13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (2024)

By Lilly

Are you hungry but lacking in culinary skills? Here are some quick and easy meals to make at home to help you gain confidence in the kitchen!

A simple home cooked meal doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor. There are a great deal of effortless dinner recipes that are made with just a handful of basic and cheap ingredients. I’ve rounded up a list of my go-to dinner recipes for new cooks or anyone who doesn’t like spending hours in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (1)

If there’s one thing that makes being an adult difficult, it’s preparing dinner for my family EVERY NIGHT. Making a meal that everyone can agree on isn’t a walk in the park, especially if you have picky eaters at home. No worries! Scroll down below to find some of the easiest and best reviewed dinner ideas for busy weeknights.

These enchiladas may be ridiculously easy to make, but you would never guess they are made with frozen taquitos! Simply dump a can of enchilada sauce over top along with some shredded cheese for this delicious Mexican inspired meal.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (2)

Break out your muffin pan for this family friendly meal! The Pillsbury biscuit dough makes for the perfect little edible bowls. I’ve made this recipe extra fast and easy to make thanks to canned chicken, frozen veggies and a can of soup.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (3)

If you haven’t tried baking ravioli with pasta sauce and cheese, you’ve been missing out on the easiest meal on the planet. You can vary it up every time you make it by adding ground beef, sausage, or veggies to the layers, along with the ravioli of your choice!

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (4)

This amazing comfort food is awesome for those days when you’re craving a cheeseburger but the weather doesn’t permit standing outside over the grill. This fun twist on cheeseburgers uses refrigerated biscuits instead of buns! A total upgrade if you ask me.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (5)

If you’re a cream cheese fan, you are going to go bonkers over this easy taco recipe. Simply dump a few chicken breasts, a jar of salsa, a block of cream cheese and some taco seasoning into your slow cooker. Wait a few hours, and then watch as magic happens.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (6)

This shredded chicken and gravy is exquisite over mashed potatoes or rice! It kind of reminds me of Thanksgiving which makes me feel all happy inside. Serve this main dish with a side of your favorite veggies to make a complete family meal.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (7)

Do you think frozen burritos are dry and boring? Try smothering them in enchilada sauce and cheese! This seriously tastes like something you’d get at a fancy restaurant, and it’s a breeze to make in just one pan!

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (8)

This classic recipe is popular for a reason! It’s cheap, easy to make, and delicious. If you have a large family with kids or enjoy having leftovers, you’ve got to try this ground beef and pasta dinner casserole.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (9)

Frozen garlic toast makes for the perfect last-minute pizza crust. Top it with your favorite pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and the toppings of your choice such as pepperoni or olives. It’s easy enough for older kids and teens to make themselves!

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (10)

Even if you’re not a meatloaf fan, this is an incredibly savory way to cook ground beef. Simply mix it with a box of Stove Top stuffing, eggs, and ketchup. Once baked, it tastes like something your grandma would make. It’s surprisingly tasty, especially with mashed potatoes!

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (11)

Yes, you can make juicy and tender chicken in your oven! Top a few chicken breasts with a mixture of cream cheese and basil pesto, sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese, and bake. That’s it! It’s packed full of cheesy flavor and pairs well with a side of pasta or rice.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (12)

Take a classic quesadilla up a notch with pizza ingredients! Simply stuff that bad boy with pepperoni and dip in warm marinara. What else could you put in there? Olives, jalapeños, bell peppers? Don’t forget to sprinkle on some Italian seasoning.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (13)

Fajitas are a dream come true on just about any night of the week! Here is a simple way of making them in your oven with chicken. No grill required! Just toss with olive oil and a packet of fajita seasoning. You can thank me later.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (14)
Helpful Tips

Cooking Tips for Beginners

  1. Read the full recipe, instructions, notes and comments carefully before you start! You don’t want any surprises while you’re half way through cooking.
  2. Make a mental note of the tasks that need to be done ahead of time such as marinating meats, pulling butter out of the fridge, thawing vegetables, etc. Some things need to be done the day before.
  3. Chop vegetables, grate cheese and measure out spices before you start cooking to save time, prevent mistakes and reduce stress. I like to make sure I have everything I need right in front of me before I turn the stove or oven on.
  4. Always set your timer for less cooking time than a recipe calls for before checking for doneness. Every oven varies! You can always add more time but you can’t take it away.
  5. If you’re a beginner cook, follow the recipe, especially if you have dinner guests. You can always make notes and alter the recipe the second time around. At the same time, if you hate onions, leave them out! You can also leave out uncommon spices that you don’t want to buy such as coriander.

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (15)

You are here: Home / Dinner / 13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients)

13 Crazy Easy Dinner Recipes For Beginners (With Few Ingredients) (2024)

FAQs

What to make for dinner with bare minimum? ›

  • 27 / 44. Parmesan Fish Sticks. I wanted a healthier approach to fish sticks and developed a baked tilapia with a slightly peppery bite. ...
  • 28 / 44. Ham & Swiss Stromboli. This is an excellent dish to take to someone for dinner. ...
  • 29 / 44. Shakshuka. Shakshuka is a dish of poached eggs with tomatoes, onion and cumin.
May 5, 2024

What to make for dinner when you're broke? ›

  • Creamy pasta carbonara. A lovely, creamy version of a well-known favourite.
  • Best Spaghetti and Meatballs. ...
  • Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry. ...
  • Devilled sausages. ...
  • Potato and leek soup. ...
  • Lemon chicken. ...
  • Salt and pepper chicken. ...
  • Chicken and bacon carbonara.

How to eat when you're broke? ›

You will want to purchase cheap foods that are filling! Oatmeal, rice, beans, bread, and other starches are filling and will keep you full until your next meal. Beans and rice are also super versatile foods, and you can take them and transform them into easy meals you will actually enjoy!

What can I cook in 30 min? ›

Our Best 30-Minute Recipes
  • Chili and Cheese Pockets.
  • Easy Beef Stew in Biscuit Cups.
  • 2-Ingredient Chicken and Dumplings.
  • Biscuit Hamburgers.
  • Garlic Cheddar Biscuit Turkey Club.
  • Cheesy Chicken-Bacon Ranch Crescent Rolls for Two.
  • Cheesy Southwest Chicken Crescent Rolls for Two.
  • Crispy Chicken-Bacon-Ranch Crescent Rolls.

What can you cook in 8 minutes? ›

8-minute recipes (92)
  • 8 minute Spanish rice. ...
  • 8 minute spicy Ramen. ...
  • 8 Minute Fudge. ...
  • 3 Minute Bread Pudding (for breakfast and snacktime) ...
  • 1 California Farm Croissants (they are bigger!) ...
  • 3 ingredient fake pancakes (made with oats and cottage cheese)

What can I cook in 5 minutes? ›

25 healthy recipes you can cook in 5 minutes or less
  • Pea and broad bean couscous.
  • Fast home-made baked beans.
  • Porridge.
  • Pasta with cherry tomatoes and rocket.
  • Home-made hummus.
  • Smashed avocado and wilted spinach.
  • Cucumber (or potato) raitha.
  • Quick pitta pizzas.

What two foods don't go together? ›

A list of common foods that don't complement each other.
  • Cereal and orange juice. The acids in orange juice destroy the enzyme that helps digest starches present in cereal. ...
  • Melons and milk. ...
  • Fruits after meals. ...
  • Beans and cheese. ...
  • Ghee and honey. ...
  • Tomato and cheese pasta sauce.
Jul 11, 2013

What is the 5 ingredient rule? ›

Stick to the 5 ingredient rule: Choose foods with less than 5 ingredients and all things you recognize and know are real food, such as tomatoes, water, or salt. Or if there are more than 5, make sure they're all food or spices. Buy only packaged foods with ingredients you can pronounce or recognize.

What to eat when nothing sounds good for ADHD? ›

A food that has a low GI rating lowers blood sugar levels, decreases cravings, and increases focus. Whole grains, beans, seeds, and most vegetables are good choices.

What to do when you are hungry and have no food or money? ›

What to do if you need emergency help with money and food
  1. Trust funds.
  2. Credit unions.
  3. Councils.
  4. Energy providers.
  5. The Government.
  6. Charities.

What to eat when you have no food or money? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  • Oatmeal.
  • Eggs.
  • Bread.
  • Rice.
  • Bananas.
  • Beans.
  • Apples.
  • Pasta.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Last Updated:

Views: 5973

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Birthday: 1993-03-26

Address: 917 Hyun Views, Rogahnmouth, KY 91013-8827

Phone: +5938540192553

Job: Administration Developer

Hobby: Embroidery, Horseback riding, Juggling, Urban exploration, Skiing, Cycling, Handball

Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.