85+ Easy Recipes for Beginners
Learning how to cook at home can seem intimidating, but we’ve got you covered with a round-up of simple, nutritious recipes for beginner cooks that’ll set your culinary soul on fire.
The recipes are quick and easy with minimal, common ingredients using basic cooking techniques and use equipment you likely already have in your kitchen.
The best way to increase your confidence with cooking is by experimenting, finding a few go-to favorites and practice, practice, practice!
Before you know it, you’ll be whipping up more all sorts of delicious meals – with ease!
Beginner Breakfast Recipes
Strawberry Banana Cashew Smoothie
This slightly sweet strawberry smoothie is made with cashews and banana made with the milk of your choice.
It’s an easy, healthy breakfast you can prep in no-time!
Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins
If you don’t have a mini muffin tin, be sure to make a batch or two of these mini chocolate chip muffins!
They’re light and fluffy yet made with whole grains and a filled with plenty of mini dark chocolate chips.
Pop them in a lunch box or serve them as a mini sweet treat after dinner. Yum!
Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
This sausage hash brown breakfast casserole is loaded with goodies and so easy to make!
It’s perfect for everything from meal prepping to holiday and weekend breakfasts. There are even make-ahead and overnight options as well to make this recipe even easier.
Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
These apple cinnamon pancakes are so cozy and comforting!
Whole grain pancakes with flax, Greek yogurt and vanilla, topped with sauteed apples and maple syrup.
They’re the best ever healthier pancakes with loads of flavor!
Try these other beginner breakfast recipes:
- Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
- Broccoli Cheese Egg Cups
- Sweet Crepes with Strawberries and Nutella
- Easy French Toast
- Honey Bran Muffins
Beginner Salad and Sandwich Recipes
Mediterranean Tuna and Chickpea Salad
An easy, simple, nutritious and delicious mediterranean recipe for chickpea tuna salad that comes together in just 10 minutes!
Simple Mediterranean Kale Salad
A simple kale salad with cucumber, kalamata olives, tomatoes and feta with a lemon olive oil dressing.
Grown-Up Egg Salad Sandwiches
Egg salad made with whole grain mustard, arugula and crispy bacon on toasted sourdough bread.
Try these other beginner salad and sandwich recipes:
- Cucumber Salad
- Arugula Salad with Parmesan
- Carrot Chickpea Raisin Salad
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Caprese Sandwich
- Lemon Dill Cucumber Sandwiches
- Ultimate Veggie Sandwich
Beginner Soup Recipes
Alphabet Vegetable Soup
A quick and simple soup with alphabet pasta, frozen veggies, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, Italian herbs and spices and a flavorful broth.
Pesto Tomato Soup
This creamy pesto tomato soup is made with San Marzano tomatoes, dollops of basil pesto, cream and Italian herbs.
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy classic chicken noodle soup with carrots, chunks of chicken breast, egg noodles, herbs and a touch of cream.
Try these other beginner soup recipes:
- Tuscan White Bean Soup
- Ham and Cabbage Soup with Potatoes
- Vegetable Minestrone Soup
- Tortilla Soup
- White Chicken Chili
Beginner Meaty Main Dish Recipes
Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes
5 minutes of prep, 30 minutes to cook and one pan!
This recipe also only requires 5 ingredients, so go ahead and give it a try!
Cabbage and Sausage Skillet
Looking for a simple but tasty meal that the whole family loves?
This cabbage and sausage recipe combines the smoky flavor of sausage with the earthy goodness of cabbage for an amazing one pan meal that comes together in 30 minutes or less!
Sheet Pan Chicken
Sheet pan chicken with croutons and small potatoes takes 20 minutes to prep and this entire chicken sheet pan dinner bakes in 50 minutes.
Spicy Stir Fry Noodles
This easy Korean-inspired noodle recipe combines the spicy kick of gochujang with sweet honey and tangy vinegar- a perfect balance.
With tender beef and a mix of chewy noodles and crisp vegetables, it’s a simple meal that’s ready in no time, perfect for any day of the week.
Taco Lettuce Cups
A weeknight meal dream, this recipe only takes 20 minutes to make and has endless possibilities for toppings.
While beef is pictured here, you can also make these lettuce cups with chicken or turkey.
If you don’t have the spices in the recipe on hand, you can use a pre-made taco seasoning instead.
And to make clean-up easier, the meat, beans and spices are all cooked using one skillet before being spooned into the lettuce cups.
Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ground beef and broccoli recipe is a quick weeknight meal that will impress the whole family!
Fresh broccoli and browned ground beef are wrapped in a smooth, savory sauce and served with rice.
Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet
Chicken and bell peppers skillet is one of those dishes that will go to your family dinner rotation because it happens to please everyone.
It’s seasoned with lots of spices, making it a delicious one skillet meal!
New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp
This New Orleans Style Barbecue Shrimp is an easy, one-skillet dish featuring juicy plump shrimp tossed in a buttery, beer-spiked Worcestershire sauce with tons of Louisiana flavor.
This iconic Louisiana dish is loved for its mix of bold, savory, and spicy flavors from various herbs, spices, and seasonings!
Try these other beginner meaty main dish recipes:
- Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
- Honey Mustard Baked Chicken
- Panko-Crusted Chicken
- Perfect, Juicy Chicken Breasts
- Roasted Chicken Thighs
- Turkey Smash Burgers
- Turkey Vegetable Skillet
- Blackened Steak
- Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
- Dutch Oven Ribs
- Baked Ham
- Garlic Shrimp Scampi
- Blackened Sea Trout
- Tuna Pesto Pasta
- Miso Salmon
- Cajun Orzo
Beginner Plant-Based Main Dish Recipes
Spaghetti Arrabiata
Spaghetti arrabiata is a classic Italian dish with a spicy flavor perfect for a cozy and romantic date.
An easy pasta recipe made just with tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and red chili peppers flakes.
Easy Vegetarian Pasties
My easy vegetarian pasties are certain to be a hit with your entire family. These delicious savory baked goods are filled with tender root vegetables and encased in flaky puff pastry.
They are ideal for meal prep; keep some in your freezer for times when you need a casual meal.
Sweet Potato Taco Salad
Taco salad made with spicy roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, tortilla chips and avocado-cilantro dressing.
Try these other beginner plant-based main dish recipes:
- Spaghetti with Peas and Parmesan
- 20-Minute Cacio e Pepe
- Vegan Mushroom Risotto
- Vegetarian Nachos
- Pesto Gnocchi
Beginner Side Dish Recipes
Easy Roasted Red Cabbage
Roasted red cabbage makes a sweet, crisp side dish, flavored here with traditional German additions like mustard and vinegar.
Pesto Roasted Potatoes
These roasted baby potatoes are slathered with homemade basil pesto, making the perfect flavorful side dish.
Maple Mustard Brussels Sprouts
These caramelized and crispy pan-fried Brussels sprouts have a lovely browned crust.
They’re tossed with a maple mustard sauce and topped with feta cheese and walnuts.
Balsamic Green Beans with Bacon
The best side dish for a holiday or any day with just a few simple, delicious ingredients.
Green beans sauteed with bacon and finished with balsamic and black pepper.
Try these other beginner side dish recipes:
- Easy Bok Choy
- Zucchini Tomato Pasta
- Broccoli Crack
- Sauteed Shittake Mushrooms
- Teriyaki Mushrooms
- Grilled Lemon Garlic Asparagus
- Fluffy White Rice
- Perfect Baked Potatoes
- Herb-Roasted Potatoes with Mustard Vinaigrette
Beginner Snack, Dessert and Beverage Recipes
Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites
Simple energy bites made with pumpkin, nut butter, oats, honey and dark chocolate chips.
Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
A slight twist on a classic no-bake dessert, chocolate rice krispies treats are made with added cocoa and chocolate chips for an easy fun treat.
Still chewy and delicious but a little less sweet than normal rice krispie treats.
Strawberry Sparklers
A pretty, sparkling strawberry slush as a healthier alternative to pop in the spring, with a strawberry lime slush base topped with sparkling water.
With a little honey and mint, it’s a great drink for warm days and kids love it, too.
