Cooking doesn’t have to be hard or stressful. Even if you’ve never used an oven or always burn toast, you can still make a meal that tastes good. This list comprises simple dinners that use easy-to-find ingredients and don’t need fancy skills.
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Most of them only take a few steps, and you can cook them with basic tools like a frying pan or baking sheet. These meals are perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, or anyone trying to eat more at home. Following basic directions, you can make every recipe on this list.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Soup
This cozy classic is nearly foolproof. To make the sandwich, butter two slices of bread and place cheese in the middle. Cook it in a pan over medium heat until both sides are golden and crispy.
You can heat a can of tomato soup on the stove or in the microwave. To make it creamier, you can add milk instead of water. Dip your sandwich in the soup for an extra satisfying bite.
Baked Chicken Tenders
Start with chicken tenders or cut chicken breasts into strips. Dip them in a beaten egg and then coat them in breadcrumbs. Lay them on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
Make sure they’re fully cooked with no pink in the middle. Serve with ketchup, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce. They’re crispy, easy, and a lot healthier than fast food.
Spaghetti with Jarred Sauce
Boil water and cook your pasta until tender. While that’s cooking, heat a jar of pasta sauce on the stove. Drain the pasta and stir it into the sauce.
If you want to get fancy, sprinkle some grated cheese or dried herbs. This is a filling, fast meal that feels homemade. If you want to go the extra mile, add a piece of garlic bread.
Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
Chop up some sausage and your favorite vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and peppers. Toss everything in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread it out on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Stir halfway through so it cooks evenly. It’s a complete meal made in one pan with hardly any cleanup.
Scrambled Eggs and Toast
Crack a few eggs into a bowl and whisk them with a pinch of salt. Pour into a buttered pan on medium heat and stir gently until fluffy. Toast some bread while the eggs are cooking.
You can add cheese, herbs, or even leftovers to the eggs. This five-minute meal works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s also a great option when the fridge is nearly empty.
Quesadillas
Place a tortilla in a pan and sprinkle cheese on half. Fold it over and cook both sides until golden and the cheese is melted. You can add extras like beans, cooked chicken, or peppers.
Cut it into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream. It’s warm, crunchy, and takes less than 10 minutes. Perfect for one person or a crowd.
Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Open a can of tuna and drain the water. Mix it in a bowl with mayonnaise, a little mustard, salt, and pepper. Spoon it onto bread or a wrap. You can add lettuce, tomato, or pickle slices for crunch. This meal requires no cooking at all. It’s light, quick, and works great for hot days.
Baked Potatoes with Toppings
Wash a potato and poke it a few times with a fork. Microwave for 8 to 10 minutes or bake in the oven until soft. Slice it open and fluff the inside with a fork.
Add butter, cheese, sour cream, or anything else you like. You can even top it with chili, broccoli, or leftover meat. It’s cheap, filling, and super customizable.
Fried Rice
Use leftover rice or cook some and let it cool. In a large pan, cook a scrambled egg and then add the rice and some frozen veggies. Stir in soy sauce and cook until everything is hot.
Add cooked chicken or tofu if you want more protein. This one-pan meal is ready in under 15 minutes and is a great way to clean out your fridge.
English Muffin Pizzas
Split an English muffin in half and place it on a baking sheet. Spread tomato sauce on each half and sprinkle with cheese. Add toppings like pepperoni or mushrooms if you like.
Bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. These mini pizzas are fun to make and easy to eat. Great for kids or a quick snack dinner.
Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
Brown some ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat. Stir in a can of Sloppy Joe sauce or make your own with ketchup, mustard, and a little sugar. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
Spoon the meat onto hamburger buns. Serve with chips, pickles, or coleslaw. It’s messy in the best way and tastes like something from your childhood.
Breakfast-for-Dinner
Whip up some pancakes from a boxed mix and cook them on a griddle or pan. Make some scrambled eggs or fry up a couple. You can add bacon or sausage for extra protein.
Breakfast for dinner is easy and fun. Add a little fruit or yogurt if you have it. It feels like a treat but takes hardly any effort.
Ramen Noodle Upgrade
Cook a pack of ramen according to the directions. Drain most of the water and stir in the seasoning packet. Crack an egg into the pot and stir quickly to cook it.
Add frozen peas or any leftover meat or veggies. It’s still cheap but way more filling and tasty. If you want more flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or hot sauce.
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Use canned chicken or pull meat off a rotisserie chicken. Mix it with BBQ sauce in a pan and heat it up. Pile the meat on buns and add pickles or coleslaw if you have them.
It takes just a few minutes but feels like something special. Serve with chips, salad, or fruit. It’s a great meal when you don’t want to cook but still want to eat well.
One-Pot Mac and Cheese
Boil pasta until tender and drain it. Add some butter, milk, and shredded cheese in the same pot. Stir until the cheese melts and everything gets creamy.
Add the pasta back and mix until coated. You can stir in cooked hot dogs or peas for something extra. It’s creamy, comforting, and made with just one pot.
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