À La Carte: One-pan dinners for blah weeks

Spinach pesto pasta, peanut tofu stir-fry, Greek orzo + more 🍽️

Hi friends,

This week, dinner-wise, was not my best work.

Ever since recipe development became my job, I find myself cooking less and less outside of work projects. And since there wasn’t much on my recipe testing docket this week, I resorted almost exclusively to Trader Joe’s frozen meals for dinner.

Gyoza, ravioli, chana masala, canned chickpeas with jarred marinara doctored up with fresh garlic (?). Although there certainly are worse things to subsist on - and I am beyond grateful for these conveniences of modern life - the freezer-to-plate routine just doesn’t feel great on that deep, energetic level that’s hard to name.

So yeah, I’m getting back on the proverbial horse next week.

If this kind of cooking rut sounds familiar, you are clearly not alone. For today’s round-up, I’m highlighting some easy one-pot dinners that can be tackled on even the blah-est of weeknights. They require minimal work but will nourish you exponentially better than ready-made meals…

1. Creamy Tomato Beans

Apart from fresh onion and garlic, these luscious beans are made entirely with pantry staples. Serve with sautéed vegetables, dressed greens, or JUST BREAD. It’s fine!

2. Spinach Pesto Pasta

This entire dish comes together in the time in takes to boil a box of pasta. While your orecchiette are cooking, combine baby spinach, basil, almonds, garlic, and miso in a blender, then blend them up with pasta water, and toss through the pasta.

3. Peanut Tofu Stir-Fry

Crispy-edged tofu with peppers and onions, coated in a creamy, savory peanut sauce. Serve by itself or with rice.

4. Greek-Inspired Tomato Orzo

Fans of Greek flavors, you are going to love this cozy baked pasta with olives, chickpeas, spinach, and basil.

5. Chickpea Spinach Curry

The only chopping you have to do for this Indian-inspired stew is onions and garlic. The rest of the work is just measuring spices and opening cans.

Planning to make one of these? Tell me how it goes in the comments section or tag me with your creation on Instagram.