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CD recently observed that we always eat one bowl meals. I guess I’d never really noticed before, but it’s true. We rarely prepare a main course with a bunch of side items. Nope, everything gets tossed into one big bowl here at the HEAB household.
For instance, I’m been loving on these turkey burger bowls lately…
This meal is so easy, quite tasty, and really filling. To make, first microwave a frozen turkey burger (we buy ours at Costco) for 30 seconds on each side. Place in a skillet, chop up with a wooden spoon, and then saute over medium high heat. While browning the turkey burger, wash and pierce the skin of a small white potato. Wrap in paper towel and microwave 3 to 4 minutes (cook long enough so that you can cut through it easily with a knife). Chop the potato and throw in the skillet along with your turkey burger and a TBSP of coconut oil (or butter). Saute the mix until potato gets crispy. I usually throw some spinach in at the very end and then top the mix with brewers yeast after cooking.
You know what makes the above dish even better?
Use a sweet potato instead of a white potato.
Last night’s dinner was another yummy one-bowler…
Please forgive the brightness. Still playing around with my light box.
Chris and I both loved this meal. I made Mama Pea’s Pizza Quinoa Casserole. Mama Pea – it was delicious! We topped our pizza with meatballs.
Meatball Ingredients:
1 lb. grass fed finished beef
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 TBSP onion powder
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 to 1 tsp salt
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350℉. Combine all ingredients and roll into bite-sized meatballs. Bake for 55 minutes.
Are you a fan of one-bowl meals?
P.S. Winner of the Garden of Eatin’ Party Pack is Marisa @ Loser For Life. Congrats Marisa. Please email me with your address. 
{ 107 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes! I love one bowl meals. Our dinners are almond always rice/quinoa/potatoes with veggies/tofu/and some kind of sauce on top.
My mom just saw your Christmas card lying around, and she picked it up and said, “Who’s this? That’s the cutest Christmas card I’ve ever seen.”
Also (on a completely-unrelated topic), after seeing your light box post, I think I NEED to copy your genius self and make one too. My house is the worst for taking photos: the walls are yellow. Yuck!
Katie,
Aww, so glad your mom liked the card, and yes, you should make a light box. It was so simple, and it’s made a huge difference in my photos.
I love making one dish meals. My kids aren’t usually as enthused.
Sweet potatoes are probably my #1 favorite food.
We call one bowl meals “messy eating” – my husband loves when everything is just slopped together. For some reason, he likes it better!
i really need to get a better food processor so i can make homemade coconut butter! your meals always make me envious!
xo.
I LOVE one bowl meals! I have also been really into using the rice cooker to make them lately thanks to you.
Beautiful photos by the way.
OOOOH thank you for this!
I’m definitely a one-bowl fan–and I have to try both of those dishes (sweet potato version of #1 and meatball version of #2)!
Yumm, sweet potatoes are good with everything
And congrats to the winner!!
I LOVE one bowl meals but my dad hates them! Makes eating together difficult. But I think that’s why I love stews and chilis so much — all the goodness wrapped up in one big bowl.
I’m big on 1 bowl meals. I think it’s my favorite way to eat. And like we’ve talked about – on a bed of spinach…topped with something yummy like avocado and nutritional yeast.
One bowl meals = less clean-up = awesome. I feel the need to make a casserole…
You know I love one bowl meals! They are the perfect food! Yours always look so good…I am off to make a one bowl meal for lunch!
I hope you guys are staying warm there! It is freezing here!
I love one bowl meals, too! They’re easy to make and clean up, plus they’re really convenient for me to take to work as leftovers. I don’t think your photos look too bright at all!
I love one-bowl meals, but my husband is a meat & side dishes kinda guy. Most of the time I prepare everything separately, he eats his his way and I eat mine altogether.
Love the turkey burger bowl idea! Who needs a bun, really?
Katie,
Buns are totally overrated.
I love one bowl meals like that!
It’s much easier to eat them when watching tv comfortably on the couch
I love one-bowl meals, too! My favorite go-to is a huge junk salad in one bowl. I make mine with a mix of red cabbage and romaine lettuce, plus carrots, red/green pepper, 1/4 small avocado, 2 tbsp. salsa, 2 tbsp. nutritional yeast, roasted eggplant and parsnip, and topped with a gluten-free Amy’s Bistro Burger. Delicious, filling, and all in one bowl!
Gavi,
Yum, I’m coming over for dinner!
There is nothing wrong with one bowl meals. It is less to clean up and easier to eat.
I am also a huge fan of the one bowl reality!!! And there’s just something about eating anything out of bowl that is way more fun to me than a plate. I am loving your light box photos… big difference!!
one bowl meals are the best! No mess! But I think its more of my obsession with cute bowls that makes me do it.
LC
I am actually all about having different flavors and textures when I eat. Dinner is usually 4-5 things
I absolutely love meals that can all go in one bowl! I am also the kind of person that pretty much just stirs my plate at Thanksgiving until it is a big mixed up mess : )
One bowl meals are the best! Less dishes to do!
I love one bowl meals, too. My 2 year old? Not so much. I have to deconstruct her meals because she hates messy food! I’m hoping she outgrows this soon.
Maryea,
My younger brother used to be the same way. He would get so upset if any of the different foods on his plate touched one another. Now we just laugh about it. She’ll outgrow it.
Light-box photos are looking great!
Thanks Marcie.
I saw Mama peas recipe for that pizza quinoa bowl….I plan on making it very very soon!
My entire life is a one-bowl experiment!
I make cookies, desserts, salad dressings, you name it…all in one bowl. And most of the time I stir everything in by hand!
I use my Vita but less than I used to. I am such a fan of one bowl + spoon = done. I just can’t be bothered w/ too many bowls or steps or ingredients. I am the queen of paring it down and making it one-bowl-friendly
I know that it’s impressive to have 17 dirty pots and pans and I know women who cook like that…their food probably tastes beyond amazing, but I just dont have time for all that…or all those dishes
Your light box pics, and your eats and creations, all lookin’ delish! I saw Mama Pea’s recipe and it looked like a keeper, for sure!
I’m def a fan of one-bowl! I like to eat everything out of a bowl. Whenever i’m taking pics of food for my blog I put it on a plate and then immediately thrown it in a bowl and mix it up, haha.
Kristina,
Ha, good to know I’m not the only one who has done that.
Since I started blogging, I dirty up more dishes than I ever did before! I should make one bowl meals!
As a busy Mom, I LOOOOOVE one-dish meals, too! We often have rice bowls with stir-fry on top and some sort of sauce. As always, you’ve provided more inspiration here!
I love one pot meals, and not just because it’s easy! I loving having flavors mix together. It’s funny, my boyfriend is the opposite – he prefers the meat-carb-veggie plate (with nothing touching!) and usually dislikes casseroles or anything all combined together. I would be happy eating one-bowl dishes every night, I think they’re so filling!
YAY! Thanks so much, Heather! Can’t wait to try those Red Hots!
I think you’ll lighting is looking great! I’m so frustrated with my night photography lighting. I may have to build a light box, too!
Oh gosh. You and your sweet potatoes. You must realize how much I love reading your blog, but since I got pregnant I haven’t been able to eat anything remotely squashy (including sweet potatoes….*shudder*). Blech.
And yet I come back every day, looking for some HEABy wisdom and a pic of your wee one.
Lori,
Oh gosh, I am so sorry as I remember those *shudder* days all too well. I didn’t want anything orange, and the thought of oatmeal or nut butter left me gagging. All I wanted was cereal and grilled cheese sandwiches. I admire you for reading blogs. I could barely keep up with mine, much less look at anyone else’s. Hope you’re feeling better soon – you will be.
Oh girl I am a one-bowler all the way. At least where cooking for myself is concerned. I absolutely cannot be bothered with side dishes. My parents should feel free to cook many things for me within one meal, but for me? It’s all going in one double-wide, shallow bowl. Dowl. Dish-bowl thing. I also eat everything with a spoon, so things like flat plates and multiple sides just do not accommodate my preferences.
Diana,
Dowl – haha that is great, and I also eat everything with a spoon. Forks are pointless for most of my meals.
I love one bowl dinners! The possibilities are virtually endless!
One bowl meals = less clean up. Love it
i eat everything out of bowls. i specifically buy bowls based on their sexy designs and i swear it makes them taste better! i also eat dinner sitting cross legged on the couch most nights haha so having a bowl is far more important than my food sliding off of a plate!
The Baked Potato in the microwave – you do have to WET the paper towel though first right?? I tried to do microwave one a few weeks ago – read that you wrap it in a wet paper towel – but it wasn’t completely wet…it lit on fire! And my microwave and apartment STILL smelled like burnt potatoes (or paper towels) for weeks…;)
So, yeah, care to fill me in on the proper method to avoid setting off the smoke alarms?!
I may have just left it in too long as well…
B n B,
Nope, I dont wet the paper towel.
I would eat one meal bowls at every meal if I could. I love mixing up the flavors and stir fry is a favorite! Its my 6 year old that only prefers to mix certain things. Thank goodness he just started liking mustard!
Cat,
Yes, thank goodness!
One- bowl, everything in one dish, are definitely my kind of meals! Often i’ll let them cool then add them to raw greens– makes the perfect salad! Round it out with some fat and other accruements and I’m done
You’re photos look muy bueno- I need to use Ashley’s idea!
That’s funny, I think I always eat “three things” meals – I like to see a bunch of different shapes and textures on my plate, I guess. Of course, when I eat a salad or a big bowl of oatmeal it’s all mushed together!
I rarely cook sides and mains anymore. I am all about the dump and sautee or steam method. One bowl means far less time to do dishes. Doesn’t always make fro the best blog fodder though.
Oh, and guess what? I made a lightbox last night!!! Super excited, and I have been playing with it too much.
Katie,
So glad you made the box. It does make a huge difference, no? And, you get to keep your Vita-Mix.
I love one-bowl meals. They taste just amazing and there aren’t as many pots and pans to clean up afterwards! It’s a win-win!
I love the concept of one bowl meals! I like to make a bowl with tons of veggies, a veggie burger or chix, brown rice, and hummus!
Hope your week is great !
I absolutely love one-bowl meals, too. Simplicity is key for me. I’ve been eying that quinoa bowl ever since she posted it. It looks awesome!
I’m so happy you guys liked the quinoa casserole. I’m absolutely trying a quinoa and “meat”ball version next time.
I love bowl meals, there not just for breakfast time! X
One bowl meals are the best!! I love mashing everything together!
Heather, do you have any hesitations about microwaving?
Heather,
I used to and probably didn’t use it for about 5 years. However, then we renovated our kitchen and installed a new one over the stovetop as we were thinking of selling our house in a few years. I used it one day and then the next, and now I use it all the time. It’s just so convenient, and I no longer believe it’s melting my brain. I really do think they are safe, but I never microwave anything plastic.
I love one bowl meals (although I also love main course/side meals). Sometimes when I have ingredients that I don’t know what to do with, I’ll just throw them all into a bowl and call it a meal!
Hi Heather! First, I love your blog and have been reading it for a few years now. You are actually one of the bloggers who has inspired me to start my own blog as well as help me explore the very best way for me to eat. Very strange coincidence as I have been preparing a post about one bowl meals for a couple days now and was just getting ready to post it when I read your blog post today. Must be something in the stars? It at least made me smile
Rufus, thanks so much for reading. Great minds think alike, no?
One bowl meals are the easiest and often the yummiest!
I love one-bowl meals, and I eat them all the time! They’re so easy, fresh, and delicious, and you don’t have to do many dishes afterwards. Plus, I hate eating seated at the table upright, and prefer to sit with my knees tucked to my chest or my legs up, and then bowls are so much better to handle than plates, and it’s good if there’s nothing to cut.
I just added this recipe to my favorites tab, it looks so great
Just wanted to say I love your blog 
Thanks so much Ashley.
I love that the only step is ‘combine all ingredients’
Katherine,
I keep it simple.
YUM! We love one bowl meals!! And thanks to you we love meals in a jar!!
Pure2Raw,
Yes, only one thing better than meals in one bowl…meals in a jar!
Oh, I am SUCH a fan of one-bowl meals, that it’s honestly the only kind of meal I eat! I’ve always liked one-bowl meals, but it snowballed when I moved out to a place without a dishwasher. The less things to clean, the better! IN fact, I’m a one-bowl-all-night lady, so that I’ll use the same bowl for dinner, dessert, snacks, with only a cursory rinse in between. Some might say gross, I say environmentally aware
Hannah,
No shame in rinsing.
It would seem from the comments (I just scrolled) that you are not alone
We love bowl meals too! My mommy always made them growing up, although she would usually add a crusty hunk of bread on top of the bowl in order to absorb the stew-y yummy stuff at the bottom! 
I always eat one bowl meals!! Although lately I’ve been on a sandwich kick which is strange..but other than that everything gets tossed into one bowl. It’s much tastier that way
I love one-bowl meals. They’re so much fun! Slash I always eat out of a bowl, I hate plates;)
I’m a new reader, just wanted to say hello
Jen
Hi Jen. Thanks for reading.
I love the yellow and white placemat from Target, which I also have. But after washing mine once I can’t get it back to it’s original shape, even though I didn’t dry it. Do you iron yours? I avoid the iron like the plague, but I really need to get over it.
Kelly,
I just bought it, and so I haven’t actually washed it yet. For my other Target placemats, I dry them for a few minutes in the dryer and lay them out flat to dry the rest of the way as I too like to avoid the iron. 
Ironing would require me washing it first.
I love one bowl meals. It amazes me to hear of people who don’t like their foods to touch each other because I am always combining foods and/or using pita chips to scoop up anything on my plate! All your dinners look fabulous! And you just reminded me that I really want to try Mama Pea’s quinoa dish!
Ahh yes, I too love one bowl meals
Coconut oil > butter. I LOVEEEE the taste of coconut oil mmmmmm yum!
Kristine,
Me too.
yeah i’m obessed with one bowl wonders of spaghetti & meatballs.
seriously though, you know what else is so good? there is this sauce from Stonewall Kitchen called “spicy peanut/garlic” sauce. i use it for stir fried chicken, rice, peanuts, and veggies; pour on sauce . can all be eaten on one bowl. so good. try it, i know you will dig it.
VanillaSugar,
We have some tomato sacue from Stonewall Kitchen, and it is so good. I also was the pic you posted on Twitter of their chocolate sauce, but I have never seen their peanut sauce. Will definitely be on the lookout – thanks!
I love meals like those!
Might as well save dishes, right?? I love when everything can just be thrown into a big bowl
Yes, one meal bowls are amazing! And for me it helps me with portion control tremendously!
I will have to try that Mama Pea recipe. I love her stuff!
I love one-bowl meals! They are a definite time-saver, and so delicious too!
O, I eat everything as one course things. It might have something to do with living in a dorm, and being vegan-in the south. So, I am usually on my own for meals-or a salad.
Oh yummy! These look fantastic and I’m totally going to make them both! Thanks for the easy instructions!
You know, it’s really strange. I will happily eat one-bowl meals (I used to make them all the time with whole-wheat past, crumbled veggie burger or Italian sausage, and then whatever sauteed veggies and pasta sauce I had) but usually I will separately eat each component out of the bowl. I know, so mature. LOL.
My mom is the queen of one-bowl meals. She calls them “hashes” and the basic idea is quite a bit like yours. One that is really good is leftover roast beef, mashed potatoes w/a little garlic and sour cream, and peas.
BTW, just visited Mama Pea’s blog for the first time and it is AMAZING (not to mention hilarious). Sooo impressed by all that she does with vegan recipes!
Jill,
Love that Mama Pea. Her recipes all look amazing, and yes, she is hilarious. I want to make your roast beef hash!!!!
Haha! We do the same thing! I’m always just cooking the main dish and forgetting to make sides. I’ve been working to be better about it so our grocery bill will stretch a little further and to give us more variety. But in general, I definitely tend to be a one disher.
I’d say a good 75% of our meals are one bowl wonders. I just love them.
Yes! Love the one-bowl meals! It’s just so satisfying when it doesn’t seem like you need three or four different dishes to feel full. I get spoiled because when I am in school I sort of live off of Amy’s Bowls that I get from the campus convenient store. I just made my own bowl for an early lunch that was so tasty. I’m (currently) vegan so you can HEABify it, but it was soo good!:
Chicken Parm Bowl
1/2 cup (uncooked) of organic whole wheat ziti noodles
1 Boca-brand “chicken” patty cut up
Tomato paste/nutritional yeast/daiya for the sauce
And then my veggies. Mix up and voila!
Hope you are staying warm!
Holly,
That bowl sounds so warm and comforting. Loved your cheezy tomato sauce – so simple. Thanks for sharing your bowl.
those meatballs sound yummmm. where do i find brewers yeast?
also, any idea for pressure cooker recipes? i got one for christmas lol now im like a confused dog
Mallory, I buy my brewers yeast at Whole Food – it’s in the supplement section, but you can also buy it online: http://www.iherb.com/Lewis-Labs-International-Brewer-s-Yeast-16-oz-454-g/6071?at=0. If you buy it from iherb, use the code EME542 to get $5 off your first order.
As far as pressure cookers go, I’ve never used one, but another blogger I know uses it to cook rice. She soaks chestnuts and walnuts and add those to the rice. Sounds delicious, and I’d love to try it.
I am the same way. Just about every meal I eat is a one bowl meal. In my opinion it’s the best way to eat. It all gets mixed up in my belly anyway. I’m just helping digestion along.
Heather, I’m sorry but your last bowl really does look like barn poop.
lz,
Yeah, I guess it kind of does. Didn’t quite taste like barn poop though.
I like to make one dish meals too! I think things taste better when lumped together with lots of flavor in every bite rather than having a bit of this and a bite of that!
Ive had my eye on Mama Pea’s pizza quinoa too. Looks great!
Love this post! Everything I eat comes in bowl form too, from yogurt bowls to oatmeal bowls to stir fry bowls. Bowl meals are the way to go
ps. I’ve been following (and loving) your blog for a while Heather and am just now starting to comment. I really admire your approach to healthy eating and healthy living.
Love these dishes. I am going to have to try the first one… My hubby loves when I experiment . =)
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