Doing dishes is one of the worst chores by far, and few things help lessen your load like healthy
one-pot meals. Cutting down on cleanup is the obvious draw, but recipes made in one pan or pot
also reduce the amount of fussing and fiddling you have to do while cooking. For example, rather
than having to tend to a bubbling sauce, steaming vegetables, and something in the oven, you can
rest assured that all your ingredients are safely stewing in one big pot—and maybe even relax a little while you're at it.
Making a one-pot meal that is delicious and nutritionally balanced is a cinch too. Generally,
eating a mix of protein-, healthy fat-, and complex-carbohydrate-rich foods is among the best
ways to guarantee satisfaction, SELF columnist Jessica Jones, M.S., R.D., certified diabetes
educator and cofounder of Food Heaven, has previously told SELF.
Most of these 40 recipes for healthy one-pot meals accomplish this nutrient-profile without even
trying, relying on an array of tasty and satisfying ingredients. You can make just about anything
in a pot, so you're not limited to soups and stews. Think chicken and veggies infused with garlic
and lemon in a Dutch oven, or a seafood- and sausage-stuffed paella simmering in a large pan.
Between all the pastas packed with vegetables, cozy protein-rich stews, and cheesy whole-grain
bakes, you won't struggle to find a dish that tastes as good as it makes you feel.
A note about the word healthy here: We know that healthy is a complicated concept. Not only can
it mean different things to different people, it’s a word that’s pretty loaded (and sometimes
fraught), thanks to the diet industry’s influence on the way we think about food. At SELF, when
we talk about food being healthy, we’re primarily talking about foods that are nutritious, filling,
and satisfying. But it also depends on your preferences, your culture, what’s accessible to you, and
so much more. We selected these recipes with those basic criteria in mind, while also trying to
appeal to a wide variety of nutritional needs and taste buds
1
Stewed Okra With Tomatoes and Chicken Sausage from Dude That Cooks
Packed with lima beans, okra, corn, and chicken sausage, this stew is hearty enough to eat on its own,
and even better when paired with rice or bread to sop up the extra liquid.
2
Minestrone Soup from Fit Foodie Finds
Shells are the best pasta variety for this vegetable soup because of the way they fill up with broth
and become warm, little pouches of heaven. But the idea here is to keep things simple—so if you
don't have shells on hand, whichever shape you already have will work just as well.
3
Shrimp and Squash Orzo from Sweet Peas and Saffron
This saucy, risotto-style recipe is a great opportunity to use up the last of the winter squash before
spring takes over the produce section. If your grocery store is already out of the seasonal
vegetable, you can use zucchini instead for a similar effect.
4
Texas Chili Mac from Dash of Jazz
There's no surer way to guarantee dinnertime success than by combining two comfort foods like
mac ’n’ cheese and chili. The spices, crumbled meat, velvety cheese, and veggies (mushrooms,
carrots, and bell peppers) create a filling dish that will keep you coming back bite after bite.
5
Vegan Potato Carrot Stew from Healthier Steps
Filled with zucchini, carrots, potatoes, and leeks, this soup is practically made for those days
when you need to empty the crisper drawer. Don't feel limited to these vegetables alone, because
just about anything will taste great in a warm, coconut broth. Bell peppers, mushrooms, sweet
potatoes—if you need to use it up, throw it in!
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