20 delicious one-pot meals to make this winter

Chicken and dumplings is a classic winter meal perfect for anyone in need of some comfort food. Luckily for comfort food fans who don’t like dirtying more than one pan while cooking, the meal can absolutely be made in one pot. And it’s delicious. 

Beef stew is the ultimate one-pot meal. As the beef cooks, it gets more and more tender and takes on the flavors of all the vegetables and spices in the pot. It couldn’t be tastier. And you don’t even need a side for beef stew. That’s the beauty of this meal. 

Winter is the perfect time to have some meatloaf. It’s rich and hearty, and it makes the whole house smell delicious. If you want mashed potatoes or rice with your meatloaf, you’ll need to make that in a different pot, but if you want it served with some greens or just as is, one pot is all you need. 

Jambalaya has everything you could want in a meal. Delicious meat, rice, and vegetables are nutritious, hearty, and so tasty. And you only need one pot to make it. It’s a great meal to keep in your rotation during the winter. 

You better believe you only need one pot to make spaghetti. Of course, you can use two if you’d like, but why dirty another pot? The one-pot method will fully mix your noodles with your sauce, though, so be aware of how the dish will turn out before committing. 

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make lasagna in a pot. And don’t let anyone else tell you that you need more than one pot. This winter, try making the classic Italian dish on the stovetop with a skillet. It’s just as tasty and is a fun alternative to a pan. 

In the mood for more comfort food? Chicken and rice is the answer. It’s unbelievably tasty, simple, and made even tastier and simpler as a one-pot dish. It’ll be the meal of your dreams this winter. 

You probably already knew that chili is a one-pot meal, but it’s a dish that's always worth mentioning. There are so many different ways to make chili, too, so whether you want to use beef, turkey, chicken, or just beans this winter, you’ve got to make it. 

If you want to show off in front of your friends and family this winter, make beef bourguignon. They’ll be impressed that you can make it and pronounce it. It’s the perfect meal for a dinner party if you want something hearty yet classy that only requires one pot. 

Opt for chickpea stew if you want a one-pot dish that’s totally meatless. It’s hearty enough and full of protein, but it’s a little lighter, thanks to the meat omission. You’ll love the flavors and be tempted to make it more than once this winter. 

There are so many delicious stews in the world. This winter, you need to try as many as possible. One great one-pot stew to give a go is meatball stew. It’s an underrated way to have meatballs that you’ll find simple and delicious. 

Chicken pot pie is another dish that can be made in a skillet. This method requires only one pot, so it’s a win all around. You get a delicious bit of comfort food without having to do dishes after eating. 

Chicken noodle soup is another classic dish that only requires one pot to make and is always worth mentioning. Noodles don’t keep well in liquid, though, so if possible, you’ll want to eat up your entire batch the day you make it. 

Roast duck only requires one pot to make, too (though it’s more of a pan than a pot). And don’t think you need to make a bunch of sides and dirty more dishes. Roast your duck with some mirepoix vegetables. They’ll soak up all the rendered duck fat and taste better than you thought was possible. 

You can absolutely go to the trouble of making macaroni and cheese in more than one dish, but what’s the point? You can just as easily make it with one pot, and it’ll still taste great. If you’re worried about missing that broiled top, get out your kitchen torch and broil the cheese manually.

If you’re missing the taste of fresh vegetables in the winter but still want something hearty, opt for a Caprese chicken bake. It combines the two food concepts beautifully. It’s another wonderful skillet meal that your family will be begging you to make again. 

Braised short ribs are akin to beef bourguignon in that they’re much easier to make than it seems and that they impress every crowd. The only issue with making braised short ribs once is that you realize how easy they are to make, and you find yourself unable to stop making them. 

Now, if you want something actually fancy and kind of difficult to make, opt for lobster risotto. Both lobster and risotto can be finicky, so this is an excellent option if you’re looking to hone your cooking skills this winter without having much clean-up. 

Pad thai is another great one-pot meal to make if you want to improve your chef skills. If you’re not super familiar with Thai cooking, some ingredients or instructions may be a little new to you. You’ll learn and get a great meal out of it. 

Yes, poutine is most definitely a meal. And if you don’t think it is, that’s your issue. That aside, poutine can be made in just one pot, so find yourself a great recipe this winter and enjoy the Canadian classic.