The best season to enjoy some of your cozy and comforting one-pot meals that are quick to make at the same time healthy and delectable to have is during the winter. From a hearty soup to its creamy pasta and down to its fiery stew, these are guaranteed to heat you up from the inside with the five recipes we have today.
1. Chicken and Vegetable Quinoa Soup
This is a very high-protein soup, fiber, and vitamins from quinoa and vegetables. And it's very easy to cook: everything is simmered in one pot, then blended until creamy. Serve with some crusty bread as a complete meal.
| Ingredients: |
|---|
| 1 cup quinoa |
| 2 cups broth from chicken or beef bouillon cube dissolved in boiling water |
| 2 cups water |
| 1 chop-guy or onion, chopped |
| 2 carrots, diced |
| 2 stalks celery, sliced |
| 2 garlic cloves, minced |
| 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded |
| Salt and pepper to taste |
| Parsley for garnish |
Directions:
- Heat some oil in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Fry the onion, carrot, celery and garlic together for 15 minutes until soft. Occasionally stir.
- One then adds quinoa, chicken broth, water, salt, and pepper to bring it to a boil. The heat is reduced and left to simmer till the quinoa is tender, for about 20 minutes.
- Blend half the soup in a blender until smooth and transfer it back to the pot, stirring and mixing it well with the chicken. Heat it through again and check if the seasoning needs adjustments.
- For serving, ladle the soup into some warm soup bowls and garnish them with some nice pieces of parsley on top for decoration. Enjoy!
2. Cheesy Beef and Bean Sloppy Joes
Though beef still remains the main additive in this recipe, it comes out so tasteful and healthy through the addition of beans and a creamy touch of cheese. And, actually, making it is just as simple: cook the meat, sauce, and beans together, then simmer until thickened. Serve on whole-wheat hamburger buns with some lettuce and tomato on top for a full meal.
| Ingredients: |
|---|
| 1 lb lean ground beef |
| 1 onion, chopped |
| 2 cloves garlic, minced |
| 1/4 cup ketchup |
| 2 tablespoons brown sugar |
| 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce |
| 2 teaspoons chili powder |
| 1 teaspoon smoked paprika |
| 1/4 teaspoon salt |
| 1/4 teaspoon black pepper |
| 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed |
| 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded |
| 8 whole-wheat hamburger buns |
| Lettuce and tomato, for serving |
Instructions:
- In 12-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat, breaking up with spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove from pan.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then lower heat, simmer 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the beans and cheese and cook until the cheese is melted, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
- Spoon mixture onto bottoms of buns, top with lettuce and tomato, and then cover with tops of buns. Serve.
3. Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo
This dish is a pasta alternative of quick-cooked creamy cheesy orzo, with slices of mushrooms and spinach. It's also very simple and easy to make: the orzo is cooked in the same pot together with the sauce and vegetables, so you will have an easy but one-pot meal ready in no time.
| Ingredients: |
|---|
| 2 tablespoons butter |
| 1 onion, chopped |
| 2 garlic cloves, minced |
| 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced |
| Salt and pepper, to taste |
| 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour |
| 2 cups chicken broth |
| 1 cup milk |
| 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese |
| 2 cups baby spinach leaves |
| 2 cups orzo pasta |
Instructions:
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, mushrooms, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally until soft for about 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over mushroom mixture and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in broth and milk while bringing to a boil. Reduce to simmer and stir occasionally until it has slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in cheese and spinach, stirring occasionally until cheese is melted and spinach wilted, about 5 minutes.
- Add orzo and cook, stirring, until pasta is tender and most of liquid is absorbed and sauce is creamy, about 15 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
4. Spicy Chicken and Bean Chili
Spicy, smoky, and satisfying with chicken, beans, and corn. Also great because it requires only one pot and no fancy steps or ingredients: Just dump everything in and let it simmer until the flavors meld. This chili will require little more than a large dollop of sour cream, cheese, and plenty of cilantro to top off any day just right.
| Ingredients: |
|---|
| 1 tbsp oil |
| 1 onion, chopped |
| 2 cloves garlic, crushed |
| 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces |
| 2 tbsp chili powder |
| 1 tbsp cumin |
| 1 tsp oregano |
| 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper |
| Salt and pepper to taste |
| 2 cups chicken broth |
| 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce |
| 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained |
| 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained |
| Topping:Sour cream, cheese, fresh cilantro leaves |
Preparation:
- Pull out a big pot and heat it with medium-high heat. Add oil, then add onion and garlic. Cook around 10 minutes, at the same time stirring once in a while until the onion turns soft.
- Add the chicken, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt and pepper and cook, stirring until a bit browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in chicken broth, tomato sauce, beans and corn. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until chili is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and cheese, if desired.
5. Cheese and Vegetable Frittata
This recipe is a great way to use up the little flaccid vegetables down in the bottom of your vegetable drawer in the fridge. It is also very easy to prepare: just saute the vegetables in a frying pan, add egg mixture, spread on top of sauteed vegetables, then bake in oven until set. Accompanied by toast or salad that makes a complete meal.
| Ingredients: |
|---|
| 6 pcs eggs |
| 1/4 c milk |
| to salt and pepper |
| 1 cup grated cheddar cheese |
| 2 tablespoons oil |
| 2 cups approx mixed vegetables, chopped (broccoli, bell pepper, zucchini etc.) |
| 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley |
Method:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Beat eggs with milk, salt, and pepper, and cheese in a medium bowl and reserve.
- Heat oil in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add vegetables, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Add 1 tsp. of butter to skillet on medium high and purchase veggies, pour egg mixture over the top, sprinkle with parsley. Transfer skillet to the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until eggs are set.
- Cut into wedges and serve hot or at room temperature. Enjoy! –(IVNTV)