Are you stuck in a food rut? Relying too much on takeout and want to start cooking more but don’t know where to start? I reached out to my fellow dietitian to put together this round-up of easy, fuss-free recipes that anyone can tackle! Everything listed is friendly for beginner cooks looking to integrate healthy alternatives in their meals and they also use non-intimidating equipment that you already have in your kitchen.
So many of these can be adapted to our personal tastes, so I’m curious which ones you decide to take on and let me know how you switched it up!
Two of my favorite easy go-to recipes are this yogurt-marinated chicken and this butter bean dish with olives and spicy tomato sauce.
Never underestimate the value of simple meals. Dietitian Sylvia White put together this awesome, comprehensive guide to 30-minute off-the-cuff meals from Sylvia White! If you start here, you can get a sense of what pantry staples to always have if you want to make a meal without all the stress of planning ahead.
Breakfast
Spinach, Tomato & Cheese Frittata
I always have a hard time varying my breakfast meals because it is so easy to wake up and make the same thing, but now I have a new recipe to add to my list with this easy frittata from Christie of Hoorah to Health. !
Salads
Walnut Cranberry Chicken Salad
One of the best and underrated parts of summer picnics is the chicken salad. Since we can’t all get out in full force, this recipe by Kelsey Lorencz is great for a unique chicken salad that can go in sandwiches, tortillas and more!
Vegetarian Chopped Salad with Hard Boiled Eggs
We’ve all been there when we buy fresh veggies at the supermarket in hopes of creating new recipes but once we get home we have no idea what to do and they go bad! This salad from Amy Gorin is a fast way to use all the veggies and ingredients we have on hand!
How to Make the Best Greek Salad with Tuna and Beans
Have leftover beans and veggies and don’t know what to do? Try this Greek salad with tuna and beans by Judy Barbe.
Soups, Chilis, and Curries
Roasted Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup
Even in the summer, this butternut squash soup by Kelsey Lorencz is a great main course or side dish with your salad or sandwich during lunch or dinner!
This soup by Ginger Hultin only requires one pot and also is another method to use untouched veggies, just let it sit for 40 minutes as you work-at-home and dinner is already ready!
This easy soup from Liz Weiss only takes 10 minutes and is much better than any canned soup!
Restaurant Style Red Thai Curry
I’m always searching for new ways to spice up my usual meals, and this basic Thai curry from Dixya Bhattarai is such a great way to integrate new flavors into familiar dishes.
Easy Beef and Bean Chili Instead of buying canned chili at the grocery store, try Elizabeth Ward’s easy beef and bean chili recipe. You likely already have half the ingredients right in your pantry and fridge!
Bowls
Southwest Cauliflower Rice Bowl–
This rustic vegetarian bowl dish from Josten Fish is not only healthy, but it can be a repeat recipe during weekdays when work runs into meal prep time!
Spicy Chickpea Power Bowl with Tzatziki–
This veggie based recipe from Leanne Ray is so easy to make and customize as meal prep for the week!
Pasta
Healthy One Pot Mac and Cheese
Comfort food doesn’t have to be hard to make, with this recipe from Megan Byrd you can use just one pot for the whole meal and even prep it for later since it’s freezer-friendly!
Easy Vegetarian Skillet Lasagna
A skillet is a kitchen must-have because it has so much potential and Melissa Nieves shows us that with her 40-minute lasagna recipe!
One Pan Pasta with Chickpeas and Tomatoes
Sick of store-bought sauce? This one pan pasta from Melissa Traub changes everything because you can make your own.
Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That Pasta
Still looking to fulfill that craving for pasta? This recipe from KeyVion Miller is a quick take that includes those pasta and beans sitting at the back of your shelf!
Meat and Poultry
Instead of ordering fast food tacos off of Uber Eats, try your hand at these steak tacos by Dana White that can be easily made in just one pan at home!
15-Minute Sheet Pan Steak and Veggies
It’s so easy to make your main protein and your veggies together all in one and this recipe by Chelsea shows how to do it all on one sheet pan.
This recipe by Samina Qureshi only takes 10 minutes and teaches you a new cashew sauce recipe to try in other dishes!
Saucy, Quick Chicken with Artichokes and Tomatoes
This recipe from Anne Mauney only has four main ingredients and takes 15 minutes for a full dinner for four!
I love a good take-out order of Chinese food but by using this new take on egg rolls from Diane Norwood, it becomes a low carb stir-fry that only takes about 30 minutes!
Slow cookers are such an easy way to start a meal during the day and leave it as you do other things, making it so effortless. This picadillo recipe from Laurel Anne Nutrition is also so flexible, allowing you to use whatever protein you feel is best and then the result is amazing!
Fish
Coconut Lime Flounder in Parchment Paper
Craving seafood? You’ll love this 30-minute refreshing flounder recipe from Toby Amidor.
If you’re looking for something to pair with that salad you fall back on for lunch or dinner, this salmon recipe from Shahzadi Devje is a heart-healthy main dish to try!
Vegetarian
Instead of snacking from the whole bag of tortilla chips, consider making them into a healthy midday snack of nachos like in this recipe from Sarah Schlichter!
One-Pot Vegetarian Mexican Lentils
Quick family-friendly recipes are hard to find but in just one skillet you can prep these Mexican lentils for a whole week of varying meals! You’ll love this one from MJ and Hungryman.
Even if you find yourself without a slow cooker or a skillet, the microwave is also a kitchen tool that can create recipes you never even imagined. Take a look at this Mediterranean-style one by Theresa Gentile!
Quinoa with Vegetables and Maple Ginger Tahini
For meal preppers tired of the grilled chicken and veggie combo, I recommend this quinoa dish from Lizzie Streit. It also happens to be both vegan and gluten-free.
Dessert
Sugar-Free Summer Stone Fruit Compote
Summer fruit is in season right now and I can’t imagine a summer without a sweet treat. I can’t wait to make this easy-to-follow compote from Kitty Broihier of Gluten-Free Slow Cooking that you can put on anything from ice cream to yogurt to oatmeal!