Why can it be so hard to find easy recipes? There are plenty, but you can never guarantee that you’ll like them or want to make them again.

I’ve truly struggled with this so much, and I’m sure many other people have as well. It can seem overwhelming to figure out a good meal plan, especially if you’re a college student or just moving into your own apartment.

You could go through hundreds of recipes and not find any you feel like eating or want to make because they take too long.

With a little bit of time and a lot of ideas, there is enough variety in all of the easy recipes so you don’t have to spend weeks figuring out you’re perfect meals.

This post is all about the insanely easy recipes that you need to try.

We’ve all gone through the process of not knowing what to eat, thinking about it for several minutes, and then not eating at all and leaving the kitchen.

Sometimes you may pick up a snack instead or think about how hungry you are while also not wanting to eat anything you already have.

Or maybe you’re going grocery shopping for yourself for the first time and have absolutely no idea what basics you should get or what you need.

Either way, there are some great options on this list for everyone. You can turn the leftovers into another dish, so they can be reused for something else.

That is one of the best things about all of the recipes we have down below! And we will put some other options for great dishes to make with the leftovers as well.

With these easy recipe ideas, you will find something that you enjoy and hopefully will become a staple in your house! 

That way you don’t have to constantly think up new ideas for recipes you want to eat each week. If you do, these recipes can serve as a jumping-off point for you to try something new but still have the same types of ingredients you like.

Also remember that spices can play a big role in how something tastes, so you can add a whole lot of extra flavor by adding a couple of spices.

With that said, we can move on to the easy recipes!

The Recipes You Should Try:

Chicken

This one may seem obvious to some, but chicken is absolutely delicious and the perfect source of protein. You can make it in so many different ways with so many different sides and ingredients that it’s impossible to go wrong. 

Chicken can be cooked in batches and can be used for all different types of meals during the week. Just make sure you check the internal temperature and that it is at least 165° F or 74° C.

Personally, I don’t add too much to the chicken because I like to add flavor to the other foods I eat with it. I usually just sprinkle some lemon and garlic salt on top and make sure it is covered on both sides.

You can do this as well, or you can add other spices like pepper or onion.

If you plan to make chicken for other meals during the week but have no idea what dishes you should prepare, here are some ideas:

Chicken sandwiches

CAESAR salad

Chicken pot pie

Tacos

Chicken with rice

Chicken with sauteed veggies 

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All of these easy recipe ideas are also fairly quick to make from start to finish so you may want to try these out too!

Speaking of foods that go well with chicken, our next recipe that is super simple is

Mashed Potatoes 

A tried and true fantastic recipe!  mashed potatoes are super delicious and come in convenient boxes for you to rehydrate and customize.

By adding butter, salt, and sour cream in your own ratios you can make the perfect recipe for you.

If you’re looking to go one step further, homemade mashed potatoes are even better. The taste is a lot fresher, and it is a fun activity to peel the potatoes during holidays when you’re cooking with your family.

You can conveniently store them in your fridge and reheat them the next day to go along with your chicken or whatever you make them with.

Most commonly paired with meat, here are some of the classic foods that you can eat mashed potatoes with:

Chicken

Steak

Salmon

Ham

Pork   

Or if you prefer, you can eat them alone, which may work out because they are pretty filling. 

Mashed potatoes are easy to buy in bulk and they have a long shelf life so you don’t need to worry about having to restock them very often.

This is definitely a recipe that you would want to make if you were planning on feeding a bunch of people.

Grilled or Steamed Vegetables

Made in two different ways but just as delightful as the other. While it may take more than just veggies to create a whole meal, grilled or steamed veggies work well as a side dish. Or if you add them to a source of protein, you can turn it into a mixing bowl of a bunch of delicious foods.

My favorite example of this is a beef bowl. You add strips of beef, grilled veggies, and rice to a bowl then put soy sauce and other sweet sauces on top. Then you mix everything together and have a delicious blend of sweet, savory, and salty.

You can also do this with pork, chicken, or even tofu. another option is to saute the veggies and then put them in the bowl.

Plus, if you grill an assortment of vegetables, people can find which ones they like. especially if you or someone you know is a picky eater, this will still allow them to enjoy the food.

Grilled or steamed veggies go well with tons of different foods. they have become the automatic vegetable option in my household. 

 moving away from heavier foods, the next thing on our list is

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Okay. So, not as on theme with our other easy recipes so far. However, grilled cheese sandwiches are one of the fastest and easiest things you can make.

They are perfect for when the weather gets cool and you want something warm to combat outside. You can also choose what type of bread and cheese you want, or if you want to add anything else like tomatoes or basil.

To make a crispy, golden brown outside, you can spread butter on the bread or pan before turning on the heat. then you’ll have a nice and crisp outer layer.

Grilled cheese sandwiches are truly a classic and are a part of many people’s childhood memories.

So if all else fails, you can turn to this reliable recipe for a delicious dish!

Chicken Sandwich

Sort of unlike the grilled cheese just mentioned above, this easy recipe can be taken in a lot of different directions.

You can choose to use the chicken that you may have made earlier, or you can choose another meat filling. This recipe is just another super simple and quick meal you can make without too much effort.

If you’re having trouble figuring out what type of sandwich you want, you can always look for inspiration from the menus of your local sandwich shops. Sometimes you’ll find something that sounds really good or almost perfect but you want to change one thing.

I am also a strong believer that homemade is better than store-bought, so if you can ever choose to make something yourself rather than buy it, that is the better option if you have the time.

The top two favorites of guests so far have been a BLT-style sandwich and a chicken pesto sandwich.

For bread, I used lightly toasted cracked wheat sourdough. If you ever have the chance to try out these combinations, I highly recommend them! 

If you’re planning to make lunch to bring somewhere, this may be the best option out of the list because they can easily be stored and won’t make too much of a mess.

You can keep it cool with an ice pack, or just ride it out until you eat it. For extra snacks, you can add berries, yogurt, crackers, or a cute little dessert.

Something like these Tasty 7-Step Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies are an example!

These easy recipes will for sure give you ideas for meals that you can make in little to no time. There are so many great combinations that you can make from these base recipes as well.

They can also become your go-to dish for any occasion such as picnics or parties. Your food doesn’t need to look gourmet to taste amazing and if it works for you, then who cares?

If you have a good assortment of groceries in your fridge, most of these recipes will be easy to follow with little to no shopping involved. Any way you make them, you can tailor them to your tastes so you will love and enjoy the food.

This post is all about easy recipes.

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