10+ Easy Food Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Finding quick and simple recipes can make cooking easier and more enjoyable. With easy food recipes, you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal.

Easy food recipes help you prepare tasty meals without needing a lot of skill or time. You can still eat well, even on busy days or when you don’t feel like cooking much.

Ingredients

• Varies depending on the recipe

Cooking Instructions

• Follow the steps of each specific recipe you choose.

1) One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken

You can make a tasty chicken dinner using just one pot. This recipe cooks chicken breasts in garlic butter with simple spices.

It’s quick and requires little cleanup. Adding vegetables like asparagus or orzo pasta makes it a full meal.

The garlic and butter give the chicken a rich, savory flavor. Cooking everything in one pot keeps the chicken juicy and tender.

You can easily adjust the recipe by swapping veggies or adding herbs for extra taste.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon (optional)
• 1 cup asparagus or your choice of vegetable
• 1/2 cup orzo (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then place in pan.
4. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until browned.
5. Add vegetables or orzo around the chicken.
6. Pour in lemon juice if using.
7. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

2) Classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A classic grilled cheese sandwich is simple and tasty. Start with good bread and your favorite cheese.

Butter the outside of the bread to get a crispy, golden crust when you cook it. Cook the sandwich over medium heat so the bread toasts slowly and the cheese melts inside.

Flip it carefully so both sides get even color and the cheese becomes gooey. You can add a little salt or pepper if you want.

For an extra twist, try mixing different cheeses. This sandwich is perfect on its own or with tomato soup.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• 2 slices of cheese (like cheddar or American)
• 1-2 tablespoons butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Butter one side of each bread slice.
2. Place one slice, butter side down, in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add the cheese on top of the bread in the pan.
4. Cover with the second bread slice, butter side up.
5. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown (around 300°F / 150°C).
6. Flip and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted.
7. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before eating.

3) 30-Minute One-Pot Pasta

One-pot pasta meals save you time and cleanup. Add uncooked pasta, veggies, and sauce to one pot, then cook everything together.

This method lets the flavors blend, making a tasty, hearty dinner. You can make creamy, cheesy, or tomato-based dishes in about 30 minutes.

Use different pasta shapes and add your favorite meats or veggies. This simple, all-in-one cooking style is flexible.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of pasta
• 2 cups of chopped vegetables (like bell peppers, spinach, or tomatoes)
• 3 cups of broth or water
• 1 cup of sauce (tomato, cream, or cheese-based)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Pour in pasta, broth, and sauce. Stir well.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low-medium.
5. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Try more one-pot pasta recipes for quick dinners like these 30 one-pot pasta recipes.

4) Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken

This easy sheet pan lemon herb chicken is perfect for a simple meal. Cook chicken, potatoes, and vegetables all on one pan.

It saves time on both cooking and cleanup. The lemon and herbs add fresh, bright flavors without much effort.

Change up the veggies to what you have on hand. Roast everything together at about 425°F (220°C) until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 pound small potatoes, quartered
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons dried herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or oregano)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional vegetables like asparagus or broccoli

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss potatoes with half the olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs. Spread on a sheet pan.
3. Place chicken on pan and drizzle with remaining oil. Top with lemon slices.
4. Roast for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked and potatoes are soft.
5. Add vegetables in the last 10 minutes if using. Enjoy!

Find more tips in this sheet pan lemon chicken recipe.

5) Easy Black Bean Chili

You can make a tasty black bean chili quickly, even on a busy night. This recipe uses simple ingredients you might already have at home.

You can use ground beef, turkey, or keep it vegetarian by using just black beans and spices. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to cook.

Serve this chili with rice, tortilla chips, or just on its own. It fills you up with healthy protein and fiber from the black beans.

Ingredients

• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey (optional)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable or beef broth

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft.
2. Add ground meat if using, cook until browned.
3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Add black beans, diced tomatoes, and broth.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

For a detailed easy black bean chili recipe, you can visit Budget Bytes.

6) Quick Homemade Meatballs

Making meatballs at home doesn’t need to take long. Mix simple ingredients like ground beef, eggs, and seasonings to make tasty meatballs fast.

Bake them in the oven for a hands-off cooking method. This keeps them juicy without much mess.

Serve them over spaghetti or in a sub sandwich. You can also add your favorite sauce to customize the flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix all ingredients until just combined.
3. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through.

7) Simple Chilaquiles Verdes

Chilaquiles verdes is a quick and tasty dish for breakfast or dinner. Start with crispy tortilla chips and cover them with a fresh green salsa made from tomatillos, jalapeños, and cilantro.

The mix brings a tangy and slightly spicy flavor. Top your chilaquiles with cheese, crema, or a fried egg for extra richness.

You can use homemade salsa verde or a good store-bought version to save time. This dish is great when you want something satisfying without much fuss.

Ingredients

• 12 soft corn tortillas, cut into wedges
• 1 pound tomatillos, husked and rinsed
• 1-2 jalapeños
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
• 1 cup shredded cheese (like queso fresco or cheddar)
• 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
• 2 eggs (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (350°F / 175°C). Fry tortilla wedges until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
2. Boil tomatillos, jalapeños, and onion in water until soft, about 10 minutes. Blend with cilantro and salt until smooth.
3. Pour salsa over the crispy chips in a skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until chips soften slightly but still hold shape.
4. Cook eggs fried or scrambled, if using.
5. Serve chilaquiles topped with cheese, crema, and eggs.

8) Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Pesto chicken and vegetables make a simple, tasty meal you can finish quickly. Cook chicken and fresh veggies together in one pan.

This helps save time and cleanup. Use bell peppers, zucchini, squash, and onions for healthy veggies.

Toss them with pesto to add flavor without extra effort. It’s a balanced meal with protein and veggies ready in about 30 minutes.

You can change up the veggies based on what you have in your fridge. The pesto adds a fresh, herby taste that makes the chicken juicy and the veggies bright.

Ingredients

• 1.3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 zucchini
• 1 yellow squash
• 1/2 red onion
• 1/3 cup pesto sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Cut chicken and vegetables into bite-sized pieces.

3. Toss chicken and veggies in a bowl with pesto sauce.

4. Spread evenly on a baking sheet.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

6. Serve warm.

9) No-Fuss Stir-Fry with Veggies

You can make a quick, healthy meal with a no-fuss stir-fry. It’s a simple dish where you cook your favorite veggies fast in a hot pan.

The key is to have a tasty sauce that brings all the flavors together. This stir-fry works great with rice noodles or steamed rice.

You only need about 20 minutes from start to finish. Use any vegetables you like, such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas.

Just chop them up and have your sauce ready to toss everything together.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas)
• 6 oz rice noodles or 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Optional: green onions or sesame seeds for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare rice noodles or cook rice as the base.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

3. Add garlic and ginger. Cook for 30 seconds.

4. Toss in mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.

5. Add soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix well.

6. Stir in noodles or rice and cook for 2 more minutes.

7. Serve hot with green onions or sesame seeds if you like.

You can find more easy ideas in this No-Fuss Vegetable Stir Fry recipe.

10) Cheeseburger Soup in One Pot

This soup brings the taste of a cheeseburger into a warm, creamy bowl. You only need one pot, so cleanup is quick and easy.

You cook ground beef with onions first, then add broth and elbow macaroni. Stir in cheese at the end for a rich flavor.

Customize it with veggies like carrots or celery if you want. This recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef and diced onion in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Drain the excess fat.
3. Add beef broth. Bring it to a boil.
4. Stir in elbow macaroni. Cook until the macaroni is tender.
5. Lower the heat. Mix in shredded cheese until it melts.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot.

For a detailed recipe, visit One-Pot Macaroni Cheeseburger Soup.