Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast anymore. While it’s often associated with sweet toppings and morning routines, oatmeal can be transformed into a savory, hearty dinner option. Its versatility allows it to absorb flavors from various ingredients, making it a perfect base for a multitude of dishes.
Incorporating oatmeal into your dinner not only offers a comforting meal but also provides numerous health benefits. It’s rich in fiber, helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels, and keeps you full longer, making it an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet.
This blog post will introduce you to 10 savory oatmeal recipes that are perfect for dinner. These recipes are easy to prepare, nutritious, and delicious, ensuring that your evening meals are both satisfying and wholesome.
Contents
1. Masala Oats
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped carrots
- 1/4 cup green peas
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions until translucent.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, carrots, and peas. Cook until vegetables are tender.
- Add turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add oats and water. Cook until oats are soft and the mixture thickens.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander leaves.
2. Oats Khichdi
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup moong dal (split yellow lentils)
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped beans
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 3 cups water
- 1 tbsp ghee
Instructions:
- Dry roast oats until they emit a nutty aroma. Set aside.
- In a pressure cooker, heat ghee and add cumin seeds.
- Add chopped vegetables and sauté for a few minutes.
- Add moong dal, roasted oats, turmeric, salt, and water.
- Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Serve hot with a dollop of ghee.

3. Oats Upma
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/4 cup chopped carrots
- 1/4 cup green peas
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp urad dal (split black gram)
- 1-2 green chilies, chopped
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1.5 cups water
Instructions:
- Dry roast oats and set aside.
- In a pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds and urad dal.
- Add onions, green chilies, and sauté until onions are translucent.
- Add carrots, peas, and cook for a few minutes.
- Add water and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Add roasted oats and cook until water is absorbed.
- Serve hot, garnished with coriander leaves.
4. Oats Pongal
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup moong dal
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 3 cups water
Instructions:
- Dry roast oats and moong dal separately. Set aside.
- In a pressure cooker, heat ghee and add cumin seeds, black pepper, and ginger.
- Add roasted moong dal, oats, salt, and water.
- Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Serve hot with coconut chutney.
5. Oats and Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped beans
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions:
- In a pot, heat oil and sauté onions and ginger-garlic paste.
- Add carrots, beans, tomatoes, and cook for a few minutes.
- Add vegetable broth, oats, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until vegetables are tender and oats are soft.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs.
6. Oats and Paneer Cutlets
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup grated paneer
- 1/2 cup boiled and mashed potatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 1-2 green chilies, chopped
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Oil for shallow frying
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix oats, paneer, mashed potatoes, onions, green chilies, garam masala, and salt.
- Shape the mixture into cutlets.
- Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the cutlets until golden brown.
- Serve hot with mint chutney.
7. Oats and Spinach Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 1-2 green chilies, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Oil for cooking
Instructions:
- Grind oats into a coarse powder.
- In a bowl, mix oats powder, spinach, yogurt, onions, green chilies, and salt to make a batter.
- Heat a non-stick pan and pour a ladle of batter to make a pancake.
- Cook on both sides until golden brown.
- Serve hot with tomato ketchup or chutney.
8. Oats and Mushroom Risotto
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté onions and garlic.
- Add mushrooms and cook until soft.
- Add oats and vegetable broth. Cook until oats are tender.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
9. Oats and Lentil Patties
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 1/4 cup grated carrots
- 1-2 green chilies, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- Oil for shallow frying
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix oats, lentils, onions, carrots, green chilies, cumin powder, and salt.
- Shape the mixture into patties.
- Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the patties until golden brown.
- Serve hot with yogurt dip.
10. Oats and Chickpea Stew
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- In a pot, heat olive oil and sauté onions and garlic.
- Add tomatoes, cumin powder, paprika, and salt. Cook until tomatoes are soft.
- Add chickpeas, oats, and vegetable broth. Cook until oats are tender.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Conclusion
Oatmeal is a versatile grain that can be transformed into a variety of savory dishes suitable for dinner.
These recipes are not only nutritious but also delicious, offering a new perspective on how to incorporate oats into your meals. By experimenting with different ingredients and flavors, you can create satisfying dishes that are both healthy and flavorful.
FAQs
1. Can I use instant oats for these recipes?
Yes, but rolled oats or steel-cut oats are preferred for better texture in savory dishes.
2. Are these recipes suitable for vegans?
Most recipes can be made vegan by substituting dairy products with plant-based alternatives.
3. Can I prepare these dishes in advance?
Absolutely! Many of these dishes can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for a few days.
4. Are these recipes gluten-free?
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but ensure they are labeled as such to avoid cross-contamination.
5. Can I freeze these oatmeal dishes?
Yes, most of these dishes freeze well. Store them in airtight containers and reheat before serving.
6. How can I add more protein to these meals?
Incorporate legumes, tofu, or plant-based protein sources to enhance the protein content.