We all know that throughout the course of a busy work week, it can be hard to juggle your job, the gym, and cooking yourself a nutrient-dense meal. The perfect solution is the one-pot meal.
These recipes enable you to knock out several days worth of cooking in a few hours, or even minutes, while reaping the benefits of a healthy, complete meal. In addition to saving time, don’t forget you’ll be saving a nice chunk of change in the process as well.
Here are some of our favorite one-pot recipes. You can use these recipes as meal prep for the whole week—lunch or dinner—so you don’t have to worry about cooking after a long day of working, working out, and generally kicking ass.
1 of 6
LauriPatterson / Getty
Quinoa and Beef Stew
This recipe is packed with fiber, which can help make you feel fuller for longer, and vitamin A and C and betacarotene. Also in the nutrient mix is iron and protein from grass-fed beef that’s void of antibiotics. Since grass-fed beef contains zero corn or other grains, it will keep your immune system and GI functioning properly. As for the grain in this recipe, quinoa is loaded with protein and contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Sweet potatoes are packed with fiber, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. Vitamin A and beta-carotene are necessary for skin and eye health. The seasonings in this recipe, which include garlic and onion, have been seen to have a thermogenic effect. This means that your body will burn fat for energy.
If you choose, substituting 98% fat-free ground chicken will provide high protein with less fat, and be sure to use organic corn because it’s non-GMO. As for the potatoes in this recipe, they’ll give you a potassium punch. Low potassium levels or deficiencies can put you at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and digestive disorders.
Lentils are high in protein and fiber. The soluble fiber found in lentils fills the gut and slows digestion. This can help with weight loss. Lentils have also been shown to help lower the “bad” cholesterol or LDLs.
Raw garlic is high in allicins, which are compounds that help protect your body against cancer and heart disease. They also aid in a strong immune system. However, cooking garlic cloves will destroy the benefits from allicin.
This soup provides muscle-building protein from chicken and fiber-rich beans in a smokey barbeque broth. The fiber that’s found in the beans will keep your intestinal tract clean, and will make you feel full for longer.
Shiitake mushrooms contain an ingredient called eritadenine, which allows the body tissues to absorb cholesterol and keep it from circulating through the blood. Mushrooms also contain anti-viral and anti-cancer properties.
Escarole is high in vitamin A, which supports eye health, but it’s also high in vitamin K. Vitamin K is responsible for blood clotting, strong bone health, and aids in cell growth. Just a ½ cup provides approximately 70% of your suggested daily value.
