Simple One Pot Meals Your Family Will Love

While it is always lovely to have home cooked meals, the idea of having to do loads of washing up after each meal can be a daunting prospect. But what if you could cook everything in just one cooking pot – which makes for virtually no clean up?

With some creative thinking, it is possible – and we’ve curated a list of simple one-pot meals to inspire you. These recipes are simple enough for when you’re pressed for time and special enough for guests, but all are balanced and can be made efficiently and easily, even for the inexperienced cook.

This Smoked Salmon and Mushroom Risotto is a satisfying one-pot that makes a great weekend brunch. It requires minimal preparation and a cooking time of just 20 minutes! Here's a prop tip to getting your rice all fluffy and al dente; stir the rice often so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan, but give your arms a break once in a while. Over-stirring will add air into the risotto, cooling it down and making it too starchy. Also use a pot that fits perfectly over your burner so your pot, and rice, will heat up evenly.

When you're feeling under the weather, this Chicken, Carrots and Spinach Porridge Puree is the perfect remedy. This recipe is as simple as its name suggests. What it lacks in fancy names, it makes up for in amazing flavour. This simply-seasoned recipe is smooth, savoury and contains both protein and vegetables - making it a sure hit with the family for its familiar and comforting taste! And in case you prefer to have less of that creamy puree texture, you can simply choose to leave out that last step with the hand blender!

A delicious one-pot of Mixed Seafood Aglio Olio with White Wine Sauce is one stress-free way to fill up a hungry crowd with just one dish. Tossing fresh seafood and pasta into a single pan is what we call a fuss-free affair. If you foresee that you won't have spare time to prep the seafood, then go for frozen ones as a convenient alternative. No matter which you use, we guarantee this dish will be a popular one. This recipe can be doubled or tripled easily if you're eating with friends or family.

While the Minestrone Soup is usually eaten as a light appetizer, this upgraded recipe includes cut-up spaghetti so it's filling enough to be eaten as an entree instead. With eight kinds of vegetables plus pasta, beans and bacon all simmering in one pot - it's certainly one delicious and nutritious meal that's truly hard to beat. This soup is hearty, packed with all the vitamins you need, and is so simple to make in under 30 minutes.

If you need more encouragement to try out one-pot meals, just think of all the time you'll be able to save both on the washing and also the meal preparation. This is especially useful when you have small or active children who are always fighting for your attention, or when you've always put off cooking because you're too tired from work!

The best part is all you really need is a good, heavy, oven safe pan. So with these four yummy recipes in your arsenal, we're sure you're more than ready to take on the one-pot challenge - not that it's much of a challenge at all, because it's so easy you'll soon be hooked on the trend!