10+ Beginners Recipes to Get You Cooking with Confidence

Cooking can be a fun and rewarding activity, especially for beginners who are just starting to explore the kitchen. Many simple recipes allow you to build confidence and learn new skills. Finding easy and tasty beginner recipes will help you enjoy cooking and make mealtime less stressful.

Whether you are looking for quick meals or simple snacks, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can try dishes that require minimal ingredients and basic techniques. With a little practice, you will be able to create delicious meals that impress your family and friends.

1) Easy Chicken and Stuffing Bake

This Easy Chicken and Stuffing Bake is a perfect choice for beginners. It’s tasty, simple, and requires only a few ingredients. The chicken is juicy, and the stuffing on top adds great flavor.

To start, you need some boneless chicken breasts. Combine them with a creamy soup and layer the stuffing on top. Bake everything together until it’s hot and bubbly.

This dish is ready in less than an hour, making it ideal for busy nights.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 can of cream of chicken soup
• 1 box of Stove Top stuffing mix
• 1 ½ cups of water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish.
3. Spread the cream of chicken soup over the chicken.
4. Mix the stuffing with water and distribute it on top.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

2) One-Pot Rice Cooker Sausage and Peppers

This dish is great for beginners. It combines tasty Italian sausage, colorful peppers, and rice all in one pot. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Start by browning slices of sausage in your rice cooker. Then add sliced onions and peppers for flavor. The rice cooks right along with the sausage and veggies, soaking up all the delicious juices.

This meal is filling and packed with flavor. You can also customize it by adding your favorite spices or vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the sausage in the rice cooker.
2. Add the sliced onion and pepper. Cook until softened.
3. Stir in the rice and chicken broth.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Close the lid and cook according to rice cooker instructions.

3) Creamy Chicken Ramen

Creamy chicken ramen is a quick and tasty dish that you can prepare in no time. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you just want something comforting.

To make this meal, you’ll start by cooking ramen noodles. While they cook, you can prepare a rich and creamy sauce with ingredients like chicken broth and whipping cream.

Adding cooked chicken gives it more flavor and protein. Don’t forget to toss in some garlic for extra taste!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup whipping cream
• 1 (3 ounce) package ramen noodles
• Cooked chicken, shredded

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook ramen noodles according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add chicken broth and cream, stirring until mixed.
4. Combine sauce with noodles and add shredded chicken.
5. Heat through and serve warm.

4) Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Pasta with tomato sauce is a simple and delicious dish perfect for beginners. You can make this meal using just a few ingredients that you likely already have at home. It’s quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

To start, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, heat some olive oil in a pan and add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until they are soft and fragrant.

Next, add canned diced tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, and herbs like oregano or basil. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. Once the pasta is ready, mix it with the sauce and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dried oregano or basil (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water and cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
4. Add diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
5. Drain pasta and mix with the sauce. Serve warm.

5) Baked Salmon

Baked salmon is an easy and healthy dish perfect for any beginner. This recipe focuses on simple ingredients and quick cooking methods. You’ll enjoy tender and flaky salmon with great flavor.

To start, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place your salmon fillet in a baking dish and season it. You can use olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice for a fresh taste.

Cook the salmon for about 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness. It should easily flake with a fork when it’s ready. Serve it alongside your favorite veggies or grains for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 salmon fillet
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the salmon in a baking dish.
3. Drizzle olive oil, add garlic, and lemon juice.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until flaky.

6) Brown Sugar Salmon

Brown Sugar Salmon is a simple and delicious dish that anyone can make. You will love the sweet and slightly smoky flavor of the glaze. It makes a great meal for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

To start, you will need just a few ingredients. The recipe only takes about 15 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy evenings. Your salmon fillet will come out tender and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound (450g) salmon fillet

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Spread the glaze evenly over the salmon.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.

7) One-Pot Baked Risotto With Blistered Tomatoes & Burrata

This One-Pot Baked Risotto is an easy and flavorful dish you will love. Mixing creamy risotto with blistered tomatoes and rich burrata makes a perfect meal.

Start by combining rice and flavorful tomatoes with stock in a baking dish. Bake until the rice absorbs most of the liquid. This method keeps things simple.

Once it’s done, add creamy burrata on top. It melts beautifully and adds richness to your risotto. You can garnish with fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
• 1 small bunch of fresh oregano or thyme (5 to 8 sprigs)
• 1 tsp red chile flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz burrata cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a baking dish, combine the rice, tomatoes, chopped shallot, herbs, and stock.
3. Season with salt, pepper, and red chile flakes.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until rice absorbs most of the liquid.
5. Remove from the oven and add burrata cheese on top.
6. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

8) Sheet-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken

Sheet-pan lemon herb chicken is a simple and delicious dish you can make easily. The bright flavors from lemon and herbs make it a favorite for weeknight dinners.

You will need chicken thighs, your choice of veggies, and some basic seasonings. This recipe is great because everything cooks together on one pan, saving you time on cleanup.

Start by tossing your veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper on the pan. Place the chicken on top and drizzle with lemon juice and herbs.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 30-35 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are tender. Enjoy your flavorful meal!

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (like broccoli and carrots)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like rosemary or thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan.
3. Place chicken thighs on top.
4. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle herbs.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until chicken is done.

9) Lemongrass Beef Bowl

A lemongrass beef bowl is a delicious dish that’s easy to make. You can use ground beef or thinly sliced beef, whichever you prefer.

Start by marinating the beef with lemongrass and seasoning. This gives it a fresh, vibrant flavor. Cook the beef in a hot pan until it’s browned.

Serve the beef over a bed of rice or rice noodles. You can add fresh veggies like carrots and cucumbers for a crunch. Top it off with a drizzle of hoisin sauce for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) of beef (ground or sliced)
• 2 stalks of lemongrass, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Cooked rice or rice noodles
• Fresh vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, etc.)
• Hoisin sauce for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate beef with lemongrass, soy sauce, fish sauce, and garlic.
2. Heat a pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F / 190°C).
3. Cook the beef for 5-7 minutes until browned.
4. Serve over cooked rice or noodles with fresh veggies.
5. Drizzle with hoisin sauce before enjoying!

10) One-Pot Italian Chicken

This One-Pot Italian Chicken recipe is easy and perfect for a weeknight dinner. You’ll use simple ingredients and have less clean-up.

Start by cooking chicken breast in a pot with tomatoes and basil. Then, add white wine to enhance the flavors.

Next, combine everything in your pot and let it simmer. In about 25 minutes, you’ll have a delicious, creamy casserole ready to enjoy.

You can serve it over pasta or rice for a complete meal. This dish is comforting and sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breast fillets
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup white wine
• Fresh basil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Add chicken to a pot over medium heat and cook until browned.
2. Then, add diced tomatoes and white wine.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Simmer for 25 minutes.
5. Serve with pasta or rice.