Frugal Living, Sustainable Finance, and Minimalism
20 Easy One Pot Meals To Save Time And Money
Apr
Need to lower your expenses on buying food and spend less time cooking? Then one-pot meals are the reply. They’re a delicious and convenient option to prepare healthy and low-cost meals. And we’ve got 20 great ideas to share with you as you create your meal plan!
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Whether you reside alone otherwise you’re searching for easy meals to organize for the entire family, easy one-pot dinners could make your life easier. They often include easy ingredients, so that you’re not wasting food, they usually are easy to scrub up.
In the event you’re searching for simpler meal times, keep reading to find out about easy one-pot meals.
20 Easy one pot meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Now that what one-pot meals are and their benefits, let’s dive into a few of the most cost effective meals to make your stomach and wallet completely satisfied.
One pot meals for breakfast
Breakfast is the day’s most vital meal, yet you’ve probably skipped it a couple of times since you were short on time. Not to fret, many breakfast one-pot meals are easy and quick to organize.
1. Omelets
Omelets are a great one-pot meal that offers you a hearty amount of protein to start out your day. You possibly can have a meal in minutes with a straightforward flip and fry.
Adding vegetables and herbs will make your omelet healthier and tastier. Spinach is a typical omelet ingredient, but you’ll be able to add cherry tomatoes, parsley, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese.
2. Baked eggs in tomato sauce with kale
Baked eggs in tomato sauce with kale can brighten your mornings if you grow drained of creating omelets.
With only three primary ingredients, eggs, tomato sauce, and kale, it’s a terrific option to use that pre-opened jar of red sauce before it goes bad.
You simply must evenly cook the kale, pour in and warmth the tomato sauce, crack within the eggs, and place the saucepan within the oven to bake. And eating clean on a budget meal plan is straightforward with this recipe.
3. Pesto scrambled eggs
Have you ever ever had leftover pasta sauce you didn’t know the right way to use? Next time you may have some leftover pesto sauce, throw it in scrambled eggs for a singular and attractive one pot meal.
Prepare your scrambled eggs the way you like, and add pesto sauce because the topping.
4. Apple-cinnamon oatmeal
Plain oatmeal isn’t essentially the most exciting breakfast option. Nonetheless, there are lots of ways to make oatmeal a tasty go-to meal.
One easy option to jazz up the grain is by making apple cinnamon oatmeal. Mix the water, oatmeal, apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and cook them together. Once the oats are cooked and the apples are tender, benefit from the aroma of what smells like an apple pie.
The wonderful thing about this low-cost meal is that if you happen to don’t finish every part you made, refrigerate it for the following day or later that week.
5. Frittatas
The word frittata sounds fancy, however it’s mainly the Italian word for fried.
A frittata is the cousin of the omelet and the quiche. It only requires another additional ingredient than an omelet and fewer ingredients than a quiche.
The key ingredients of a frittata are eggs, cream, vegetables, and seasonings. When preparing, you would like to whisk the ingredients thoroughly. The stovetop or the oven are each great options for cooking.
Nonetheless, the frittata should be placed within the boiler to cook fully.
6. One skillet quinoa breakfast
In the event you need a break from oatmeal, try using quinoa for breakfast. Whether fresh or precooked, quinoa is definitely prepared in a skillet.
Start with the quinoa, add your selected milk, and cook until absorbed. Then add fruits reminiscent of bananas and berries.
7. Double puff berry pancake
As an alternative of creating the standard stack of pancakes, you’ll be able to create one giant pancake and slice out individual pieces.
Start by mixing the pancake ingredients, then pour the mixture until it covers the whole pan. Add berry toppings of your selecting. Then once it’s cooked on one side, place the skillet into the oven until the pancake is golden brown.
Easy one pot meals for lunch
Now that you simply’ve got breakfast covered, here is the right way to make some scrumptious one pot meals for lunch.
8. Chicken tortellini soup
Soups, on the whole, make for delicious and simple one pot meals. With some broth and an assortment of vegetables, you’ll have a meal very quickly.
Nonetheless, if you would like to advance your soup-making skills, you’ll be able to try chicken tortellini soup.
Start with a big pot; after which add oil and vegetables. Next, add chicken, followed by water and or broth. Last, you’ll add herbs and tortellini pasta. Cook until tender, and revel in.
9. Pozole
Pozole is a traditional soup or stew dish from Mexico. It comes loaded with flavors and spices for those craving just a little more kick from a soup-like dish.
Although this recipe includes many ingredients, you’ll be able to conveniently cook every part in a single pot.
Plus, you’ll be able to make several types of pozole, reminiscent of green, red, and white. Although traditionally made with chicken or pork, you’ll be able to make a vegetarian-friendly pozole.
10. Skillet tacos
These are a fun twist on traditional tacos.
You’ll cook every part in a skillet using similar ingredients to regular tacos. You possibly can add elbow macaroni to make the meal more filling.
When every part is cooked, serve it with crushed nacho chips as a substitute of a taco shell for added crunch.
11. One pot enchilada pasta
Enchilada pasta is a singular option to enjoy a pasta meal. Using one pot, you’ll use most of the same ingredients when making enchiladas—reminiscent of black beans, tomatoes, chill peppers, enchilada sauce, and cheese.
With this one pot meal, you’ll be able to get a scrumptious lunch in around half-hour.
12. Skillet lasagna
Lasagna is usually an oven dish that takes quite a lot of time and preparation. Nonetheless, skillet lasagna is the tasty cheat code.
Start along with your meat of alternative and begin cooking it almost to completion in a skillet. To cook a vegetarian lasagna, you’ll be able to begin with tofu, vegetarian meat, or vegetables. Next, add pantry staples reminiscent of onion, garlic, and other seasonings.
So as to add the lasagna element, you’ll break up the lasagna noodles to cook and add them in with the sauce—then top with cheese to complete.
13. Rice and beans
Rice and beans are easy and low-cost ingredients that could make meals with various variations.
White rice is commonly the go-to alternative, nonetheless, you’ll be able to experiment with brown or jasmine rice.
And with a wide range of bean options reminiscent of pinto, black beans, and brown beans, you’ll be able to get a handful of meals with one recipe.
Easy one pot dinners
When meal time comes, you wish something easy. And so these one pot dinners will help with making life easier for you especially if you happen to are cooking in your family.
14. Spaghetti with tomatoes, olives, feta, and mint
Spaghetti is a classic dinner recipe that may fill you up and doesn’t cost much money. If you would like to fancy your current spaghetti recipe, try adding olives, feta, and mint.
These added ingredients will give your pasta some extra flavor.
15. Lentil and bean stew
Stews are very much like soups; nonetheless, they’re chunkier and have less water. Thus a lentil and bean stew makes for an appetizing one-pot recipe.
With the recipe, you’ll be able to add lentils, beans, garbanzo beans, and chicken for a straightforward dinner.
16. Quick ramen noodle stir-fry
Most college students have survived on easy ramen noodles. They’re low cost and prepared in minutes.
Luckily there’s a healthier and tastier way to have ramen as a substitute of directly out of the microwave.
Start with cooking chicken and vegetables in a big non-stick skillet. Add water and ramen noodles to the pan when the vegetables and chicken start cooking. After combining the ingredients, cover and cook until the noodles are tender.
17. Lemon pepper chicken with orzo
Did there are lots of easy one-pot dinners using orzo?
Orzo looks like rice, however it’s a protein-rich pasta. You possibly can cook this meal in a single pot for around half-hour with some chicken seasonings and chosen herbs.
18. Pizza pasta bake
Pasta and pizza are essentially the most beloved foods. In the event you’re eager for a pizza but don’t need to order out, then a pizza pasta bake is your solution.
You simply need pasta and pizza ingredients reminiscent of mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, sausage, and tomato. It’ll be sure you satisfy your hunger.
19. One pot teriyaki chicken and rice
With this teriyaki chicken and rice one-pot dinner, use a deep skillet to cook the chicken and the rice in the identical pan.
Using long-grain or jasmine rice can be essential for faster cook times.
Start by cooking the chicken until it’s white on the skin. Then you definately’ll set it aside and mix water, rice, sauces, and other vegetables within the skillet. After a couple of moments, you’ll add the chicken back in.
Once every part is mixed, you’ll let it stew until every part is tender.
20. Mac and cheese
Mac and cheese is a favourite dish amongst many. Even though it’s tempting to whip up some boxed mac and cheese, you’ll be able to still have a top quality cheesy meal with only six ingredients.
Cheddar, parmesan cheese, milk, water, and elbow pasta are your primary ingredients. Other vegetables, reminiscent of broccoli, asparagus, and green beans, pair nicely with mac and cheese.
Expert tip
You possibly can save quite a lot of money and time when making one pot meals.
For instance, take a look at your ingredients and use more vegetables as a substitute of meat to be more cost-efficient. And if you use one pot to make your whole meal, cleansing up takes less time.
What are one pot meals?
One pot meals are simplified dishes that cook all of the ingredients in a single pot. Because of this, the components mix together to change into a delicious meal.
These meals are frequently less time-consuming and require fewer ingredients. Because of this, you lower your expenses while grocery shopping on a budget.
What kitchen supplies do you would like?
Although the word pot is within the name, you should utilize a pot, wok, skillet, frying pan, or baking sheet, depending on the recipe.
Nonetheless, using a top quality non-stick pan is important when practicing your iron chef skills with these recipes. And also you don’t must spend much money on a brand new pan. Quality skillets will be purchased for around $40.
Are there benefits to a one pot meal?
Essentially the most significant advantage of a one pot meal is saving money and time.
Most one pot meals will be ready in half-hour since they’re primarily cooked on the stovetop.
Moreover, most one pot dinners require fewer ingredients, and plenty of are common pantry items. Subsequently, you’re not spending money on extra ingredients you’ll only use once. Concurrently, you’re helping to avoid food waste.
Did that annually 119 billion pounds of food is wasted in the US?
One pot meals are a terrific option to utilize the food in your cabinets so you’ll be able to avoid waste.
What are other ways to save lots of on food?
In the event you enjoyed these money-saving one pot meals and need to stretch your dollar even further, listed here are other ways to lower your expenses on food.
Buy store brand vs. name brand
What’s the difference between store-brand and name-brand items? In point of fact, not much in any respect. Especially for pantry staples reminiscent of flour, salt, sugar, etc.
Many store-brand items are made in the identical factory as popular brands. Store brands are sometimes cheaper because firms don’t spend extra cash on promoting.
Search for items on the discount and sales rack
Grocery stores often discount their prices on foods near their expiration date. Check for discounted sales racks or unique stickers with marked-down prices to start out frugal grocery shopping.
Though some foods are near their sell-by date, they will still last a couple of more days in your freezer or pantry.
Freeze and save what you don’t eat
Food waste shouldn’t be only harmful to the environment but to your budget. In the event you buy an excessive amount of food or cook greater than you’re going to eat, freeze the leftover food.
One pot meals are great items to freeze and reheat for a meal later within the week.
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Use these ideas for straightforward, tasty, and cheap one pot meals!
As you’ll be able to see, there are lots of one pot meal options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
You possibly can prepare a meal in minutes using common pantry foods reminiscent of pasta, eggs, rice, and beans.
Do not forget that one pot meals are a terrific option if you would like to live out the lower your expenses live higher philosophy because they don’t require you to purchase quite a lot of ingredients. In addition they enable you to avoid wasting food and are sometimes quick and simple to make!
The post 20 Easy One Pot Meals To Save Time And Money appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.
