A Week of One-Pot Cooking – A Plan for 5 Simple Dinners

One-pot cooking is a great way to save time, reduce the number of dishes to wash, and maximize flavor. It’s perfect for a busy week when you want homemade meals without spending long hours at the stove. Below you’ll find a plan for five simple dinners that you can prepare quickly with easily accessible ingredients.

Day 1: Vegetable and bean stew

The base consists of carrots, bell pepper, zucchini, and canned tomatoes, plus red beans and aromatic spices: sweet paprika, garlic, oregano. Everything simmered in one pot tastes even better the next day.

Day 2: One-pot spaghetti

Sauté onion and garlic, add ground meat or lentils, then pour in tomato passata, seasonings, and… uncooked pasta. It cooks together, absorbing the sauce and spices. It’s a quick version of a classic dish without cooking the pasta separately.

Day 3: Chicken with rice and vegetables

Brown pieces of chicken, add rice, then a mix of vegetables and broth. After a dozen minutes or so, you have a complete meal. Turmeric or curry will give it a beautiful color and warming aroma.

Day 4: Creamy chickpea stew

Chickpeas, tomatoes, coconut milk, and spinach make a filling, plant-based dish. Season with cumin and ginger to get a gently oriental flavor without complicated preparation.

Day 5: “Fridge clean-out” soup

Perfect for the end of the week – use leftover vegetables, a handful of groats or pasta, spices, and broth. It’s an economical solution that helps reduce food waste.

To make the week easier, plan a shopping list and prepare basic ingredients in advance: chopped vegetables, cooked chickpeas, broth. One-pot dishes are flexible – you can freely swap ingredients depending on what you have on hand.

This kind of plan means not only convenience but also a calmer approach to cooking. One pot, a simple recipe, a pleasant aroma in the kitchen – that’s all it takes for everyday dinner to stop being a challenge and become a nice ritual.