After a hard day’s work, we tend to relax and avoid anything strenuous at home, especially in the kitchen. But if it’s one of those evenings where you have guests coming over, or you just want a homemade meal, try these easy one pot recipes. These easy, delicious dishes won’t keep you in the kitchen for hours and will be enjoyed even by the pickiest eater. Here are some easy comfort food recipes which are perfect for weeknight or weekend dinners.

1. Butter Chicken

Yes, butter chicken is super easy to make even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen. It’s the go-to comfort food for north Indians who can devour it for lunch or dinner. While the traditional form of this dish is quite elaborate and complicated, we have a simpler version for you. Here is a delicious, one pan, restaurant-style butter chicken recipe to save the day.

Ingredients:

300 gms chicken breast, boneless

1 tbsp ginger paste

1 tbsp red chili powder

Salt to taste

Oil to pan fry

500 gms roughly slit tomatoes

100 gms roughly cut onions

1 tbsp garlic paste

50 gms cashew

1 tsp kasoori methi

1/2 tsp garam masala

4 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder

5 tbsp butter

3 tbsp cream

2 tbsp malt vinegar / 1.5 tbsp white vinegar

Method:

Marinate the chicken with ginger paste, garlic paste, red chili powder, and salt, and keep it aside for 15 to 20 minutes.

In a pan, heat some oil and shallow fry the marinated chicken pieces in it. Once done, place the chicken pieces in a bowl. In the same pan, add oil, a spoonful of butter and onions. Once the onions are cooked, add tomatoes and cashew nuts.

Add some water and garlic paste, salt, vinegar, sugar, garam masala powder, and chili powder to the pan. Mix it well, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Take the pan off the heat and let the mixture cool enough to churn it into a fine puree. Strain it back into the same pan to make sure there is minimal wastage.

Add butter, cream, chicken and kasoori methi, and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.

Garnish it with cream, and it is ready to be served.

2. Vegetable Lasagne

Who doesn’t love the gooey cheesy layers of lasagne? Usually, lasagna takes time to cook, but not with this one-pan recipe. If you are not in a mood to bake, this recipe is the best alternative for you, and you can definitely use packaged lasagne sheets rather than making them from scratch.

Ingredients:

Maida / All-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups salt

1 tsp oil

1 tbsp water – to make a soft dough

Dry flour – to roll sheets

2 tbsp oil

2 tbsp garlic, crushed

1 tbsp oregano

1 tsp red chili flakes

1 chopped onion

1 small carrot

5-6 chopped beans

1/4 cup corn

2 medium potatoes

1/2 cup greens (spinach and coriander used here)

1 cup grated cheese

1 cup white sauce

1 cup marinara sauce

Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

In a large mixing bowl, combine maida, salt, and oil, and mix everything using a little water at a time, knead to form a soft dough. Once done, divide the dough into 4 portions. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and set aside for 20 minutes.

To roll the dough, sprinkle some dry flour and take one portion of the dough. Start to roll the dough using a rolling board and rolling pin.

Roll the dough into thin round sheets, almost to the size of the pan being used for the lasagne. Use dry flour as needed. Once the sheets are rolled, place it on a cooling rack and allow it to dry for at least 30 minutes or until firm and translucent. Follow the same steps for the other sheets.

For the filling:

Heat oil in a pan. Add chopped garlic, chili flakes, and oregano. Cook for a minute to let the oil absorb the flavors of the herbs.

Add onion, carrots, french beans, corn, and potatoes. Stir fry all the vegetables over high heat for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables become slightly soft. Add salt and pepper, and mix.

Once the vegetables leave moisture, add spinach and coriander. Stir everything over medium flame for 3-4 minutes or until they are dry. Once the vegetables are done, remove them in a bowl and allow them to cool slightly.

In the cooking pan, pour a ladle full of the marinara sauce and spread it evenly. Place the pasta sheet and spread some more of the marinara sauce along with some white sauce. Next, add some vegetables followed by grated cheese and some more white sauce.

Repeat the same steps and make two more layers. The final layer should consist of a little bit of both the sauces, vegetables, and cheese.

Place the pan on a low flame, and cook the lasagne for 20 minutes. After 10 minutes, the cheese will melt. Using a spoon, spread the cheese evenly so that the top browns well. Serve after 20-25 minutes.

3. Chicken Biryani

Drooling already? Well, that’s exactly the effect chicken biryani has on most of us. But the long tedious process of cooking chicken biryani can take up a whole day. Don’t let the process discourage you, as we’ve got you a very simple, time-saving, delicious one-pot chicken biryani recipe.

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts, diced

1 cup natural yogurt

2 tbsp minced ginger

2 tbsp minced garlic

2 tsp garam masala powder

2 tsp coriander powder

2 turmeric powder

2 Kashmiri chili powder

1/4 cup rose water

Pinch of saffron

3 tbsp vegetable oil

3 bay leaves

2 cinnamon sticks

3 dried chili

5 green cardamom pods

5 black cloves

1 tsp cumin seeds

2 chopped onions

3 chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

3 tbsp water

200ml cream

1/4 cup chopped coriander

1 kg cooked/boiled basmati rice

1 cup chopped coriander

1 cup chopped mint

Salt, to taste

Method:

Marinate the chicken in yoghurt, ginger garlic paste, garam masala, coriander, turmeric, Kashmiri chilli, and salt, and set aside for 30 minutes.

Take a bowl and pour rose water in it, and add saffron. Mix and set it aside.

Next, place a pan on medium-high flame and add oil to it. Then, add bay leaf, cinnamon stick, dried chilli, cardamom, clove, and cumin, and saute for a minute. Add onions and fry till they turn golden brown.

Add ginger garlic paste, and cook for 30 seconds. Next, add chopped tomatoes followed by tomato paste. Mix well and cook for 10 minutes. Add garam masala, coriander, turmeric, Kashmiri chilli, and mix well.

Next, add the marinated chicken to the mix, and add water. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add cream, salt, and fresh coriander, and turn off the heat.

Add half of the boiled basmati rice, half of the saffron and rose water mixture, fresh coriander, and mint. Repeat the same with the rest of the rice. Steam for 10 minutes, and serve hot.

4. Chicken Stew

Chicken stew is that hearty comfort food we all crave once in a while. Wholesome, healthy and delicious, this chicken stew is relatively easy to make. So when the cold hits, prepare this hearty meal and enjoy a night in by pampering yourself with this one-pot chicken stew recipe.

Ingredients:

500 gms Chicken, curry cut

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 onions, chopped finely

1 dried red chili, chopped

2 green chilies, chopped

2 tsp ginger garlic paste

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

2 medium potatoes, diced

200 ml of coconut milk

1 tsp lemon juice

2 tbsp coriander, chopped

4 tbsp cooking oil of choice

Method:

Marinate the chicken pieces with salt and crushed pepper. Set aside for 30 mins.

Chop the onions, green chilies, dried red chilies, tomatoes, and coriander leaves. Peel and dice the potatoes, and soak it in water to avoid darkening.

Heat oil in a kadhai, and add chopped onions. Fry them on medium heat for 3-4 mins till they’re soft. Add the chopped green chilies and red chilies, mix and fry for a minute.

Now, add the ginger-garlic paste, mix and fry for around 2 mins till the raw smell is gone. Then, add the marinated chicken pieces, mix well and fry on medium heat for around 5 mins till the chicken pieces are browned.

Put in the diced potatoes and chopped tomatoes, and mix well and add in 1/4 tsp salt and mix it again.

Cover & cook on low flame for around 3 mins till the tomatoes are soft. Now, add in the coconut milk, mix well, and cover and cook on low flame for around 15 mins or till the chicken is soft.

Once the chicken is tender, season with a pinch of pepper and salt if required. Add lemon juice and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well and simmer for a minute or two.

Serve hot!

5. Mutton Curry

Mutton curry is a slow-cooked delicacy that is full of flavor and, honestly, it’s one of the best go-to foods. While most of us just love to eat it and not cook it, here is one simple recipe that can save time and can give you homemade mutton curry. Sounds yummy? Go try this one-pot recipe right away.

Ingredients:

500 gms mutton, curry cut

2 medium onions, sliced

2 tsp ginger garlic paste

4 green cardamom pods

4 black cloves

3 cinnamon sticks

2 black cardamom pods

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup water

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp red chili powder

2 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp cumin powder

3 tbsp whisked curd/yogurt

1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder

1/2 tsp garam masala powder

Salt, to taste

4 tbsp cooking oil of choice

Method:

Slice the onions, and mix the spice powders in 1/2 cup of water. Heat oil in a pressure cooker. Add the whole spices and bay leaf, and stir. Then, add the sliced onions and fry on medium heat for around 8-10 mins till golden. Next, add the ginger-garlic paste, mix and fry on low heat for around 2 mins.

Pour in the masala mix, and fry on low heat for around 2-3 mins till oil separates. Now, add the mutton pieces and fry on high heat for around 2-3 mins, mixing it well. Then, add salt and mix. Continue to fry on medium heat for around 7-8 mins till the spices coat the mutton.

Now, add the whisked curd/yogurt on low heat, and mix it well. Continue to mix it on low heat for 3-4 mins till it is cooked and oil separates. Add in the Kashmiri chili powder, mix and cook for 1-2 mins on low heat.

Then, add 1.5 cups of water, mix well, and close the pressure cooker. Pressure cook for 4 whistles, or if using an electric pressure cooker or instant pot, cook for 12-15 minutes. You can also continue to cook covered in the pan on low heat for around 45 mins till the mutton is tender. Add more water if required.

Once done, add the garam masala powder and mix well. Simmer for 2 mins, and add chopped coriander leaves as garnish.

Serve hot with roti or rice.

6. Veg Keema Masala

A bunch of vegetables cooked together gives you a healthy and spicy vegetarian main course in no time. If you have guests coming over, do try this quick and delicious recipe, and prepare yourself for all the compliments.

Ingredients:

3 medium onions, finely chopped

1/2 capsicum, finely chopped

1 carrot, steamed and finely chopped

100 gms French beans, steamed and finely chopped

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 green chili, finely chopped

1 tomato, finely chopped

1 1/2 cup tomato puree

3 tbsp cheese

100 gms grated paneer

1 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp red chili powder

1 tbsp ghee

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

5-6 coriander leaves

Salt, to taste

1/2 tsp coriander and cumin seed powder

Method:

In a pan, add ghee and heat on a medium flame. Add the onions and saute them well until they are brown in color. Add the ginger-garlic paste and the capsicum, frozen green peas and chopped green chilies.

Pour the tomato puree in and let it cook for at least 2 minutes. Then, add the finely chopped tomatoes and let them cook until they are absolutely mushy.

Add the red chili powder, coriander, and cumin seed powder, garam masala and salt to taste. Then, add a little water and saute the ingredients well.

Next, add the chopped, steamed French beans and carrots. Add the grated paneer (cottage cheese) and then grate some cheese over it. Mix all the ingredients well.

Sprinkle some coriander leaves over the keema masala, and add a little water and mix well.

Garnish with some grated cheese and coriander leaves. You can also squeeze some lime over it.

7. Veg Noodles

In the mood for some Chinese? Well, forget the take out, and try these noodles at home. Delicious and easy, this will not take any time in curbing your cravings and will leave you smiling and satiated. Try this quick one pot recipe and master your culinary skills, because it is really that easy.

Ingredients:

1 packet noodles

1 onion

5 garlic cloves

1 ginger knot

2 tomatoes

1 broccoli head

10 mushrooms

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp chili paste

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp vinegar

1 tbsp honey

Method:

In a stockpot, heat oil and add chopped ginger, garlic, and sliced onion, and saute. Add cubed tomatoes and cook till soft.

Add water to the pot, and when it boils, add the cut vegetables to it. When the vegetables are halfway cooked, add the sauces to it. Next, add the vinegar along with the honey, and stir.

Add the noodles to the soup, and cook till soft. Then, season the noodles with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped coriander, and serve.

8. Pan-Fried Fish

Fish is a healthy and delicious option. When you are in the mood for an easy dinner, you can try this pan-fried fish with lemon and butter sauce. It is delicious, takes minimum time and is very light.

Ingredients:

For the fish marinade:

1 egg

1 tsp all-purpose flour

1 tsp garlic paste

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tsp dried/ freshly parsley

For the vegetables marinade:

1 tsp olive oil

1 French cucumber

Yellow and red bell peppers (1-2 each)

1 broccoli

Salt and pepper, to taste

For the lemon sauce:

1 tbsp oil

Juice of 2 lemons

2 tbsp butter

Method:

Combine all the fish marinade ingredients and marinate the fish. Keep it aside for 20-30 minutes. Do the same for the vegetables and leave them aside for 5-10 minutes.

Add oil in a pan, and when it’s hot enough, add the fish. Flip the pieces once they are golden brown and cooked properly from the inside.

Next, make the lemon butter sauce with the ingredients mentioned above. Boil the lemon juice and add butter, pepper, and parsley to it, and let it simmer for about a minute.

Saute the vegetables on a high flame for 2-3 minutes. Plate up, and serve hot.

9. Mushroom Soup

Creamy mushroom soup is the best comfort food in winters. It’s thick, delicious, and super easy to make. When you don’t want to do too much for dinner and want an easier option, go for the classic creamy mushroom soup.

Ingredients:

500 gms mushrooms

50 gms unsalted butter

5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2 onions, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper, to taste

Water

Method:

Heat some butter in a pan, and add onions and garlic. Saute for 2-3 mins. Add mushrooms, and saute as well. Next, add salt and pepper and mix well.

Once the mushrooms are cooked, add water and stir well. Cook it for 10 mins, and let it cool.

Transfer it to a mixer jar, and grind the mushrooms to a smooth paste. Transfer the blended mushrooms to the pan. Add water and mix well. Bring the soup to a boil

Mushroom soup is ready to serve.

10. Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Teriyaki chicken and rice is one of the most delicious and soul-satisfying combinations. It’s easy, healthy, and quick. If you are in the mood for something delicious and fulfilling, this is just the recipe you need.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

2 chicken breasts, sliced

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp ginger, grated

2 cups + 1/4 cup water

1 cup white rice, rinsed

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1/4 cup honey

2-3 tbsp sriracha

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 cup broccoli

1 cup carrots

1/2 red bell pepper

Method:

Heat olive oil in a large pot on medium heat.

Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and saute for 8 minutes. Then, add garlic and ginger, and saute for about 2 minutes. Add 2 cups of water and the rice, and stir.

Cover the pot and bring water to a boil. Uncover, stir, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sriracha. Stir to combine.

Combine 1/4 cup of water with the cornstarch to create a cornstarch slurry. Add the cornstarch slurry to the pot and stir, cooking for about 3-4 minutes.

Enjoy!

To get some more healthy and easy dinner ideas, click here.