Coming inside from a cold, wet, wintry day and smelling a pot of simmering stew, flaky pastry on chicken pie, or a hearty macaroni and cheese casserole will bring a smile to almost everyone.
One-dish meals are especially handy if you are short of time and still want a well-balanced meal for the family. Most of the ingredients are cooked together, so serving and cleanup are at a minimum.
When making these recipes, think ahead and make extra for the next day, or freeze leftovers that can be used at a later date.
The following recipes are easy to make and absolutely delicious. If you're not a fan of dumplings in your beef stew, make a batch of baking powder biscuits or have thick slices of multigrain bread as an alternative.
If you're wanting something other than pastry on the chicken pot pie, put a layer of creamy mashed potatoes on top and brown in the oven. Pair the mac and cheese recipe with a coleslaw salad.
Finish off the meal with a dessert that can be baked in the hot oven along with the pie or casserole, such as a fruit crisp or bread pudding. Your family will be lining up at the table waiting for dinner to arrive.
Potluck Beef Stew and Dumplings
- 5 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 6 cups vegetables (potatoes, turnips, carrots, and parsnips peeled and diced into 1–1 1/2" pieces)
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups beef stew meat, diced into l" pieces
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 tbsp Bisto gravy powder
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Boil water, salt, and vegetables in a medium-size pot for 10 minutes until the vegetables are slightly undercooked. Add frozen peas.
Mix together flour, Bisto powder, salt, pepper, and parsley.
Coat the stewing meat pieces with the flour mixture and cover the meat completely.
In a large pot, heat the olive oil and garlic and add the floured meat and brown. Add the mushrooms, onions, and celery and sauté. Add the leftover flour mixture to the pot. This will thicken the vegetable water and make a flavourful gravy.
Add the cooked vegetables and cooking water.
Simmer on low heat. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 4
Dumplings
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup milk
Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cut in vegetable shortening with pastry blender and stir in milk to make a thick dough.
Drop large spoonfuls on simmering stew.
Cover pan tightly and cook 15 minutes.
Do not lift cover during cooking.
Chicken Pot Pie
In a medium to large oven-proof casserole dish, sauté mushrooms in butter until dark brown. Add onions and cook until translucent.
Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms and onions and stir in. Add carrots and potatoes. Add the chicken stock and boil until thickened, and then add the chicken pieces, parsley, thyme, and peas.
Roll out puff pastry and cover mixture. Brush top with an egg wash (one egg mixed with 1 tbsp water).
Slash top of pastry to let heat escape.
Bake at 220 C (425 F) for 30–35 minues until pastry is golden brown.
Serves 4
Mac & Cheese Casserole
- 3 Cups Macaroni
- 3 cups medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- 20 soda crackers
Cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling, lightly salted water for 10–15 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally.
Drain, and stir in cheddar cheese until melted and mixed well.
Butter 10 soda crackers and top each one with another cracker. Crush crackers and sprinkle over casserole. Bake at 200 C (400 F) for 10–15 minutes until golden brown.
Serves 4
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