Back to Basics: 6 Recipes Anyone Can Cook

Worknight Dinners January 3, 2010

Sometimes, the secret to being good at something is tricking people into thinking you’re good at it.

Now, I’m not suggesting you should tell lies…but…

If you can’t cook but you want to feed someone a meal whether it’s your new boyfriend or your five year old daughter, there are plenty of ways to accomplish said goal.

You can order takeout, you can enlist the expertise of a hobby-chef hubby, or you can take a packaged frozen meal and pass it off as your own.

(I advise against the latter).

If you’re a novice home cook, starting off in your first apartment or trying to solidify an easy repertoire of fast meals, here are five quick ones that I love.

And I’ll let you in on a little secret. You don’t really need to know how to cook in order to get them on the table.

Creamy Goat Cheese & Chive Scrambled Eggs

Add some fresh chives and creamy goat cheese to dress up an otherwise boring breakfast. The downside is that you’ll probably be stuck with breakfast duty indefinitely once your family or significant other tries these creamy goat cheese scrambled eggs with chives. I use about an ounce of cheese for every 3 eggs.

Classic Turkey Chili

Even the most kitchen-phobic can brown lean ground turkey and toss it in a ban with crushed tomatoes and kidney beans. Add a little chili powder, a little cumin (and maybe even some hot pepper sauce if you’re feeling dangerous) and you’ll have a delicious turkey chili for dinner, and probably even leftovers.

Macaroni & Cheese with Peas

Photo: Leigh Loftus

If this list seems pasta-heavy it’s because pasta is easy, cheap and well, find me someone who doesn’t like pasta and I’ll bake you cookies.

Macaroni and cheese is practically a universal favorite dish and peas are a kid-friendly (and meat-and-potatoes-loving-boyfriend-friendly) veggie that add a colorful punch to the classic comfort food.

Chicken Parmigiana

Photo: Leigh Loftus

Smothered in cheese and marinara sauce, chicken parmigiana is one of my all-time favorite meals. It’s my favorite thing to order at an old-school, red sauce and checkered tablecloth Italian restaurant, and it’s my favorite thing to make at home when the craving for comfort food hits.

Mussels with Coconut and Red Curry Broth

Photo: Leigh Loftus

File these mussels with coconut and red curry broth under the easiest thing you’ve never tried to make because you thought it was too hard. If you can boil water, you can steam mussels (literally).

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Photo: Leigh Loftus

Everyone should have a good lasagna recipe in their repertoire, and this slow cooker lasagna is a great choice for busy weeknights, entertaining for a big group or cooking on Sunday and eating throughout the week.

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Written by

Maris Callahan

Maris Callahan has been blogging about cooking, dining and entertaining since 2008. A public relations director by day, Maris is also a brand spokesperson, freelance writer and media relations expert with more than 10 years experience working with consumer brands. She lives in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood with her boyfriend Brad, chihuahua Henry and a very well-stocked pantry.

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17 Comments

Recipe Resources | Montana Moves & Montana Meals

January 3, 2013 at 9:44 am

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love the way you lie piano sheet

November 5, 2010 at 7:01 am

I tried the Maccaroni cheese with peas, they are fantastic!

Novice gourmand

February 24, 2010 at 9:40 am

Successfully made and enjoyed recipes 1 through 3, though not at the same time. I still have two meals of the chili in freezer for future consumption. Thanks for the recipes and advice.