These 21 dinner recipes that are practically impossible to ruin are perfect for anyone short on time or new to the kitchen. These recipes offer straightforward, quick-to-make dishes that are also hard to mess up. Each dish is designed for minimal fuss and maximum flavor, suitable for cooks of all skill levels. From one-pan meals to simple salads, there’s something here for everyone.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
This Creamy Italian Sausage Soup combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy cream in one pot, all in just 30 minutes. It offers a rich, textured flavor profile that’s remarkably simple to prepare. This makes it an excellent choice for those just starting to cook, as it’s almost impossible to get wrong. Serve hot, and enjoy a comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Cabbage and Sausage
With Cabbage and Sausage, you’re looking at a one-pan meal that takes less than 30 minutes to cook. The recipe combines cabbage and sausage to offer a dish full of flavor. Because of its simplicity and the minimal number of ingredients, this recipe is almost foolproof, making it great for beginner cooks. Serve it as is for a complete meal.
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Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner provides a flavorful meal with minimal cleanup. With a 30-minute cooking time, this recipe features roasted sausage and vegetables prepared in one pan. This simplifies the cooking and cleaning processes, making it a nearly fail-proof choice for those new to cooking. Serve hot for a filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
In just 30 minutes, this Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole brings together steamed broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and crispy bacon. The recipe is flexible and forgiving, allowing for customizations. It’s a perfect starting point for novice cooks, as the room for error is minimal. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
This Spinach Chicken Bake is a 30-minute, one-pan dish that includes marinated chicken thighs, cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach. The ingredients are simple, and the steps are straightforward, making it an ideal pick for those new to cooking. This dish offers a balanced blend of flavors, and it’s difficult to mess up.
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Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is a quick, 30-minute meal that combines ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. The skillet method allows for flavors to blend well, and the recipe is simple enough that even novice cooks can execute it successfully. Serve it as is for a complete meal.
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Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are cooked to perfection right on the stovetop to yield bite-sized pieces of juicy, tender chicken in a delicious buttery garlic sauce. This is an easy-to-make recipe that’s almost impossible to mess up and comes together in just 20 minutes.
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Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is a 30-minute, straightforward dish to prepare. It combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese into a balanced dinner. Due to its simplicity, it’s a good option for those who are new to the kitchen. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Crock Pot Taco Soup
This Crock Pot Taco Soup requires only 20 minutes of your time for prep; the slow cooker does the rest. The recipe employs ground beef and pantry staples to create a meal that’s hard to get wrong, even for cooking beginners. It’s a convenient and filling option for anyone.
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Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a one-pan dish ready in 30 minutes. The creamy mushroom sauce offers a rich dimension to the chicken, making it a hit for most palates. Its simplicity and quick prep time make it practically foolproof. Serve over rice or noodles.
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Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This Fried Cabbage with Bacon dish is a flavorful combination of cabbage, bacon, and onion that’s ready in just 25 minutes. The simplicity of the ingredients makes it a reliable choice for those new to cooking. Despite its uncomplicated nature, it doesn’t skimp on flavor. The quick preparation time makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
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Canned Chicken Patties
These Canned Chicken Patties require only 20 minutes to prepare. Using canned chicken, these patties are quick and convenient for last-minute meals. The recipe’s simplicity makes it an excellent choice for beginners, as it’s tough to get wrong. Serve them on their own or as a sandwich.
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Big Mac Salad
This Big Mac Salad is a 30-minute dish that captures the essence of the iconic fast-food burger. Featuring lettuce, ground beef, and a special sauce, it’s simple but flavorful. The uncomplicated recipe makes it a choice that’s hard to mess up, even for kitchen novices. A fun and speedy option for dinner.
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Creamy Garlic Chicken
This Creamy Garlic Chicken comes together in a single pan and is ready in just 30 minutes. The garlic sauce adds a rich complement to the chicken. With simple preparation steps, this dish is nearly foolproof, making it a great starting point for novice cooks. Pair it with rice or vegetables for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad incorporates a spicy kick from jalapeños and a creamy base, all ready in 30 minutes. It’s an unconventional take on the classic chicken salad that’s easy to assemble. The simplicity of this dish makes it a strong option for beginners. Serve it as a main or a side for a versatile meal.
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Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
This Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach is a 30-minute meal featuring shrimp in a rich garlic sauce, combined with tomatoes and spinach. This dish is uncomplicated but still offers a blend of harmonious flavors. Its straightforward preparation makes it a hard-to-ruin option for those who are new to cooking. It’s an excellent choice for a quick yet impressive dinner.
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Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken features boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a flavorful sun-dried tomato sauce, all in a one-pan, 30-minute meal. The dish is straightforward to prepare, making it nearly impossible to ruin for those new to cooking. It offers an appealing blend of flavors without complicated steps. Ideal for a quick dinner that impresses.
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Fajita Baked Chicken
This Fajita Baked Chicken combines seasoned chicken, cream cheese, sweet peppers, and melted mozzarella for a meal that’s ready in less than an hour. Its variety of flavors meld well, and the straightforward recipe makes it almost foolproof. It’s a perfect option for those less experienced in the kitchen but who still want something flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is a hearty combination of chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños. Ready in under an hour, it’s convenient for those pressed for time. The spicy and creamy elements blend well, making it an irresistible choice. The easy-to-follow steps make it a dependable choice for newcomers to the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
Shawarma Kebabs
These Shawarma Kebabs feature protein-rich skewers spiced for authentic flavor, suitable for pairing with rice or salad. The meal comes together quickly and has a simplicity that’s almost impossible to ruin. It offers a variety of flavors without being complicated, making it a good choice for beginner cooks.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
These Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are a simple finger food ready in just one hour. Including chicken, bacon, and ranch flavors, this dish doesn’t require elaborate preparation or exotic ingredients. It’s an optimal choice for beginners due to its uncomplicated steps and basic ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers