I FULLY understand how hard it can be to eat healthy in school no matter what your educational level or degree. And even as a parent, it can be difficult to make sure you’re taking care of your diet and health while caring for that of your child/children.
To help EVERYONE save some time (and money) and keep track of their nutritional goals as they transition back to school (whether you’re in person or not), I’ve put together this super easy list of one-pot recipes. These make great meal preps when you use them for yourself, or as an easy way to relieve stress in the kitchen while cooking for a family.
Let’s do this!
I’m a big fan of the Mediterranean diet, which is why half of the recipes on this list come from it. This particular pasta dish is packed with refreshing flavors thanks to lemon, feta and cherry tomatoes. Not a big fan of olives? No problem! This recipe can pass without them. Just make sure to add the spinach at the very end and continue to fold it into the pasta and let it collapse. It may seem like you’re using too much at first, but trust the recipe and you’ll be rewarded with a healthy and filling pasta!
Though the Mediterranean diet tends to prioritize seafood, it occasionally allows for red meat — particularly lamb. The flavors here are a sharp departure from the shrimp and lemon pasta above; We’re swapping out the refreshing citrus flavors for a heartier tomato and veggie base that you’ll love. While you can substitute other ground meat for the lamb, I strongly advise against it as lamb is LOADED with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and helps make this recipe even more health conscious.
Are you starting to feel a little drained? Change things up with this couscous recipe that’s loaded with veggies and uses shrimp again. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can do it from start to finish in about 30 minutes. I love the way the couscous is enhanced by lightly toasting it before adding the broth and letting it finish cooking and I bet you will too. Just make sure the pot cools after sautéing the veggies or you won’t toast the couscous, you’ll burn it.
I will NEVER give up on my mission to make tacos free starting Tuesday so they can be enjoyed any day of the week 😂. This soup brings us one step closer to victory! This is a budget-friendly, back-to-school recipe that’s packed with vibrant flavors and how chili gets better and better every time you come back to it — unless you’re cooking it for your family, of course. In this case, I guarantee that there will be nothing left for the next day. This is a great recipe for fall as we move into cooler weather. Make sure you use low sodium broth to keep this on the healthier side!
This is another excellent soup option as we head into the fall and I think it’s the fastest one pot recipe on this list! This is a hearty beef and vegetable soup that’s great for lunch or dinner. This is a relatively low-fat, high-protein recipe that can work well as a post-workout meal. This soup is also a great way to boost your immune system, as it’s loaded with tons of nutrients that help build your body’s natural defenses. I can finish this recipe in under fifteen minutes; If you break my record I want to hear about it on Instagram @FitMenCook!
It just wouldn’t make a good one-pot recipe list if it didn’t include chili, right? This is one of my favorite chili recipes because it uses bison (one of my favorite proteins) and is packed with flavor thanks to the shallots and chillies. I also use chopped mushrooms, which might seem out of place for you chili purists, but I love the texture they bring to the table. As usual, feel free to experiment with the spices to truly make this chili your own, but if you’re following your macros, be sure to follow the rest of the instructions closely.
BOOM!
I hope you decide to try one or some or ALL of these one pot recipes when you get back to school. And be sure to tag me on Instagram @FitMenCook if you do so I can share your masterpiece with the community!