I love one pot meals….mainly because it minimizes clean up after the meal. But, there are other advantages to creating a meal in just one pot.

The fact that you can combine a multitude of items in a pot to create a delicious meal is one any cook can appreciate. By combining some form of meat (or not) with a variety of vegetables and even a little pasta or tomato sauce, you will probably be creating a meal that has a good chance of satisfying even the pickiest eater in the house.

Once you’ve created the main portion of the meal, throw a little green salad or Cole slaw on the table and maybe a little slice of French bread. I’m thinking you’ll get praise from the whole family.

This recipe actually uses two pots – one for cooking the pasta and one for the actual dish preparation.

Tuna Pasta Bake

8 oz. pasta shells

1 cup milk

1 cup frozen corn, thawed

1 small red or green bell pepper, cleaned and finely chopped

pinch chili powder

fresh ground black pepper to taste

1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup

1 (6 oz.) can tuna filet in water, drained and flaked

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 tbsp. chopped parsley

1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

1 cup frozen peas, thawed (optional)

Prepare pasta a directed on package cooking it about two minutes less than indicated in the package directions. While pasta is cooking, preheat oven to 425 degrees and butter a casserole dish. Drain the pasta. In the pasta pot, mix mushroom soup and milk until combined. Stir in the tuna, corn, onion, red pepper, parsley, chili powder, and half of the cheese. Add the cooked pasta and stir. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the mixture in the casserole and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Serve hot.

A great Cole slaw would be wonderful with this dish or even a spinach salad.

I hope you’ll let me know if you’re enjoying these recipes at Dinner Dish. Just leave a comment in the comment section below this article and I’ll be happy to read them. I’d also appreciate it if you would let me know the kinds of dishes you’d like to see recipes for in this spot.

Gotta go – I’m in a dash for dinner!