You’re about to discover a world of easy dinner recipes that will make your life so much better. Many people are new to cooking, and that’s okay because everyone starts somewhere.
Cooking is fun and easy to learn, and with these recipes, you’ll be a great cook in no time.
These recipes are special because they are simple and quick to make, and they are perfect for people who are just starting to cook.
You can make yummy meals for yourself and your family with just a few ingredients and some easy steps. Get ready to start cooking and have fun making delicious dinners every day!
One Pot Pasta
Quick and delicious pasta dish cooked in one pot.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the small onion and cook until translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add cherry tomatoes, chicken broth, and dried basil.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then add pasta.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, topped with grated parmesan cheese.
Quick Chicken Fajitas
Savory chicken and bell peppers cooked to perfection in a spicy fajita seasoning.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fajita seasoning
- 4 small flour tortillas
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: avocado, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese
Instructions
- Slice the chicken into thin strips and season with fajita seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the skillet and cook until tender.
- Add garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
- Warm the flour tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds.
- Assemble the fajitas by placing the chicken and vegetable mixture onto the tortillas and adding desired toppings.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Easy Beef Tacos
Easy Beef Tacos are a quick and flavorful Mexican dish perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 8-10 taco shells
- Shredded cheese
- Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced avocado, sour cream
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
- Once the beef is browned, add the diced onion and cook until it is translucent.
- Add the packet of taco seasoning to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer the beef mixture for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Warm the taco shells according to package instructions.
- Assemble the tacos by spooning the beef mixture into the shells and topping with cheese and any desired toppings.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Baked Salmon Recipe
Delicious baked salmon with a crispy crust and tender flesh.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 lemons
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil over the salmon fillets.
- Season with salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
- Slice the lemons and place on top of each salmon fillet.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh dill over the lemons.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Simple Vegetable Stir Fry
Quick and easy stir fry with mixed vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots, and cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.
- Pour in the soy sauce and stir to combine.
- Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot.
Chicken and Rice Bowl
Simple and flavorful, a chicken and rice bowl is a classic comfort food dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 cup mixed vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the chicken until browned on both sides.
- Transfer the chicken to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Cook the mixed vegetables according to package instructions.
- Fluff the cooked white rice with a fork.
- Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips.
- Assemble the bowls by placing a scoop of rice, then adding the chicken and mixed vegetables on top.
- Drizzle with soy sauce and serve hot.
Lentil Soup Recipe
Hearty and comforting, lentil soup is a classic dish perfect for a chilly evening.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried green or brown lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils and pick out any debris or stones.
- In a large pot, sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in a little bit of oil until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and thyme to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the lentil soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
A classic comfort food, grilled cheese sandwiches are easy to make and delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bread
- 1-2 slices of cheese
- 1 tablespoon of butter
Instructions
- Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Butter one side of each slice of bread.
- Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, in the skillet.
- Add one or two slices of cheese on top of the bread in the skillet.
- Place the second slice of bread, buttered side up, on top of the cheese.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Carefully flip the sandwich over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the other side is also golden brown.
- Remove the sandwich from the skillet and let it cool for a minute before serving.
Spaghetti With Meatballs
Classic Italian dish featuring tender meatballs and rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine ground beef, chopped onion, garlic, egg, and breadcrumbs in a bowl.
- Mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon until just combined.
- Use your hands to shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente.
- In a large skillet, heat the marinara sauce over medium heat.
- Add the cooked meatballs to the skillet with the marinara sauce.
- Serve the meatballs and sauce over cooked spaghetti, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Delicious roasted chicken and vegetables perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken
- 2 carrots
- 2 potatoes
- 1 large onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Peel and chop the carrots, potatoes, and onion into large pieces.
- Mince the garlic and mix with olive oil.
- Place the chicken in a large roasting pan and arrange the vegetables around it.
- Brush the vegetables with the garlic and olive oil mixture.
- Roast the chicken and vegetables in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Quesadilla Recipe
Delicious quesadilla filled with cheese and chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
- 2 large tortillas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat.
- In a bowl, mix together chicken, cheese, onion, and bell pepper.
- Place one tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle the chicken mixture on half of the tortilla.
- Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the tortilla is lightly browned and the cheese is melted.
- Flip the quesadilla and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the other side is also lightly browned.
- Repeat with the second tortilla and remaining filling.
- Cut into wedges and serve hot.
Breakfast for Dinner Ideas
Savory breakfast for dinner ideas with fluffy pancakes and scrambled eggs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- Maple syrup
- Fresh fruits
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, eggs, milk, and melted butter to make pancake batter.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and pour 1/4 cup of batter to make a pancake.
- Cook the pancake for 2-3 minutes, until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip and cook the other side.
- In another bowl, whisk 2 eggs with a fork and season with salt.
- Heat a separate non-stick pan over medium heat, add a tablespoon of butter, and pour in the eggs.
- Scramble the eggs and cook until they are set.
- Serve the scrambled eggs with pancakes, maple syrup, and fresh fruits.
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
A classic comfort food dish combining chicken, broccoli, and creamy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crushed crackers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook the chicken, onion, and garlic in a large skillet until the chicken is cooked through.
- Add broccoli to the skillet and cook until tender.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup, milk, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, arrange half of the cooked chicken and broccoli mixture.
- Pour half of the soup mixture over the top.
- Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layers, starting with the remaining chicken and broccoli mixture, then the remaining soup mixture, and finally the remaining cheese.
- Top with crushed crackers.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Slow Cooker Chili
Hearty slow cooker chili perfect for a cold winter night.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, then drain excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
- Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker and add the remaining ingredients.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.
Meatloaf Recipe
A classic meatloaf recipe with a twist of flavor and moisture.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, mix ketchup and brown sugar.
- Add the ketchup mixture to the meat mixture and stir until just combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the meatloaf is cooked through.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Fried Rice and Chicken
Savory fried rice and chicken, a classic Chinese dish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup diced chicken
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup mixed vegetables
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic and stir-fry until the onion is translucent.
- Add the mixed vegetables and cooked rice to the skillet, stirring to combine.
- Push the rice mixture to one side of the skillet and crack in the eggs, scrambling them until cooked through.
- Mix the eggs into the rice mixture and stir in the soy sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.
Tuna Salad Recipe
A simple and delicious tuna salad recipe made with canned tuna and fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 can of tuna
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup of chopped onion
- 1/4 cup of chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Drain the liquid from the can of tuna and place it in a medium-sized bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, chopped onion, chopped celery, and chopped parsley to the bowl with the tuna.
- Mix all the ingredients together until they are well combined.
- Season the tuna salad with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the tuna salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve the tuna salad on top of a bed of lettuce, on whole grain bread, or on its own as a snack.
Veggie Burgers and Fries
Delicious veggie burgers served with crispy fries.
Ingredients
- 1 package veggie burgers
- 2 large potatoes
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice the potatoes into long, thin strips.
- Place the potato strips in a bowl and drizzle with vegetable oil.
- Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and garlic powder over the fries.
- Spread the fries out in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake the fries in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy.
- Grill or pan-fry the veggie burgers according to package instructions.
- Serve the veggie burgers with the crispy fries.
Chicken and Mushroom Creamy Pasta
Creamy pasta with chicken and mushrooms in a rich sauce.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast
- 2 cups mixed mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and cook the chicken until browned and cooked through.
- Add the mushrooms and garlic to the skillet and cook until the mushrooms release their moisture and start to brown.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine, then add the thyme and season with salt and pepper.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet, tossing to combine with the sauce.
- Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Conclusion
You’ve made it – 19 effortless dinner recipes later, and you’re still not a culinary master? Don’t worry, these recipes are so easy, even you can’t mess them up. With one pot wonders and quick fixes, you’ll be cooking like a pro in no time, or at least, that’s the idea, right?