As busy weeknights sneak up on us, the last thing any of us wants to do is spend hours cooking a complicated meal. One-pot meals are the perfect solution for busy, hectic evenings. With just one pot or Dutch oven to wash, these hearty meals are easy to make yet satisfying.
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| One-Pot Meals to Save the Day on Weeknights |
Beef and veggie chili:
Beef and veggie chili is a hearty and delicious dish that is perfect for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends. This recipe combines the richness of ground beef with the freshness of vegetables and beans, making it a nutritious and filling meal. In this blog post, we will share two recipes for beef and veggie chili that are easy to make and sure to impress your taste buds.
Recipe 1: Classic Beef and Veggie Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked.
2. Add the chopped onion, green and red bell peppers, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
5. Bring the chili to a simmer and let it cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
Recipe 2: Vegetarian Beef and Veggie Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. vegetarian ground beef substitute
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, cook the vegetarian ground beef substitute over medium-high heat until heated through.
2. Add the chopped onion, green and red bell peppers, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
4. Bring the chili to a simmer and let it cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
Both of these recipes are easy to customize by adding or subtracting ingredients to suit your taste. You can also adjust the heat level to your liking by adding more or less chili powder or using a different type of pepper. Beef and veggie chili is a versatile and satisfying dish that you can enjoy any time of year.
Cajun shrimp jambalaya:
Cajun shrimp jambalaya is a flavorful and hearty dish that originated in Louisiana. This classic Creole recipe is made with rice, shrimp, and a variety of vegetables and spices, making it a delicious and satisfying meal. In this blog post, we will share two recipes for Cajun shrimp jambalaya that are easy to make and full of flavor.
Recipe 1: Classic Cajun Shrimp Jambalaya
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Optional toppings: chopped green onions, hot sauce
Instructions:
1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the pot and set aside.
2. Add the chopped onion, green and red bell peppers, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, rice, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the jambalaya simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through.
5. Add the cooked shrimp back to the pot and stir to combine. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
Recipe 2: Spicy Cajun Shrimp Jambalaya
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
- Optional toppings: chopped green onions, hot sauce
Instructions:
1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the pot and set aside.
2. Add the chopped onion, green and red bell peppers, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, rice, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the jambalaya simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through.
5. Add the cooked shrimp back to the pot and stir to combine. If desired, add the chopped jalapeño pepper for extra spice. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
Both of these Cajun shrimp jambalaya recipes are easy to customize by adjusting the spice level or adding different vegetables or proteins. You can also make a larger batch and freeze the leftovers for a quick and easy meal later on. Enjoy this classic Creole dish any time of year for a taste of Louisiana cuisine.
Cheeseburger soup:
Cheeseburger soup is a comforting and hearty dish that brings together all the delicious flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a warm and satisfying soup. This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in or a family dinner, and it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. In this blog post, we will share two recipes for cheeseburger soup that are easy to make and delicious.
Recipe 1: Classic Cheeseburger Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups chopped potatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: chopped green onions, crumbled bacon, additional shredded cheese
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the chopped potatoes, beef broth, and diced tomatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
4. Add the milk, shredded cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine and let the soup cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the soup is heated through.
5. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
Recipe 2: Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups chopped potatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: chopped green onions, additional crumbled bacon, additional shredded cheese
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the chopped potatoes, beef broth, and diced tomatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
4. Add the milk, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine and let the soup cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the soup is heated through.
5. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
Both of these cheeseburger soup recipes are easy to customize by adjusting the spice level or adding different toppings. You can also make a larger batch and freeze the leftovers for a quick and easy meal later on. Enjoy this comforting and delicious soup any time of year for a taste of classic American cuisine.
For speed, consider a pasta dish like whole wheat linguine primavera, veggie fried rice with tofu or turkey Bolognese over zucchini noodles. Or keep it really simple with mac and cheese, soup and a salad.
However you choose to make your one-pot meal, keep a piece of bread on hand to dip in the flavorful remains at the bottom of the pot. Buon appetito!