Wash Fewer Dishes: 7 Simple 1-Pot Meals

1 Pot Meals
1 Pot Meals

As the season begins to change and we find chilly fall temperatures fully upon us, we start to crave homey, hearty dishes - think stews, braises, and casseroles. But we aren't all whizzes in the kitchen, and we don't all have the time to follow a five-part recipe. Enter the one-pot meal.

The execution of a one-pot meal couldn't be simpler. All you need is one pot, pan, skillet, or slow cooker to make easy and comforting dishes. What you can cook in just one vessel runs the gamut from breakfast frittatas to enchiladas, and it's great for all occasions. You could make a sexy stew for date night, a chicken casserole for family dinner, or a baked ziti for a potluck with friends.

One-pot meals are also stress-reducers: just throw all of your ingredients into your pot, and let the oven or stove do the work for you. When the timer's done, you'll have a flavorful and substantial meal with minimal effort required. You can serve the meal right away, or as a time-saving tip you can also choose to make it ahead the morning of or the day before and warm it up in the oven before serving. The added bonus? Cleanup is as effortless as the recipes.

Risotto with Fennel and Pancetta

One the best chef cooking tips I've ever picked up? Add a touch of mascarpone to risotto - it gives the dish that extra bit of smooth, silky richness you didn't even know was missing. This recipe is a true favorite, combining salt from the pancetta with the slight sweetness of the cooked fennel.

Click Here to see the Risotto with Fennel and Pancetta Recipe

Soondubu (Korean Tofu Stew)

This healthy soup is a mainstay of Korean cuisine, perfect for when you're feeling under the weather. No matter how stuffed up you are, you can still taste kimchi, especially when backed by the power of thick, spicy gochujang, Korea's go-to condiment.

Click Here to see the Soondubu (Korean Tofu Stew) Recipe

Lazy Day Lasagna

If you're skeptical about cooking lasagna in a slow cooker, have no fear - it's as easy as layering the ingredients and walking away. This recipe will have your lasagna pan gathering dust. The Italian purist in me was happy to find that traditional lasagna noodles bake up beautifully without boiling them first, and my boys were delighted to eat this for dinner and again as tasty leftovers.

Click Here to see the Lazy Day Lasagna Recipe

Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos

This chicken taco recipe will soon be one of your favorite quick and easy dinners because of its effortless process with the Crock-Pot. It takes less than 5 minutes to put the ingredients in the pot, and 6 hours later you'll have a delicious shredded chicken taco.

Click Here to see the Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos Recipe

PointsPlus Pork Cacciatore

This is a simple, one-pot meal that's easy on the waist and flavorful at the same time. Try this with chicken as well.

Click Here to see the PointsPlus Pork Cacciatore Recipe


Easy Crock Pot Bean Soup

It is perfect for the cold fall and winter months or if you are like me and it is 60* in July, it is good for that too

Click Here to see the Easy Crock Pot Bean Soup Recipe

Mexican Hotdish Recipe

Fans of hamburgers, rejoice! This dish incorporates your favorite meat with a little extra kick.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 box macaroni noodles
1 cup frozen corn
1 pound hamburger meat
16 ounces chunky salsa
1/2 salsa jar water
Handful taco cheese

DIRECTIONS

Cook your noodles as directed on box. Cook and crumble hamburger meat until done, put on a slow simmer and add the salsa, half jar of water (from salsa jar so you get the rest of it), and corn. Let it simmer until you finish your noodles. When noodles are done, strain them and put the noodles into your pan of sauce.Top with cheese and cover until melted.

Recipe Details

Servings: 4
Cuisine: American

-Elyse Cromer, The Daily Meal