One-Pot Wonders: Budget-Friendly, Healthy Meals with Minimal Cleanup
Cooking healthy meals doesn’t have to be expensive, time-consuming, or leave you with a sink full of dishes. One-pot meals are the perfect solution for anyone looking to enjoy flavorful, nutritious food while keeping things simple and budget-friendly. These are nine one-pot wonders that are budget-friendly and healthy with minimal cleanup!
1. One-Pot Chicken and Rice
One-pot chicken and rice is an easy and healthy one-pot meal that requires minimum cleanup. Add rice to the bottom of a pot and use water infused with chicken broth, then add your chicken on top. Place the lid over your pot and cook until your food is ready. You can add a few veggies like onions and peppers for extra flavor!
2. Vegetarian Chili Mac
If you’re looking for the perfect blend of comfort food and nutrition, then vegetarian chili mac is the perfect meal for you. If you have some leftover chili in the fridge, toss it on top of your mac n cheese and bake until warm and ready.
3. One-Pan Cod and Vegetables
If you’re looking for a low-calorie option with lean protein, try making one-pan cold and vegetables. Chop your favorite vegetables into bite-sized cubes and cook until they’ve started to soften. Push them to the side of your pan and fry your cod in the open space. This meal is quick and easy and requires minimum cleanup.
4. Spicy Mac and Cheese
Everyone loves a nice, comforting bowl of mac and cheese, but sometimes, it could use a bit of extra flavor. In a big pot, make your favorite plain mac and cheese recipe, then add bacon, chicken, jalapeños, and spicy cheese. If you want, you can even use shredded meat from a rotisserie chicken to save some time.
5. One-Pot Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
In a pot, fry some onions and garlic until your onions are soft, then add your favorite sausage and cook until ready. Add a few sundried tomatoes or a ready-made sundried tomato pasta sauce and your cooked pasta. Stir it all together to make a rich and tangy pasta dish.
6. Vegan Winter One-Pan
During the colder months, nothing hits harder than a tasty bowl of plant-based stew. Chop up some seasonal vegetables like leeks, potatoes, and peppers, and create a simple one-pot stew with vegetable broth and your favorite herbs and spices. This dish is high in fiber and low in calories!
7. One-Pot Cajun Sausage and Rice
One-Pot cajun sausage and rice is a quick and delicious recipe you can try right now! To make this dish, sauté smoked sausage, like andouille, until browned. Add chopped onions, bell peppers, and garlic, and cook until softened. Stir in uncooked rice, Cajun seasoning, and chicken broth, then bring to a boil. Cook until your rice is soft, and enjoy!
8. Spanish Chickpeas and Rice
This is another quick and easy one-pot meal you should try. Sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and garlic until softened. Stir in uncooked rice, smoked paprika, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne for flavor. Add canned diced tomatoes, drained chickpeas, and vegetable broth, then bring the mixture to a boil. Cook until the rice is soft.
9. Sweet Potato Black Bean Skillet
This dish is quick and healthy. Add diced sweet potatoes to a skillet with oil and sauté for a few minutes until they start to soften. Stir in chopped onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic, and cook until fragrant. Season your dish with cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Add drained black beans, diced tomatoes, and a splash of vegetable broth, and boil until your dish is ready.
Sources:
10 healthy one-pot meals
Healthy One Pan Meals
25 Healthy One-Pot Meals You Can Feel Good About Making