5 Ideas For Your Next One-Pot Meal

Whether balancing a busy work and school schedule or you’re a parent who just got home from work to find the kids are running around—hangry, tired, and running on fumes; we’ve all been there! No matter what stage in life you’re at, the day will come when you’re too busy to think about the last meal you ate, let alone what’s for dinner.

On these busy days, the one-pot meal is an excellent go-to for dinner. These meals are quick, tasty, and offer easy cleanup! The last thing you want after dinner is a stack of pots and pans to clean– am I right?!

While these aren’t your typical recipes, they give you some structure on the basics. You know how much pasta your family eats and what your picky eaters like. Get creative—after all, cooking shouldn’t be a science. Check out these five one-pot meal ideas to make pasta night a breeze.

1. One-Pot Pasta Primavera
In a large pot, heat some Cooking Extra Virgin Olive Oil over medium heat. Add chopped, fresh vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and sauté for 5-7 minutes. Add our Traditional Pasta Sauce and bring to a simmer. Pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Stir in pasta and cook for about 10-14 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. *Do a salt and pepper taste test. Top it off with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan and serve.

2. One-Pot Chicken Parm
Season your chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. In a large pot over medium heat, sprinkle some Cooking Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the chicken and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove and set aside. Add the Marinara Pasta Sauce into the pot along with 2 cups of water. Bring to a simmer, and then add the pasta and stir to combine. Cook for 10-12 minutes until pasta is tender. Slice the cooked chicken and add it back into the pot. Do a salt and pepper taste test. Sprinkle with a generous amount of fresh mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top. Cover, let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes, and serve.

3. One-Pot Baked Ziti
In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown your ground sausage. Drain excess fat. Add Tomato & Parmigiano Reggiano Pasta Sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese, and stir well to combine. Add the uncooked ziti and about 4 cups of water and stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender. Do a salt and pepper taste test. Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top, cover, let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes, and serve.

4. One-Pot Spicy Shrimp Marinara
In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic in Cooking Extra Virgin Olive Oil over medium heat until fragrant. Add shrimp and cook until they are cooked through, about 3 minutes. Add Spicy Marinara Pasta Sauce and some water, stir, and bring to a simmer. Stir in uncooked pasta and 4 cups of water, stir to combine. Cook for about 10-12 minutes or until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally. Do a salt and pepper taste test. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and extra red pepper flakes for an even heftier kick.

5. One-Pot Chicken and Pepperoni Pizza Pasta
In a large pot, drizzle some Cooking Extra Virgin Olive Oil and sauté chicken breasts cut into strips over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce and 2 cups of water, bring to a simmer. Add the pasta and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the pepperoni slices and cook for another 2 minutes. Do a salt and pepper taste test. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, cover, let the cheese melt for about 2-3 minutes, and serve.

* Do a salt and pepper taste test – The salt and spice of your dish may fluctuate depending on what ingredients you use. Pasta, for example, absorbs salt quickly and can make a dish taste bland if you don’t use enough of it. That’s why it’s important to do a taste test when you’re cooking before you reach the end of your recipe to ensure you have time to adjust if need be.