We know that hosting for the holidays can be a bit stressful. Whether you’re hosting a party in your home or helping a friend or family member prepare for their gathering, there’s a lot of work to do. To minimize the stress that comes with cooking and feeding all of your guests, we have listed a few one-pan dinners that are easy, quick and require the minimum amount of dishes. Your guests are sure to love them!
Tuscan Pasta Bake
Who doesn’t love pasta? We’ve got an easy one-pan dinner idea that will take your tastebuds to Italy. Take your fav pasta shape (we don’t discriminate) and pair it with some hearty veggies you have on hand. Add some kind of bean, such as chickpeas or cannellini beans and your choice of a sharp cheese – we recommend parmesan or asiago. Put all items in a baking dish, add veggie or chicken broth (2:1 liquid to pasta), bake and you’re good to go!
Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
Pineapple may not always belong on pizza but it certainly amps up your fried rice game! If you’re feeling tropical, this fried rice dish makes the perfect addition to your tablescape. Add cooked rice, shrimp, diced pineapple and your fav diced veggies (don’t forget the diced onions and minced garlic) into a pan with a bit of avocado oil. Let it all sauté together, as you would with typical fried rice. Finish with some coconut aminos and serve – it will not disappoint your guests!
Kielbasa Skillet
This eastern European classic takes no time to make and is very yummy and filling. The star of the show here is the sausage. Be sure to choose a smoked, Polish sausage (or pick another fav smoked sausage) and throw it in a roasting dish with some cut up potatoes, spinach and peppers. Roast in the oven until everything is golden brown (and all tastes have become friends). Serve alone or with a salad – you won’t regret it!
Stir Fry
We all know and love a good stir fry and while it can be considered a common meal to have when you’re in a time crunch. You know how it goes – add veggies and meats of your choice to a pan, add sauce and saute until everything is cooked. You can make it special by adding ingredients that you normally wouldn’t. For example, adding a different meat to your pan or using a herb to season your meat can really take your stir fry to the next level and impress everyone around you.
Chicken and Dumplings
This southern twist on soup simply screams comfort. What better way to make your guests feel at home than to whip up this delicious dish? You know the classic – chicken, chicken broth, biscuit dough and the trifecta of veggies that consists of celery, carrots and onion. Put everything in a pot and simmer on low heat for several hours. A dish with simple ingredients that can be made easily (without having to dirty lots of dishes).
The dishes above can be completely customized based on your and your guests’ preferences and dietary restrictions and can be served as an appetizer, entree, or side. Regardless, it’s one less thing you have to worry about putting on your table. These dishes can save you time and most importantly, WORK.
To your Balanced health,
The Balanced Company