10+ Easy Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals
Making dinner can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially after a long day. Easy recipes are the perfect solution to help you create delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. These simple dishes can satisfy everyone at your table while keeping the cooking process stress-free.
Whether you’re a busy parent or just looking to save time, easy recipes can simplify your cooking routine. You’ll find a variety of options that are quick, tasty, and sure to impress your family or guests.
With just a few ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up a meal that meets your needs without any fuss.
1) Quick Chicken Stir-Fry
Chicken stir-fry is a great way to make a delicious meal in no time. You can use fresh vegetables and a tasty sauce to enhance the flavors. It’s perfect for a busy day when you want something healthy and satisfying.
Start with sliced chicken breasts as your main protein. Add colorful veggies like bell peppers and broccoli for a nutritious boost. You can quickly cook everything in a hot pan or wok.
For the sauce, combine soy sauce, honey, and a bit of sesame oil. This adds a nice taste that brings everything together.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
- Add the sliced chicken and cook until browned.
- Toss in the broccoli and bell peppers; stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in the soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Stir well.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is hot. Enjoy!
2) Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a creamy and delicious meal. You will need spaghetti, pancetta or bacon, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and some olive oil.
To start, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. While it cooks, fry the pancetta or bacon in a pan until crispy. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and Parmesan cheese.
Once the pasta is done, drain it and add it to the pan with the pancetta. Remove the pan from heat and quickly stir in the egg mixture. The heat from the pasta will cook the eggs and create a creamy sauce.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti
- Pancetta or bacon
- Eggs
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
- In a pan, fry pancetta or bacon until crispy.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs and Parmesan cheese together.
- Drain pasta and add it to the pan.
- Remove from heat and stir in the egg mixture.
3) Creamy Tomato Soup
Creamy tomato soup is a comforting dish that is easy to make. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. The blend of fresh ingredients makes it full of flavor.
To make it, you can use canned tomatoes or fresh ones. Adding basil and garlic enhances the taste. Cream or milk gives it a rich, creamy texture.
You can enjoy it with a grilled cheese sandwich for the perfect meal. This soup can be made in just 20 to 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until soft.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add cream and basil; heat through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
4) Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
Baked ziti with mozzarella is a simple and delicious dish you’ll love. It combines pasta, rich tomato sauce, and gooey cheese for a comforting meal. You can easily make it for family dinners or gatherings with friends.
Start by boiling ziti pasta until it is al dente. In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Transfer everything to a baking dish, then sprinkle more mozzarella on top.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your tasty baked ziti!
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti pasta until al dente.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, marinara sauce, and cheeses.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
- Sprinkle additional mozzarella on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Allow to cool before serving.
5) Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Making an easy chicken pot pie is a great way to enjoy a comforting meal. You can use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken to save time. This dish is creamy, filled with veggies, and wrapped in a flaky crust.
You can use frozen vegetables to keep it simple. Just mix them with chicken and your favorite gravy. Top it off with a pie crust, and you’re ready to bake.
Bake in the oven at 425°F (220°C) until the crust is golden brown. This usually takes about 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy the delicious flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup chicken gravy
- 1 pie crust
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, frozen vegetables, and gravy.
- Pour the mixture into a pie dish.
- Cover with pie crust and cut slits for steam.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
6) Banana Bread Delight
Banana bread is a simple and satisfying treat. It’s perfect for using up ripe bananas you may have at home. This recipe is easy and requires just a few ingredients.
To start, mash two to three ripe bananas in a bowl. Add melted butter, sugar, a beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined.
Next, stir in flour and baking soda. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes. Your kitchen will smell wonderful while it bakes!
Let it cool before slicing. Enjoy your warm banana bread with a little butter or on its own.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 beaten egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mash the bananas.
- Stir in melted butter.
- Add sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Add flour and baking soda. Stir until combined.
- Pour the mixture into a greased loaf pan.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool before slicing and enjoy!
7) Skillet Lasagna
Skillet lasagna is a quick and tasty option for dinner. It gives you the classic lasagna flavor without the long cooking time. You can make this dish all in one pan, making cleanup easy.
Start by browning your ground meat in a skillet. Then, add your favorite pasta sauce and uncooked noodles. Cover and let it simmer until the noodles are tender.
Once cooked, stir in some ricotta and mozzarella cheese. Allow it to melt and become creamy. This dish can be ready in about 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce
- 8 ounces uncooked lasagna noodles
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Brown the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the pasta sauce and uncooked noodles.
- Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until noodles are tender.
- Stir in ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella.
- Cook until cheese is melted.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and serve.
8) Gochujang Chicken Burgers
Gochujang chicken burgers are a tasty way to enjoy a flavorful meal. The spicy gochujang sauce adds a unique kick that makes these burgers stand out. They are easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
To start, mix ground chicken with gochujang, garlic powder, and panko breadcrumbs. Form the mixture into patties, then cook them on a grill or stovetop. Toast your burger buns for extra crunch.
You can top your burgers with kimchi or a simple cucumber salad for added freshness. Enjoy your gochujang chicken burgers with friends or family!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 tablespoons gochujang sauce
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Burger buns
Cooking Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix ground chicken, gochujang, panko, garlic powder, and salt.
- Form the mixture into burger patties.
- Cook the patties on a grill or stovetop until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Toast the burger buns.
- Assemble the burgers and add your favorite toppings.
9) Huevos Rancheros
Huevos Rancheros is a tasty and colorful dish that you can enjoy any time. It features corn tortillas topped with refried beans, salsa, and eggs. This hearty meal is perfect for breakfast or brunch.
To make it, you will need a few simple ingredients. Start by heating the tortillas and layering them with beans. Top with fried or poached eggs and your favorite salsa. Fresh cilantro adds a nice touch, too.
Feel free to customize it with avocado or cheese. This dish is filling and satisfying, making it great for sharing with family or friends.
Ingredients
- 2 corn tortillas
- 1 cup refried beans
- 2 eggs
- Salsa (to taste)
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a pan and warm the tortillas in it.
- Spread refried beans on each tortilla.
- Fry or poach the eggs to your liking.
- Place the eggs on the tortillas.
- Top with salsa and cilantro before serving.
10) Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are a classic treat that anyone can make. They are simple, quick, and delicious.
You only need a few ingredients to create soft and chewy cookies that everyone will love. The best part is you do not need a mixer. Just mix everything in one bowl. You can have fresh cookies ready in less than 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225 g) butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (250 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the butter and sugar together.
- Add the eggs and stir until combined.
- Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
- Let cool before enjoying!