10+ Easy Cooking Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Cooking at home doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. You can actually whip up some pretty tasty meals with simple recipes that anyone can follow.

Easy cooking recipes help you prepare food quickly and with limited ingredients, so you can enjoy homemade meals without stress.

Maybe you’re new to cooking, or just want to save time after a long day. These recipes are straightforward and doable, so you can actually have fun in the kitchen instead of dreading it.

You’ll find ideas that fit your schedule and taste, making cooking feel less like a chore.

1) Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

Lemon pepper chicken breasts are one of those meals you can make any night without much fuss. The bright lemon and spicy pepper just work together, and you don’t need a ton of ingredients.

You can grab lemon pepper seasoning from the store or make your own if you’re feeling fancy. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the chicken at the end—it really wakes up the flavors.

Pair this with rice, veggies, or just a simple salad if you’re in a hurry. Sear the chicken until it’s golden, then finish it on low so it stays juicy.

The sauce comes together with just butter and lemon, and it’s honestly so easy.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning and salt on both sides of the chicken.
2. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
4. Remove chicken and add lemon juice to the pan, stirring to make sauce.
5. Pour sauce over chicken before serving.

For more details, check lemon pepper chicken recipes from Simply Recipes.

2) Easy Tomato Soup

Tomato soup is my go-to when I want something warm and simple. Canned tomatoes make it quick, and you don’t lose any flavor.

Add a splash of cream or even a bit of cheese if you want it richer. It balances out the tomatoes’ acidity and makes it perfect for dunking a grilled cheese.

This one usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, which is pretty great if you’re hungry now.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and garlic in a pot until soft.
2. Add the canned tomatoes and broth. Simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Use a blender or immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
4. Stir in cream, salt, and pepper. Heat gently but don’t boil.
5. Serve hot.

For more details, see an easy tomato soup recipe.

3) Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

Sheet pan sausage with peppers and onions is so straightforward. Toss everything on a baking sheet, pop it in the oven, and you’re basically done.

Use Italian sausage or whatever you have. Slice up some bell peppers and onions, then scatter them around the sausages.

The veggies soften and pick up all that sausage flavor while roasting. It’s honestly a great way to get dinner on the table with almost no cleanup.

This recipe works with pasta, rice, or just pile it into a sandwich. It bakes in about 40 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

Ingredients

• Italian sausage links (4-6)
• 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: garlic powder or Italian seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place sausage links on a sheet pan.
3. Arrange sliced peppers and onions around the sausage.
4. Drizzle olive oil over everything.
5. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and optional seasonings.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning sausages halfway through.
7. Check that sausage is cooked through before serving.

4) Salmon with Brown Sugar Glaze

Salmon with brown sugar glaze is one of those dishes that feels fancy but takes almost no time. The glaze mixes brown sugar, lemon, and soy sauce for a sweet, tangy, and salty combo.

Just brush the glaze on and bake the salmon. The sugar caramelizes and makes a shiny, tasty coating.

You only need about 15 minutes and a handful of ingredients. Serve it with rice or vegetables, and you’re set.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Lemon juice
• Garlic (minced)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Place salmon on a baking sheet and brush the glaze over each fillet.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
5. Serve warm with your favorite sides.

More details here: brown sugar glazed salmon recipe.

5) Turkey Sloppy Joes

Turkey sloppy joes are quick, easy, and a bit lighter than the classic. You cook everything in one skillet, so cleanup’s a breeze.

The sauce uses stuff you probably have—ketchup, mustard, a little brown sugar. It’s sweet, tangy, and perfect for sandwiches.

Serve them on buns with a side of veggies or chips. If you like a little spice, toss in some red pepper flakes.

This meal comes together in about 30 minutes, so it’s a good weeknight fix.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 hamburger buns

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the ground turkey and onion in a skillet over medium heat until browned.
2. Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder.
3. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring often.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want spice.
5. Spoon the mixture onto buns and serve.

6) Gochujang Chicken Burgers

Gochujang chicken burgers are a spicy, flavorful twist on an old favorite. Mix ground chicken with gochujang sauce—it gives a mild heat and a little bit of sweetness.

Toast the buns and add some crunchy veggies or cucumber slices for freshness. A creamy gochujang mayo is the perfect match for all that bold flavor.

You can cook these in a pan or on the grill. No fancy ingredients required, just a few basics for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 2 tbsp gochujang sauce
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• Burger buns
• Optional: cucumber slices, gochujang mayo

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix ground chicken, gochujang, panko, garlic powder, and salt.
2. Shape into 4 patties.
3. Heat a pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
4. Cook patties 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked.
5. Toast buns and spread gochujang mayo.
6. Assemble burgers with patties and cucumber slices if desired.

More details here: Gochujang Chicken Burgers recipe.

7) BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

BBQ jackfruit sandwiches are a fun, easy vegan meal. The jackfruit shreds up like pulled pork and soaks up smoky BBQ sauce.

Serve it on a soft bun with crunchy slaw or maybe some avocado. Grilled pineapple? Why not.

You can have this ready in about 30 minutes. It works for dinner or a casual hangout—super flexible.

Ingredients

• 2 cans young green jackfruit in water or brine
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 small onion, sautéed
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Hamburger buns
• Optional: avocado, slaw, or grilled pineapple

Cooking Instructions

1. Drain and rinse jackfruit, then shred it with your hands or forks.
2. Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
3. Add jackfruit, BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper; cook for 15 minutes, stirring often.
4. Toast buns if you like.
5. Pile jackfruit on buns and add your choice of toppings.

For a detailed recipe, check this BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich recipe.

8) Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is a cozy, simple meal you can whip up any night. It’s just cooked chicken, veggies, and a creamy sauce, all wrapped in flaky pie crust or puff pastry.

If you want to save time, grab a rotisserie chicken and a bag of frozen vegetables. Mix those with a thick, savory gravy and bake until the crust turns golden.

For the filling, cook chicken with carrots, celery, and onions. Toss in some flour to thicken things up before piling it all into your pie crust.

Ingredients:

• Cooked chicken (about 2 cups)
• Frozen mixed vegetables (1 cup)
• Onion (1 small, chopped)
• Carrots (1/2 cup, chopped)
• Celery (1/2 cup, chopped)
• Butter (1/4 cup)
• Flour (1/4 cup)
• Chicken broth (1 1/2 cups)
• Milk (1/2 cup)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Pie crust or puff pastry (1 sheet)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Melt butter in a pan. Cook onion, carrots, and celery until they’re soft.
3. Stir in flour and let it cook for a minute.
4. Slowly add chicken broth and milk, stirring until the sauce thickens.
5. Add chicken and frozen vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Pour the mixture into a pie dish and cover with crust or pastry.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust looks golden.
8. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before digging in.

Learn more about easy chicken pot pie recipes at Simply Recipes.

9) Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is pure comfort food—simple, cheesy, and always a hit. You just need pasta, cheese, and sauce, all baked together in one dish.

Start by cooking the ziti until it’s just right. Mix it with marinara or pasta sauce and a blend of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan.

After mixing, scoop everything into a baking dish. Top with even more cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) until bubbly and golden.

This meal is perfect when you want something hearty and low-effort. It’s a family favorite, and honestly, it’s hard to mess up.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces ziti pasta
• 32 ounces ricotta cheese
• 6 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 jar (about 24 ounces) marinara or pasta sauce
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional: cooked ground beef or Italian sausage

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain.
3. In a big bowl, mix the pasta, sauce, ricotta, and half the mozzarella.
4. Pour it into a baking dish, then sprinkle on the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
6. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

For more details on easy baked ziti, see the full recipe at The Kitchn.

10) Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros is a quick, tasty dish you can throw together for any meal. Start with crispy corn tortillas, then add refried beans and fresh salsa.

Fry a couple of eggs and set them on top for a plate that’s both filling and colorful.

You can use whatever salsa you like—homemade or store-bought, no judgment. Add cheese or avocado if you want to jazz it up.

The combo of warm tortillas, creamy beans, and runny eggs just works. It’s a classic for a reason.

Ingredients

• 2 corn tortillas
• 1 cup refried beans
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• Cooking oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour a little oil into a pan and set it over medium heat—aim for around 350°F (175°C).

2. Toss in the tortillas and fry them until they’re crispy on both sides. Once they’re done, move them aside.

3. Warm up the refried beans in a pan or just pop them in the microwave.

4. Crack your eggs into the pan and fry them sunny side up, or however you like. Don’t forget a pinch of salt and pepper.

5. Lay the tortillas out on plates. Spread the beans on top, then place the eggs over the beans.

6. Spoon salsa over the eggs, and if you’re feeling cheesy, sprinkle some on. Serve everything warm.