One Pot Meals For Every Night of the Week

Fall. It’s a time that brings about a chill in the air, an excitement for what’s to come and the beginning of life’s busy season.

Whether you’re a mom, a college student or working, the first thing that usually goes during this busy time is either grocery shopping or cooking at home. We, or at least I, tend to see it as burdensome or tiring. When we decide that we would rather pick something up or order in Postmates, the choices tend to be ones you wouldn’t have made had you cooked ahead — and also a lot more expensive.

If you take the time on Saturday or Sunday to map out your week for meals, your life is just so much easier. There isn’t any question of what you are going to have and it won’t be another boring baked or grilled chicken and veggies. The other time saving beauty is making or finding meals that can be made in one pot! This equals easy prep and even easier clean up. (Because let’s be real, doing dishes is the worst.)

When thinking about one-pot meals, there are some guidelines to keep in mind to ensure that you’re making or eating meals that will 1. fill you up, 2. have a good balance of macronutrients to help balance your hormones and 3. have all the good vitamin, minerals and antioxidants that our bodies need to stay healthy. That last one is especially important during the fall when the weather is changing and the rate of colds rise.

So, remember these and you will be golden. Choose one pot recipes or meals that have:

– Majority greens (spinach, kale, arugula, etc.)
– Good source of protein (salmon, turkey, chicken, beans, lentils)
– Good fats (avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, or nut butters)
– Fiber (lentils, beans, nuts, brown rice, broccoli, brussels sprouts, etc.). 
– Color

Choosing meals containing these food groups won’t only be producing amazing health benefits, but will be tasty and exciting. If there is a recipe that you like that doesn’t have a good fat or greens, a quick fix is to have salad and avocados on hand. This way you can add a side salad to any meal.

Have fun when choosing recipes and don’t feel restricted. Look at these recipes as guides and put your own flare or spin on them! It will keep your palette happy with new flavors, textures and choices by mixing things up a bit.

Here are a few of my favorite one pot, make ahead meals to get you started this week:

1. Cast Iron Lemon Rosemary Chicken

If you don’t have a cast iron no worries. You can use whatever pan you have instead. Also, you can omit the asparagus and have a salad for your greens or choose a different veggie. Recipe here.

2. Chicken Pho

Easy go to for cold day. By using store bought chicken you are saving a ton of time. If you want to make your own chicken do in slow cooker day before, can use for pho and then on salads rest of the week. Recipe here.

3. Salsa Chicken

Incredibly versatile meal. You can put on a bed of lettuce with some avocado or on a sprouted wheat tortilla with some guacamole. Recipe here.

4. Spicy Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potato

You can use the chicken from the Salsa chicken that you have left over. Recipe here.

5. Carrot, Turmeric, Ginger Soup

This one can be made ahead of time and heated up when you have it that night or day. Recipe here.

6. One Pan Salmon

You can mix up the veggies on this one to get more fiber. You can add sweet potatoes rather than the tomatoes. If you do, make sure to cut the pieces small so they cook faster! You can also trade out the green beans for asparagus, broccoli, etc. Recipe here.

7. BBQ Cauliflower Tacos

This rub is so good! You can put it on so many other veggies and roast them to have as a great addition to salads. When I have made these in the past I have omitted the creamy lime sauce and replaced with avocados/guacamole or the avocado lime sauce from the stuffed sweet potatoes. Recipe here.

What’s your go-to one pot meal?

Feature Image via Camila Gutierrez