It’s the new year, and you’re still recovering from the holidays. If you need permission, we’re here to give it: Take a load off tonight and forget about cooking.
Yum: 15 ways to uncomplicate your favorite recipe
The beauty of the one-pot meal is faster results + less clean-up. Try any of these recipes on a weeknight, and you’ll have a comforting homecooked meal without all the hassle:
1. Cajun tortellini soup
When you combine tortellini with Cajun seasoning, you’ve got a match made in heaven. This zesty recipe is prepared in a large pot or Dutch oven and requires mostly ready-made ingredients — like frozen tortellini, sausage, canned tomato soup, canned diced tomatoes, and chicken broth — that are easy to throw in and simmer. Serve it up with crusty bread for dipping.
2. Chicken and cheesy biscuits
These biscuits bake on top of the soup so they’re soft and crumbly, right out of the oven. Simply whisk in the cream of chicken soup and the supporting cast of ingredients as described in this recipe. Then drop on your easy-to-make biscuit dough mixed with cheddar cheese. Your entire kitchen will feel dreamy at this point. Pop your Dutch oven in the oven until biscuits are firm and golden.
3. Chicken burrito bowl
Pretty much like a burrito bowl that you’d buy anywhere — except there’s more to go around, and you get to come back for seconds. Sauté some diced onions in olive oil until soft. Then dice up some chicken, season it, and add it to the pan. Cook this at medium-high heat until it browns. Read the full recipe here, and don’t forget to add lots of cheese, guac, and sour cream.
4. Chili mac and cheese
Yes, you can make chili mac and cheese in only 30 minutes, but it’ll be hard not to cheat and eat it before it’s done. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook up the onion, green bell pepper, and ground beef. Then add the chicken broth, beans, tomatoes, and spices. Get a little simmer going and mix in your elbow pasta. Sprinkle indiscreet amounts of shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Lemon herb chicken and rice
It takes 30 minutes to make chicken that melts in your mouth. So, what are you waiting for? In a big skillet or pan, melt some butter at medium heat. Season your chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let the chicken brown in butter for a couple of minutes on each side, and then let it rest on a plate. Finish up with the full recipe here.
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6. Lemon shrimp pasta
This brilliant, light pasta sauce is made with ghee, garlic, crushed red pepper (optional), and lemon juice, right in the pan. Even better, it takes under 30 minutes to prepare. And, you can substitute zoodles or grain-free packaged pasta to make it gluten-free. Head on over here to learn how to finish whipping up this delicious recipe.
7. Messy lasagna
Usually, lasagna takes forever, but when you’re feeding a family (or yourself!), it’s better to skip the frills and get right to the good stuff. This yummy variation is made on the stovetop and also happens to be gluten-free. The great thing about this method is that you don’t have to worry if the lasagna breaks. Find out how to nail it here.
8. Pesto gnocchi
No one will ever have to know that you made this fancy dish in only one pot with the help of everyone’s favorite ingredients: olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Sauté garlic, mix in a jar of pesto, add half-and-half and chicken broth, and then cook your gnocchi. To find out what comes next, continue reading the recipe.
9. Salmon butter rice
Nutritious, fun, and filling? This recipe checks all the boxes. Cook your corn and rice in a large pot or pan, pan-fry your salmon, and then combine it all with spinach and soy sauce before serving. Voila – you’ve just prepared a deceptively simple one-pot meal.
10. Spicy eggs and potatoes
Woah — eggs, kale, goat cheese, and ancho-chili potatoes, all in one skillet, all for breakfast. (Or lunch, dinner, or midnight snack.) Just sauté about half a white onion, and add three cloves of minced garlic, two teaspoons of ancho chili powder, and one teaspoon of salt. Pour in veggie broth and a can of diced tomatoes. Simmer for about 15 minutes, and then put in a blender. Click here to keep reading.
11. Stuffed pepper casserole
If you’re a fan of stuffed peppers – and super-simple deconstructed recipes – you’re going to love this. Cook the “pepper filling” and rice in a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Season to your liking. Then sprinkle liberally with shredded cheese. Let the dish rest off the heat for about 15 minutes before serving.
12. Tomato basil pasta
This recipe is already easy, but it’s even easier when you can make the entire thing in one pot. Think it can’t be done? You can skip draining your pasta, as the water or broth that you’re using will absorb the starch from the pasta, mixing together to create a smooth, savory sauce for your dish.
13. Turkish purslane stew
Also called semizotu yemeği, this hearty stew is made from a staple vegetable – purslane – used in Turkish cooking. Even more exciting is that this recipe is ready in around 30 minutes. Start by trimming your purslane and sautéing some onions, then follow the rest of the directions listed here.
14. Vegan smoked paprika corn chowder
This vegan, gluten-free, one-pot dish is perfect for those moments when you want comfort food made from what’s already in your pantry. It’s also great for when you don’t want to go anywhere in the winter. In a stockpot, bring all these tasty ingredients to a boil, then simmer until your whole house smells of the epic meal to come. Garnish with vegan cheddar cheese.
15. Zucchini and mushroom pasta
Hit the “easy-peasy” button, and make this pasta that involves absolutely no pre-cooking of any kind. Cut up the veggies ahead of time — mushrooms, zucchini, garlic, and fresh thyme. In a stockpot at medium-high heat, add your vegetables, spaghetti, and water (or broth). Find out how to finish up this healthy goodness here.
Forget everything you’ve been told
Cooking a weeknight dinner doesn’t have to be complicated, and neither does prequalifying for a mortgage. Use our free LoanFly app to cut out piles of paperwork, and we think you’ll agree: Smart-cuts make mortgage easy.
For educational purposes only. Please contact your qualified professional for specific guidance.
Sources are deemed reliable but not guaranteed.