Let’s be honest: after a long day of work, school runs, and the general chaos of daily life, the last thing you want is a recipe with twenty ingredients, complicated techniques, and a sink full of dirty dishes.
Real life is busy. It’s unpredictable. And your cooking shouldn’t add to the stress.
That’s where simple recipes come in. Not the kind that sacrifice flavor for convenience, but the kind that work with your life, not against it. Here’s how to embrace simple, delicious cooking every day of the week.
Why Simple Wins Every Time
Simple recipes aren’t just about saving time—they’re about building confidence in the kitchen. When you work with familiar ingredients and straightforward methods, you:
- Cook more often (and save money on takeout)
- Waste less food by using what you already have
- Actually enjoy the process instead of feeling stressed
- Build skills that make you a better, more intuitive cook
5 Simple Recipes to Add to Your Rotation
1. One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken and Veggies
Toss chicken thighs, chopped potatoes, and your favorite veggies with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and dried herbs. Roast at 400°F for 35-40 minutes. Dinner’s done—and only one pan to wash.
2. 20-Minute Creamy Tomato Pasta
Sauté garlic in olive oil, add a can of crushed tomatoes and a splash of heavy cream (or reserved pasta water for a lighter version). Toss with cooked pasta and finish with Parmesan. Comfort food, fast.
3. Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus
Place salmon fillets and asparagus on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. Elegant enough for company, easy enough for Tuesday.
4. Black Bean and Corn Tacos
Rinse canned black beans, drain canned corn, and warm them in a skillet with cumin and chili powder. Serve in tortillas with avocado, salsa, and a squeeze of lime. Meatless, satisfying, and ready in 10 minutes.
5. 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker, cover with a jar of salsa, and cook on low for 6 hours. Shred with forks and serve over rice, in tacos, or on salads. The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal.
Tips for Making Simple Recipes Work for You
Keep a well-stocked pantry. Canned beans, good olive oil, pasta, rice, and basic spices mean you’re always halfway to dinner.
Embrace shortcuts. Pre-chopped veggies, rotisserie chicken, and frozen produce are not cheating—they’re smart.
Cook once, eat twice. Double your recipes and repurpose leftovers. Tonight’s roasted vegetables become tomorrow’s grain bowl.
Trust your instincts. Simple cooking is flexible. Don’t have an ingredient? Skip it or swap it. You’re the boss of your kitchen.
Real Food for Real Life
At its heart, simple cooking is about nourishment—not perfection. It’s the meal shared around a crowded table on a Tuesday night. It’s the leftovers that save you on a busy Wednesday. It’s the knowledge that you can feed yourself and the people you love without a production.
So keep it simple. Keep it delicious. And remember: the best recipes are the ones that actually fit into your real, beautifully ordinary life.
