One pot meal recipes

No one likes doing dishes, so why not save on the washing up with these simple one pot meals? These tasty dinners use just one pot or one pan to create an entire dinner the whole family will love.

When you're struck with one of those hectic weeknights, keep dinner stress-free and try our collection of one pan meal recipes.

Searching for more helpful tips to help you plan your dinners? Check out our weekly meal planners.

Chicken one pot meals

Chicken is one of the most popular proteins here in New Zealand. It's easy to cook, readily available and a budget friendly option. We've put together our favourite chicken one pot recipes to give you a headstart on dinner prep.

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One pan caprese chicken

Introduce the flavours of Italy to your kitchen with this one pan caprese chicken recipe! This easy meal option is both delicious and healthy, with a little decadence from stretchy mozzarella cheese. For a more filling meal, fold cooked pasta through the tomato mixture, along with ½ cup of cooking liquid from the pasta and serve with salad or veggies. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Buon appetito!  

One pot spicy chicken curry

An exciting array of spices and aromatic flavours that will tempt anyone who loves their curry! This chicken curry is the ultimate comfort food. All ingredients in one pot is a simple way to have a hearty meal that is still able to provide the fresh taste and balance of every ingredient. Pair with rice or naan bread for a spicy take on chicken and rice.   

Indian inspired one pot chicken

This Indian-inspired one-pot chicken and rice dish is the perfect recipe for your busy family. With pieces of tender chicken, pops of juicy and sweet raisins and fluffy rice, this main dish is deliciously easy and quick dinner to make any time of the year.

Spiced chicken couscous

A quick and tasty one-pot chicken meal loaded with fresh ingredients. This recipe is easy to make your own by using your favourite spices and seasoning, plus you can add more greens with peas, green beans or spinach. For protein substitutions use firm tofu, chickpeas, and sliced/chopped almonds sprinkled on top.

Honey thyme and chicken traybake

Nothing is better than a one pot (or one skillet) meal! This honey, chicken and fresh thyme tray is utterly delicious, with sweet red onions and melt in the mouth new potatoes coated in mustard speckled pan juices. Bake in the oven and your whole house will be smelling like the goodness of garlic, honey and lemon zest - just divine!  

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Vegetarian one pot meals

For those busy days when you're looking for easy dinner recipes, look no further than our list of tasty vegetarian one pot meals. Just because there's no meat doesn't mean these recipes need to be boring! Using all kinds of proteins from beans to lentils to tofu, these recipes showcase the very best tasty vegetarian food - all made in just one pot or one pan!

Mediterranean inspired eggplant and tomato stew

This hearty vegetarian one-pot Mediterranean inspired eggplant and tomato stew is the perfect meal for the cooler evenings! Ready in under an hour, this dish is best served hot for the ultimate weeknight dinner or meal prepped in one big pot as a lunch recipe.   

One pot cauliflower and chickpea curry

Every busy cook loves a one pot meal and this cauliflower and chickpea curry is a deliciously easy dish to make. Bursting with flavour, this effortless vegetarian recipe is guaranteed to be a sure-fire winner with the whole family! If you don't have tinned chickpeas on hand, it's super easy to substitute beans, lentils or any other similar legume. Similarly, the cauliflower can be substituted for broccoli or even potatoes for a bit of variety. Serve in a bowl with rice and eat while hot.  

One pot mushroom and lentil chilli

This meat-free take on chilli con carne is the perfect one pot recipe for a family meal or entertaining friends, and is so versatile; use it to make nachos, enchiladas or even a burrito bowl with rice! Don’t tell the kids, but this delicious dish has plenty of hidden vegetables too.   

Vegetarian curried chickpeas and rice

This vegetarian biryani-inspired dish is a one-pot wonder packed with flavour and using just a few ingredients. This makes for an easy but deliciously fragrant meal any night of the week! Packed with protein from chickpeas and pops of sweetness from raisins, this rice dish is a great alternative for any dietary requirement. Eat garnished with fresh coriander, peppers or toasted almonds.  

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Pasta and rice one pot meals

When you're looking for easy one pot meals, you're bound to find plenty of pasta and rice recipes. Pasta is the King of comfort food - perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something delicious and budget friendly. We've put together a list of the best one pot pasta and rice meals.

One dish tomato pasta

Quick, easy and simple, this hearty one dish tomato pasta is perfect for busy weeknights. If you'd like to add meat, cook some chicken, sausage or bacon, then add towards the end. This recipe is packed with hidden veggies - a favourite with the kids! Pair with crusty bread for mopping up any leftover sauce.  

Go-to winter chicken and chorizo paella

If you’ve ever wanted to make a traditional Spanish paella but thought it was too difficult for an everyday meal, never fear. Our simple and hearty one pot version has all the flavour without the effort, so you can get it on the table easily for dinner tonight. With plenty of garlic, paprika, chorizo sausage and chargrilled peppers, this one pot meal packs a real punch on the dinner table.   

Beef stroganoff

This classic beef stroganoff is a gorgeous, hearty dish that you can whip up in under 30 minutes in just one skillet. Halfway between a creamy casserole and a pasta dish (depending on what you serve it with!), this is a midweek meal the whole family will love. Serve it with fluffy rice, creamy mash or silky pasta and you can’t go wrong. One of the most popular one pot meals and the ultimate in comfort food.  

Seafood paella

Yet another Spanish paella, but this one features New Zealand's abundance of fresh seafood. Luckily it is equally simple to cook! It all happens in one pan, which you can then take straight to the table and tuck into. This recipe uses just a handful of pantry staple ingredients like chicken stock, chopped tomatoes, seafood, mussels, white wine and paella rice, but is still one of the tastiest one pot dishes around!  

One pot creamy tuna pasta

This delicious and healthy pasta recipe is brimming with cheese sauce and packed with hearty veggies. Perfect for a midweek meal, it's super easy to make and will taste phenomenal once cooked! The recipe is very adaptable and substitutions are easy. Switch broccoli for green beans and canned tuna for cooked bacon, chicken, sausage or any other type of protein that your family enjoys.   

One pot smoked fish and leek rice

Our next one pot meal, smoked fish and leek rice, is another delicious comfort food that will have you mopping the leftovers from your bowl! This recipe is great served as a main dish, or as a side dish at a barbeque or pot luck dinner. Don’t have any smoked fish available? Replace with cooked chicken or prawns for a little twist.   

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Fish and meat one pot meals

If you're looking for a delicious dinner to inspire some cooking tonight, try one of our great fish or meat dishes. From beef steak to oven baked fish to braised beef short ribs, we've got a great selection of the latest recipes to get you cooking up a storm.

Braised beef shortribs with chimichurri

Nothing is more of a comfort food in the colder months than one of our simple one pot recipes and these beef short ribs braised with stout are an utterly delicious meal! Brought to life with a zesty chimichurri sauce, this recipe ticks all of the boxes. The smell, when it's cooking in the oven, is just divine! Serve alongside a bowl of mashed potatoes, couscous, or cheese-filled polenta for a complete and delicious meal.  

Whole baked Leigh snapper on potato

This one pot recipe showcases fresh New Zealand fish on a bed of thinly-sliced crispy potatoes. Tasty, healthy, and a great dish for either a weeknight meal or entertaining guests. The fish can be cooked whole but can also be cooked with fillets by reducing the oven time.  

The perfect one pan steak

The best recipes are ones that require little effort with maximum flavour, and this perfect one pan steak couldn’t fit the bill better! Bring your family together around this scrumptious steak served with garlic, buttery potatoes and fresh greens; they will love you for it!  

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Still stuck for ideas?

If you're still searching for inspiration for one pan meals, visit some of the links below. Our Discover and The Prep Hub sections are full of great food ideas to help you create the ultimate tasty recipes.