Simple solo dinners or potluck crowd-pleasers: 3 affordable one-pot meals without the mess
- macromate
- Jun 26
- 5 min read
No one wants to spend their evening scrubbing pots and pans. That's where one-pot cooking comes into play – maximum flavour with minimal cleanup, and your wallet will thank you too. Cooking for one after a long day, or bringing something impressive to share with fellow MacroMates at your next potluck? MacroMate has got your dinner game covered.
These three powerhouse recipes deliver serious nutrition, flavour and class without the kitchen chaos.
Hearty Bean and Vegetable Chili
This isn't your average vegetarian chili – it's a protein-packed one-pot that'll satisfy even the most hearty meat lovers. MacroMate has loaded it with kidney beans and black beans alongside a medley of fresh vegetables, creating a hearty meal that delivers 25g of plant-based protein. The combination of warming spices like cumin, paprika and chili powder develops deep, complex flavours that only get better as they simmer together. With a bright finish of lime juice and fresh cilantro, this one-pot wonder proves that comfort food can be both nourishing and completely satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 400g canned diced tomatoes
- 400g canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 400g canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 250ml vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Recipe Steps:
- Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 2: Add the chopped red bell pepper, diced carrot, and diced zucchini to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
- Step 3: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, drained kidney beans, drained black beans, and vegetable broth.
- Step 4: Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Once the chili has thickened and the vegetables are cooked through, stir in the lime juice.
- Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 400 kcal
Protein: 25 g
Carbs: 50 g
Fat: 10 g
Sugar: 5 g
Portion: 1.0
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Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo Skillet
Sometimes the most elegant meals are the simplest ones, and this Mediterranean-inspired dish proves exactly that. Tender shrimp and orzo pasta come together in one skillet with vibrant cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach, creating a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. The secret is toasting the orzo first, which adds a nutty depth that pairs beautifully with the garlic and red pepper flakes. A splash of lemon juice and fresh Parmesan cheese transform simple ingredients into something genuinely special – perfect for those nights when you want something fancy without the fuss.
Ingredients:
- 150g shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 70g orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 50g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 30g baby spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 10g grated Parmesan cheese
- 200ml chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Recipe Steps:
- Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Step 2: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in the shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Step 4: Add the orzo to the skillet and toast for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden.
- Step 5: Pour in the chicken broth, and bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Cook the orzo for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broth is absorbed and the orzo is tender.
- Step 7: Add the cherry tomatoes and baby spinach to the skillet, cooking until the spinach wilts.
- Step 8: Return the shrimp to the skillet, and stir in the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 9: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 400 kcal
Protein: 25 g
Carbs: 50 g
Fat: 10 g
Sugar: 5 g
Portion: 1.0
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Classic Beef Spaghetti Bolognese
Here's comfort food at its finest: a rich, meaty Bolognese that cooks entirely in one pot without sacrificing any of the traditional flavours you crave. Ground beef simmers with aromatic herbs, tomatoes and a splash of beef broth, while the spaghetti cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all those incredible flavours. The result is a deeply satisfying meal with 35g of protein that tastes like it's been simmering for hours. Sometimes the best weeknight dinners are the ones that remind you why the classics became classics in the first place.
Ingredients:
- 100g spaghetti
- 150g ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 200g canned diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 250ml beef broth
- 20g grated Parmesan cheese
- 5g fresh basil leaves
Recipe Steps:
- Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Step 2: Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Step 3: Add the ground beef to the pot, cooking until browned.
- Step 4: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, and dried basil.
- Step 5: Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 6: Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil.
- Step 7: Add the spaghetti, breaking it in half if necessary to fit in the pot.
- Step 8: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spaghetti is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
- Step 9: Serve the spaghetti Bolognese topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 600 kcal
Protein: 35 g
Carbs: 75 g
Fat: 20 g
Sugar: 8 g
Portion: 1.0
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