Gut-Healing Meals for Cold Nights: 5 One-Pot Dinners

January is the perfect time to lean into warm, simple meals that don’t require a lot of prep, cleanup, or brain power. These five one-pot dinners are cozy, nourishing, and easy to repeat throughout the week which is ideal for cold nights and busy schedules.

Each recipe uses minimal ingredients and can be doubled for leftovers.

1. Chicken, Sweet Potato & Kale Stew

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts, diced

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups chicken bone broth

• 2 cups chopped kale

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Sea salt and pepper

• Optional: thyme or rosemary

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3–4 minutes.

3. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned.

4. Add sweet potatoes and bone broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

5. Cook 20–25 minutes until potatoes are tender.

6. Stir in kale and cook 5 more minutes. Season to taste.

2. Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp turmeric

• ½ tsp ground ginger

• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

• 1 cup canned coconut milk

• Sea salt and pepper

• Optional: fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.

2. Sauté onion and garlic for 3–4 minutes.

3. Add lentils, turmeric, ginger, and broth.

4. Bring to a boil, then simmer 20 minutes.

5. Stir in coconut milk and season with salt and pepper.

6. Simmer 5 more minutes. Finish with lemon if desired.

3. One-Pan Salmon with Leeks & Potatoes

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets

• 2 leeks, sliced

• 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, thinly sliced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Sea salt and pepper

• Optional: fresh dill or lemon slices

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Toss potatoes and leeks with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread on a large baking sheet and roast 20 minutes.

4. Remove from oven, add salmon on top, season lightly.

5. Return to oven and bake 12–15 minutes until salmon is cooked through.

6. Garnish with dill or lemon before serving.

4. Beef & Cabbage Skillet

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey

• ½ head green cabbage, thinly sliced

• 1 small onion, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil

• 2 tbsp coconut aminos

• Sea salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3–4 minutes.

3. Add ground meat and cook until browned.

4. Stir in cabbage and coconut aminos.

5. Cover and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender.

6. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

5. Pumpkin Coconut Curry

Ingredients

• 1 can pumpkin purée

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk

• 1 cup cauliflower florets

• 1 cup sliced carrots

• 1 tbsp curry powder or curry paste

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Sea salt

• Optional: fresh lime juice

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.

2. Add curry powder or paste and stir 30 seconds.

3. Add pumpkin purée, coconut milk, vegetables, and salt.

4. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 20–25 minutes until vegetables are tender.

5. Taste and adjust seasoning. Finish with lime juice if desired.

Ready for a Full Gut-Healing Plan Built on ROOT Rx?

These meals follow the same ROOT Rx principles used inside my full program... simple ingredients, balanced meals, and repeatable routines that support healing.

If you’re ready for a step-by-step, root-cause approach to improving digestion, reducing inflammation, balancing hormones, and losing weight sustainably, the ROOT Rx Program is your next step.

Learn more about ROOT Rx here

Xo,

Dr Sheena