Incredibly Easy One Pot Camping Meals

Looking for easy camping meals that won’t take up too much time or cause a mess? Are you tired of cleaning a lot after cooking one meal, especially when camping outdoors? When going on a camping trip, anticipate that you will have fewer resources such as electricity, signal, and especially water. Having a lot of pots to clean after cooking for a camping trip is a very hassle, especially if there is no source of water at all. It will also take your time and leave you with insufficient time for your camping activities. 

So, are you one of the campers who wanted to lessen the hassle when out at the campsite? Well, I’ve put together a set of simple and delicious one-pot camping meals that have made my outdoor adventures much smoother. Whether you’re a meat lover or prefer vegetarian options, there’s something here for everyone. 

These meals are perfect for cooking over a campfire or on a portable stove and require very little clean-up. Pick up your pens and camping checklist as we discover easy-to-make and delicious one-pot camping meals.  

Easy One-Pot Breakfast for Camping

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it is great to have a full stomach before heading on your adventurous camping trip. If you want to prepare your breakfast conveniently and without a hassle, a one-pot breakfast is the perfect solution. With this, you can create different meals without the hassle of using and cleaning multiple pots. 

Below are easy one-pot breakfast ideas and recipes for camping to fill your stomach and elevate your camping experience. 

Classic Breakfast Skillet

The first meal on our list is the classic breakfast skillet, one of the campers’ all-time favorite breakfasts. Nothing is more exciting than waking up to the sizzling sound and mouth-watering smell of a meal cooking over an open flame. Of course, camping is not an excuse not to eat vegetables. Luckily, this meal also has vegetables that are good for your eyes, skin, blood pressure, and digestive system. 

Ingredients

• Eggs
• Potatoes
• Meat
• Vegetables
• Cheese (optional)

Instructions for cooking classic breakfast skillet:

• Prepare your campfire or portable stove- make sure to set up your cooking spot perfectly because cooking this meal requires an even heat distribution for more stable and comfortable cooking. 
• Heat your skillet directly onto your campfire or portable stove, allowing it to heat up. Then, add a little cooking oil. 
• Cook breakfast meat—You can use bacon, sausage, or ham strips and cook them in a skillet until golden brown and crispy. Then, remove the meat from the skillet and set it aside. 
• Cook potatoes and vegetables- dice or shred your potatoes and cook them until golden brown. Add your chopped vegetables and cook them all together until the vegetables are softened. 
• Add eggs- crack the egg directly on your stir-fried potatoes and vegetable. Add salt and pepper to taste. 
• Sprinkle with cheese (optional)- add grated cheese to your meal and let it melt. 
• Serve and Enjoy- Once the cheese is melted, remove the skillet from the heat and serve. You may garnish your easy one-pot breakfast with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives. 

Related: 10 Easy-to-Make Healthy Camping Snacks

Pancakes

Another one-pot breakfast meal that is perfect for all ages is these fluffy and creamy pancakes. Preparing this meal is easy and will leave you with minimal mess to clean up. It is undoubtedly one of the best one-pot breakfast meals to have a delightful start to your day. 

Ingredients

• Pancake mix
• Water or Milk
• Cooking Oil or Butter

Instructions for cooking Pancakes:

• Grease your skillet or pot- place it directly on the campfire or portable stove and grease it with oil or butter to prevent pancakes from sticking. 
• Mix pancake batter- Mix a pancake mix with the required amount of water or milk in a large bowl. Follow the instructions posted on the pancake mix box for the best results. 
• Pour the batter into the skillet. Make sure your skillet or pot is heated enough before pouring the batter. Allow the batter to spread out naturally, forming a pancake. 
• Cook- Cook the pancakes until bubbles form and the edges are brownish. This typically takes two to three minutes. Flip the pancake to cook the other side and wait for another one to two minutes before it is fully cooked. Continue this process until you cooked all your pancakes. 

Oatmeal

If you are looking for an easy thing to cook when camping, then, oatmeal is for you. It is packed with vitamins and minerals that will surely provide you with enough energy during your camping trip. Additionally, to lessen the hassle while camping, you can prepare a make-ahead camping meal using oats. It can also be done in simple steps where you mix oats with the milk of your choice and top it with fruits or nuts. Seal the jar and refrigerate overnight.  

This meal requires fewer ingredients and a one-pot to cook or mix, meaning preparing this meal will not take a lot of your time so you can have more of it to enjoy your camping trip. 

Ingredients

• Oats
• Water or milk
• Sweetener
• Toppings (optional)

Instructions for cooking oatmeal:

• Simmer liquid- place your pot over medium heat on a campfire or portable stove and add water or milk and bring it to a simmer.
• Add oats- once your water or milk is simmering, add oats and stir it continuously, make sure that it is totally submerged to cook it evenly. 
• Sweeten- once the oats are cooked, add your desired sweetner such as sugar to taste.
• Serve and add toppings- remove your pot from the heat once your oats is fully cooked. Add the toppings of your choice such as blueberries, bananas, strawberries, and the likes. 

One-Pot Lunch Ideas

When you are out in the middle of the camping site, it is essential to plan for your lunch. Since you are out in the wilderness, enjoying camping, preparing a meal that is easy and convenient is essential. If you are looking for one-pot camping meal ideas, below are the ingredients and instructions to follow when preparing for your family’s lunch during your camping adventure. 

Chicken and potatoes

One of the best one-pot lunches for camping is chicken and potatoes. It is filling and nutritious, satisfying your taste buds and filling your stomach. Moreover, potatoes offer carbohydrates, protein, and potassium that will surely fuel your energy for the whole day. 

Ingredients

• Chicken
• Potatoes
• Vegetables
• Garlic
• Chicken broth
• Seasoning
• Cooking oil

Instructions for cooking chicken and potatoes:

• Cook the chicken- Place a large pot directly on your portable stove or campfire and heat it to medium-high heat. Drizzle enough cooking oil and place the chicken seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook it until golden brown, then set aside. 
• Saute the vegetables—In the same pot, add the diced vegetables, such as onions, carrots, bell peppers, and garlic. Saute them until they are softened and fragrant, usually about five minutes. 
• Add potatoes and chicken broth—In the same pot, add potatoes and chicken broth to the sauteed vegetables. Then add the golden-brown chicken.
• Simmer until cooked- cover the pot with a lid and adjust the heat to a medium-low temperature. Allow the food to simmer for about twenty to twenty-five minutes. Once the chicken is cooked and the potatoes are tender, serve it and enjoy. 

Chilli Mac

Digging into a perfect, delicious, and healthy snack is one of the best things to do after you do one of your camping trip activities. Chilli mac is a dish that fills your empty stomach and it has a touch of spicyness. It is a mouth-watering dish to prepare for the family. 

Ingredients

• Grund beef
• Onion and garlic
• Tomatoes
• Beans
• Chili powder
• Macaroni pasta
• Broth
• Cheese

Instructions for cooking chili mac:

• Cook the ground beef- over a medium het temperature, cook your ground beef until golden brown.
• Add diced onion and garlic- cook the them until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
• Stir in tomatoes and beans- combine canned tomatoes and beans with the ground beef diced onion and garlic. Stir them and bring them to a simmer. 
• Add pasta and broth- along with the ground beef mixture, add pasta and broth, ensuring that the pasta is submerged in the broth to cook thoroughly. Simmer them until the pasta is cooked. It usually takes around ten to twelve minutes.
• Finishing touches- when the pasta is cooked, top it wth cheese and serve it to your family. 

One-pot Italian Sausage Pasta

Want a flavorful, convenient, and easy thing to cook in camping? One-pot Italian pasta is the best for you. With the sausage, tomatoes, and herbs savouring flavors, you will surely be filled with enough food that will fuel your energy for the activities to be done on your camping trip. 

Ingredients

• Italian sausage
• Pasta
• Tomato
• Onion and garlic
• Broth
• Herbs and seasonings
• Parmesan cheese

Instructions for cooking Italian sausage pasta:

• Cook the sausage- over medium heat, cook your sliced sausage until golden brown. 
• Add garlic and onion- cook your diced garlic and onion for three to five minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes and broth- stir sausage, garlic, onion with canned diced tomatoes, and chicken and vegetable broth.
• Add pasta and seasoning- flavor your pasta with herbs and seasoning. Allow it to simmer and cook for about ten to twelve minutes. 
• Serve and enjoy- once the pasta is cooked, remove it from the pot and serve it hot with shredded parmesan cheese drizzled on top. 

Related: 12 Delicious Easy No-cook Camping Desserts

One-Pot Dinner Ideas

Filling your stomach with a delicious and healthy meal is excellent after spending time with your family doing camping activities. Below are the easy, convenient, and camping meal on a budget recipes

Campfire Pizza with Veggies

You can enjoy pizza anywhere, especially while camping. Campfire pizza with veggies offers a flavourful, cheesy, and nutritious meal cooked over an open flame. With fresh vegetables, this one-pot dinner for camping will surely fill your camping buddies’ hungry stomachs. 

Ingredients

• Store-bought pizza dough
• Pizza sauce
• Cheese
• Vegetables
• Toppings 

Instructions for cooking campfire pizza with veggies:

• Roll out the dough- on a clean surface, roll it into a round shape, then, transfer it into a cast of iron skillet or heavy aluminum foil packet.
• Add sauce and toppings- Spread pizza sauce evenly on the pizza dough and add your toppings, such as pepperoni, bell pepper, ham, and cheese. Next, add sliced vegetables that will suit your liking. 
• Cook over the campfire- cook the dough for ten to fifteen minutes. Remember to rotate it occasionally to cook the dough evenly. Slice them into wedges and serve it hot. 

Chicken Alfredo

Chicken Alfredo may sound luxurious for a camping meal, but this one-pot dinner is easy to prepare. With simple steps and ingredients, you can elevate your camping experience when eating this luxurious meal. 

Ingredients

• Chicken
• Pasta
• Alfredo sauce
• Butter
• Garlic
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper

Instructions for cooking chicken alfredo:

• Cook the pasta- cook your pasta in a salted boiling water. Once it is cook, drain and set it aside. 
• Cook the chicken- on the same pot, melt the butter on medium heat, and cook the seasoned chicken. Cook it for about six to eight minutes or until it is no longer color pink. Let it cool for a few minutes before shredding it into bite pieces. 
• Alfredo sauce- in the same pot, saute minced garlic for one to two minutes then add the store-bought alfredo sauce and bring it to simmer. 
• Combine all of them- on the pot where the sauce simmered, add the pasta and chicken. Mix them all well and serve it to your camping buddies. 

Mac and Cheese

This is another one-pot dinner for camping idea that can be as simple as you like. It takes simple steps and ingredients to prepare, and both adults and children will surely enjoy eating mac and cheese in front of a campfire at a cold and cozy campsite. 

Ingredients

• Macaroni pasta
• Cheese
• Milk
• Butter
• Flour
• Salt and pepper

Instructions for cooking mac and cheese:

• Cook the pasta- Place the pasta in a large pot and cook it according to the instructions posted on its box. Once cooked, set it aside. 
• Make cheese sauce- in the same pot, melt butter on medium heat, and add flour to creat a roux. Cook it for one to two minutes until it turns golden brown. 
• Add milk and cheese- add the milk onto your roux and stir it constantly to prevent lumps. Cook it for at least three minutes. Add cheese after you cook the roux and milk mixture over low heat. Continuously stir until it forms a cheese sauce. Do not forget to season your cheese sauce with salt and pepper. 
• Combine pasta and cheese sauce- now, add your cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well. Serve it to your camping buddies and enjoy. 

One Pot Camping Meals for Vegetarian

If you do not prefer eating meat, I suggest you with meals that vegetarians will surely enjoy during a camping trip. You might consider foods to take camping without a fridge. Vegetarian meals are the best option for that. 

One-pot Pasta Primavera

One-pot pasta primavera is a satisfying dish perfect for vegetarians and camping. It requires simple steps and minimal effort to prepare. 

Ingredients

• Pasta
• Mixed Vegetables
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Vegetable broth
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt and paper

Instructions for cooking one-pot pasta primavera:

• Prepare vegetables- clean the vegetables with running water and slice them into bite-size.
• Mix and simmer the ingredrients- combine your pasta with vegetables, minced garlic, olive oil, and broth. Bring the mixture to boil then cover it with a lid. Let it simmer for ten to twelve minutes or until pasta is cooked and vegetables are softened. 
• Finish with parmesan cheese- once the mixture is cooked, remove it from the pot and drizzle with shredded parmesan cheese. 

Vegetable Stir-Fry

An easy, nutritious, and perfect vegetarian meal is a strip-fried vegetable. This will satisfy and fill your empty stomach after a day of doing camping activities. 

Ingredients

• Mixed Vegetables
• Tofu
• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Sesame oil

Instructions for cooking vegetable stir-fry:

• Heat the oil- drizzle a large pot with sesame oil and heat it over medium-high heat.
• Add garlic and ginger- for aroma, add garlic and ginger and cook it for one minute.
• Add vegetables- cook the freshly cleaned and sliced vegetables in the same pot until crisp. 
• Add tofu- add cubed tofu to add protein to your nutritious meal.
• Season with soy sauce- pour enough soy sauce on your vegetable and mix it until everything is well coated. Serve it while hot and combine it with rice.

Campfire Veggie Tacos

Tacos filled with nutritious vegetables are taking a hit among vegetarian campers. If you are a vegetarian camper, follow the steps below for a more fun and healthy camping trip. 

Ingredients

• Tortillas
• Black beans
• Corn
• Bell peppers
• Onion
• Avocado
• Salsa
• Lime wedges

Instructions for cooking campfire veggie tacos:

• Heat the pan- place a large skillet over a campfire and drizzle enough oil.
• Cook the vegetables- toss the fresh vegetables in a large skillet and cook until they soften. 
• Add beans and corn- drain the beans and corn on the can and add it to your vegetables. Mix them all well and cook for two to three minutes.
• Assemble the tacos- get a spoonful of vegetable and bean mixture and place it in your tortilla. Next, top it with sliced avocado and squeeze a lime wedge. Lastly, serve a healthy meal that will add a wonderful experience to your camping trip. 

These one-pot camping meals are perfect for enjoying delicious and filling meals without the inconvenience of cleaning multiple pots and pans after eating. With just one pot, you can cook savory, delicious, healthy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, you can cook vegetarian meals in a single pot. These one-pot meals will surely fuel your energy for your camping trip. What are you waiting for? Start planning for your trip and list the recipes and ingredients needed for your one-pot meal.