Not all recipes need to be overly complex. That's why I put together this list of super-easy-to-make dishes that are perfect for those busy weeknights. Simple cooking frees up time to enjoy with your family on the couch instead of in the kitchen.
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1) Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut butter cookies are first on the list, and who knew that you could make peanut butter cookies without any flour or butter? These ones are made with just peanut butter, sugar, and an egg. These take five minutes to prep, they bake for 10 minutes, and you have a chewy and delicious cookie that the kids are going to eat the minute they're put on the table.
Five simple dinners. One grocery list.
No recipe hunting, no messy shopping notes, no complicated chef projects. Just family dinners that fit real weeks.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stir the peanut butter, sugar, and egg together in a bowl until a thick dough forms.
- Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and space them out on the sheet.
- Flatten each ball with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look soft.
- Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving them; they firm up as they rest.
Notes
2) Banana Pancakes
Three-ingredient banana pancakes are going to be your new weekend go-to. These are made with an overripe banana, eggs, and flour. That's it. These are going to be fluffy. They're going to be delicious. Serve these up with some fresh bananas on top, and the whole family is going to enjoy them.
Banana Pancakes
Ingredients
Method
- Mash the banana in a bowl until mostly smooth.
- Whisk in the eggs, then stir in the oats and let the batter sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium heat.
- Pour small rounds of batter and cook until bubbles form, about 2 minutes.
- Flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes, until golden.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of syrup or extra banana slices.
Notes
3) Tomato Basil Pasta
Those are your three ingredients right there. This is a way to use some of your staples that you need to get rid of before they go bad. They deliver on flavor every time, and this is the perfect pasta to serve in summer because it has some bright colors.
Tomato Basil Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the spaghetti in salted water until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain.
- While the pasta cooks, simmer the tomatoes in a little olive oil over medium heat until they burst and soften, about 8 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta to the tomatoes along with a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Toss until the sauce clings to the noodles.
- Stir in the torn basil right before serving and season with salt and pepper.
Notes
4) Salsa Chicken
Three-ingredient salsa chicken is made with chicken, a jarred salsa, and taco seasoning. That's it. You can then take the chicken and turn it into a taco, a bowl, or a burrito, with toppings on the side, and really make this an easy, hands-off dinner that the whole family is going to love.
Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and place them in a skillet.
- Pour the salsa over the top and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165F.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken and cover until melted, about 3 minutes.
- Spoon the warm salsa from the pan over each piece before serving.
Notes
5) Nutella Brownies
Nutella is the chocolate hazelnut spread that everyone loves, and when you use that with an egg and a little bit of flour, you can make some Nutella brownies that are to die for. These are super easy to make. They are fudgy instead of cakey, giving you that perfect brownie texture. Serve this up with a glass of milk, and you have a dessert the family is ranting and raving over.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment.
- Whisk the chocolate-hazelnut spread and eggs together until smooth and glossy.
- Fold in the flour just until no streaks remain.
- Spread the batter evenly into the pan.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the top is set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before slicing into squares for clean edges.
Notes
6) Baked Parmesan Salmon
All you need for this dish is salmon, parmesan, and butter, which helps bind the parmesan cheese to the salmon. You're going to bake this one, and this is going to look impressive. It's done quickly; serve it with rice for a full, well-rounded meal.
Baked Parmesan Salmon
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and place them skin-side down on the sheet.
- Stir the parmesan and mayonnaise together into a thick paste.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the top of each fillet.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily and the topping is golden.
- Season with a pinch of salt and pepper before serving.
Notes
7) Egg Fried Rice
This egg fried rice is a great way to turn leftover rice into a skillet meal and makes for a great lunch because it's so simple and not complicated. You just have egg, rice, and chopped green onions.
Egg Fried Rice
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a little oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble until just set, then push them to one side.
- Add the cold rice and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps, for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Drizzle in the soy sauce and toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Cook another 2 minutes until the rice is hot and slightly crisped.
Notes
8) Cherry Dump Cake
This cherry dump cake is going straight into the pan. It's going to bake in 23 minutes, and you don't even need a mixing bowl for this one. All you need is a can of cherry pie filling, one box of yellow or white cake mix, and one stick of butter. That's it. Serve it up with some vanilla ice cream, and you have a hit.
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Cherry Dump Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cherries.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the top, trying to cover as much of the dry mix as possible.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling bubbles at the edges.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before scooping; it sets up as it rests.
Notes
9) Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
These ham and cheese pinwheels are very easy to make, and they look impressive. All you need is ham, cheese, and tortillas. You're putting these into the tortillas, rolling them up, cutting them into pinwheel slices, and putting them out. These are going to disappear fast, and they are so simple to make.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Ingredients
Method
- Spread a thin, even layer of softened cream cheese over each tortilla.
- Lay slices of ham flat over the cream cheese, covering the surface.
- Roll each tortilla up tightly into a log.
- Wrap the logs in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Slice into 1-inch pinwheels and arrange on a platter.
Notes
10) Pumpkin Spice Muffins
These pumpkin spice muffins only require box cake mix and canned pumpkin. That's it. No oil or eggs are required for this one, and you are going to have some great fall treat muffins that are cozy and effortless.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- Stir the cake mix, pumpkin puree, and water together until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then move to a rack.
Notes
11) Pesto Grilled Cheese
This one is just going to require you to have jarred pesto, some cheese, and some bread. That's it. This is a way to upgrade your standard grilled cheese. You can serve it up with a side of tomato soup, and you have a full meal.
Ingredients
Method
- Spread pesto on the inside of both bread slices.
- Layer the mozzarella between the slices to make a sandwich.
- Spread the butter over the outside of the sandwich and heat a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Grill the sandwich for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden and the cheese melts.
- Slice in half and serve hot.
Notes
12) Mango Smoothie
This three-ingredient mango smoothie is a cool and refreshing drink that only requires some frozen mango chunks, Greek yogurt, and a cup of milk or almond milk. You're gonna blend that together until smooth, and you'll have a quick morning reset that you'll want to make on repeat.
Mango Smoothie
13) Garlic Butter Shrimp
Those are the three things that you need to make this garlic butter shrimp recipe. This is basically a shrimp scampi done in under 10 minutes. It's a restaurant-quality result that you can serve with pasta or rice.
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
- Toss the shrimp in the garlic butter to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Notes
14) Crispy Baked Tofu
This crispy baked tofu can come to life with just some soy sauce and nutritional yeast. It adds the perfect amount of flavor and gives you a golden, crunchy crust that will convert tofu skeptics every time.
Crispy Baked Tofu
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Toss the cubed tofu with the soy sauce, then sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss to coat.
- Spread the tofu in a single layer with space between each piece.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp on all sides.
- Serve hot over rice or in a stir-fry.
Notes
15) Pineapple Whip
This pineapple whip is a fluffy and frosty treat that is cheap and easy to make. All you need here are some pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, and a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream. Throw that in the blender until it is smooth and creamy, and then let it sit in the freezer until you're ready to serve it up.
Pineapple Whip
Ingredients
Method
- Add the frozen pineapple, coconut milk, and honey to a blender or food processor.
- Blend, stopping to scrape down the sides, until thick and creamy like soft serve.
- Add a splash more coconut milk only if needed to keep it blending.
- Scoop into bowls and serve immediately for the softest texture.
Notes
16) Avocado Toast
This avocado toast just needs avocado, bread, and an egg if you want that extra protein and pop of color on there. Avocado toast is more than just a trend. It's a really filling, nutritious breakfast. And when it is done well on a crusty bread, it is so good and so satisfying first thing in the morning.
Avocado Toast
Ingredients
Method
- Toast the bread until golden and crisp.
- Scoop the avocado into a bowl and mash it with the lemon juice.
- Season the mash with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Spread the avocado generously over the warm toast.
- Serve right away while the toast is still crisp.
Notes
17) Cucumber Dill Salad
This cucumber dill salad is the perfect no-cook summer side. It is cool, crunchy, and tangy. It's so refreshing, and all you need is two large English cucumbers, thinly sliced; half a cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt; and three tablespoons of chopped fresh dill. This one will come together perfectly and be the side everyone puts on their plate.
Cucumber Dill Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Thinly slice the cucumbers and place them in a bowl.
- Stir together the sour cream and chopped dill, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss to coat evenly.
- Chill for 15 minutes to let the flavors come together.
- Toss again and serve cold.
