5 Easy Winter Warmer One-Pot Recipes You’ll Love

There's nothing quite like a hearty one-pot meal to warm you up from the inside out. Not only are these dishes delicious and satisfying, but they also make for easy cooking and cleanup, perfect for those chilly evenings when you just want to hunker down at home. Cooking an entire meal in a single pot not only saves you time and effort but also enhances the depth of flavours as ingredients meld together over time. Each type of cookware brings its own unique charm to the table, from the rustic appeal of a chef's favourite - the cast iron skillet - to the dependable functionality of a stockpot. Whether you're simmering soups, braising meats, or preparing hearty stews, there's a perfect pot waiting to improve your winter cooking experience.

Here are five comforting winter recipes, each made in a different type of cookware, guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds and keep you cosy all season long.

Quick Links

• Lentil & Vegetable Stew
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Soup
• Beef and Guinness Stew
• Classic Chicken Casserole
• One-Pot Spaghetti Bolognese

Hearty Lentil and Vegetable Stew

This comforting stew, simmered to perfection in a casserole dish, offers a delightful blend of hearty lentils, seasonal vegetables, and aromatic spices. Ideal for nourishing your loved ones on a chilly winter evening.

Serves: 4

Cookware You'll Need: Casserole Dish

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Method

1. In a casserole dish, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in lentils, vegetable broth, chopped tomatoes, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils and vegetables are tender.
4. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

2. Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Let the slow cooker do the work with this chicken and vegetable soup, brimming with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and fragrant thyme. A wholesome meal that's ready to welcome you home after a busy day.

Serves: 4

Cookware You'll Need: Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 litre chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Method

1. Place chicken thighs, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
3. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. Return chicken to the pot and stir to combine.
4. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Veg Alternative: Substitute chicken with tofu, and use vegetable broth.

3. Comforting Beef and Guinness Stew

Indulge in the rich flavours of this beef and Guinness stew, simmered to perfection in a cast iron skillet. Savoury beef, hearty vegetables, and a hint of Guinness create a satisfying dish that's sure to warm you up from the inside out.

Serves: 4

Cookware You'll Need: Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

• 500g stewing beef, cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 500ml Guinness beer
• 500ml beef broth
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add beef cubes and brown on all sides. Remove beef from the skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Return the beef to the skillet. Pour in Guinness beer and beef broth. Add bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Cover the skillet and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
6. Serve hot, with crusty bread for dipping.

Veg Alternative: Substitute beef with mushrooms or root vegetables, and use vegetable broth.

4. Classic Chicken Casserole

This classic chicken casserole, lovingly cooked in a Dutch oven, is a comforting blend of succulent chicken, aromatic vegetables, and fragrant rosemary. A timeless dish that's perfect for sharing with loved ones around the dinner table

Serves: 4

Cookware You'll Need: Dutch Oven

Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 250ml chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C.
2. In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs, skin side down, and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the Dutch oven and set aside.
3. In the same Dutch oven, add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Return the chicken to the Dutch oven. Pour in chicken broth, Dijon mustard, honey, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Cover the Dutch oven and transfer to the oven. Cook for 45 to 50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
6. Serve hot, sprinkled with additional chopped rosemary if desired.

Veg Alternative: Substitute chicken with tofu, and use vegetable broth.

5. One-Pot Spaghetti Bolognese

With this easy and delicious one-pot spaghetti bolognese recipe, you can enjoy the classic Italian comfort food without the hassle of multiple pots and pans. It's a hearty meal that's perfect for warming up on chilly winter evenings.

Serves: 4

Cookware You'll Need: Stockpot

Ingredients

• 300g spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 500g minced beef
• 2 carrots, grated
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 500ml beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Method

1. Break the spaghetti in half and set aside.
2. In a stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add minced beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Stir in grated carrots and chopped celery, cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Pour in chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, dried oregano, and dried basil. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
6. Add broken spaghetti to the pot, ensuring it is submerged in the sauce. If needed, add a little more water to cover the spaghetti.
7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the spaghetti is cooked and the sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.
8. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Veg Alternative: Substitute spaghetti with gluten-free or vegetable-based noodles, and omit Parmesan cheese or use a vegan alternative.

With these five delightful one-pot recipes, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the chilly winter months with gusto. Whether you prefer the convenience of a slow cooker or the rustic charm of a cast iron skillet, there's a recipe here to suit every taste and cooking preference. So gather your ingredients, fire up the stove (or oven), and get ready to enjoy the ultimate winter warmer dish.

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