13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (2024)

By Lilly

Are you hungry but lacking in culinary skills? Here are some quick and easy meals to make at home to help you gain confidence in the kitchen!

A simple home cooked meal doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor. There are a great deal of effortless dinner recipes that are made with just a handful of basic and cheap ingredients. I’ve rounded up a list of my go-to dinner recipes for new cooks or anyone who doesn’t like spending hours in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.

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If there’s one thing that makes being an adult difficult, it’s preparing dinner for my family EVERY NIGHT. Making a meal that everyone can agree on isn’t a walk in the park, especially if you have picky eaters at home. No worries! Scroll down below to find some of the easiest and best reviewed dinner ideas for busy weeknights.

These enchiladas may be ridiculously easy to make, but you would never guess they are made with frozen taquitos! Simply dump a can of enchilada sauce over top along with some shredded cheese for this delicious Mexican inspired meal.

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Break out your muffin pan for this family friendly meal! The Pillsbury biscuit dough makes for the perfect little edible bowls. I’ve made this recipe extra fast and easy to make thanks to canned chicken, frozen veggies and a can of soup.

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If you haven’t tried baking ravioli with pasta sauce and cheese, you’ve been missing out on the easiest meal on the planet. You can vary it up every time you make it by adding ground beef, sausage, or veggies to the layers, along with the ravioli of your choice!

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This amazing comfort food is awesome for those days when you’re craving a cheeseburger but the weather doesn’t permit standing outside over the grill. This fun twist on cheeseburgers uses refrigerated biscuits instead of buns! A total upgrade if you ask me.

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If you’re a cream cheese fan, you are going to go bonkers over this easy taco recipe. Simply dump a few chicken breasts, a jar of salsa, a block of cream cheese and some taco seasoning into your slow cooker. Wait a few hours, and then watch as magic happens.

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This shredded chicken and gravy is exquisite over mashed potatoes or rice! It kind of reminds me of Thanksgiving which makes me feel all happy inside. Serve this main dish with a side of your favorite veggies to make a complete family meal.

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Do you think frozen burritos are dry and boring? Try smothering them in enchilada sauce and cheese! This seriously tastes like something you’d get at a fancy restaurant, and it’s a breeze to make in just one pan!

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This classic recipe is popular for a reason! It’s cheap, easy to make, and delicious. If you have a large family with kids or enjoy having leftovers, you’ve got to try this ground beef and pasta dinner casserole.

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Frozen garlic toast makes for the perfect last-minute pizza crust. Top it with your favorite pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and the toppings of your choice such as pepperoni or olives. It’s easy enough for older kids and teens to make themselves!

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Even if you’re not a meatloaf fan, this is an incredibly savory way to cook ground beef. Simply mix it with a box of Stove Top stuffing, eggs, and ketchup. Once baked, it tastes like something your grandma would make. It’s surprisingly tasty, especially with mashed potatoes!

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Yes, you can make juicy and tender chicken in your oven! Top a few chicken breasts with a mixture of cream cheese and basil pesto, sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese, and bake. That’s it! It’s packed full of cheesy flavor and pairs well with a side of pasta or rice.

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Take a classic quesadilla up a notch with pizza ingredients! Simply stuff that bad boy with pepperoni and dip in warm marinara. What else could you put in there? Olives, jalapeños, bell peppers? Don’t forget to sprinkle on some Italian seasoning.

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Fajitas are a dream come true on just about any night of the week! Here is a simple way of making them in your oven with chicken. No grill required! Just toss with olive oil and a packet of fajita seasoning. You can thank me later.

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Helpful Tips

Cooking Tips for Beginners

  1. Read the full recipe, instructions, notes and comments carefully before you start! You don’t want any surprises while you’re half way through cooking.
  2. Make a mental note of the tasks that need to be done ahead of time such as marinating meats, pulling butter out of the fridge, thawing vegetables, etc. Some things need to be done the day before.
  3. Chop vegetables, grate cheese and measure out spices before you start cooking to save time, prevent mistakes and reduce stress. I like to make sure I have everything I need right in front of me before I turn the stove or oven on.
  4. Always set your timer for less cooking time than a recipe calls for before checking for doneness. Every oven varies! You can always add more time but you can’t take it away.
  5. If you’re a beginner cook, follow the recipe, especially if you have dinner guests. You can always make notes and alter the recipe the second time around. At the same time, if you hate onions, leave them out! You can also leave out uncommon spices that you don’t want to buy such as coriander.

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13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (2024)

FAQs

What can I make for dinner if I have no ideas? ›

30 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make
  • Fajita Parchment-Baked Chicken. tasty.co. ...
  • The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast. tasty.co. ...
  • Veggie Garlic Noodles. tasty.co. ...
  • Chicken & Biscuit Bake. tasty.co. ...
  • Taco Soup. tasty.co. ...
  • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  • Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry. ...
  • Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas.
Apr 19, 2023

What the heck can I make for dinner? ›

  • 50 Easy Dinner Ideas. ...
  • Spaghetti alla Carbonara. ...
  • Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni. ...
  • Chicken Piccata Pasta. ...
  • Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Peas. ...
  • Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo (or Stovetop) ...
  • Pasta Puttanesca. ...
  • One-Pot Penne Pasta with Ground Turkey and Spinach.

What is food fatigue? ›

What is food fatigue? Food fatigue is when you're bored or overwhelmed at the thought of consuming food — even when your body is saying you're hungry. It is psychological and usually an involuntary reaction.

What is the most easiest thing to cook? ›

17 Of The Easiest Recipes Of All Time (Seriously)
  • Honey Balsamic Chicken. ...
  • Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps. ...
  • White Bean Soup With Vegetables. ...
  • Smoked Gouda and Mushroom Quesadillas. ...
  • Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage. ...
  • Scrambled Egg Tacos. ...
  • 15-Minute Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. ...
  • One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Artichokes.
Jan 2, 2019

What is the most simple thing to cook? ›

Easy staples of mine:
  • Eggs - scrambled and over easy.
  • spaghetti with meat sauce (brown meat and add a jar of sauce)
  • hamburgers on the grill.
  • tacos (hamburger meat and seasoning packet)
  • Bake a chicken breast with seasoning and microwave a bag of frozen veggies for side.
Jan 17, 2018

What to cook when homeless? ›

Easy meals for homeless
  • Frozen breakfast sandwiches to last 3 weeks! Frozen breakfast sandwiches to last 3 weeks! ...
  • Tiffany Sotelo. ...
  • One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta - Mother Thyme. ...
  • White Sauce Penne Pasta. ...
  • Easy Chili Mac. ...
  • Easy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe. ...
  • Baked Cheddar Ranch Potatoes, Cheesy Red Potatoes.

What is the best breakfast you can have? ›

The healthiest breakfast foods include a protein, healthy fat and source of carbohydrates, according to Smolen. For a healthy breakfast, consider eating foods like oatmeal with nut butter, avocado toast with an egg, chia seed pudding or a greek yogurt parfait with nuts and berries.

What do I do if I have no food? ›

If you need food today

Your local food bank can help you find food today, even if you need temporary help. They partner with food pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs in your local community to give away free food. Enter your zip code to find the food bank partnering with Feeding America.

What is too late for dinner? ›

So when exactly should you stop eating at night? Scientists can't agree on a single set time, but the consensus seems to be within three hours before bedtime. So if you go to bed at 11 p.m., don't eat after 8 p.m. Banishing late night snacks after that time could help alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux disease, too.

What to eat when food sounds bad? ›

Eating comfort foods, different cuisines, smoothies, or takeout are great options to boost interest and appetite.

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