Cooking dinner can be a daunting task, especially for beginners in the kitchen. However, with a few easy dinner recipes and some basic cooking skills, anyone can whip up delicious meals without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re a college student living on your own for the first time or a busy professional looking for quick and easy dinner ideas, these easy dinner recipes are perfect for you. From hearty pasta dishes to flavourful stir-fries, we’ve got you covered with these seven easy dinner recipes for beginners.
Easy Dinner Recipes
Here’s what you can make to pamper your taste buds in the most easy manner. We have coupled up various recipes for you. Take a look:
A. Classic Spaghetti Carbonara
1. Ingredients:
- Spaghetti pasta
- Eggs
- Bacon or pancetta
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic
2. Instructions:
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
- While pasta is cooking, fry bacon or pancetta until crispy. Add minced garlic for extra flavor.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Once pasta is cooked, drain and return it to the pot. Snapply stir in the egg and cheese mixture until the pasta is coated and creamy.
- Add the cooked bacon or pancetta and toss everything together.
- Serve hot with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
B. One-Pot Chicken and Rice
1. Ingredients:
- Chicken thighs or breasts
- Rice
- Chicken broth
- Mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
- Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika
2. Instructions:
- Season Chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- In a large skillet or pot, brown the chicken on both sides.
- Add rice, mixed vegetables, and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until rice is cooked and chicken is tender.
- Fluff rice with a fork and serve hot.
C. Easy Beef Stir-Fry:
1. Ingredients:
- Beef strips (flank steak or sirloin)
- Mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Cornstarch
2. Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch to make the sauce.
- Heat oil in a large pan over high heat.
- Add beef strips and cook until it is browned.
- Add mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables, stirring until everything is coated and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve it hot, over cooked rice or noodles.
D. Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta:
1. Ingredients:
- Pasta (penne, fusilli, or your favorite shape)
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Heavy cream
- Fresh basil
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
2. Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In a saucepan, heat canned diced tomatoes and minced garlic until warmed through.
- Stir in heavy cream and chopped fresh basil. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until well-coated.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
E. Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon:
1. Ingredients:
- Salmon fillets
- Asparagus spears
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Olive oil
2. Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place salmon fillets and asparagus spears on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and asparagus. Squeeze lemon juice over everything and sprinkle minced garlic on top.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through and asparagus is tender.
- Serve hot with extra lemon wedges.
F. Vegetable Fried Rice:
1. Ingredients:
- Cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
- Mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- Eggs
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Green onions
2. Instructions:
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and chopped green onions, and sauté until fragrant.
- Push the garlic and green onions to the side of the skillet and crack eggs into the empty space. Scramble the eggs until cooked.
- Add mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry until heated through.
- Add cooked rice to the skillet and toss everything together.
- Drizzle soy sauce over the fried rice and mix well.
- Serve it hot as a main dish.
G. Caprese Chicken:
1. Ingredients:
- Chicken Breasts
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Fresh Basil
- Balsamic Glaze
2. Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place them in a baking dish.
- Top each chicken breast with sliced mozzarella cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over the chicken.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot with a side salad or roasted vegetables.
Conclusion:
Cooking dinner doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming, especially if you’re just starting in the kitchen. Thus, with these seven easy dinner recipes for beginners, you can create delicious meals with minimal effort and stress. From pasta dishes to stir-fries to oven-baked chicken, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So put on your apron, gather your ingredients, and get cooking! Moreover, with a little practice and these easy dinner recipes, you’ll be a dinner-making pro in no time.
