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Copyright © 2025 Foodies Only
6 Min
16/01/2026
There are a lot of Indian dishes that do not require you to use a stack of utensils and hours in the kitchen. Indian cuisine is known for dishes that require just one pot, and yet it is filled with all the flavours, spices, and nutrition. This article will look at such one-pot dishes, like pulao, khichdi, dals, among others, that would save your time in the kitchen after long working hours and yet deliver the nutrition, flavour that Indian kitchens are known for. Dive deeper to know more.
One-pot cooking is not new to India. From the biryanis of Hyderabad to khichdis that are cooked in homes across the country, there are many dishes that work on the one-pot cooking philosophy. These meals can be cooked without any fuss and are filled with nutrients. In today’s time, when everyone has busy schedules, but the need for nutrition is more than ever, these one-pot dinners are the perfect solution!
They are practical to cook because you don’t have to deal with multiple pans when you cook, the fuel used is less, and they have all the required elements for a complete meal, like carbs, proteins, vegetables, and fats, all in one dish. Since everything is cooked in one pot, the layering of ingredients makes even a simple dish like khichdi or pulao look royal! These meals can be pressure-cooked or slow-cooked, and they will taste just the best without any fuss. Read more below to know about the recipes.
Pulao is one of the easiest and most adaptable recipes in Indian cooking. To make it, sauté rice with whole spices, onions, and vegetables, then simmer. This pulao has all the flavours; it is filling and easy to make. Depending on the preference and availability, you can add carrots, peas, beans, soy chunks, paneer, and nuts. Pair pulao with raita, and you will have a balanced meal made with minimal effort. Unlike biryani, pulao has subtle flavours, which makes it an everyday meal, enjoyed equally by both children and adults.
Khichdi is the synonym for one-pot Indian meals and comfort. Made by mixing rice and pulses, khichdi is light on the stomach, makes you full and is flexible as per need. Khichdi is also made for recovery days with a porridge-like structure, which has mild flavours, while normal day khichdi includes a good amount of veggies and spices and a spoonful of ghee over it. Khichdi has a balance of protein and carbohydrates, making it a perfect one-pot meal filled with flavour, nutrition and ease of making.
Indian curries often require elaborate cooking, but there are multiple options that are made simply in one pot, and vegetable korma and dals are a few of them. To make the vegetable korma, you need to cook potatoes, peas, and carrots in a gravy with coconut milk, while dal can also be made by adding vegetables to it, which can double as a soup as well as a main course. Regional stews like Kerala’s ishtu or Tamil Nadu’s sambar are the perfect example of one-pot dishes, filled with flavour and nutrition. You can pair this with rice, roti, idlis, or have it standalone without a lot of fuss and time consumption in the kitchen.
If we compare biryani with pulao, it certainly requires more time to cook, but it cannot be excluded from the one-pot meal theme. Biryani, made with layers of rice or vegetables, along with spiced gravy, fried onions, and saffron, is a delicious dinner option that encapsulates all Indian flavours.
The method of cooking biryani is different for different regions; for example, the dum biryani from Hyderabad is famous for its flavours, the Kolkata biryani is famous for its aloo, and the Lucknowi biryani has a bunch of other lip-smacking ingredients. Pair biryani with raita, some hari chutney and onion to make it wholesome and more delicious!
One-pot meals are not only time-saving, but they also represent the flavours, traditions, and balance that Indian cuisine is known for. The one-pot meals have grains, pulses, and vegetables that contain protein, fibre, and micronutrients. These meals also prove how a dish with all of these qualities can be made at home without elaborate preparation and time.