Dutch oven recipes are a game-changer for busy households, combining convenience with delicious, nourishing food.

This collection of 30 Dutch oven meals offers a variety of healthy dinner ideas that are satisfying and simple to prepare.

From hearty stews to flavorful casseroles, these dishes showcase the versatility of the Dutch oven while focusing on nutritious ingredients and balanced meals.

Easy Dutch Oven recipes with soups, stews, and curry recipes

Each recipe is designed to minimize cleanup while maximizing flavor. It utilizes fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and wholesome grains.

Whether you’re looking for a vegetarian dinner, comforting classics with a healthy twist, or internationally inspired cuisine, this collection has something for every palate.

Discover how easy it can be to create nutritious, homecooked meals with these onepot wonders.

1. Potato leek soup

potato leek soup with a white spoon and garlic bread on the side

Potato leek soupย is a classic comfort food recipe combiningย endlessly creamy potatoesย with the subtleย oniony flavor of sautรฉed leek.

This recipe uses simple ingredients and cooks in a Dutch oven. Itโ€™sย elegant,ย versatile, satisfying, and easy to customize to your dietary preferences.

2. Pumpkin curry

Pumpkin curry with rice, spoon and fresh parsley

Pumpkin curryย combinesย tenderย pumpkinย piecesย with chickpeasย and aย rich,ย creamy,ย aromaticย tomato and coconut-based sauce.

The recipe isย easy to make in a Dutch ovenย and takes 30 to 40 minutes to prepare. It offers a vibrant, vegetarian dinner idea.

3. Tuscan white bean soup

Tuscan white bean soup with silver spoon and fresh herbs on the side

You can expect aย wholesome andย satisfying mealย packed with the flavors of white beans and aromas of the Italian countryside.

Tuscan soup isย excellent during cold winter. Itโ€™s also great forย meal prepย as it keeps well for days and cooks in a Dutch oven for about 40 minutes.

4. Black bean soup

black bean soup with fresh lime, nachos, and pico de gallo

This soup combines the creamy texture ofย black beansย cooked in an aromaticย soffrittoย of onion, garlic, and cumin with smokey, tongue-tickling chipotle powder.

Youโ€™ll love this Dutch oven soup with a topping ofย Pico de Gallo, a dollop ofย sour cream,ย cilantro, and aย squeeze of lime juice.

5. Lentil chili

lentil chili in a white bowl with avocado and pickled red onions

Lentil chiliย is a tasty andย wholesome one-pot recipeย where green or brown lentils replace the meat in classic chili con carne.

Expect aย hearty, satisfying, and high-protein mealย that is easy to make with pantry staples and excellent for meal prep.

6. Moroccan lentil soup

Moroccan lentil soup with a silver spoon and pickled red onions

Earthy lentilsย are simmered in aย flavorful broth with tomato and spicesย like cumin, paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon.

Youโ€™ll love this Moroccan lentil recipe because itโ€™sย easy to make,ย in one pot, andย with pantry staples

7. Chickpea stew

Chickpea stew with yogurt and chili oil on a plate with flowers

Thisย chickpeaย stewย is an easyย Dutch oven recipeย with simple ingredients and is ready in aboutย 30ย minutes.

Itโ€™s excellent as a tasty and nutritiousย plant-based mealย and for meal prep, as the chickpeas become even more flavourful the day after.

8. Vegetable curry

vegetable curry served with rice, lime and cashews

Next on our list is a creamy, Indianinspiredย one-pot recipeย that canย be made in 30 minutes in your Dutch oven or casserole.

Vegetables,ย peas,ย chickpeas, and coconut milk are simmered in a flavor base of garlic, onion, and spices untilย tender and flavorful.

9. Harira soup

Harira soup with a silver spoon and fresh parsley

Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup with lentils, chickpeas, and a rich and flavorful broth with warm spices, herbs, and tomatoes.

Itโ€™s a nourishing and healthy Dutch oven recipeย with over 20 grams of high-quality plant proteinย per small bowl.

10. Tortellini soup

tortellini soup with spinach and hand holding a silver spoon

Our tortellini soupย is aย warm and soothing mealย that combinesย comforting Italian flavors.

The recipe isย easy to make in your Dutch pot, and you can customize it with your favoriteย vegetables,ย herbs, andย stuffed pasta.

11. Pasta a fagioli

Pasta e Fagioli with a silver spoon and fresh rosemary

You can serve pasta e fagioliย as a soup, with enough liquid to grant the use of a spoon,ย or thicker, more like a pasta recipe.

You will feel amazingย after eating this dish.ย It is healthy, nourishing, satiating, and delicious.

12. Chana masala

Chana masala with rice and kale on a plate

This chana masala can be made inย 30 minutes in a casserole dish. Itโ€™s excellent as a healthy lunchbox meal, tasty dinner, or meal prep idea.

Oftenย served with riceย orย flatbreads like naan or roti, chana masala is a staple in Indian cuisine and has gained popularity worldwide for itsย delicious taste and nutritional value.

13. Lentil curry

Lentil curry with basmati rice and cilantro

Youโ€™ll love this lentil curry recipe because of itsย rich, velvety textureย andย bold, fragrant flavors.ย 

You can make it in your Dutch oven withย minimalย effortย for a wholesome, warm, and delicious weeknight dinner.

14. Mushroom gravy

Mushroom gravy with garlic and rosemary on the side

Our creamy mushroom gravy is terrificย for special holiday mealsย and cozy family dinners.

Serve it with your favorite mains, or drizzle it on ourย stuffed butternut squash, Wellington, orย lentil loaf.

15. Lentil bolognese

Lentil Bolognese with fresh basil, parmesan cheese and a fork

Lentils are anย excellent ground meat replacementย because they have a rich earthy taste, keep their texture, and areย rich in plant protein.

The Dutch oven excels at cooking lentil bolognese. It allows the lentils to simmer and absorb the sauce’s flavors, resulting in a hearty and flavorful plantbased alternative to traditional bolognese.

16. Vegetarian chili

Vegetarian chili with brown rice, corn on the cob and lime

Our vegetarian chili with beans is a nutritional powerhouse packed with fiber, protein, and various vitamins and minerals from the vegetables and legumes.

The Dutch oven’s slow, even cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully while retaining the texture of the beans and vegetables.

17. Curry lentil soup

curry lentil soup with sourdough bread and a spoon

Curry lentil soup with potatoes cooked in a Dutch oven is a comforting and nourishing meal that’s easy to prepare.

The pot’s ability to maintain a consistent simmer helps meld the flavors, resulting in a rich, creamy soup with layers of satisfyingย andย nutritious depth.

18. Pasta e Ceci

pasta a ceci with silver spoon

Pasta e ceci, a classic Italian dish of pasta and chickpeas, is wonderfully suited for cooking in a Dutch oven or skillet.

Whether using a Dutch oven or skillet, the result is a comforting, onepot meal with al dente pasta, creamy chickpeas, and a velvety sauce that clings to every bite.

19. Lentil vegetable soup

Easy lentil vegetable soup with hand holding pita bread

Lentilย vegetableย soupย cooks quickly in a Dutch oven and is hearty and comforting.

The slow simmering process enhances the flavors of the tender lentils, tomato base, and fresh vegetables.

20. Chickpea curry

Chickpea Curry with a silver spoon

Youโ€™ll love chickpea curry’s creamy and comforting flavorsย with itsย velvety texture and balanced mix of spices.

Plus, itโ€™s theย ultimate weeknight dinner, as it canย be made in 30 minutes in a Dutch pot.

21. Broccoli pasta

pasta with broccoli in a bowl

Our broccoli pasta is a creamytastyand healthy recipe combining an irresistibly creamy sauce with al dente pasta.

You canย make it in 20 minutesย with simple skillet or Dutch oven ingredients.

22. Mushroom bolognese

mushroom bolognese with fresh basil and a fork

Our mushroom bolognese is excellent forย everyday family dinners. Itโ€™s ready in about 30 minutes, prepared in a Dutch oven, and you can make it withย simple ingredients.

Combiningย mushrooms,ย tomatoย paste, andย balsamicย vinegarย creates a savory, earthy, irresistible flavor that your family will love.

23. Lentil pasta

pasta and lentils

Lentil pasta isย healthy and easy to make, with simple pantry staplesย in a Dutch pot.

Itโ€™s aย perfect main dish for lunch or dinner; itโ€™s kid-friendly and contains all the macros to keep you healthy and satiated.

24. How to cook lentils

Cooked lentils in a white bowl with hand holding a silver spoon

Next, youโ€™ll learn how to cook lentilsย in a pot or Dutch oven with water on the stovetop.

This cooking method is excellent for using lentils as a side dish in salads, spreads, stuffings, and centerpiece meals.

25. Braised red cabbage

Braised red cabbage with apple

Braising is a simple cooking method that works wonderfully to enhance the red cabbage flavor and texture.

With braising, the food isย first browned at high heatย in a Dutch oven to enhance its flavor, thenย slow-simmered with some liquidย to make it tender.

26. Tofu soup

Tofu soup recipe in a blue bowl with garlic on the side

Youโ€™ll love this tofu recipe becauseย itโ€™s simple, tasty, and healthy and because you can easily customize it to your taste by choosing your favorite veggies.

Tofu soup is light yet fulfilling; you can even add noodles to make it a satisfying meal.

27. Mushroom risotto

mushroom risotto on a plate

Mushroom risottoย is a creamy and tasty dish with simple ingredientsย in a Dutch pot.

Weโ€™ll show you how to makeย the best mushroom recipeย in simple steps. In just 30 minutes, youโ€™ll have a delicious dinner everyone will love.

28. Butternut squash soup

dutch oven full of butternut squash soup

This butternut squash soupย is the perfect fall dish. It combines theย rich, sweet, and earthy flavorย of butternut squash with itsย elegant color and creamy texture.

Our recipe is easy to make, and itโ€™s excellent as aย cozy starter,ย nourishing main course, orย special holiday meal.

29. Marinara sauce

Marinara sauce in a skillet with a wooden spoon

Italian marinara sauceย is a beloved tomato sauce thanks to itsย bright and rich taste,ย versatility, andย ease of preparation in a skillet or Dutch oven.

Try it with our tofu meatballs on pasta or in a sub. You’ll be blown away by how delicious meat-free meatballs can be.

30. Chickpea soup

Chickpea soup with toasted bread and hand

This chickpea soupย is wholesome, nutritious, and tasty. It canย be made in a Dutch oven with simple ingredientsย for a weeknight dinner.

Our recipe is Italian-inspired.ย The chickpeas are simmered in a rich broth enriched with rosemary, tender potatoes, and tomato paste.

Is cooking in a Dutch oven healthy?

Dutch oven cooking offers numerous health benefits and encourages the preparation of nutrientrich onepot meals, such as:

  • Many Dutch ovens feature an enameled surface, which is nonreactive and prevents the leaching of metals into food.
  • The long, slow cooking times typically used with Dutch ovens can break down proteins, making nutrients more bioavailable.
  • Additionally, the ability to cook with less liquid can result in more concentrated, flavorful dishes without the need for excess salt.

Dutch ovens are particularly wellsuited for plantbased cooking, making incorporating moreย vegetables,ย legumes, andย wholeย grainsย into meals easier.

The pot’s excellent heat retention and distribution allow for thoroughly cooking tougher plant-based ingredients like dried beans, lentils, and whole grains.

The large capacity of most Dutch ovens also makes it convenient to batch-cook plant-based meals, saving time and encouraging healthier eating habits throughout the week.

chana masala in a dutch oven
Easy Dutch Oven recipes with healthy dinner ideas

Dutch Oven Recipes: Black Bean Soup

By: Nico Pallotta
No ratings yet
Black bean soup is a simple, creamy, hearty recipe you can make in a Dutch oven with everyday ingredients.
Itโ€™s one of our favorite soups because it has a bold, smokey, and almost meaty flavor.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main, Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 medium carrots chopped
  • 1 rib celery chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic grated
  • 2 teaspoons cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder more or less to taste. Substitute ยฝ teaspoon red pepper flakes + 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3 cups vegetable broth or more to taste
  • 3 cans (15 ounces each) black beans or 4ยฝ cups cooked black beans
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
  • ยผ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large lime the juice + more for squeezing on top

Instructions 

  • Finely chop 1 large onion, 3 medium carrots, and 1 rib celery. You can do so with a knife or pulse them in a food processor.
    Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot and add the chopped vegetables. Sautรฉ on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring often.
    Add 4 cloves garlic (grated), 2 teaspoons cumin, and 1 teaspoon chipotle powder and sautรฉ one more minute.
    flavor base with onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and cumin
  • Add 3 cups vegetable broth, 3 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, 4 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and ยผ teaspoon black pepper.
    Simmer for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    Blend 1 to 2 cups of soup to make it creamy.
    Stir in the juice of 1 large lime, then taste and adjust for salt and spices.
    creamy black bean soup
  • Serve in bowls and top with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado or guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, pickled red onions, tortilla chips, hot sauce, and corn kernels.
    Pick your favorite toppings. You can also serve it with rice.
    black bean soup topped with tortilla, pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and lime juice.

Video

Black Bean Soup (healthy & easy dinner idea)

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 serving of black bean soup out of 4 servings, without toppings or rice.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Olive oil:ย Substitute avocado oil.
Chipotle powder: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Alternatively, you can useย Chipotle in adobo sauce. They come in a can, and one Chipotle is enough.
Bay leaves:ย Substitute 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
Lime juice:ย Substitute lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
STORAGE
Make ahead: This black bean soup recipe is excellent for meal prep. It keeps in the fridge for days, and its flavor improves on the second day.
Refrigerator: Let the soup cool down, transfer it into an airtight container, and keep it in the fridge for four days. Reheat only the portions youโ€™ll eat in a microwave for three minutes or in a saucepan on the stove.
Freezer: Let the soup cool down, transfer it to a freezer-friendly container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator or the microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal, Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 1476mg, Potassium: 1029mg, Dietary Fiber: 16g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 7989IU, Vitamin B6: 0.4mg, Vitamin C: 26mg, Vitamin E: 2mg, Vitamin K: 17ยตg, Calcium: 151mg, Folate: 139ยตg, Iron: 6mg, Manganese: 1mg, Magnesium: 93mg, Zinc: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or mention @nicoandlouise on Instagram. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.

If you liked these Dutch oven recipes, you might also enjoy:


Nico and Louise in the kitchen

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

Easy right?

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating