Easy One-Pot Meals You Can Cook in Your Hotel Room

Eating well when you’re away from home can get expensive in the long run. In fact, it can be up to 5 times more costly!

That’s why an extended stay hotel with basic kitchen amenities is a top choice for longer stays.

Deciding what to cook can be challenging at best during your daily grind, it’s even more difficult when you don’t have all your usual kitchen gadget on hand.

Keep it simple by trying out some of these delicious and easy one-pot meals during your stay.

Packing Guide for Cooking Easy One-Pot Meals

Planning ahead can relieve a lot of stress when you’re going to be away from home for a while.

You’ll need the following utensils for these one-pot dinners:

• a large roasting pan
• serving platters
• small saucepan
• large skillet with a lid
• a large pot
• a shallow 3-qt. baking dish
• spoon for mixing
• knives and chopping boards
• a timer 

Before you leave, call your chosen hotel or read their FAQs page to check what cooking facilities are available in your room. That way you’ll arrive prepared to cook and enjoy some of the following one-pot meals. 

Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomatoes & Pernod

This yummy creation is perfect after a busy day of business or pleasure. It’s super simple and hearty. 

Ingredients:

• 2.5 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup Pernod or any anise-flavored liqueur
• 1 Tbsp. fennel seeds, crushed
• 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
•  8 ounces halved and quartered shallots
• 12 ounces cherry tomatoes  
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, to garnish

Method:

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and leave to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes
2. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
3. Combine the Pernod, fennel seeds, olive oil, and lemon juice and whisk.
4. Arrange the shallots and tomatoes in a large roasting pan and season well.
5. Toss the chicken in the Pernod mixture until it’s well coated, then add it to the pan, skin side up.
6. Roast for about 45 minutes then turn the oven onto broil and cook for a further two to three minutes. The skin should be crisp and the vegetables slightly charred.
7. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a suitable serving platter, and pour the pan juices into a small saucepan.
8. Skim the fat off the juices and reduce it over medium heat to thicken. Drizzle the sauce around the chicken, garnish with basil and serve.

If you don’t want to use alcohol for cooking and of these dishes, you can find suitable replacements here.

One-Pot Ground Beef Tortellini 

This is one of the best one-skillet meals for pasta lovers. It’s full of cheesy goodness and low on fuss. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 5-ounces mini pepperoni
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 2 14-ounce cans of diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 Tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 Tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 Tsp. salt
• 1/4 Tsp. red pepper flakes, crushed
• 20-ounce package of refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 8-ounces shredded Italian cheese blend
• 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

Method

1. Cook the ground beef, pepperoni, and onion in a large skillet cook until the onion’s soft and the beef’s cooked.
2. Add the chicken broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
3. Bring the mix to a boil and add the tortellini. Mix well to get it submerged as much as you can.
4. Reduce the heat, cover the skillet and simmer for six to eight minutes until the tortellini is tender.
5. Sprinkle parsley and cheese on top during the last minute of the cooking time.

Roast Fish with Green Olives and Cannelini Beans

If you feel like something light and healthy, fish is always a good choice. You can use cod, halibut, or haddock for this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 4 sprigs of oregano
• 2 15.5-oz. cans cannellini beans drained and rinsed
• ½ cup green olives, pitted and torn
• Kosher salt to taste
• 1½ lb. whole skinless white fish fillet
• 2 small shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 chile, sliced into thin rings
• 2 lemons
• 5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
2. Combine the oregano, olives, beans and half a cup of water in a shallow 3-qt. baking dish and season with salt.
3. Nestle the fish into the beans and season lightly.
4. Slice one lemon thinly and remove the seeds. Arrange over the surface of the fish pieces, overlapping the slices slightly.
5. Drizzle with olive oil and roast for about 35 minutes until the fish flakes when pressed gently.
6. Remove from the oven and let the fish rest for 5 to 10 minutes, pressing the beans down into the liquid so they don’t dry out.

Cut the second lemon into wedges and serve with the fish.

Vegetarian Chickpea Masala

One-pan recipes aren’t all about the meat either.  Whether you’re a vegetarian or feel like a meat-free meal for a change, this one is a clear winner.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup onion, diced
• 1 Tsp fine sea salt
• 2 cored and finely chopped jalapeños,
• 2 Tbs fresh ginger, minced (approx. 2 tablespoons)
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 Tsp garam masala
• 1 Tsp ground cumin
• 1 Tsp curry powder
• 1/2 Tsp paprika
• pinch cayenne pepper – optional
• 3 Tbs tomato paste
• 30-ounces canned diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 15-ounce can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

Method

1. Warm the oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the onion and the salt.
2. Cook for three minutes then add the ginger, jalapeño, and garlic. Cook for two minutes.
3. Add the spices and the tomato paste, stir together and cook for another two minutes.
4. Pour the diced tomatoes with their juice and the vegetable broth into the pot. Boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the coconut milk and chickpeas. Stir and cook the mixture until heated through.

Serve the chickpea masala with brown basmati rice and fresh cilantro with plain dairy-free yogurt and warm naan on the side.

Get Cooking

Another top tip is to practice some of these easy one-pot meals before you leave. That way you’ll know which ones are most convenient for your needs. 

All our extended stay hotel rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Get in touch to book your room now, or contact us for more information.