65 Easy Dinner Recipes for Beginners (That Even the Most Culinarily Challenged Can Manage)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, one pot, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Made with only seven ingredients (most of which are likely in your kitchen right now), this easy dinner recipe for beginners is much better than mac and cheese from a box—and it's just as simple to prepare. "The trick is to boil the pasta in milk (the natural starches in the pasta help thicken the sauce), then stir in butter and cheese," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen writes. "Everything is done right in one dish—in 30 minutes to boot."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4 to 6

Once the udon is boiled, you're halfway to dinner. Kimchi, a Korean side dish made from fermented vegetables (most commonly napa cabbage and Korean radish), offers the noodles plenty of briny, spicy flavor, while a touch of butter curbs its intensity just right.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

And you thought classic carbonara couldn't get any tastier. Sungold tomatoes, which you may be able to find at the farmers market in the summer, offer bright acidity and a pop of color to the rich pasta. If you can't find guanciale (aka cured pig jowl), sub pancetta or smoked bacon.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Just as low-lift as grabbing a jar of store-bought pasta sauce from the cupboard and calling it a night, but so much more elegant. "Instead of cooking your pasta and your sauce in separate pots, you cook them together at the same time," recipe creator Sara Lynn Cauchon explains. "The result is a richer, more flavorful dish with a much creamier texture than any traditional pasta could ever hope to achieve." Add ground beef or crumbled sausage for a boost of protein.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Dream scenario: I'm jetting over to Italy in a few days to enjoy the real deal. But this simple take on the pasta dish, made with savory eggplant and fresh sauce, is the next best thing. "The Sicilian dish, which hails from from the city of Catania, traditionally stars...ricotta salata, a type of pressed and aged ricotta cheese," recipe creator Erin McDowell writes. "I subbed in pecorino, which is more widely available, but either will taste delicious."

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon and crunchy lettuce mixed with diced avocado and creamy, mayo-based dressing—who knew you could improve upon the classic sandwich and ditch the bread? "I'd suggest using a type with ridges so the pasta can better hold the dressing," PureWow food editor Taryn Pire writes. "And don’t worry about slicing the produce until the pasta and bacon are already cooking. You won't be able to mix everything until they've fully cooled anyway, and you don't want the avocado to turn brown before serving."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

This easy dinner recipe for beginners takes just 30 minutes from start to finish. I give you full permission to eat the leftovers cold, since they taste just as good—if not better—than fresh. Feel free to substitute nectarines if that's what you have on hand, or swap in frizzled prosciutto for bacon.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, gluten free, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Ready in half an hour is just the beginning. This meal can also be prepped in advance to save time before dinner. The meatballs are tender, rich and juicy, plus they’re baked instead of fried for minimal mess. Substitute ground chicken, pork or beef for turkey, if you'd prefer.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, one pot, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

I have a feeling your picky kids will have no problem eating cheesy, buttery pasta for dinner. (They might even give the broccoli rabe a taste, if you're lucky.) With just six ingredients—two of which are salt and pepper—this recipe is about as fuss-free as it gets. Pass the Parm, will ya?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Legumes stand in for traditional ground beef in this easy dinner recipe for beginners, starring an old-school sauce of ketchup, tomato paste and vinegar. "[Lentils] are just as quick-cooking and convenient for weeknight dinners," says Gillen. "Top them with coleslaw and a sesame seed bun for the full effect."

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, one pan, vegetarian
• Serves: 1

When you're really pressed for time, eggs can be a total lifesaver. Pair them with greens, cheese and a drizzle of hot sauce, and you're in business. "I love me some crispy kale chips,” writes recipe creator Chanie Apfelbaum, "especially when baked with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor." Add bacon, sausage or any leftover protein to the mix to make it more filling.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 6

A sophisticated dish that tastes like you spent all day making it—despite being ready and on the table in less than an hour. (Chalk it up to limiting the seafood to shrimp and littleneck clams for a speedier prep.) "The Valencian specialty gets its name from the wide, shallow pan it’s cooked in," McDowell explains, "but you can make this version in any large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven—ideally, one with low, sloping sides to encourage the rice to cook evenly."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

How impressive does this guy look? Just don't tell anyone that all you had to do to make this easy dinner recipe was throw all the ingredients in a skillet and wait 30 minutes for them to cook through. "Spice things up by going heavy on the crushed red pepper flakes or by using spicy Italian sausage instead of sweet," Pire recommends.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, high protein
• Serves: 3

Psst: Your dinner guests will never know that these tacos started with a rotisserie bird (or that the whole meal only took you 30 minutes from start to finish). Canned chipotles in adobo go a *long* way in the flavor department. You can also use the filling for quesadillas, sandwiches, burrito bowls or salads.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, one pan, keto-friendly
• Serves: 6

One-pan dinners are the way to go when you're looking to save time. This gem, starring fresh summer tomatoes, tastes super decadent, but it’s also surprisingly healthy, high in protein and low in carbs. (One serving only contains 305 calories and a whopping 42 grams of lean protein.)

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

These chewy, sticky rice cakes are about to win the dinner game. "You can find fresh rice cakes in Chinese or Korean grocery stores, usually in the refrigerated section near the fresh noodles and tofu," recipe creator Diana Kuan suggests. Grab the flavor-packed XO sauce from your local Asian market too; it does most of the heavy lifting in terms of taste.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Any dinner that starts with a bag of frozen tots is one after my own heart. "Tortilla chips are great and all, but crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside potatoes just so happen to be an ideal base for nacho toppings," Gillen explains. Here, they're topped with all the fixings, including chorizo, avocado and quick-pickled onions.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, Paleo-friendly, beginner-friendly, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 6

Low-maintenance cooking is my favorite. Let's make some meal prep magic, shall we? This mouthwatering easy dinner recipe is hands-off and leaves you with practically zero dishes to wash, so I'd call it a win-win. Serve it over grains or noodles to add a carb.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

Dishes? What dishes? I'm only making sheet pan meals from now on, and I'm starting with this dairy- and gluten-free masterpiece. The rainbow aesthetic just might convince your picky eaters to give the veggies a try. (Presentation is everything, no?)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 8

While standard lasagna can be tedious (all that assembly), this version is significantly less fussy. You're basically just layering a homemade meat sauce with ravioli (any kind you like!) and cheese, then popping it into the oven. Bonus? It freezes like a charm, so you can prepare a batch for a future busy weeknight.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 4

Just place all the ingredients on a sheet pan and pop the whole thing in the oven—what’s easier than that? You'll be left with minimal dirty dishes to boot. Personally, I love the roasted head of garlic for squeezing and slathering all over both the chicken and vegetables.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Let your favorite appliance take care of dinner while you focus on more important things...like chilling on the couch. Dump in the ingredients, set the timer, make a pot of white rice while you wait and this takeout copycat will be ready to devour before you know it.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, slow cooker recipe, high protein
• Serves: 6

Just ten minutes of prep work are all that's required for this crowd-pleasing easy dinner recipe. The sauce is made entirely from pantry staples, like canned crushed tomatoes and brown sugar. Serve the saucy, seasoned meat on brioche buns with shredded lettuce and sliced tomato, or use it in wraps, salads, quesadillas or rice bowls.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, make ahead
• Serves: 4

The answer to your dinnertime prayers? Spicy, nourishing burrito bowls. These feature succulent pork shoulder and can be portioned out for the entire work week (meaning your meal prep will be taken care of). Take a bite and thank me later.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients, low carb
• Serves: 2

Newly on keto? This gluten-free method of serving tuna salad substitutes carby bread with greens, so it's on your diet. "They’re a protein-packed, cheap lunch staple, but with lettuce instead of bread and plenty of my fave condiment, chile crisp," writes Gillen. "I like the one from Fly by Jing, but you can also make your own if you're feeling ambitious."

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

This easy dinner recipe requires as much work and know-how as opening a jar of marinara, despite looking significantly more impressive. Add ricotta cheese or crispy prosciutto to make it more filling, or sun-dried tomatoes for tang and color.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Rich, creamy and oh-so simple. Once you've mastered this decadent, five-ingredient easy dinner recipe starring cheese and black pepper, it'll become your weeknight go-to. "I suggest using tongs to toss the noodles without breaking them," Pire writes. "Be generous with the black pepper, as it's meant to be one of the dish's prominent flavors."

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
• Serves: 4

The easiest dinners to make are those that require no cooking at all. (Well, besides toasting some pita, that is.) This Mediterranean spread includes yogurt dip, hummus, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, olives, salami and cherry tomatoes. Might I suggest washing it down with a glass of prosecco?

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, low carb, gluten free, dairy free, keto-friendly
• Serves: 4

Who needs egg roll wrappers? Everyone knows that the pork filling is the best part. (I wouldn't blame you for adding a few crispy wonton strips to your bowl, though...) "While this recipe calls for ground pork, you could substitute ground turkey or chicken without issue," McDowell adds. "And to make the bowls gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce."

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, high protein, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

All you need to whip up this easy dinner recipe is chicken, veggies, a few pantry staples, 20 minutes and your trustiest skillet. Round out the meal with a mound of white rice or saucy lo mein noodles. If you want to keep it low carb or keto-friendly, consider substituting cauliflower rice.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Sure, you could order takeout...or you could save yourself time (and money) by whipping up this beyond-attainable copycat instead. The choice is yours. "It's quick and easy enough for weeknights, but fancy enough for Saturday night with a glass of wine," McDowell asserts.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Cooking healthy food doesn’t have to be difficult. Case in point: this quick and nutritious soup (served with a side of cheese-encrusted baguette, because balance is everything) that comes together in practically no time. Beginner cooks won't believe they made it themselves—and in the blender, too.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

Three cheers for a quick, easy dinner recipe that you can make with whatever's lying around in your pantry. (It's even faster if you have leftover grains at the ready.) "The couscous is as easy to make as it is to boil water," McDowell claims. "It soaks up the liquid off heat and before you know it, it's fluffy and ready to eat. Pair it with a high-quality tuna for the tastiest results."

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

Having friends over to watch the game? These mini snacks, stuffed with seasoned poultry, are guaranteed to impress. No one needs to know it's rotisserie chicken and store-bought buffalo sauce. Finish each slider with crumbled blue cheese and a drizzle of ranch dressing.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, <30 minutes, no cook
• Serves: 2

You had me at 15-minute dinner and again at no oven required. "The sauce is creamy, light and slightly spicy," recipe creator Kimberly Parsons writes. "For a milder sauce you can omit the dried chili. I've been serving this recipe for the last three years and it's always such a crowd-pleaser." Double it to make enough of this tropical, plant-based dish for four.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Rotisserie chicken, I salute you. (How else could I have a mouthwatering wrap ready to go in a mere 20 minutes?) The only "cooking" you'll need to do is toast the tortillas for about 30 seconds per side in a hot skillet. And in case you need help folding it so it actually stays closed, here's a handy guide.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

It's impossible to beat a summer salad, and this one is crowned with charred halloumi cheese, so it's even better. Consider this tomato salad from Great Tastes by Danielle and Laura Kosann, as an uber-gourmet caprese that comes together in just ten minutes.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

This summer stunner will be a hit at any barbecue, picnic or dinner party you go to or host. "It's practically no-cook, feeds a crowd and won't wilt when you set it out in 90-degree weather," former PureWow food editor Heath Goldman raves. Tip: Don't skimp on the good stuff. And by good stuff, I mean the creamy burrata cheese.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

These beauties only take 20 minutes to prepare, including the slightly spicy tropical salsa that would also taste great on pork chops, salmon or chicken. Crown each taco with guacamole if you'd like, or a drizzle of tangy crema or sour cream.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Your favorite local takeout spot will miss you, because once you make this lightning-fast easy dinner recipe for beginners, you might never feel inclined to go back. Toss in any less-than-perfect veggies lurking in your fridge to make space in your crisper drawers for fresh produce.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan, no cook
• Serves: 4

This tasty, chilled antidote for balmy nights is a million times more refreshing than hot tomato soup. (That said, I'm still having mine with a grilled cheese sandwich, TYVM.) "With some ripe produce and a blender or food processor, you can whip up this equally tasty recipe, no heat or effort required," McDowell adds.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2

This vegetarian take on a Russian classic is just the match for a cozy evening in, especially when it's cold outside. The recipe calls for flambéing, which can be easily accomplished with a few tips in mind. "Always remove the pan from the heat before adding alcohol or you risk burning your eyebrows off (at the very least)," Gillen writes. "It's also a good idea to keep a lid nearby if you need to put out any lingering flames."

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: keto-friendly, low carb, <10 ingredients, no cook
• Serves: 1

Save a few strips of steak next time you're at the grill to make a drool-worthy salad with the leftovers. (Ground beef would work as a substitute, too.) You can also add any additional veggies, proteins, grains or cheeses that you have languishing in the fridge.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, low carb, gluten free
• Serves: 4

This easy dinner recipe boasts all the butter, garlic, lemon and white wine of its namesake, minus the high-carb pasta. Good looking out, zucchini. You can make the veggie noodles yourself with a peeler or spiralizer, or save yourself the elbow grease by starting with store-bought zoodles instead.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Easy enough for a weeknight but fancy enough for a dinner party, this 15-minute stunner is super adaptable. "Don't have leeks? Try shallots. Prefer short pasta? 'Rigatoni limone' might not have the same ring to it, but it will taste just as delicious," McDowell assures. I'll take crushed red pepper flakes on mine, please.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 4

I love lobster...but my wallet could use a break. "These shrimp rolls can satisfy your craving without blowing your entire grocery budget," Gillen says. "They have all the elements you're looking for: buttery buns, fresh herbs and a creamy-yet-light New England–style dressing that has just the right amount of mayonnaise." Feel free to mix it a day in advance for easy assembly.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

"It features roasted chickpeas for a boost of protein that happens to be cheaper than chicken, plus a magical cheater's Caesar dressing that skips the raw egg and anchovies," Gillen notes. Make the crispy chickpeas and dressing ahead so you can assemble the salad in a flash come dinnertime.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

I know, cooking fish can seem intimidating. But as long as you use a nonstick pan (and maybe a fish spatula), this photogenic, easy dinner recipe is just as painless to prepare as chicken—promise. (Seriously, you'll only need ten ingredients to pull it off, including salt, pepper and olive oil.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Allow me to introduce you to a cooking technique that gets dinner on the table quickly and leaves the chef with zero dirty dishes to wash. (I love you, nonstick foil.) Fire up the grill at the first sign of spring to tackle this easy dinner recipe for beginners, and you'll want to make it all summer long.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, low carb, keto-friendly
• Serves: 4

My favorite veggie makes cutting back on carbs a cinch. Oh, and did I mention that it'll only take you 30 minutes to prepare? An easy dinner recipe indeed. (P.S.: The spicy shrimp would also taste great over mashed potatoes, polenta, tortilla chips and rice.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

Thanks to store-bought pizza dough, this beautiful ’za is as easy to toss together as your go-to kale Caesar. Drizzle it with a generous dose of olive oil before digging in, or top it with salami, meatballs or prosciutto.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

This healthy, easy dinner recipe is more about assembling than actual cooking (especially if you roast the kale, boil the quinoa and sauté the shrimp all at once). And remember: When in doubt, watermelon radishes make everything look fancy, so the presentation basically takes care of itself.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Always reaching for chicken breast at the grocery store? Here’s a little secret: Thighs are not only more flavorful, but they're also basically impossible to overcook. They'll turn out crispier, juicier and less dry than your go-to cut. Bonus? The recipe calls for canned corn instead of fresh, so you can make this pick any time of year.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, high protein
• Serves: 4

Whip up a quick, easy, Thai-inspired dish in 30 minutes flat. "If you’re missing an ingredient, don't worry," McDowell stresses. "Any of the veggies can be swapped for whatever you have in your fridge—broccoli instead of cauliflower, snap peas instead of bell pepper, green curry paste instead of red, you get the idea." Serve it with rice on the side and a flurry of scallions on top.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free
• Serves: 2

So fresh, so clean and packed with 28 grams of protein per bowl. Feel free to mix and match with whatever fruits and veggies you have lying around, or nix the eggs to make the bowl vegan. (Alternatively, I'd urge you to substitute fried, poached or jammy eggs for hard-boiled, if you love a runny yolk.)

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 6

Remember the microwave noodles that fueled you through college? This take is significantly more grown-up, but not much harder to prepare. Finish this easy dinner recipe with a jammy egg, sliced scallions and all the sriracha you can handle.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, dairy free, gluten free, high protein
• Serves: 6

Complete with tender potatoes and marinated onions. This Nigella Lawson recipe may sound time-consuming, but I promise it's a breeze to make. (I'm talking only ten minutes of prep, folks.) "Just chop up potatoes and toss them on a sheet pan with chicken thighs, spices and lime juice," McDowell writes. "While the chicken roasts to golden perfection, the potatoes soak up its juices, becoming soft and almost soused."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, high protein, make ahead
• Serves: 6

Bye, dinner rut. I'll see you never, thanks to these adorable pepper boats filled with tangy, creamy chicken salad. (It's made with chopped rotisserie chicken, BTW.) "For the dressing, I used full-fat Greek yogurt," Gillen notes, "but I'm sure you could use low fat or fat free with no issue."

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, dairy free
• Serves: 4

It's basically a giant bowl of guac masquerading as a salad, and I'm not mad about it. In fact, that just might be the definition of my dream meal. "It's fast, easy and protein-rich, thanks to black beans," McDowell explains. "And if you have some leftover cooked quinoa, it's ready in ten minutes."

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 4

Low-maintenance is the name of the game when it comes to finding easy dinner recipes for beginners. Make this spicy-sweet number the night before (it takes just 35 minutes) and reap the rewards when your stomach growls the next day. "The chicken is coated in cornstarch and egg before a quick pan-fry (it's less messy and greasy than deep-frying)," McDowell writes.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Who says eating healthy has to be boring? This fresh legume-veggie-yogurt combo will fill you up without weighing you down, and you'll be psyched to serve it. Don't skip the shaved carrot ribbons; it's a low-lift way to get an Insta-worthy presentation.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, vegan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

The only cooking these wraps call for is blanching the collard greens. Not only are they portable, but they can be assembled up a couple of nights before serving. "You can make them ahead of time (up to two days in advance) and they won't get soggy in the fridge," McDowell says.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, keto-friendly, high protein, low carb
• Serves: 6

Game day grub has never been easier, especially since these tantalizing chicken wings are baked instead of fried, making it just right for beginners. Use store-bought everything bagel seasoning or make your own with spice rack staples, like dried onion flakes and minced garlic.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

If you can't source trout, recipe creator Ali Slagle suggests mackerel or bluefin as alternatives. Not into fish? You can also substitute tofu, chicken thighs, winter squash or brassica (like cabbage, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts). Just note that if your ingredient of choice takes more than four minutes to cook, give it a head start by searing it before adding the sauce.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

Fact: Everything tastes better in miniature form, including these two-bite pockets made with chicken tenders, soft pita and creamy herb sauce. "Typically cooked on a rotisserie and shaved off in thin slices, this take on the classic Middle Eastern dish is much simpler to make at home," McDowell writes.