Everyone wants a tasty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Simple cooking is about using what you have, keeping steps short, and still ending up with food that feels home‑cooked. Below you’ll find the basics you need, plus five recipes you can throw together in under 30 minutes.
The first step to simple cooking is a small, smart setup. You don’t need a fancy rack of pots – a good chef’s knife, a cutting board, a large skillet, and a pot with a lid cover most tasks. A few pantry staples—olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a can of diced tomatoes—go a long way.
When you shop, pick versatile items. A bag of frozen mixed veggies, a box of rice or pasta, and a protein like chicken breast, beans, or eggs can be combined in countless ways. Having these basics on hand means you’ll never be stuck wondering what to make.
1. One‑Pan Veggie‑Rice Stir‑Fry
Heat a splash of oil in a skillet, toss in frozen veggies, a cup of cooked rice, soy sauce, and a pinch of garlic powder. Stir for five minutes and you’ve got a balanced bowl with minimal cleanup.
2. Quick Garlic Pasta
Cook any pasta shape according to the package. While it’s boiling, melt butter, add minced garlic (or 1 tsp garlic powder), sprinkle chili flakes if you like heat, then toss the drained pasta in the sauce. Finish with a grind of black pepper.
3. Egg‑And‑Bean Breakfast Wrap
Scramble two eggs, mix in a half‑cup of canned beans, and spoon the combo onto a tortilla. Add a dash of hot sauce and roll it up. Breakfast ready in under ten minutes.
4. Simple Tomato Soup
Combine a can of diced tomatoes, a cup of water, a splash of milk, and a pinch of salt in a pot. Simmer for ten minutes, blend if you have a hand blender, and serve with crusty bread.
5. Chicken & Veggie Sheet Pan
Spread chicken pieces and chopped veggies on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil, sprinkle salt and pepper, then bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20‑25 minutes. Nothing to stir, just an easy, complete meal.
All these dishes share three rules: minimal ingredients, one‑pot or one‑pan, and quick cooking time. If you stick to those, you’ll keep the kitchen stress low and the food taste high.
Want to keep things even simpler? Batch‑cook a big pot of rice or a batch of pasta on the weekend, store it in the fridge, and pull out portions whenever you need a base. Pair it with a fresh salad or the protein of the day, and you’ve got a meal ready in minutes.
Remember, simple cooking isn’t about cutting corners on flavor; it’s about being smart with time and resources. With the right tools, a few pantry staples, and these easy recipes, you’ll be able to whip up meals that satisfy without the hassle.
Give one of these recipes a try tonight. You’ll see how fast good food can be when you keep it simple.
