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As the nights draw in, many of us are looking for ways to stay cosy. And what better way than with a home-cooked meal? One-pot recipes are ideal for this time of year, offering plenty of flavour without hours spent in the kitchen or a sink full of washing up.
With food bills rising, you’re probably also trying to keep costs down and one-pot meals can help. They make the most of affordable cupboard staples such as rice, pasta, beans, lentils, and tinned tomatoes to create filling dinners without the need for lots of side dishes.
To help you plan your next few meals, here are nine easy one-pot recipes to try.
1. Italian meatballs with spaghetti in marinara sauce
If you love the simplicity of a spag bol but fancy a change, why not give Backyard Chef’s one-pan Italian meatballs with spaghetti a try? Serving four, it’s a budget-friendly, comforting dinner that’s quick to make and easy to adapt. Simply add a pinch of chilli flakes if you enjoy a bit of heat, or stir in a handful of spinach at the end for some extra greens.
What makes it work is that everything happens in one pan. Browning the ready-made meatballs first adds flavour that carries into the marinara base. The spaghetti then cooks right in the sauce, soaking up the flavour as it softens, so you won’t have a separate pasta pan to wash. To finish, add some fresh basil and a sprinkling of parmesan.
2. Beef stroganoff
Beef stroganoff brings a touch of restaurant-style flair to the dinner table, making it a lovely choice for a date night or a meal that feels a little more special. Ready in 25 minutes, this creamy, mostly one-pan recipe from Chef Jack Ovens combines tender beef strips, earthy mushrooms, and a rich, tangy sauce, served with pappardelle pasta.
The pappardelle is cooked separately, but the rest is made in a single pan. First, the beef (or chicken, if you prefer) is browned and set aside, before the onion, garlic, and mushrooms are cooked in the juices left behind, so the sauce picks up those flavours. Brandy (or wine), Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce are added for depth, while sour cream gives it its creaminess.
3. Hash brown lamb hotpot
Traditional lamb hotpot usually comes with a topping of sliced potatoes, but this BBC Food recipe gives the classic a fun twist with ready-made hash browns. It serves one, so it’s a handy option for when you fancy a proper hotpot but don’t want to make a large batch.
The filling consists of lamb mince, carrots and rosemary-infused gravy, and the hash browns bake into a golden, crispy lid. Brown the lamb with the vegetables and herbs, then add the stock and Worcestershire sauce, lay the hash browns over the top and bake until crisp. Finish with fresh parsley for a satisfying solo supper.
4. One-pot salmon and rice
Salmon and rice are a familiar pairing, but cooking them together gives the dish a different feel. The rice soaks up the flavour of the seasoned broth and the richness of the fish, the salmon turns out beautifully tender, and there’s very little washing up. It’s also a tasty way to enjoy more oily fish, with salmon providing a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids.
In this one-pot recipe from Jo Cooks, the rice cooks in a seasoned broth, absorbing the flavours as it softens. The seared salmon is added on top for the final stretch, so it stays moist and flakes beautifully. It’s a good reminder that rice can do more than sit alongside the main event, because here it helps make the whole dish.
5. Sausage and bean casserole
Sausages and beans are a classic British combination, and this casserole from Kitchen Sanctuary pairs the two with peppers, chorizo, and red wine to make an easy dinner with a bit of extra flair. It’s also a smart way to make your food shop go further, as a tin of beans can stretch a few sausages into a meal for the whole household. Beans also add fibre and make the casserole more filling.
Browning the sausages with red onions gives them colour and leaves flavour behind for the sauce. Peppers, chorizo, paprika, and red wine make it smoky and rich, and the cannellini and haricot beans go in towards the end to soak it all up. Serve with crusty bread for dipping, or spoon over mashed potato if you’re in the mood for a proper British-style supper.
6. Cheat lasagne
Lasagne is the ultimate comfort food, but layering the sauce, pasta, and béchamel and waiting for it to bake isn’t always realistic on a weeknight. This cheat’s version from Waitrose gives you all the flavour with far less effort, so it’s a great one to try if you’re craving lasagne but want to skip the structural engineering.
To cut corners, the meat sauce is cooked in the pan and broken-up pasta sheets are stirred straight into it. The mixture is then topped with goat’s cheese and parmesan, and popped under the grill for a few minutes until golden and bubbling. Finally, it’s garnished with fresh basil and, if you like, served with salad.
7. Spicy tomato orzo
Orzo is one of those ingredients that can be easy to overlook in the supermarket, but it’s worth keeping in your cupboard. Although it looks like rice, it’s actually a small, rice-shaped pasta – and it works particularly well in one-pot dishes because it absorbs the flavours of the sauce as it cooks.
This spicy tomato version from BBC Good Food is a great way to make a simple pasta dinner feel a little more interesting. The tomato sauce provides a rich base, while chilli flakes bring a welcome kick. The amount of heat is entirely up to you – you can keep things mild or turn it up a notch. Finish with fresh basil and grated parmesan, or stir through some spinach for a little extra colour.
8. Cheat fish pie
Fish pie is a British comfort-food favourite, but making one from scratch can involve quite a few steps. This cheat version from Mary Berry offers a shortcut for anyone who loves the fish dish but would rather spend less time preparing it. It’s a useful recipe to keep in mind when you’re craving something warming and familiar without the extra effort.
The shortcut is in the topping and the sauce. It skips the mashed-potato topping and the classic flour-and-butter roux. Instead, you whisk a spoonful of cornflour into pouring cream and pour it straight over generous pieces of skinless haddock, which sit on a layer of sliced potatoes and cauliflower with chives, parsley, and Gruyère. Top with more cheese and a pinch of paprika, then bake until bubbling and golden. The potatoes and cauliflower are briefly boiled first, so it isn’t strictly one pot, but everything finishes in a single dish. Serve with peas or greens on the side.
9. Just potatoes and beef…but the sauce changes everything
Sometimes, the most appealing meals are built around just a few familiar ingredients. This beef and potato recipe from Backyard Chef takes two everyday staples and gives them a starring role, with a savoury, smoky-sweet sauce that, as Rik says, gives the dish an “amazing” flavour.
And, of course, everything cooks in one pan. The potatoes are fried first and set to one side. Then the beef is browned, before onion, garlic, smoked paprika, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and other seasonings go in. Stir through the sour cream and potatoes, top with cheddar, pop it under the grill until golden brown, and finish with fresh parsley. As Rik says, “it’s just beef and potatoes, but the sauce really makes it”! It’s also lovely served with garlic bread.
Final thoughts…
One-pot cooking is a simple way to make mealtimes a little easier, whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding the whole household. From familiar favourites like sausage and bean casserole to more unusual combinations such as hash brown lamb hotpot, there’s hopefully something for everyone here. Why not choose one to try this week?
For further reading, check out our articles: 10 of the best slow cooker recipes to save you time and money and 8 batch cooking recipes that will last all week.
Are you tempted by any of these recipes? What’s your favourite one-pot recipe? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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