The Dutch oven is an unsung kitchen hero. A heavy duty cast iron pot that can go straight from the stovetop to the oven, it's perfect for making everything from chicken cutlets to soups and stews. It's also exactly what you need to cook over a campfire, and what's more, you can cook every meal in it. Here are Dutch oven camping recipes that deliver maximum deliciousness with minimum of effort. Everything here is healthy-ish, and each recipe needs fewer than 10 ingredients. Ready? Let's camp.
1. Apple Cider Oatmeal
This recipe is peak fall—it swaps apple cider for water in cooking the oatmeal, and adds even more apple cinnamon goodness to the top. If there's a more perfect recipe than this to eat while you're surrounded by woodland paradise, well, you should probably make that, too.
2. Breakfast Burrito
This protein and veggie packed breakfast burrito is an excellent way to fuel up before a day of hiking. Swap out the eggs for beans and you've got lunch or dinner. Who are we kidding? Even with eggs it's perfect for any time of day.
3. Shakshuka
Shakshuka: kinda hard to pronounce, but easy to love. This Middle Eastern breakfast is a tomato-based stew that's slightly spicy and eaten with pita bread. While Shakshuka is technically breakfast, it's excellent for any meal and guaranteed to impress a crowd.
4. Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
If you're not into oatmeal, try this savory quinoa recipe. It tastes breakfastey, has tons of protein and has the satisfying feel of a hot breakfast cereal without the gluey texture oatmeal can get.
5. Tomato, Onion and Basil One-Pan Pasta
This one-pot pasta goes from ingredients to delicious meal in 15 minutes. There isn't even any water to drain—it soaks right into the pasta and makes an herby, irresistible tomato sauce.
6. Cauliflower Fried Rice
This super-healthy recipe substitutes cauliflower rice for white rice, and is an easy vegetarian meal option that's ready in minutes.
7. Lemon Quinoa with Peas
So you're starting to see a quinoa theme here, but really, it's an ideal camping food: it's cheap, easy to make, light to carry and full of protein. This lemon quinoa with peas tastes light, but is filling and flavorful.
8. Turkey Chili
Chili is essential camping food, and this healthier version subs ground turkey for beef. Bonus: The recipe includes three variations so you can make one big batch and keep some in the cooler to change up later.
9. Brown Rice Pasta with Garlic, Broccoli and Kale
Superfoods, anyone? Get your veggies while you carb load with this better-for-you pasta that will fuel you up for all your woodland adventures.
10. S'mores Dip
If you're not eating s'mores, did you even camp? Put a twist on a classic with this s'mores dip ready made for campfire consumption.