I think I’ll start by saying that I didn’t get the cooking gene—it just didn’t happen for me. Surely, I’m not the only one…complex recipes with a million and one ingredients just aren’t for us. We need simple, easy dinners to make. And I do mean EASY. Also, dirtying up a bunch of pots and pans is no fun! Cooking takes enough effort without the big cleanup job afterward (I’m clearly super domestic, huh?). Enter one-pot meals for dinner.
I came across an article one day offering up meals you could make in one single pot and thought, “What? That exists? Awesome!” and gave some of them a try. Since then, I’ve spotted some more and given those a spin, too. I’m sharing five of them in this post! These aren’t made in a Crock Pot or an Instant Pot (though I’m sure they could be), just a good old-fashioned, large POT. Easy enough? Read on…
Cajun Chicken Alfredo
I’ll start with the first one-pot recipe I ever made, and my husband and I were amazed at how great it was. It’s your classic chicken alfredo with a spicy Cajun KICK. This little spin on a classic comfort food dish couldn’t get any better. It calls for simple ingredients and takes about half an hour to prepare. The Cajun seasoning doesn’t seem to be too much for little ones, either, as my 2.5-year-old loves it. Trust me – it is so, so good! Find the recipe here.
“My Best Chili”
One-pot meals are especially helpful during the winter. Here’s one that is sooo nice to have around during the colder months. This chili is KILLER—deliciously hearty with just the right flavors. If you like it enough, have it all year ‘round! For mine, I omitted the sausage, bacon and veggies —I was really going for a simple, classic variety. Even without all the spices on hand, this still turned out incredible. It’s a meal I’m proud to make and share with others! Find the recipe here.
Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
Let me start by saying I know it’s not the healthiest meal, but during my current pregnancy, I’ve been craving Hamburger Helper! Like, the classic cheeseburger variety. I did some searching and actually found a bunch of “homemade” options, so you know exactly what you’re putting into it and therefore, consuming. I made this one a couple weeks ago and we all gobbled it right up—another home run with the toddler, too. One tip: Maybe use half the cornstarch it calls for; we found it to be a little too starchy with the full amount. Find the recipe here.
One-Pan Chicken Alfredo
OK, I know there’s already a chicken alfredo above, but this is more the classic kind. No spiciness here, just deliciously thick and cheesy. *droooool* Along with chicken, its three main ingredients are simply chicken broth, cream, and uncooked pasta. This is something that really can be made quickly without much fuss and will likely please everyone. Need a dose of veggies? Add some fresh broccoli in there while it’s cooking! Find the recipe here.
Lemon Parmesan Chicken and Asparagus
How refreshing does this sound? Give me lemon and asparagus and I’m on board—it’s just such a good pairing. Technically, this recipe falls into the one-pan meal category— branch out and get crazy for this last one! Along with the yummy spring flavors above, chicken is lightly breaded in a mix of seasonings, parmesan cheese, and panko breadcrumbs. Simple enough, right? Find the recipe here.
If you find you’re a member of the “cooking-impaired” community (ha), or simply like easy recipes, feel free to share your own one-pot meals with us!
