It can be hard to find time to make a tasty and healthy dinner, especially if you are still learning how to cook. No need to worry, though, because this article is full of easy, cheap, and quick dinner ideas for people who are just starting to cook. Each meal only needs a few everyday items and can be made in 30 minutes or less, so you can save time without giving up taste.
Easy Chicken Dishes for Quick Meals
Classic Grilled Chicken Breast
Another simple meal that is easy to make is grilled chicken breast. You only need chicken that does not have bones, olive oil, salt, pepper, and your best herbs. Just season the chicken and cook it for 5 to 6 minutes on each side on a grill pan. For a full dinner, serve it with a salad or steamed veggies.
Fried in a chicken with greens
When you are busy, a chicken stir fry is great. It is cooked with garlic, soy sauce, and a mix of colorful veggies like broccoli and bell peppers. The chicken breast is cut into thin strips. For a tasty and healthy meal, serve it over white rice or noodles.
Chicken tenders baked
You should bake chicken tenders instead of frying them, but they taste just as good. Cover the tenders in bread crumbs, and then cook them in the oven for twenty minutes at 400°F. For a dinner that kids will enjoy, serve with a dipping sauce and mashed potatoes.
Pasta Recipes That Are Fast and Tasty
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
You only need spaghetti, garlic, a little olive oil, and pepper flakes to make this simple Italian stew. The garlic should be cooked in olive oil while the pasta is cooking. Then, mix everything. It tastes great and only takes 15 minutes.
Alfredo pasta with cream
Use butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese to make a smooth Alfredo sauce. Add it to cooking fettuccine and sprinkle parsley on top. You can add shrimp or chicken that has been grilled to make it complete.
Mac and cheese made in one pot
For starters, one pot mac and cheese is excellent. Bring milk to a boil, then add pasta and stir until smooth and creamy. After a long day, this quick comfort food is just what you need.
How to Make Easy Vegetarian Dinners
Cook with vegetables and tofu
A stir fry of vegetables and tofu is full of good things for you and tastes great. Tofu can be cooked with things like carrots, peppers, onions, and snap peas. Serve with rice or noodles and a splash of soy sauce.
Sandwich with Caprese
It is nice and light to eat a Caprese salad. On a baguette, put fresh cheese, tomatoes, and basil in a layer. Top with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Quick and easy dinner that you do not have to cook.
Fried rice with vegetables
Make this quick dinner with the rice that you have left over. Put chopped vegetables, soy sauce, and beaten eggs in a pan and fry the rice. It is a simple way to eat home cooked food and keep food from going to waste.
Recipes for Sheet Pans and One Pan
Chicken and vegetables on a sheet pan
On a baking sheet, put chicken breasts and cut veggies like zucchini, cabbage, and potatoes. You can season with garlic, olive oil, and herbs. Put it all in the oven at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
Peppers and sausage in a single pan
Sausage should be cut up and cooked in a pan with onions, bell peppers, and garlic. This food tastes great and can be put on a sandwich roll, rice, or pasta.
Cook salmon on a sheet pan with asparagus
Spread asparagus and salmon pieces out on a baking sheet. Add olive oil and lemon juice and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. This dinner is healthy, light, and full of omega 3s.
Quick Soups and Stews
Tomato Basil Soup
Making tomato basil soup is simple and makes you feel better. Put garlic, onions, and fresh basil in a can of tomatoes and cook them. Mix until smooth, and for a traditional dish, serve with grilled cheese.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Add chopped chicken, carrots, celery, and noodles to the chicken broth and let it cook slowly. It only takes 30 minutes to make this hearty soup, which makes it great for newbies.
Lentil Soup
Put lentils in a pot and add tomatoes, onions, carrots, and spices. This stew is a healthy choice for dinner because it is full of protein and fiber.
Healthy Dinner Ideas in Under 30 Minutes
Quinoa Salad with Veggies
Add chopped vegetables, lemon juice, and olive oil to the cooked rice and mix it all. You can make this salad ahead of time for busy nights because it is light and filling.
Wraps made with turkey lettuce
Add soy sauce, garlic, and ginger to the ground turkey to make it taste better. Spread the mix on big lettuce leaves for a low carb, high protein dinner.
Noodles made with zucchini and pesto
Cut up raw zucchini into noodles and mix them with pesto sauce. You can make it taste better by adding parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes. It is fun and better for you than pasta.
Meals that are good for kids and beginners
Small pizza pita
Place small pita breads on a plate and add pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and toppings like pepperoni or vegetables. Time to bake for 10 minutes at 375°F. You can make this meal with kids or for the first time.
Sloppy Joes for lunch
Mix ketchup and mustard into the ground beef and cook it. Then, put it on hamburger buns. Kids love sloppy joes, and they are easy to make.
Quesadillas with chicken
Spread cheese and cooked chicken on tortillas, and then cook them in a pan until they turn brown. Serve with salsa or sour cream after cutting it into wedges.
Quick Seafood Dinners for New Cooks
Garlic Butter Shrimp
For 5 to 6 minutes, cook shrimp in butter and garlic in a pan. Before you serve, add the lemon juice and parsley. This easy dish is great for people who like seafood.
Tuna salad on a roll
Mayo, mustard, and chopped celery should be mixed with tuna from a can. For an effortless dinner, spread it on bread or snacks.
Options for breakfast for dinner
Omelets with greens
To make eggs, beat them and add things like cheese, mushrooms, and spinach. It is easy to make omelets quickly, and they are great for dinner every night of the week.
Apple pancakes with fruit
Add fresh fruit and maple syrup to pancakes after you make them. This is a fun way to have dinner with your family.
Burritos for breakfast
Add cooked eggs, cheese, bacon, or sausage to tortillas and roll them up. Wrap it up and cook it in a pan for a filling dinner.
How to Save Time When Cooking for the First Time
Chop the ingredients ahead of time
Use frozen foods, canned beans, or veggies that have already been cut up to save time. These shortcuts help you cook more quickly and easily.
Cook Once, Eat Twice
You can save the extra food for another meal by making two servings. During the week, this saves time on cooking.
Keep a Simple Pantry
Things like rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, spices, and cooking oil are essential to have in your home. You can make quick meals with these things.
Conclusion
It does not have to be complicated or stressful to make dinner. With the above recipes and tips, even people who have never cooked before can make quick, tasty, and cheap meals at home. These simple recipes will help you feel more comfortable in the kitchen and help you stick to a healthy routine, whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or your friends. Start with the meals you know how to make, and then add more as you get better. You’ll get better at cooking and come up with new recipes as you go.