5 Quick One-Pan and One-Pot Meals for Busy Caregivers

When you’re caring for someone else, preparing a full meal can feel like one more exhausting task. These simple one-pan meal ideas require very little preparation and cleanup, helping you put a nourishing meal on the table without adding more stress to your day.

1.Garlic Herb Chicken, Potatoes & Green Beans

Line a baking tray with tin foil (this saves so much scrubbing afterwards, you just have to remove the tinfoil and throw away) Spray the tin foil with cooking spray.

Preheat oven to 400F

Serves 4

Ingredients: 4 bone in chicken thighs

Potatoes small baby potatoes 1 1/2 pound

3-4 cups vegetables fresh or frozen green beans

Seasoning: 4 cloves of garlic

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon onion powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Oil: 3 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions: Toss chicken with oil and part of the seasoning. Place on greased sheet pan. Cut larger baby potatoes in half so they cook properly. Toss potatoes with seasoning and oil. Place around the chicken in a single layer. Cook for 15 minutes.

Toss the green beans in oil adding salt and pepper to taste. Turn the potatoes over and add the green beans to the pan. Bake for another 15 - 20 minutes. Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. Enjoy!

2.Honey Mustard Salmon Broccoli Bake

Preheat oven to 400F

Serves 4

Ingredients : 4 salmon fillets

Vegetables: 4-5 cups broccoli ( buy the precut broccoli in produce aisle to save time)

The Glaze: 2 tablespoons dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon of olive oil

2 cloves of garlic minced

Toss broccoli with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Instructions: Line sheet pan with tin foil and spray with cooking spray

add salmon and pat dry. Spoon glaze over each piece.

Add broccoli that was tossed in oil, spread out evenly.

Bake for 12-15 minutes. Salmon should be easy to flake with a fork.

3.Sausage, Potatoes With Veggie of Choice

Preheat oven to 400F

Serves 4

Ingredients: One 12–14-ounce package fully cooked smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into bite-sized pieces.

Potatoes: 1½ pounds yukon gold baby potatoes chopped into bite sized pieces.

Vegetables: Broccoli cut into pieces and 1 red bell pepper cut into 1 inch chunks.

Onion: 1 onion of your choice cut into chunks.

Oil & Seasoning: 3 Tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon italian seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese for dusting at the end.

Instructions: Line baking sheet with foil.

Pile your sliced sausage, potatoes, broccoli, peppers, and onion directly on the baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over everything, then sprinkle with seasonings. Toss with spatula until coated. Make sure they are in a single layer, not overlapping so they cook evenly.

Cook for 25- 30 minutes. Give everything a stir about halfway through. They are done when the potatoes are tender. Garnish with parmesan cheese if desired.

4.One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Meat: 1 pound lean ground beef

Pasta: 2 cups of uncooked macaroni or penne pasta

Liquids: 2 cups of beef broth AND 1 cup of milk

Sauce Base: 2 tablespoons tomato paste or (1/2 cup of regular jarred marinara sauce)

Cheese: 1½–2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Seasoning: 1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Brown the Beef: In a large deep skillet or large pot over medium heat cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.

Add seasoning and Sauce: Sprinkle the seasoning over the beef and mix well. Add the tomato paste or marinara before adding the liquids. Mix well.

Pour in Liquids and Pasta: Pour the beef broth, milk, and the uncooked dry pasta directly into the pot with the beef. Give everything a good stir.

Simmer: When it starts to boil turn it to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes with a lid on it.

Stir occasionally so the pasta doesn't stick.

Add Cheese: Remove the lid. The pasta should be soft and the liquid should have thickened into a nice sauce. Turn off the heat. Stir in the cheese until it completely melts into a creamy cheesy sauce.

5.Baked Blueberry Oatmeal, An Easy And Quick Breakfast

Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes. Prep the night before and put in the fridge and bake the next morning.

Bake Time: 35 - 40 minutes (morning)

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats ( do not use steel cut oats, as they stay too crunchy)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

A pinch of salt

2 cups of milk

1 large egg

1 ripe banana, mashed

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup blueberries ( if using frozen do not thaw them first)

Instructions:

Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, stir together oats, baking powder,cinnamon, and salt.

Mix wet ingredients: in a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, beaten egg, mashed banana, maple syrup, and vanilla.

Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredientsand stir well. Gently fold in the blueberries.

Rest: Pour the mixture into a greased 8x8 inch baking dish. Cover it tightly with foil or a lid and place in the fridge overnight.

Morning Instructions:

Preheat: Take the dish out of the fridge and let sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to take the chill off while you preheat your oven to 350 F. Leave the foil on.

Bake: Bake covered with foil on for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes until the center is set and the oats look plump and soft.

Serve with warm milk over it or a spoonful of plain yogurt.

Cut leftovers into squares and warm them in the microwave for easy and fast breakfast.

Make caregiving days a little easier

planning meals is only one part of a busy caregiving day. My FREE Dementia Daily Care Planner can help you keep track of meals, fluids, medications, routines, and important notes, all in one convenient place.