8 Simple One-Pot Dinner Recipes That Can Be Made in Under 20 Minutes

Introduction:

Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen after a long day at work? We get it! After a hectic day, the last thing you want is to slave away over a hot stove. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll share eight simple and delicious one-pot dinner recipes that can be whipped up in under 20 minutes. These recipes are not only time-saving but also pack a punch in the flavor department. So, grab your favorite pot, put on your apron, and let’s get cooking!

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Delight

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of linguine pasta
• 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine the linguine, chicken or vegetable broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, and butter.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Sizzling Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 cup of broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 cup of sliced carrots
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons of water
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the sliced chicken and cook until it’s browned and cooked through.
3. Toss in the broccoli, red bell pepper, and carrots. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
4. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
5. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring to coat evenly.
6. In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth, then add it to the pot to thicken the sauce.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve over steamed rice.

Veggie-Packed Quinoa Pilaf

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 1 3/4 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 cup of diced zucchini
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup of canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant.
3. Stir in the quinoa, vegetable broth, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
5. Add the diced zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, and chickpeas, stirring to combine. Let it cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are heated through.
6. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve as a satisfying meatless dinner.

Spicy Cajun Shrimp Boil

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 pound of Andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 cup of baby red potatoes, halved
• 2 ears of corn, cut into thirds
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
2. In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the seasoned shrimp and sliced Andouille sausage. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turns pink and the sausage is heated through.
4. Toss in the halved baby red potatoes and corn, stirring to combine.
5. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
6. Stir in the butter and chopped parsley.
7. Serve the Cajun shrimp boil with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor.

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of long-grain white rice
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 2 cups of broccoli florets
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Crushed crackers for topping

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine the rice, chicken broth, and butter.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
3. Steam the broccoli until tender-crisp and set it aside.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. In the pot, add the shredded cheddar cheese, milk, salt, and pepper to the cooked rice. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy.
6. Gently fold in the steamed broccoli.
7. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with crushed crackers.
8. Bake for 10 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and the crackers are golden brown.

Tangy Lemon Garlic Salmon

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh dill for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper, then sear them in the hot oil for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are cooked to your preferred doneness.
3. In a small bowl, mix the lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, and honey.
4. Pour the lemon garlic mixture over the cooked salmon, coating it evenly.
5. Garnish with fresh dill before serving this flavorful and healthy one-pot dinner.

Hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 4 cups of beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
2. Brown the cubed beef stew meat in the hot oil until it’s seared on all sides. Remove the meat from the pot and set it aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté the diced onion, sliced carrots, and cubed potatoes until they start to soften.
4. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Add the browned beef back to the pot and pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes with their juice.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve this comforting beef and vegetable stew on a chilly evening.

Conclusion:

Who said cooking dinner had to be a time-consuming task? With these eight simple one-pot dinner recipes, you can prepare delicious meals in under 20 minutes without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re craving pasta, seafood, or a hearty stew, these recipes have got you covered. So, next time you’re short on time but still want a satisfying and mouthwatering dinner, give these one-pot wonders a try!

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