Our site uses cookies to give you the best experience. or continue shopping if you're happy.
Accept & close
The Best One-Pot Meals for Entertaining
We’ve all been there: made exciting dinner party plans only for the day to sneak up on us. Suddenly, the big supermarket sweep, complicated recipes, and clean-up sounds much more daunting. Not to worry, you’ve come to the right place for impressive one-pot meal ideas that pump up the flavour while cutting down on hassle in the kitchen (you’ll spend less time washing up too).
One-Pot Chicken Dishes
When you want to serve up a crowd-pleaser, a tasty chicken dish will have your guests coming back for seconds (and thirds). We’ve got plenty of dinner inspiration that won’t just impress your friends and family, but also make your life that much easier in the kitchen. Fancy a comforting paella? How about a creamy risotto or a spicy curry? Whatever your guest’s tastes, there’s a one-pot meal that’ll be sure to get top marks.
Chicken and Chorizo Paella
One of our favourite dishes that’s always a smash hit is chicken and chorizo paella. Bursting with flavours, this Spanish classic is packed with succulent chicken, spicy chorizo, and fragrant saffron-infused rice. It’s a hearty dish that’ll take you on a trip to the sunny streets of Valencia — if only.
Time: 30–40 minutes
Temperature: Medium heat
Method: Brown the chicken and chorizo on medium heat for 5–7 minutes. Add rice, stock, and saffron. Simmer on medium heat for 20–25 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked through. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Chicken and Mushroom Risotto
If you’re after something a little more indulgent, creamy chicken and mushroom risotto is a must-try. This one-pot dish combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and Arborio rice. The result is a rich and comforting meal perfect for any occasion.
Time: 25–30 minutes
Temperature: Medium heat
Method: Cook onions and mushrooms in olive oil on medium heat for 5 minutes. Add rice and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add warm stock, stirring frequently, for 20–25 minutes until the rice is cooked. Stir in cooked chicken at the end.
Chicken and Vegetable Curry
If you can handle a bit of spice, a chicken and vegetable curry might be more up your street. Made with tender chicken pieces, aromatic spices, and a medley of crisp veggies, this dish is bursting with flavour. Serve it up with fluffy rice or warm naan bread for a satisfying main.
Time: 30–40 minutes
Temperature: Medium heat
Method: Sauté onions, garlic, and spices on medium heat for 5–7 minutes. Add chicken and brown for 5–7 minutes. Add vegetables, stock, and coconut milk. Simmer for 20–25 minutes on medium heat until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
Hearty Beef and Lamb One-Pots
When it comes to hosting guests, nothing beats an easy one-pot meal that can feed a crowd — especially when they have big appetites. If you’re after easy dishes that’ll satisfy plenty of hungry bellies, look no further than these hearty beef and lamb ideas.
Beef Bourguingon
This is a French classic loved around the world; it’s one that’s sure to impress your guests too. This rich and flavourful dish boasts tender beef simmered in red wine with onions, carrots, and mushrooms. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth stew that you can pair with crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes.
Time: 2.5–3 hours
Temperature: Low to medium heat
Method: Brown the beef on medium-high heat, then lower the heat to low-medium, add vegetables and wine, cover and simmer gently for 2.5–3 hours, stirring occasionally. The beef should be very tender.
Lamb Tagine
If you fancy something a little more exotic, try lamb tagine with apricots. It’s a Moroccan-inspired one-pot dish combining tender lamb with aromatic spices, sweet apricots, and nourishing veggies. During the slow cooking process, the flavours meld, coming together in a dish that’s both sweet and savoury.
Time: 2–2.5 hours
Temperature: Low heat
Method: Sear lamb on medium-high, reduce to low heat and add spices, vegetables, and liquid (like stock or water). Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 2–2.5 hours until the lamb is tender and flavors are well combined.
Beef and Guinness Stew
Or whip up a crowd-pleaser with a classic beef and Guinness stew. This hearty dish is filled with tender chunks of beef cooked in a rich Guinness-infused broth. Add to that root vegetables and herbs for true comfort food perfect for a chilly evening.
Time: 2.5–3 hours
Temperature: Low to medium heat
Method: Brown beef on medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low. Add Guinness, stock, and vegetables. Simmer on low-medium heat, covered, for 2.5–3 hours, stirring occasionally until beef is fork-tender.
Vegetarian One-Pot Wonders
When it comes to catering for vegetarian guests, it’s not always easy to put together a meat-free meal that’ll suit everyone’s tastes. If you’re looking for easy veggie alternatives, we’ve found the perfect meatless one-pot dishes that are sure to give you some inspiration.
Vegetable and Chickpea Stew
If you’re after something that’ll warm you up on a cold evening, give this vegetable and chickpea stew a go. This hearty dish is packed with nutritious vegetables and rich in protein. While you leave it to simmer, all the flavours meld together to create a satisfying meal. Serve this wholesome dish with crusty bread.
Time: 30–40 minutes
Temperature: Medium heat
Method: Sauté vegetables (like onions, garlic, carrots) for 5–7 minutes on medium heat. Add spices, tomatoes, stock, and chickpeas. Simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes on medium heat until the vegetables are tender, and the sauce has thickened.
Mushroom Stroganoff
Or put a veggie twist on a classic with a mushroom stroganoff. This creamy and indulgent dish is a great alternative to beef stroganoff. Containing sautéed mushrooms, onions, vegetable stock, sour cream, and a touch of Dijon mustard, this comforting dish is packed full of enough flavour to have your guests asking for more.
Time: 20–25 minutes
Temperature: Medium heat
Method: Sauté mushrooms and onions on medium heat for 10–15 minutes until softened and golden. Add stock, sour cream, and seasoning, simmer gently for another 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Vegetarian Chilli
Fancy something with a bit of a kick? Then a vegetarian chilli will be right up your street. This super-comforting dish is a stadium favourite that’s sure to satisfy veggies and meat eaters alike. Packed with diced onions, garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, and kidney beans. Then livened up with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and coriander. This tasty dish simmers away to let the flavours really develop and the chili thicken.
Time: 30-35 minutes
Temperature: Medium heat
Method: Sauté diced onion and bell pepper, then add minced garlic. Stir in tomatoes, kidney beans, and spices. Simmer until thickened. Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander, lime, and your favorite toppings.
Tefal Turbo Cuisine Pressure Cooker - Black
Ninja Foodi MAX 15-in-1 SmartLid OL750UK_BSS Multi-Cooker with 7.5-Litre capacity, 15 Cooking Functions, Air Fry Function, Steam Roast Function
Ninja Foodi OP350UK 6 Litre Multi Cooker - Black / Silver
Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid OL550UK 6 Litre Multi Cooker With Air Fryer Function - Stainless Steel / Black
Morphy Richards Evoke Sear And Stew 460012 3.5 Litre Slow Cooker - Black
Morphy Richards Evoke Sear And Stew 460016 3.5 Litre Slow Cooker - Black / Rose Gold
Morphy Richards Sear And Stew 461014 6.5 Litre Slow Cooker - Aluminium
Ninja Combi 12-in-1 SFP700UK Multi Cooker - Grey
Morphy Richards 461021 Slow Cooker - Black
Russell Hobbs Good to Go 28270 6.5 Litre Multi Cooker - Black
FAQs
- What are some easy one-pot meals for entertaining?
Vegetable and chickpea stew, chicken and vegetable curry, and beef and Guinness stew are great options if you’re looking for easy one-pot meals that’ll impress your guests. The ingredients can be found in your local supermarket, they’re simple to make, and only need one-pot so washing up is kept to a minimum. And on top of that, they taste great.
- What are the best one-pot meals for a dinner party?
Beef bourguignon, mushroom stroganoff, and lamb tagine with apricots are fantastic one-pot meals that are sure to impress your guests. Whether it’s international flavours, or a twist on a classic, you can serve up a showstopping meal while still cutting down on effort (and washing up).
- What are some vegetarian one-pot meals for entertaining?
Vegetable and chickpea stew and mushroom stroganoff are both great one-pot meals for when you want to skip the meat. Since they keep pots and pans to a minimum in favour of keeping things simple, they take a lot of the guesswork out of catering to vegetarian guests.
- Are there any gluten-free one-pot meal recipes for entertaining?
Coconut chickpea curry, chicken alfredo pasta, and lentil Bolognese are good options for gluten-free one-pot meals. When prepping meals for people avoiding gluten, make sure ingredients like pasta and stock cubes are the gluten-free alternatives.