One-pot meals are the busy cook’s best friend. When you’re short on time but still want a wholesome, homemade dinner, a one-pot meal is the perfect solution. One-pot cooking means minimum cleanup since everything is made in a single pot, pan or dish. No juggling multiple pots and pans or scrubbing a sink full of dirty dishes after the meal. Just one pot to cook the food and another pot to serve it in.
Many classic comfort foods are one-pot meals, like chicken noodle soup, beef stew, jambalaya and chili. These dishes are hearty, filling and perfect for feeding a crowd. One-pot pasta dishes are also popular, such as baked ziti, lasagne and mac and cheese. For vegetarians, rice and beans, vegetable curry over rice or pasta primavera are excellent meat-free options.
An easy way to make a one-pot meal is to start with a base of rice, pasta or mashed potatoes. Then add vegetables, protein and sauce. For extra flavor, use broth or stock instead of water. Herbs, spices and Parmesan or bread crumbs can also help boost the flavor. Don’t forget a simple salad and crusty bread to make it a complete meal.
One-pot cooking is very flexible. You can substitute different vegetables, proteins and starches based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Make a one-pot meal meat-based, meatless or somewhere in between. The options are endless. And the best part is only having one pot to clean when you’re done!
One-pot cooking also allows flavors to blend and develop as the ingredients simmer together. This results in a more complex, multi-dimensional taste than if the components were cooked separately. The ingredients essentially braise in their own juices, becoming very tender and infused with the flavors of the pot.
For easy cleanup, choose a pot or pan that is oven-safe so you can simply slide it from stovetop into the oven. Dutch ovens, casserole dishes, skillets and braisers all work great for one-pot cooking. Nonstick coatings will make cleanup even faster. And for stuck-on bits, fill the pot with water and dish soap and let it soak before scrubbing.
One-pot meals are budget-friendly, kid-friendly and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Give one-pot cooking a try and you’ll be hooked on the convenience and delicious results. Your sink will thank you too!