6 easy one-pot dinner recipes for cosy rainy evenings

Rainy evenings are made for cosy clothes, your favourite series in the background and a meal that's warm, filling and doesn't leave every pan in the kitchen dirty. If that feels familiar, one-pot meals are worth adding to your weekly rotation. They bring together hearty flavours, save time and make washing up a lot less painful.

One-pot Mexican rice

This colourful rice dish is packed with vegetables, beans and warming spices. It's filling enough on its own but also pairs well with grilled chicken or avocado if you want to make it even heartier.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1½ cups basmati rice, rinsed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red capsicum, diced
• 1 cup sweet corn
• 1 cup cooked kidney beans, drained
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp chilli powder (optional)
• 3 cups vegetable stock
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper
• Fresh coriander
• Lime wedges

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Cook the onion and garlic until softened.

Add the capsicum, tomatoes, paprika, cumin and chilli powder. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

Stir in the rice, kidney beans and sweet corn. Pour in the stock and season with salt and pepper.

Cover and cook over a low heat for about 18 to 20 minutes or until the rice is tender.

Finish with chopped coriander and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Thai red curry noodles

If you're in the mood for something different on a rainy evening, these Thai red curry noodles are a great choice. 

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 200 g flat rice noodles
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
• 400 ml coconut milk
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 red capsicum, sliced
• 100 g mushrooms, sliced
• 100 g baby corn, halved
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• Juice of ½ lime
• Fresh coriander or Thai basil

Method

Heat the oil and cook the garlic for about 30 seconds.

Add the curry paste and cook for a minute until fragrant.

Pour in the coconut milk and stock, then stir in the soy sauce and brown sugar.

Add the vegetables and bring to a gentle simmer. Add salt to taste.

Stir in the rice noodles and cook until they're tender, usually about 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the type of noodles.

Finish with lime juice and fresh coriander or Thai basil.

One-pot garlic butter shrimp rice

If you're after something quick but impressive, this recipe ticks every box. The garlic butter flavours the rice beautifully while the prawns stay juicy and tender.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 300 g prawns, peeled and deveined
• 1½ cups basmati rice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cups seafood or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp paprika
• Juice of half a lemon
• Salt and black pepper
• Chopped parsley

Method

Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pan.

Cook the prawns for about a minute on each side, then remove them.

Add the garlic and paprika to the same pan.

Stir in the rice and cook for one minute. Add salt to taste.

Pour in the stock, cover and cook until the rice is nearly done.

Return the prawns to the pan and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.

Finish with lemon juice and chopped parsley.

One-pot lasagne

Love lasagne but not the effort that comes with layering and baking? This shortcut version delivers all the familiar flavours with much less washing up.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 250 g minced chicken or minced beef

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 500 ml tomato puree
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 8 lasagne sheets, broken into pieces
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 cup grated mozzarella
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Method

Heat the olive oil and cook the onion until soft.

Add the garlic and minced meat/chicken. Cook until browned.

Pour in the tomato puree and stock. Stir in the oregano and basil. Add salt.

Add the broken lasagne sheets and cook until tender, stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle over the mozzarella and Parmesan.

Cover for a few minutes until the cheese melts before serving.

One-pot butter chicken rice

This recipe brings together two comfort food favourites in one pan. Instead of making the curry and rice separately, everything cooks together, making dinner much simpler.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g boneless chicken thighs, diced
• 1½ cups basmati rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 3½ cups chicken stock
• ¼ cup cooking cream
• Fresh coriander
• Salt

Method

Heat the butter in a deep pan.

Cook the onion until soft before adding the ginger-garlic paste.

Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned.

Mix in the tomato purée, chilli powder, salt, turmeric and garam masala.

Stir in the rice before pouring in the chicken stock.

Cover and cook until the rice is fluffy and the chicken is cooked through.

Finish with the cream and fresh coriander.

Tomato basil one-pot pasta

Fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil make this simple pasta perfect for evenings when you want something light yet comforting.

Serves: 2 to 3

Ingredients

• 250 g spaghetti or linguine
• 300 g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 3 cups vegetable stock
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt and black pepper

Method

Place the pasta, tomatoes, garlic, stock, olive oil and chilli flakes into a large pan.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add salt to taste.

Stir in the basil and Parmesan.

Season with black pepper and serve immediately.

Tips for better one-pot cooking

• Use a heavy-bottomed pot so food cooks evenly.
• Use good-quality stock whenever a recipe calls for it, as it adds extra flavour.
• Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
• Stir only when needed, especially when cooking rice.
• Fresh herbs added at the end brighten up the entire dish.
• Make a little extra because most one-pot meals taste even better the next day.

Whether you're craving creamy pasta, buttery rice or a rich chicken dinner, these recipes prove that comfort food can also be quick, simple and packed with flavour.