Stop wasting money on takeout and discover the joy of foolproof, home-cooked meals. We’ve all had those kitchen disasters that make us swear off cooking and reach for our phones to order delivery. But what if you could prepare simple, delicious meals that are virtually impossible to mess up? These 21 easy-to-follow recipes lead to memorable, well-balanced dishes. Cooking at home has never been more approachable.
These recipes are designed to be straightforward, even for those relatively new to the kitchen. No complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients — just simple, practical meals anyone can make. So, if you’ve hesitated to don your apron, now is the time to dive in. With these fail-safe options, you can enjoy the process of cooking and savor the delicious rewards.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This casserole combines broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon in a 30-minute dish. It’s a straightforward recipe that’s perfect for kitchen novices. Because of its quick cooking time, it serves as a convenient meal option for busy nights. The ingredients provide a balanced mix of vegetables and protein. With its ease of preparation, this casserole is a far better choice than ordering takeout.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Italian Sausage Soup
This soup features Italian sausage, heavy cream, and canned tomatoes, ready in 30 minutes. The single-pot design makes for easy cooking and clean-up. It’s a perfect choice for those new to cooking and wanting a quick, satisfying meal. This dish is excellent for cold days or when you’re in a rush. The soup offers a convenient and homemade alternative to ordering from a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
This Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken showcases the vibrant flavors of cream cheese and sweet peppers in a one-of-a-kind baked dish. In just 30 minutes, you can transform simple ingredients into a dinner that rivals any restaurant fajita plate. Thanks to its straightforward preparation steps, it’s an ideal option for beginners in the kitchen. The dish provides a dose of protein and vegetables, and its easy assembly makes it a compelling alternative to takeout. You’ll spend less time cooking and more time savoring this delicious, well-balanced meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Fajita Baked Chicken
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This one-pan chicken dish features a creamy mushroom sauce and is ready in just 30 minutes. The recipe is simple to follow, making it a great starting point for beginner cooks. Pair it with rice or vegetables for a complete, balanced meal. Its quick cooking time makes it a convenient dinner option. The combination of protein and a flavorful sauce elevates this dish as a takeout alternative.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Crock Pot Taco Soup
This slow-cooker soup requires just 20 minutes of prep time and cooks itself throughout the day. With ground beef and pantry staples, this is an easy meal for those new to cooking. The slow cooker does most of the work, giving you time to focus on other tasks. The dish is a complete meal in itself, including both protein and vegetables. The convenience factor makes this soup an ideal alternative to waiting for food delivery.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This 25-minute dish consists of fried cabbage and bacon. It’s a simple recipe, perfect for cooking beginners. The quick cooking time and minimal ingredients make it a practical meal choice. The dish serves well as either a main course or a hearty side. Including both vegetables and protein, it offers a balanced alternative to ordering takeout.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Canned Chicken Patties
These patties are made with canned chicken and are ready in just 20 minutes. The short prep and cooking time make this recipe incredibly practical for a quick meal. Even if you’re new to cooking, the straightforward steps are manageable. You can serve these patties as a main course or even in sandwiches, adding to their versatility. Their simplicity and flavor make them a time-saving alternative to takeout.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Creamy Dijon Chicken
In this one-pan dish, chicken is seasoned and paired with a Dijon mustard sauce, spinach, and bacon, all within 30 minutes. The recipe is easy to follow, making it ideal for those new to cooking. This dish is a complete meal when complemented with a side of vegetables or rice. Its quick preparation and cooking time add a layer of convenience. Overall, this offers a homemade, balanced alternative to waiting for takeout.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This 30-minute, one-pan dish features ground beef and cauliflower rice. The recipe’s simplicity makes it a solid choice for those new to cooking. With high protein content, this dish can stand alone as a complete meal. Its quick cooking time and minimal ingredient list make it a convenient dinner option. It balances both practicality and flavor, making it a great alternative to ordering food.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Ready in 30 minutes, this sheet pan dinner includes roasted sausage and a variety of vegetables. The preparation is straightforward, ideal for those new to cooking. It serves as a balanced meal with protein and vegetables. The one-pan design ensures easy cleanup and reduces kitchen hassle. The quick cooking time makes this dish a practical alternative to takeout.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Creamy Garlic Chicken
If you’re in the mood for a restaurant-quality dish without the wait for delivery, this Creamy Garlic Chicken is your answer. With a cooking time of just 30 minutes, it’s as convenient as it is delicious. Imagine tender chicken bathing in a luscious garlic cream sauce — this dish makes that dream a reality. You don’t have to be a seasoned chef to nail this recipe; its simple steps are beginner-friendly. Pair it with some steamed vegetables or rice, and you’ve got a well-rounded, mouthwatering meal right at home.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This chicken salad, infused with a spicy twist of jalapeño, can be prepared quickly. The ingredients are basic and the steps are simple, making it perfect for cooking beginners. This dish offers a balanced meal, featuring both protein and greens. Its quick preparation time makes it a practical choice for a fast home-cooked meal. Overall, it’s a convenient and flavorful alternative to ordering takeout.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Featuring marinated chicken, cheese, and spinach, this one-pan dish is easy to assemble and bake. Even if you’re new to cooking, the recipe is straightforward and manageable. The dish serves as a complete, balanced meal, making it a convenient home-cooked option. Its simplicity saves you time in the kitchen, allowing for more time to enjoy your meal. The quick cooking time further adds to its practicality as an alternative to takeout.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is a refreshing twist on the traditional green salad, whisked together in just half an hour. Its creamy texture and the blend of dill, cucumber, and onion make it an ideal light dish. If you’re new to cooking, you’ll appreciate how straightforward it is to assemble this salad. It’s a convenient alternative to store-bought options, offering a balance of flavors and textures that will make you feel like a pro in the kitchen. The best part? Its quick preparation allows you more time to enjoy your meal, rather than just preparing it.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
This casserole combines chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños for a memorable meal. The simple steps make it a great introductory recipe for new cooks. This dish offers a complete meal featuring both protein and flavor. Its straightforward preparation adds to its practicality, especially for quick dinners. Overall, it serves as a convenient and flavorful alternative to ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
In just 30 minutes, this one-skillet dish pairs chicken thighs with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. The recipe is simple, making it perfect for those new to cooking. The dish provides a balanced meal when paired with a vegetable side. The quick cooking time and one-skillet design make for easy clean-up. It’s a more personal and timely alternative to waiting for takeout.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Bacon Cheeseburger Salad
This dish is essentially a deconstructed cheeseburger, ready in a flash. Its easy assembly makes it a practical choice for beginner chefs. The dish is a complete meal, offering protein and greens. The quick preparation and simple ingredients make it a convenient, home-cooked option. It provides a flavorful yet simple alternative to ordering fast food.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Keto Zuppa Toscana
For those looking to enjoy restaurant-style comfort at home without the carbs, Keto Zuppa Toscana has you covered. Replacing potatoes with radishes in this dish cleverly mimics the texture and taste you love in Olive Garden’s famous soup, while keeping it low-carb and gluten-free. Whether or not you’re watching your carbs, the rich flavors in this soup make it universally appealing. The recipe is designed to be simple and quick, with a total time of just one hour from start to finish. So, it is a lighter take on a restaurant favorite and adds the convenience of a quick homemade meal.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Craving a dish that feels gourmet but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen? This Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach recipe is the answer. Ready in just 30 minutes, it combines succulent shrimp, fresh spinach, and a garlicky sauce for a meal that’s as delicious as it is simple to make. Even if you’re a kitchen novice, this recipe is a cinch, providing a balanced, nutritious meal that beats the hassle of takeout any day. It’s a little touch of Italian elegance right in your home, without the wait or the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Shawarma Kebabs
If you’re craving something different but simple for dinner, these oven-baked Shawarma Kebabs are your ticket to a quick culinary getaway. Ideal for those who are just starting their cooking journey, the recipe is straightforward without skimping on flavor. The kebabs cook up fast in the oven, making having a delicious home-cooked meal easy even on a busy weeknight. Bursting with spices and protein-packed goodness, they offer a tasteful break from the usual dinner fare.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
These Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are the perfect quick fix when you’re in the mood for something delicious and homemade. Easy to whip up, they’re a hit at family dinners and parties alike, giving everyone a fun and flavorful way to dine. If you’re new to cooking, don’t worry — this recipe is a breeze, taking the stress out of meal prep. Packed with protein from the chicken and rich flavors from the bacon and ranch, they’re a complete meal and made even more delicious when served with some ranch dipping sauce. It’s a hassle-free alternative to ordering appetizers, allowing you to savor the joy of a home-cooked meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers