings of the same dish that can be stored for later consumption. Thus, you can cook once and have meals for the next few days, saving you time and effort in the kitchen. You can also customise and substitute ingredients easily, so you can use what you have on hand and avoid wasting food. 

Helps reduce food waste

Using various ingredients in one dish can help reduce food waste, especially when there are leftover vegetables, meats, or grains that may otherwise go to waste. So, you can use up these ingredients before they spoil to make a delicious meal, resulting in less food waste.

Popular One-Pot Meal Recipes From Around the World

From flavorful Ratatouille to spicy Chilli con Carne, there are countless one-pot meal recipes that cater to all tastes and preferences. Here are 7 popular recipes from around the world that you can easily make in your own kitchen.

Ratatouille from France

One Pot Meals

Ratatouille is a popular French one-pot meal made with a combination of vegetables and seasoned with herbs. It is a flavourful dish that is perfect for vegetarians and vegans and can be easily customised to suit individual preferences. Ratatouille is often served as a side dish or a main course with crusty bread. 

Here’s a Ratatouille recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 large eggplant, chopped into small cubes
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 2 zucchinis, chopped
  • 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. 
  2. Add onions and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes until onions are translucent.
  3. Add eggplant and bell peppers to the pot, stir to combine, and cook for another 5 minutes.
  4. Add zucchini and tomatoes to the pot and stir to combine.
  5. Add dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
  6. Preheat oven to 190°C.
  7. Cover the pot with a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
  8. Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.

Ratatouille can also be cooked on the stove over low heat for 1 to 2 hours instead of baking in the oven.

Shakshuka from North Africa

One Pot Meals

Shakshuka is a popular Middle Eastern and North African dish and a great example of a one-pot meal, as it is cooked entirely in one pan and requires minimal preparation. It consists of eggs poached in a flavorful tomato sauce, which makes for a delicious and satisfying meal. 

Here’s how to make Shakshuka from scratch:

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6-8 large eggs
  • Chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish
  • Crusty bread for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Add the minced garlic and chopped red bell pepper, and cook for another 5 minutes while occasionally stirring.
  4. Stir in the ground cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper, and cook for another minute or so until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes, add salt and black pepper, and stir to combine.
  6. Simmer the tomato sauce for 10 to 15 minutes until it has thickened slightly.
  7. Make small wells in the tomato sauce using a spoon, and crack an egg into each well.
  8. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for about 10 minutes or until the eggs are cooked to your liking.
  9. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve with crusty bread.

Bibimbap from South Korea

One Pot Meals

Bibimbap is a Korean dish that translates to “mixed rice.” It is made by mixing leftover rice with various vegetables, meat, and seasonings. Bibimbap is known for its colourful and flavourful combination of ingredients, which makes it both a satisfying and visually appealing dish. 

Here is a simple bibimbap recipe:

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of cooked rice
  • 1/4 kg of ground beef or chicken
  • 1/2 cup of sliced carrots
  • 1/2 cup of sliced zucchini
  • 1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup of sliced spinach
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the sauce

  • 3 tablespoons of gochujang (Korean chilli paste)
  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. 
  2. Add in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add in the ground beef or chicken and cook until browned.
  4. Add in the sliced carrots, zucchini, and mushrooms, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  5. Add in the spinach and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted.
  6. Mix the gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, and minced garlic in a small bowl to make the sauce.
  7. Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine with the meat and vegetables. 
  8. Pour the sauce over the top and stir to coat.
  9. Crack the eggs over the top of the mixture and cover the skillet with a lid. 
  10. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the eggs are set, then serve hot. 

Jambalaya from Louisiana, USA

One Pot Meals

Jambalaya is a popular dish from Louisiana, USA, that typically includes a mixture of meats such as chicken, sausage, and seafood, cooked with vegetables and rice in a flavourful, tomato-based sauce. It is a convenient and hearty one-pot meal, often served with crusty bread or cornbread.

Here’s a recipe for Jambalaya:

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1/2 kg Andouille sausage, sliced
  • 1/2 kg boneless chicken thighs, cubed
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon of paprika
  • 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups of long-grain rice
  • 4 cups of chicken broth
  • 1/2 kg of peeled and deveined shrimp
  • Chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the Andouille sausage and cook until browned, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the chicken and cook until browned, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pot and cook until the vegetables are softened.
  5. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
  6. Add the diced tomatoes, paprika, thyme, oregano, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
  7. Add the rice and chicken broth to the pot and stir to combine.
  8. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid.
  9. Simmer the jambalaya for about 20 to 25 minutes until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
  10. Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the shrimps are pink and cooked through.
  11. Garnish the jambalaya with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Chicken Tagine from Morocco

One Pot Meals

Chicken Tagine is a popular and delicious one-pot meal in Moroccan cuisine. It is made by slowly cooking chicken with vegetables in a spiced broth, which allows the flavours to meld together, creating a flavourful and aromatic dish. Chicken Tagine is typically served with couscous, a traditional North African grain, which absorbs the flavourful sauce and adds a satisfying texture to the meal.

Here’s a recipe for Chicken Tagine

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken legs, cut into thighs and drumsticks
  • 2 chopped onions
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup green olives
  • 1/2 cup dried apricots
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish
  • Cooked couscous or rice for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.
  2. Season the chicken legs with salt and pepper, and add them to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side until browned.
  3. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
  4. Add the onions to the pot and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  5. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, paprika, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. Cook for about 1 or 2 minutes until fragrant.
  6. Add the chicken broth, olives, dried apricots, and honey. Stir to combine.
  7. Return the chicken to the pot, and bring the mixture to a boil.
  8. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 45 minutes until the chicken is tender.
  9. Garnish the chicken tagine with cilantro, and serve it hot with cooked couscous or rice.

Paella from Spain

One Pot Meals

Paella is a traditional Spanish one-pot meal. It is a flavorful combination of rice, chicken, seafood, and vegetables, making it a versatile and delicious meal for any occasion. This dish is typically cooked in a large, shallow pan known as a “paellera,” which allows the rice to cook evenly and develop a crispy crust on the bottom. 

Here’s how to make paella from scratch:

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
  • 1 cup short-grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 kg mixed seafood (such as shrimp, mussels, and squid)
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, deep skillet. 
  2. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  3. Add the diced bell peppers and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes until they start to soften.
  4. Add the diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, and saffron threads to the skillet and stir well to combine.
  5. Add the short-grain rice to the skillet and stir to coat with the vegetable mixture.
  6. Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the skillet and stir to combine. 
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid. 
  9. Let the rice cook for 10 to 15 minutes until it is almost tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
  10. Add the mixed seafood and frozen peas to the pan and stir gently to combine. 
  11. Cover the pan and let it cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the seafood is fully cooked and the rice is tender.
  12. Garnish with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top, and serve the paella hot. 

Chilli con Carne from Texas, USA

One Pot Meals

Chilli con Carne is a classic Tex-Mex dish, perfect for cold weather or for feeding a crowd. It is a hearty and flavourful one-pot meal that involves cooking ground beef or turkey, along with onions, peppers, beans, and a variety of spices and seasonings, all in a single pot. 

Here’s a recipe for Chilli con Carne:

Ingredients

  • 1/2 kg ground beef
  • 1 diced onion
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  1. Roast the ground beef over medium heat in a large pot, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
  2. Add the onion, green bell pepper, and garlic to the pot and sauté until the vegetables are tender.
  3. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), kidney beans, black beans, chilli powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and water to the pot. Stir everything together until well combined.
  4. Bring the chilli to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Taste the chilli and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
  6. Serve hot, and garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

You can add other ingredients such as corn, jalapeño peppers, or diced carrots to customise your chilli con carne.

Tips for Making One-Pot Meals

Here are some tips for perfecting your one-pot meal recipes:

  1. Preparing ingredients beforehand: Chop vegetables, measure ingredients, and marinate the meat before you start cooking to save time and reduce stress.
  2. Choosing the right pot: Use a wide, deep pot with a tight-fitting lid for one-pot meals. Make sure the pot is big enough to contain all ingredients and has enough space for them to cook evenly.
  3. Layering ingredients strategically: Start by cooking the ingredients that take the longest, such as meat or root vegetables, and then add the faster-cooking ingredients. Thus, you can ensure everything is cooked evenly and nothing gets overcooked.
  4. Using the right amount of liquid: One-pot meals often require liquid to cook the ingredients, but using too much can make the dish soupy or watery. Use just enough liquid to cover the ingredients, and add more as needed.
  5. Not to stir too much: One-pot meals depend on steam and liquid to evenly cook the ingredients. Over-stirring can cause delicate ingredients to break apart, resulting in an unevenly cooked dish.
  6. Experimenting with different flavours: Try using different herbs, spices, and sauces to create unique and delicious meals.
  7. The final touch: Don’t underestimate the power of a final touch. A simple garnish, such as chopped herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice, can make your dish more vibrant and flavourful. 

Try Your Own One Pot Meal Today!

It is now your turn to experiment with your own ingredients and flavour combinations to find your perfect one-pot meal and save time and effort in the kitchen without sacrificing flavour and nutrition. 

In addition to these delicious one-pot meals, there are plenty of other quick and easy recipes to try. Check out our website for easy and quick breakfast ideas, simple potato bread recipes, healthy salad recipes, and more. 

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