Two years ago I received a Dutch oven as a Christmas gift. To be honest, I wanted one because they were a trendy piece of cookware I’d seen in the magazines, blogs and Instagram photos on (what seemed like) everyone’s stovetop. So when I finally got my own, in a deep teal aqua to perfectly match my kitchen, I was pleased. It was all about the aesthetics. But after a couple weeks of it sitting there unused and just taking up space, I decided to try my first recipe in it. It’s a heavy cast iron pot coated in ceramic so I was immediately happy with how nice it was to switch from a saute to a boil and then let something simmer with the lid on for however long I needed. I found myself obsessing over the dang cookware. If I couldn’t make dinner in that pot, I didn’t want to make dinner. It was a breeze to cook with, and all that lovely appearance certainly lends itself well when you go from stove to table with the same dish. So, let me repeat that…ONE. DISH. Which, if you haven’t figured it out yet, means only one to wash! These are the type of life goals I can get behind. So with all that cherished love of the Dutch oven, we wanted to create an inspiring list of quick and easy meal options to make with one. While they may have a high sticker price on them, don’t be weary of it, they are definitely worth it for how long they’ll last you and (if you’re anything like me) the ease of daily use!

1. One Pot Chicken & Dirty Rice

With all the proteins and sides all in one pot, this is taking one complicated recipe and making it quick and easy for you. All in one pot, of course!

The dirty rice giving a little New Orleans vibe to this dish, it’s savory and colorful and anything but bland.

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: The Chunky Chef

2. Dutch Oven Pot Roast

Growing up, a pot roast was a traditional Sunday night meal for our family. It always seemed like a lot of work, so as an adult it wasn’t something I’d dabble in creating myself all too often.

So finding a one-pot version of the recipe keeps things easy, even for the beginner! And those sides? Cooked right alongside it, soaking up all that juice and flavor as it simmers.

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: The Brooklynn Cook

3. Super Easy One Pot Lasagna

I love making a lasagna if someone is coming over for dinner. It’s a win because everybody loves a good lasagna. But I’d be kidding if I said it was an easy thing to whip up.

That’s why this recipe is so magical. All in a dutch oven in just 15 minutes of prep time you can create a stovetop to oven lasagna that everyone will go wild for.

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Pinch of Yum

4. No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread

The sheer thought of this makes my brain full of wonder and dreams of the wafting smell of bread baking in the home. Then there are those magical words…”no-knead”. Oh, bless!

This recipe is truly quick and easy, with a little bit of planning. You see, it needs time to rise, for about 12-18 hours. So get it ready the night before a dinner and you’re set. Only 4 ingredients required to make this read and it bakes for 45. It will easily pair beside a casserole in your oven and serve the whole table with some seriously impressive bread!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Jo Cooks

5. One-Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

With only 10 minutes of prep time and 37 minutes of cooking, you’ll have an amazing homemade soup that the whole family (yes, even the kids) will go crazy for.

Finally, a soup that’s not from a can, filling and satisfying and will be incredibly heart-warming. Especially since you’re only dirtying one dish!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Girl on a Mission

6. Dutch Oven Full Chicken

A full chicken dinner with all the sides made complete and flavorful with savory juices flowing throughout the entire dish. This recipe is one to keep.

From covered to getting things cooked to uncovered to getting things crisped, this recipe is done all in the oven, with very minimal prep involved, only 10 minutes of it in fact.

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Salt and Lavender

7. One-Pot Spanish Chicken

Made lower in carbs with the help of cauliflower rice, this dish packs flavor and heat like nothing else. With carrots and onion, celery and garlic, these chicken thighs are served up well with all the right things.

Since all your sauteeing and searing happens right in the dutch oven itself, you’re still only working with one dish. When it’s done, you can top it with sliced avocado and some cilantro for a decadent keto-friendly dinner (aka, low carb).

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: The Harvest Kitchen

8. Frogmore Steam

I’ll be honest, I’ve never heard of a Frogmore Steam before, but it certainly looks amazing! Made with beer, smoked sausage, potatoes, corn and shrimp amidst butter and lemon…what’s not to love?

This recipe is made all in the Dutch oven, of course, where the beer will infuse it’s flavors deep into the dish for a remarkable flavor profile that is not to be missed.

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Williams Sonoma

9. Dutch Oven Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

These cheesy funeral potatoes are to DIE for. Made with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, shredded potato hash, cheese, butter, and cornflakes, these are a potato recipe that can be made stovetop or for camping.

Coined “funeral potatoes” for being a classic potato casserole often brought to a potluck. Since this is the case and there’s often a potluck to follow a funeral, this dish earned it’s eerie but curious name.

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Jamie Cooks It Up

10. Filipino Chicken Adobo

Using budget-friendly chicken legs and thighs, this recipe combines soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, bayleavs, carrots, potatoes and so much more to make a dish that is dreamy delicious.

With only 35 minutes of prep before you allow it to cook, this is the perfect evening dinner to make, go put up your feet with a glass of wine and wait to enjoy at the dinner table with your loved ones. Or you know, for yourself, with wine, and some amazing leftovers 😉

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Vikalinka

11. Kid & Adult Friendly Vegan Mac & Cheese

In the face of an easy dinner that everyone is going to love, it’s no wonder we hear the words “mac & cheese” linger in our minds. That boxed version, however, yeah, let’s just toss that aside for a night, we’ve got better things cooking.

This dairy-free mac & cheese will please all the palates and fill all the tummies without ever tipping off that *gasp* it’s healthy!!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE:

http://www.forkly.com/recipes/kids-adult-friendly-vegan-mac-cheese/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY

12. Detox Immune-Boosting Soup

When cold and flu season strike, make sure you have these ingredients ready on hand to create a one-pot soup to ride out the waves of illness in a comforting, but delicious way.

While it has basic chicken soup ingredients in this recipe it also has ingredients like turmeric that will take this soup to the next level!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Eat Yourself Skinny

13. One-Pot Ziti With Sausage

From cooking the sausage to adding in your sauces, and cooking your ziti all in one pot, this is pasta night made even easier and more delicious.

You can easily adapt this recipe to include different meats and veggies as well. The ziti can be cooked al dente, to fully cooked as well, depending on taste. However you create this delicious meal, expect it to be scarfed up fast!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Spicy Southern Kitchen

14. Autumn Baked Risotto With Squash, Mushroom & Sage

The first piece of advice? Forget just keeping this recipe on hold just for the Fall season. This is an all-year-long recipe that you will love.

Fused with Autumn-inspired flavors, this risotto is cooked beautifully together in a Dutch oven for a one-pot meal that’s prepped in 15 minutes and the rest is just kick-back and chill time when your stovetop Dutch oven does the work!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Happy Veggie Kitchen

15. Dutch Oven Enchiladas

From start to finish, this recipe will only take up to 25 minutes of your time. Bonus? Only 5 minutes in actual prep. This recipe is meat-free but stuffed with veggies for a truly indulgent vegetarian dish.

Whether you make this stovetop or over a campfire, the whole family will love this recipe, and you’ll love how easy it is to make and clean up after!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Fresh Off The Grid

16. Dutch Oven Apple Dump Cake

Created for a camping trip, but easily made stove top too, this recipe is a fun one that the kids can get involved with making!

It’s called a “dump cake” because basically all you need to do, is dump the ingredients into your Dutch oven and let it bake up with the lid on. Amazing.

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Jill Cataldo

17. Lemon Shrimp Pasta With Orzo & Asparagus

I love a good fresh dish that’s as easy to make as it is to serve. This recipe is all that, and oh-so-pretty to look at too. Just look at all those pops of color!

WIth asparagus, garlic, lemon, parsley onion and of course shrimp and orzo pasta, you can make this recipe all in your Dutch oven for a one-pot dinner that’s as refreshing to make as it is to eat!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Well Plated

18. One-Pot Cajun Chicken & Sausage Alfredo

We’ve seen recipes that take 45 minutes, some 30, and some 25. But this one? It’s only 20 minutes until it’s on your table and ready to serve!

Made with chicken and sausage, adding in chicken broth, heavy cream and dry pasta, and a cajun seasoning to permeate the entire dish, this recipe is one you can bet on being requested again and again.

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Number 2 Pencil

19. One-Pot Cheesy Pasta & Sausage

All fresh ingredients, cooked down together for a recipe even Grandma would be proud of! This recipe comes with an easy to follow video tutorial to help you create this dish with ease.

It’s another 20 minute recipe that will practically cook itself!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: The Slow Roasted Italian

20. DIY Hamburger Helper

A throwback to your childhood, but in a more refined, more creative, more delicious way. Hamburger helper may give you nostalgic vibes, but this one you can feel good about.

In just 30 minutes you can create this one-pot recipe in your Dutch oven. While the recipe suggests you can just use a skillet too, we know all to well that the Dutch oven is a perfect swap in this case. Perfect for a busy weeknight, with hungry folks gathering in your kitchen!

PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: Recipe Tin Eats

Sarah Nicole

Since successfully losing 100lbs by changing her relationship with food and her body, Sarah has taken her passion for food and balanced it between cucumbers and cupcakes. When she's not bustling her way around a kitchen, you can find her working out or winding down at home with her 3 kids and pug. Follow Sarah's journey on Instagram @TheBirdsPapaya.

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