5 Easy Meals To Cook on a Rocket Stove

Cooking outside can feel like an adventure or a total mess, depending on what you’re trying to make. But if you’ve got a rocket stove, you’re already way ahead of the game. These little wood-burning wonders are fast, simple, and surprisingly powerful. You don’t need a big kitchen or even electricity—just a handful of twigs, a pot or pan, and a little creativity.

Any of you who’ve been following us know that we’re no stranger to cooking on a rocket stove. (We wrote the book on it, after all!)

But of course some of the best recipes for a rocket stove can take some patience to make. So in this post, we're going to show you five real meals (not just "heat a can of soup") that you can actually cook on a rocket stove. They're easy enough for a beginner, delicious enough that you’ll want to make them again, and they don’t need fancy ingredients or gear.

Ready? Let’s go.

1. One-Pot Pasta

Everyone loves pasta. It’s cheap, it fills you up, and it doesn’t ask a lot from you. That’s why it’s the perfect rocket stove meal.

Start by boiling some water in a pot on your stove. You’ll notice rocket stoves heat up fast—faster than your kitchen stove sometimes—so keep an eye on it. Once it’s boiling, toss in your pasta. You can use spaghetti, macaroni, penne—whatever you’ve got lying around. Stir it once in a while so it doesn’t stick together.

Now here’s the trick: when the pasta is almost done, drain out most of the water, but leave just a little behind. Then add a big spoonful of pasta sauce—jarred, homemade, whatever you like. If you’ve got chopped veggies, toss those in too. Even better? Add some cooked sausage or shredded chicken if you’ve got leftovers. Stir it all together until it’s warm and coated in sauce.

Boom. Dinner’s done. One pot, no fuss, and barely any cleanup.

2. The Perfect Camp Omelet

You don’t need a brunch café to enjoy a great omelet. All you need is a pan, a couple of eggs, and a rocket stove that’s ready to go.

Or, if you want to get fancy, we actually have a griddle top attachment for our rocket stoves that will work great for eggs of all kinds (and bacon, of course).

Crack two or three eggs into a bowl or cup. Beat them with a fork until they’re smooth. If you have milk, add a splash to make them fluffier, but it’s totally fine without. Heat a bit of oil or butter in a pan over your rocket stove. When it’s hot (but not smoking), pour in the eggs.

Now comes the fun part: toppings. If you’ve got chopped peppers, onions, mushrooms, or cheese, sprinkle them over one side of the eggs as they cook. Don’t stir—just let it sit and set. Once the bottom is cooked and the top is mostly solid, fold the omelet in half with a spatula.

Let it cook another minute or two, then slide it onto a plate or piece of foil. You just made a golden, fluffy, rocket stove omelet.

3. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Let’s be honest—grilled cheese is the king of comfort food. It’s warm, buttery, and exactly what you need after a long day hiking, camping, or just dealing with life. And yes, you can make it on a rocket stove.

Grab two slices of bread and some cheese—any kind will work, but melty cheese like cheddar or mozzarella is ideal. Butter the outside of the bread (this helps it crisp up). Heat a pan on your rocket stove, and when it’s warm, put the sandwich in the pan.

Now here’s the trick: cover the pan with a lid or piece of foil. This traps the heat and melts the cheese faster. After a minute or two, flip the sandwich and cook the other side until it’s golden brown.

You’ll hear the sizzle. You’ll smell the toasty bread. You’ll probably burn your mouth because you won’t wait for it to cool down—but that’s all part of the grilled cheese experience. Pair it with soup if you're fancy, or just eat it as is while sitting on a log.

Skippy’s Take

“ What they don't tell ya is: you CAN use too much cheese. When I pulled my grilled cheese apart, it stretched across the room like some kinda dairy bungee cord. ”

4. Real Soup (It’s Better Than a Can)

Sure, opening a can of soup is easy. But making your own? That’s next level—and with a rocket stove, it’s not even hard.

Start with some broth or even just water and a bouillon cube. Pour it into a pot and set it on the stove to heat. While that’s getting warm, chop up some veggies. Carrots, potatoes, onions, or celery are all good, but really, use what you have. Toss them in and let them simmer.

Want it heartier? Add cooked rice, beans, or some leftover meat. Got canned tomatoes? Toss those in too. Season it with a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic, or whatever spice mix you like. Stir it every now and then and let it simmer until the veggies are soft and the smell makes you forget you're cooking outside.

Congratulations, you’ve made real soup. No preservatives, no mystery chunks—just honest food cooked with fire.

5. Easy Taco Filling

Tacos on a rocket stove? Absolutely. The secret is in the filling. You can use ground beef, ground turkey, beans, or even crumbled tofu—whatever you’ve got. You can even add some veggies to the mix and make fajitas.

Put a bit of oil in your pan and set it over the flame. Add your protein and cook it through. If it’s ground meat, break it up with a spoon. Add taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade) and a splash of water to help it all blend together. Let it simmer until it smells amazing and looks even better.

You can heat tortillas one at a time right on a clean pan—or even over the flame if you're careful. Then build your tacos. Spoon in the filling, top with shredded cheese, hot sauce, or whatever toppings you brought along.

Eat with your hands, sitting in the grass, feeling like a taco genius.

A Few Quick Tips for Cooking on a Rocket Stove

Rocket stoves are awesome, but they play by their own rules. Keep these in mind to make your outdoor cooking smoother:

• Feed the fire often – Small sticks burn fast, so keep feeding the fire bit by bit.

• Cook low and slow if needed – Rocket stoves are hot! Make sure you know how to control the heat.

• Always watch your food – No timers out here. Stay close so you don’t burn anything.

Why Rocket Stove Cooking is the Best Kind of Cooking

Let’s be real. Cooking outside feels good. You’re not stuck in a kitchen. You’re not using a microwave. You’re working with fire, and there’s something ancient and awesome about that. Rocket stoves make it simple and fun. You’re not wasting fuel, you’re not lugging around propane, and you’re making real meals with real flavor.

Even better? You don’t need to be a chef. If you can light a fire and stir a pot, you can cook on a rocket stove. Whether you’re camping, off-grid, or just messing around in the backyard, these meals prove that good food doesn’t need a kitchen—it just needs a little heat and a little heart.

So the next time you’re outside and hungry, skip the sad granola bar. Grab your rocket stove, light it up, and cook something real.

Your taste buds (and your stomach) will thank you.