25 Easy Meals That Turn Kitchen Newbies into Chefs

Whip up something special with these easy meals! From salads to pasta and rice bowls, they are sure to bring deliciousness to your table without the fuss.

Collecting easy meals like these is a smart move for anyone, especially if you’re often caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life or if you’re just starting out in the kitchen.

When time is scarce, having a repertoire of simple dishes at your fingertips means you can still enjoy homemade meals without the stress.

Here are some of the best recipes you can explore for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, and unexpected guests!

Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

This dish showcases the delectable flavors of an egg roll without the hassle of wrapping and frying.

It’s a deconstructed egg roll featuring ground chicken, fresh veggies, and a savory sauce, all stir-fried in a single skillet. It’s the perfect lazy weekend meal!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Sausage Balls With Cream Cheese

These sausage balls with cream cheese are the epitome of simplicity and flavor!

You only need five ingredients: pork sausage, cream cheese, baking mix, cheddar cheese, and parsley. They are a perfect blend of meaty and cheesy with a soft, biscuit-like texture.

Get The Recipe: Sausage Balls With Cream Cheese

Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

Here’s an awesome recipe the entire family will love! The main ingredients are convenient and flavorful, including rotisserie chicken, milk, mixed veggies, and storebought puff pastry.

Serve it hot with crisp greens for a more satisfying meal.

Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

These sliders are small in size but big in flavor. They feature creamy ranch dressing, gooey cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and juicy turkey slices, all nestled between soft dinner rolls.

The addition of melted butter brushed over the top before baking adds a delicious depth of flavor.

Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders

TikTok Egg Boil

This egg boil recipe turns boiled eggs into a flavor-packed meal, combining the richness of soft-boiled eggs with a buttery, spicy sauce.

Serve these eggs over jasmine rice or with bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Get The Recipe: TikTok Egg Boil

Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl

Don’t have time to prepare traditional sushi? This is a no-fuss meal that brings the essence of sushi into an accessible, bowl-based format.

It’s great for those who crave the taste of sushi but lack the time or skills to roll their own. You can prepare this in 15 minutes!

Get The Recipe: Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Try a modern take on the classic Italian-American comfort food! This version is made effortlessly in the Instant Pot to save time and reduce cleanup.

Serve it hot, garnished with grated Parmesan and fresh basil for an authentic touch.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup

Experience a heartwarming and nutritious twist on a timeless comfort food. This recipe cooks the chicken and noodles separately to ensure perfect texture and ease of storage.

With a rich, savory broth filled with tender chicken, veggies, and fusilli pasta, each spoonful is soothing and satisfying.

Get The Recipe: Stovetop Chicken Noodle Soup

Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise

This baked salmon comes together in just 13 minutes. It promises a moist, tender, and flaky outcome, with salmon fillets, mayo, lemon zest, black pepper, and parmesan cheese.

Don’t skip the mayo – it adds a rich flavor and helps to lock in the salmon’s natural moisture.

Get The Recipe: Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise

Chai Latte Vegan French Toast

Infuse the classic French toast with the warm, aromatic flavors of chai and espresso. This recipe creates a lovely breakfast option with ginger, cinnamon, ground flax seeds, and vanilla.

It’s perfect for those seeking a plant-based alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste.

Get The Recipe: Chai Latte Vegan French Toast

Vegan Fried Chicken

This vegan fried chicken uses seitan for a meaty texture. It’s seasoned with a mix of spices and coated in a buttermilk and flour mixture, then fried to achieve a crispy exterior.

Serve this plant-based option with your favorite dipping sauce.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Fried Chicken

Jackfruit Tacos

Do you know that jackfruit mimics the texture of pulled pork when cooked? This one brings a vegan and flavorful twist to traditional tacos using jackfruit.

It’s served with tortillas and your choice of toppings. Even meat eaters will love this.

Get The Recipe: Jackfruit Tacos

Tofu Scrambled Eggs

This vegan scramble features tofu as the main ingredient! It’s a plant-based twist on the traditional scrambled eggs, with almond milk, turmeric powder, vegan butter, and black pepper.

Customize it with your favorite vegetables or vegan cheese.

Get The Recipe: Tofu Scrambled Eggs

Vegan Meatloaf

Looking for more plant-based ideas? This hearty main dish is crafted from wholesome ingredients like lentils, oats, and dairy-free cheese.

It’s topped with a tangy barbecue sauce for an extra flavor boost. Prepare this satisfying meal in less than an hour.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Meatloaf

Pesto Pizza

This vibrant pizza brings the rich flavors of homemade pesto, marinated artichokes, sautéed red onions, and juicy grape tomatoes atop a perfectly crispy crust.

Quality ingredients can really transform a simple pizza into a gourmet experience! It’s a refreshing take on pizza night.

Get The Recipe: Pesto Pizza

Spicy Vodka Beans

This delicious dish substitutes pasta with beans for a hearty, vegan meal. It’s rich in flavor, with cannellini beans, garlic, shallots, tomato paste, cheese, and a touch of vodka.

Of course, you can always add more cheese. Serve it with crusty bread or baked potatoes.

Get The Recipe: Spicy Vodka Beans

Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice

Gluten-free and dairy-free meals are oh so delicious and easy. This one can be prepared in 15 minutes with canned tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, and kimchi.

You can always make it ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for up to four days.

Get The Recipe: Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice

Parmesan Crusted Cod

Prepare restaurant-quality seafood meals at home. This recipe features cod fillets with a crunchy panko and parmesan cheese crust flavored with lemon zest and garlic powder.

It’s a healthy, high-protein option that’s ready in less than 20 minutes. Serve it with roasted veggies or green salad!

Get The Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Cod

Air Fryer Skirt Steak

This easy recipe simplifies steak preparation, utilizing the air fryer for a quick meal.

To make this, you need skirt steak, soy sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and spices. Enjoy it with your sandwiches, salads, or wraps.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Skirt Steak

Yaki Udon (Stir-Fried Udon Noodles)

Bring the streets of Japan into your kitchen with this Yaki Udon recipe.

The main ingredients include udon noodles, veggies, pork, and rice wine. It’s a versatile dish that’s easy to customize, so feel free to tweak it to include your choice of protein.

Get The Recipe: Yaki Udon (Stir-Fried Udon Noodles)

Sausage, Pepper and Potato Skillet

Here’s one of the best easy meals you can whip up on a busy day. It includes potatoes, smoked sausage, bell peppers, Italian seasoning, and a few other simple ingredients.

Best enjoyed hot from the skillet, this meal is perfect on its own or with fresh greens.

Get The Recipe: Sausage, Pepper and Potato Skillet

Mongolian Beef

This dish is a gamechanger for anyone who craves the bold flavors of Asian cuisine without the hassle of complex cooking techniques.

The beef is velvety and succulent, coated in a delicious, glossy sauce. You’ll love the perfect balance of sweetness and umami.

Get The Recipe: Mongolian Beef

Italian Baked Zucchini

Encourage your loved ones to eat more veggies! This recipe transforms the humble zucchini into a flavorful, cheesy, and herb-infused delight.

It’s a blend of zucchini, parmesan, and herbs like basil and oregano. Serve it straight from the oven as a splendid side dish or a vegetarian main.

Get The Recipe: Italian Baked Zucchini

One Pot Spanish Rice With Chorizo

One-pot dishes are so delicious and convenient, you would want to prepare them everyday for your family.

This is a vibrant meal that combines the smoky depth of chorizo with rice, cooked together with tomatoes, peppers, and spices. Serve it with some crusty bread to complete the feast.

Get The Recipe: One Pot Spanish Rice With Chorizo

Lemon Pepper Drumsticks

Brighten up your mealtime with these lemon pepper drumsticks! The drumsticks are juicy and tender on the inside, with a crisp, flavorful skin that’s hard to resist.

The main ingredients are simple: chicken drumsticks, lemon, and a generous seasoning of lemon pepper.

Get The Recipe: Lemon Pepper Drumsticks

These meals can be whipped up in no time. The best part is they often yield leftovers, meaning you have easy options for lunch or dinner the next day.

For example, leftover veggies can be turned into a hearty frittata or blended into a soup, while extra chicken can be added to sandwiches or wraps for a quick and nutritious meal.