Recently, I decided to try out vegetarianism for a short period of time. As a carnivore at heart who grew up around a meat-based diet, I found this endeavor pretty difficult. Testing out plant-based recipes that really satisfied me proved to be a difficult task. On top of that, being a college student with little to no time to commit to doing dishes, one-pot dinners became my savior. If you’re looking to incorporate more vegetables into your diet but don’t want to spend an overwhelming amount of time in the kitchen, these one-pot dinner recipes might just be your saving grace.
Cauliflower Stir-Fry
If you’re craving an Asian-style meal that doesn’t pack on the calories like regular white rice, opt for low-carb cauliflower rice. You can get these at most supermarkets and they’re easy enough to prepare. Heat up a bag of cauliflower rice in the microwave. Add it into a pan with some oil, edamame, an egg, corn, tofu, carrots, broccoli, onions, or whatever ingredients you desire. Season with sesame oil, sesame seeds, and soy sauce.
Arugula Rice Bowls
These are my favorite when I want a salad but am also craving something hearty and filling. In a bowl, heat up some pre-made or instant rice. You can use regular brown rice, but wild rice is also a great option for this dish. Once it’s cooked, add arugula, an avocado, sunflower seeds, sun dried or grape tomatoes, and feta. Top with olive oil and some lemon juice. Add an egg on top for some extra protein. This meal is perfect for springtime!
Mushroom, Dill, and Heavy Cream Pasta
This comfort dish will warm you up inside while loading you with nutrients and protein. I base this recipe off of this one from Sweet Paul, but I replace chicken stock with veggie stock and use Banza Chickpea Pasta to lower my carb intake and increase my protein. Banza is such a delicious plant-based pasta swap that retains all the satisfaction of regular pasta.
Chickpea Curry
This one-pot chickpea curry recipe from Tasty packs a lot of flavor in less than 300 calories. If you want, you can also swap the coconut cream with coconut milk and it’s still super yummy. As someone who loves Indian food, a good curry can really hit the spot after a long day. Pairing this with some naan or rice makes for a delicious meal!
Zoodles and Beyond Meatballs
Photo by Max Delsid via Unsplash
