10+ I Don’t Know Recipes: Easy Meals When You’re Out of Ideas

When meal planning becomes a challenge, “I Don’t Know” recipes come to the rescue. These easy, versatile dishes allow you to mix and match ingredients based on what you have at home. They are perfect for busy days or when you want to keep cooking simple.

With just a few common ingredients, you can whip up comforting meals without the stress of complicated recipes. By using what you already have in your pantry combined with a little creativity, you can easily turn any meal into something delicious.

1) Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is an easy and delicious meal you can whip up in no time. This dish combines shrimp, pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce that is sure to impress. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

To make this dish, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, you can prepare the garlic butter sauce with shrimp. Just sauté garlic in butter, then add the shrimp until they are pink and cooked through.

Toss the cooked pasta with the shrimp and sauce. You can season it with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta
• 4 tbsp (½ stick) butter
• 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
4. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink.
5. Toss cooked pasta with shrimp and sauce. Enjoy!

2) Classic Beef Stew

Classic beef stew is perfect for a cozy meal. It combines tender beef with hearty vegetables. This dish is comforting and full of flavor.

To make your beef stew, you’ll need basic ingredients. Chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and herbs come together for a tasty combination. The stew simmers until the meat is tender and the flavors meld beautifully.

You can also add red wine for a richer taste. This adds depth and warmth, especially on cool evenings.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into cubes
• 4 potatoes, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Brown the beef cubes on all sides.
3. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
4. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour in the beef broth and red wine.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

3) Spicy Chicken Tacos

Spicy chicken tacos are a fun and tasty meal that you can whip up quickly. They use simple ingredients and take less than 30 minutes to make. The crispy corn tortillas are perfect for holding a flavorful chicken filling.

You can add jalapeños and hot green chiles to give your tacos a nice kick. Topping them with cheese, lettuce, and salsa can enhance the flavor even more.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken (thighs or breasts)
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped lettuce
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1-2 jalapeños (sliced, optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
2. Add chicken and sprinkle with taco seasoning.
3. Cook until chicken is done, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Remove chicken and shred it.
5. Warm tortillas in another pan or microwave.
6. Fill tortillas with shredded chicken and toppings as desired. Enjoy!

4) Vegetable Stir-Fry Delight

Vegetable stir-fry is a quick and tasty dish that you can make at home. It’s perfect for using up leftover veggies from your fridge. You can choose any combination of vegetables you like.

Start by heating oil in a pan over medium heat. You can add garlic for flavor and then toss in your favorite vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots. Stir them for about 5-7 minutes until they’re tender but still crispy.

Feel free to add soy sauce or sesame oil for extra taste. You can also top it off with sesame seeds for a nice crunch. Serve your stir-fry hot over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional)
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
3. Add the mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.
4. Pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil, stirring well.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve hot.

5) Baked Lemon Herb Salmon

Baked Lemon Herb Salmon is a simple and delicious dish that you can make in about 30 minutes. The combination of lemon and herbs gives the salmon a fresh flavor that you’ll love.

To prepare this meal, start by seasoning the salmon with lemon juice, salt, and your favorite herbs. You can use dill, parsley, or any herb you enjoy.

Then, bake the salmon in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. This method keeps the fish moist and tender, ensuring a delightful meal.

Feel free to pair your salmon with vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts for a complete dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped herbs (like dill or parsley)
• Lemon slices (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
4. Sprinkle with salt and herbs.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.
6. Garnish with lemon slices before serving.

6) Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Creamy mushroom risotto is a comforting dish that’s both rich and satisfying. With its creamy texture, it’s great for a cozy dinner. You’ll love the flavor from the mushrooms and the touch of cheese.

To make this dish, you will need Arborio rice. It helps create that creamy consistency. You can use both fresh and dried mushrooms to enhance the umami flavor.

Start with some onion and garlic sautéed in olive oil. Then, add the rice and stir. Slowly pour in warm broth, stirring often until the rice is tender. Finish with Parmesan cheese for extra creaminess.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 4 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
3. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.
4. Stir in Arborio rice until coated.
5. Gradually add warm broth, stirring frequently.
6. Cook until rice is creamy and al dente.
7. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!

7) Homemade Margherita Pizza

Homemade Margherita pizza is both simple and delicious. With just a few fresh ingredients, you can create a classic dish.

Start with a good pizza dough. You can make your own or buy pre-made. Roll it out and place it on a baking sheet.

For the sauce, blend canned tomatoes with some salt. Spread this over the dough. Then, add slices of fresh mozzarella.

Top your pizza with fresh basil leaves. Bake it at 475°F (245°C) for about 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden.

Enjoy your tasty homemade pizza with family and friends!

Ingredients

• Pizza dough
• 1 can of tomatoes
• Salt
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a baking sheet.
3. Blend tomatoes with salt for the sauce and spread it on the dough.
4. Add slices of mozzarella cheese on top.
5. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the cheese.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden.

8) Thai Green Curry Chicken

Thai Green Curry Chicken is a delicious and comforting dish. It combines tender chicken with rich coconut milk and aromatic green curry paste. This recipe is easy to make and packs a lot of flavor.

To start, gather your ingredients: chicken, coconut milk, green curry paste, bamboo shoots, and vegetables like bell peppers and eggplant.

For the cooking instructions, follow these steps:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add green curry paste and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Stir in the chicken and cook until lightly browned.
4. Pour in the coconut milk, and add bamboo shoots and vegetables.
5. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

Enjoy your homemade Thai Green Curry Chicken with rice!

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
• 2-3 tablespoons green curry paste
• 1 can bamboo shoots
• Vegetables (bell peppers, eggplant)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add green curry paste and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Stir in the chicken and cook until lightly browned.
4. Pour in the coconut milk, and add bamboo shoots and vegetables.
5. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

9) Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are a tasty and colorful dish that you can easily prepare. They are perfect for a family meal or a gathering with friends.

You can fill them with various ingredients. Popular choices include ground beef, rice, and cheese. You can also use turkey or even vegetables for a vegetarian option.

These peppers cook well in the oven. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C) for a nice, even bake.

Stuffed bell peppers are not just delicious; they also look great on a plate. You’ll enjoy making and sharing this comforting meal.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers (any color)
• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (or turkey)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
3. In a pan, cook the ground beef until it turns brown.
4. Afterward, mix in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, and salt.
5. Stuff the mixture into each pepper.
6. Place the peppers in a baking dish.
7. If desired, top with cheese.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the peppers are tender.

10) Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate lava cake is a delicious treat that’s surprisingly easy to make. You can enjoy rich chocolate flavor and a molten center that flows when you cut into it.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need flour, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, butter, and dark chocolate. These ingredients blend perfectly to create a dessert that’s sure to impress.

For cooking, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Melt the chocolate and butter together. Then, mix in the eggs and sugar. Finally, fold in the flour and cocoa powder.

Pour the batter into greased ramekins and bake for about 12 minutes. After baking, let them cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy your gooey chocolate lava cake warm, perhaps with a scoop of ice cream on the side.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 1/2 ounces dark chocolate

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Melt the chocolate and butter together.

3. Mix the eggs and sugar together.

4. Fold in the flour and cocoa powder.

5. Pour the batter into greased ramekins.

6. Bake for 12 minutes.

7. Let the ramekins cool for 1 minute before serving.