One-Pot Meals For Easy Cleanup

April 17, 2024

Think of a kitchen filled with the aroma of savoury spices, simmering sauces, and bubbling soups—all from just one pot. Time, these days, has become a precious commodity and a messy sink is a dreaded sight. Whether you're a busy professional, a parent on the go, or simply someone who wants to spend less time washing dishes, one-pot cooking offers a convenient and efficient solution. Not only will this hack cater to scrumptious meals to your tastebuds but will also ensure a mess-free and clean kitchen. So no more saying no to those planned outings for the sake of cleaning your kitchen. Follow through the blog to read and know more about the one-pot meal recipes.

One-pot meal recipes

Who says cooking a delicious meal has to be complicated? With our easy and delicious one-pot meal recipes, you can have a hearty and satisfying dinner on the table in no time, with minimal cleanup afterwards. It's the perfect solution for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you want something tasty without all the fuss.

1. Masala Pulao

Ingredients:

Onions chopped

Garlic

Vegetables of your choice

Cooking oil

Basmati rice

Garam masala

Yoghurt

Water

Directions:

Heat a pot, add some oil, and sauté chopped onions, garlic, and vegetables of your choice. Add rice, water, and a generous sprinkle of Shahi garam masala for a burst of flavour. Let it simmer until the rice is cooked through. Serve hot with a dollop of yoghurt on the side.

2. One-Pot Spaghetti

Ingredients:

8 ounces spaghetti

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

Salt, to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.

2. In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is golden brown and fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

3. Return the cooked spaghetti to the pot, tossing it in the garlic-infused olive oil until evenly coated. If the spaghetti seems too dry, you can add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

4. Season the spaghetti with salt to taste, and toss again to combine.

5. Remove the pot from the heat and garnish the dry spaghetti aglio e olio with freshly chopped parsley.

6. Serve the spaghetti hot, with grated Parmesan cheese on the side if desired. Enjoy this simple and flavourful dish!

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3. Masala Macaroni

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 green chilli, finely chopped (optional; adjust to taste)

1 bell pepper, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, carrots)

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon chilli powder (adjust to taste)

8 ounces macaroni pasta

3 cups vegetable broth or water

Salt, to taste

Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

2. Add the minced garlic and chopped green chilli (if using) to the pot, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

3. Stir in the diced bell pepper, carrot, and frozen mixed vegetables. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly tender.

4. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot, along with the cumin seeds, ground turmeric, ground coriander, ground cumin, garam masala, and chilli powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spices are fragrant.

5. Add the macaroni pasta to the pot, followed by the vegetable broth or water. Stir well to combine, making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.

6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, covered, for about 10-12 minutes, or until the macaroni is cooked to your liking and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

7. Once the macaroni is cooked, season the dish with salt to taste. If the masala macaroni seems too dry, you can add a splash of water to loosen it up.

8. Remove the pot from the heat and garnish the masala macaroni with fresh cilantro before serving.

9. Serve the one-pot masala macaroni hot, with a side of yoghurt or raita for extra creaminess, if desired.

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4. Chicken Biryani

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-inch piece of ginger, minced

1 green chilli, finely chopped (optional, adjust to taste)

1 pound chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups chicken broth or water

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1 tomato, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon chilli powder (adjust to taste)

Salt, to taste

Fresh cilantro and mint, for garnish

Sliced almonds or cashews, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat the ghee or vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until golden brown and caramelized (about 10-12 minutes).

2. Add the minced garlic, minced ginger, and chopped green chilli (if using) to the pot, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.\

3. Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes.

4. Stir in the rinsed and drained basmati rice, chicken broth or water, plain yoghurt, chopped tomato, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder. Season with salt to taste.

5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let it simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the chicken is tender.

6. Once the chicken biryani is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5-10 minutes to allow the flavours to meld together.

7. Fluff the biryani with a fork and garnish with fresh cilantro, mint, and sliced almonds or cashews (if using) before serving.

8. Serve the one-pot chicken biryani hot, with raita (yoghurt sauce) and your favourite pickles or chutneys on the side.

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5. Creamy Garlic Noddles

Ingredients:

8 ounces spaghetti or fettuccine noodles

2 tablespoons butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.

2. Add the spaghetti or fettuccine noodles to the pot, breaking them in half if necessary to fit. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring that the noodles are fully submerged.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. Once the noodles are cooked, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Continue to cook the noodles for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.

6. Remove the pot from the heat and garnish the creamy garlic noodles with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of colour and freshness.

7. Serve the creamy garlic noodles hot, straight from the pot, as a comforting and satisfying meal.

6. Classic Lasagne

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage

1 (24-ounce) jar of marinara sauce

1 cup water

9 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup ricotta cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through about 5-6 minutes. Drain off any excess fat if necessary.

3. Stir in the marinara sauce and water, and bring the mixture to a simmer.

4. Add the broken lasagna noodles to the pot, making sure they are submerged in the sauce. Stir well to combine.

5. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for about 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked to your liking and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.

6. Once the noodles are cooked, stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and well combined.

7. In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.

8. Spoon dollops of the cheese mixture over the lasagna in the pot.

9. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the lasagna.

10. Cover the pot and let it sit for a few minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the flavours to meld together.

11. Season the lasagna with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

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Conclusion

One-pot meals are a game-changer for busy individuals and families alike, offering a convenient and efficient way to whip up delicious and satisfying dishes with minimal cleanup. From comforting pasta dishes to flavorful stir-fries and hearty stews, the possibilities are endless when it comes to one-pot cooking. So, the next time you're short on time or energy, don't hesitate to reach for your favourite pot or skillet and let the magic happen.

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