Cooking doesn't have to be complicated. If you're new to the kitchen, start with these 10 quick and easy recipes. Each dish is straightforward, requiring minimal ingredients and steps, making them perfect for beginner chefs eager to improve their skills while enjoying delicious results.
Table of Contents
- 1. Pulled Pork
- 2. Chili
- 3. Ramen
- 4. Chicken and Broccoli
- 5. Quesadillas
- 6. Tacos
- 7. Frozen Vegetables
- 8. Potato Salad
- 9. Mashed Potatoes
- 10. Chicken Casserole
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1. Pulled Pork

First of all, if you're a novice chef, you should own a Crock Pot or other Dutch oven. It takes all the legwork out of cooking fantastic food; you set it and forget it! Pulled pork is one of my favorite to cook. Buy approximately six pounds of Boston pork butt at the grocery store (it's often on sale for less than two dollars per pound!), rub in paprika, salt, pepper, and a healthy coating of brown sugar. Then, pour a few tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce on top. Then cook it in the Crock Pot on low for eight hours. It will be fall-off-the-bone delicious. You can thank me later. Get the recipe
2. Chili

Sometimes, the best dishes are ones you can throw random ingredients in and let the stovetop do all the work! Chili is an effortless dish to make. "You can make chili with lots of different combinations of vegetables and serve it with lots of different foods," reveals one man. "Also, depending on the recipe, it freezes quite nicely, so that's another way to save money." My suggestion: Ground turkey makes for an excellent protein to use in a quality chili.
3. Ramen

Everyone loves instant ramen (it got many of us through college), but homemade ramen is even better! "Ramen is quick and can be relatively healthy," explains one amateur chef. "Add soft-boiled eggs, some frozen veggies, and whatever protein you have on hand. Make your own broth in your Crock Pot or start with store-bought broth and add soy sauce or sesame oil." Get the recipe
4. Chicken and Broccoli

It's surprising how many novice chefs haven't mastered the art of cooking a perfect boneless chicken breast. When served with broccoli, it's one of the healthiest meals you can eat; it was my go-to post-workout meal in my 20s. Fortunately, it's easy to make. Sear the chicken on both sides, set your oven to 425 degrees, throw the chicken and broccoli in an oven-friendly dish, and cook for 25 minutes! In addition, it's a great combination to batch in large quantities. Get the recipe
5. Quesadillas

Let's face it: Not everyone is cut out to be a successful home chef. Fortunately, quesadillas are so easy even an idiot can make them! Here's how easy they are: Take an oversized flour tortilla, pour whatever ingredients you like on half of it (don't forget the cheese), and flip the other side over. Pan-fry until the cheese melts. Now pat yourself on the back: You just made a Mexican favorite! Get the recipe
6. Tacos

Everybody knows how to make tacos (like quesadillas, they are criminally easy to create), but not many people know how healthy they can be. By substituting ground beef for ground turkey and using high-quality, fresh vegetables and corn tortillas, tacos quickly become one of the most nutritious and inexpensive meals you can create! Get the recipes
7. Frozen Vegetables

The people have spoken: Frozen veggies are just as nutritious and tasty as fresh ones! Take advantage of these affordable side dishes as often as you can. "Frozen vegetable mixes can be found at all supermarkets and grocery stores," one woman explains. "These are easy to use because all the prep stuff is done. There's no need to buy, peel, chop, discard peelings, and race to use up fresh veggies before they go bad."
8. Potato Salad

As someone who loves potato salad more than anything in the world, just reading this man's simple recipe for potato salad has me drooling: "If you have a leftover baked potato, slice it up with a hard-boiled egg, mix with mayo and maybe a little mustard," he reveals. "Add some relish or sliced pickle. Season however you'd like. Boom! Potato Salad, for one!" Get the recipe
9. Mashed Potatoes

Here's the dirty secret about mashed potatoes: They're impossible to mess up! You didn't mash them enough? It's okay. Did you leave the skin on? That's fine, too. Did you add too much butter and milk? That's quite alright! Did you accidentally dump a packet of bacon bits into the potato mixture? Hold on. I'll be over in a second. That sounds delicious. Get the recipe
10. Chicken Casserole

Although chicken casserole sounds intimidating to make, it's easier than you think to create! One person outlines how straightforward it is. "Buy a rotisserie chicken," she explains. "Tear up the breast and cover the bottom of your casserole dish. Then mix cream of chicken soup with sour cream, salt and pepper. Cover the chicken with that mixture. Then, crush the crackers over the top and pour melted butter over the crackers. Place in the oven at 400 degrees until the crackers are golden brown." Not only is the end product delicious, but it sounds impressive whenever you tell someone you made chicken casserole.
Source: Reddit.
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