Now What Do I Actually Make? Beginner-Friendly Meals

Not hungry now, but you will be later— so what’s on the menu?  Lately, do your meal options feel dull, boring, or stagnant?  Maybe you’re not too excited to eat, but you also know that if you don’t plan something, you’ll be searching every cupboard for something to nibble on.  Maybe you are new to the “cooking game” and uncertain where to start? 

Tired of Planning Your Next Meal… and the Meal After That?

Welcome to meal planning fatigue and you’re not alone my friend.  You may be hitting this point because it’s all new, and you simply don’t know where to begin.  Perhaps you’ve found a stack of recipes only to realize some of them seem like they require a culinary degree to make on a busy weeknight.  Fresh out of new ideas or simply too tired to cook.  Exhausted from doing the same meal prep over and over again?  Going out to eat sounds tempting or bringing takeout in might be a quick fix, but tomorrow we’re going to be right back where we started from, asking now what do I actually make?  It really doesn’t matter if you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, it’s a problem. 

When Real Life Happens, Our Meals Must Be Adaptable to Our Needs

Time is a valuable commodity which often varies from day to day.  You need to have accessibility to simple meals for your needs.  Are you eating on the go between activities and only have 15 minutes to pull something together?  Or will you be getting home after work after sitting in a traffic jam and just not have the energy to put in another hour prepping a meal.  Getting home late at night and need to pull something together.  Too much fuss to make just one meal or is your kitchen way too small to accommodate your menu?  Yes, there are always excuses but what is the alternative solution? 

Takeout temptation will always lurk in the background, but it isn’t always so easy to get.  The drive-thru lines go on forever, it may cost a small fortune, you’re limited to their selections and may end up eating in your vehicle and pray they got your order right.  There is probably more sodium and saturated fat in that “meal” than you planned on eating for the entire day — and possibly more than recommended by the American Heart Association.       

Lately, We’re All Budget Conscious

Looking for affordable tasty meals that don’t look skimpy.  Today, more than ever, it feels necessary to stretch ingredients and use or reuse them in different dishes to reduce food waste.  If I’m going to pay a pretty penny for a 4-pack of rainbow bell peppers, then I’m going to use every one of them.  I have a sense of guilt and pain when throwing spoiled foods out into the trash because they were lost in the refrigerator or never eaten. 

At times it is worth buying convenience foods that will save you time and effort while reducing waste.  The local grocery store has their own frozen peppers, onions, mushrooms, sweet potato cubes and many other vegetables that are great to have in your freezer to quickly add half a cup of chopped onions to a dish.  Don’t underestimate the value of simple convenience foods that can save time, reduce waste and still help you build balanced meals. 

Back to Basics with Beginner-Friendly Meals

Here are realistic meal frameworks that can make everyday cooking feel easier and less overwhelming.  Beginner-friendly meals do not mean dull or boring, just simple meals that can be whipped up quickly with less effort and time in the kitchen. 

Try to build balanced meals using a combination of proteins, vegetables, starches and healthy fats.  Not only can this help meals taste satisfying, but it also provides important nutrients to help keep you healthy, energized, and nourished.     

Beginner-Friendly Meals:

Sheet Pan Meals are great for busy weeknights because everything cooks together on one pan with easy cleanup.  Mix and match proteins, vegetables, and potatoes or rice to create simple, balanced meals without overthinking dinner.  They also make great leftovers for lunch the next day.  

Skillet Meals make for quick easy meals with minimal cleanup, which is great for beginners.  They’re perfect when using pre-cooked foods that just need to be reheated and are also a great way to repurpose leftovers from a previous meal. 

One-Pot Meals are often made in a casserole dish or a slow cooker.  These meals are usually easy to assemble ahead of time.  Just pop them in the oven or turn on the slow cooker.  Add a tossed salad and you’ve got yourself a balanced meal.   

Grain Bowls are popular, customizable beginner-friendly meals that start with a grain base, then add your protein, vegetables and toppings of your choice.  They’re great for leftovers, easy to prep ahead of time, and affordable. 

Pasta Dishes are incredibly versatile.  While your pasta cooks, sauté garlic in butter with olive oil and add vegetables, protein, and a little cheese for an easy meal.  Save a little pasta water to help thicken the sauce if needed. 

Sandwiches or Wraps are great for any day of the week.  Pair them with homemade smashed potatoes, soup, fruit or a simple salad to round out the meal.

Stir-Fries are quick, easy, and perfect for busy nights.  Prep your own vegetables or grab a pre-cut bag from the produce aisle.  Cook the vegetables and protein separately, then combine at the end with rice or stir-fry noodles.  Make your own sauce or use a pre-made option to save time.  

Freezer Meals are your backup plan and saving grace on busy days.  If you cook more food than you need, freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container with a label and date.  Later, pull it out for a full meal or pair it with a simple side dish.  I often freeze 1-2 servings of chili that can later be added to rice, nachos or even a salad.  The possibilities are endless with full or partial freezer meals.

Throughout the day, try to include a variety of foods from different food groups like proteins, dairy foods, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats.  These foods can be mixed, matched and swapped into simple beginner-friendly meals based on what you enjoy and have available at home. 

Have you ever made a tomato-pineapple salsa to put over salmon?  It can completely elevate a meal and make dinner feel a little more exciting.  Live a little, experiment some, and don’t be afraid to try new flavor combinations.  You may discover a fantastic meal that becomes one of your own signature dishes.

Build A Simple Meal with What You Already Have In Your Kitchen

The dreaded “leftovers” it’s a love-hate relationship.  Some people refuse to eat something again and others welcome the opportunity.  Some foods taste better the next day.  But is it really considered a leftover if you repurpose it to make something totally new?  Alright, it may be a little sneaky, but it saves time, effort and minimizes food waste.  

I’ve really mastered making eye round roast which makes a great dinner with fresh green beans and roasted new potatoes.  The next day my leftover roast becomes hot French Dip made with sauteed onions, melted cheese on a Ciabatta roll served with au jus on the side.  It’s one of my own personal “signature dishes” loved by all. 

Invest In the Right Tools For Beginner Meals

You don’t need a gourmet kitchen to start planning simple basic meals, but you need the right tools in your kitchen to be successful.  Start small, you don’t need every kitchen gadget, start with the basics and build gradually over time with what works best for you and your cooking style.  Building a kitchen is an investment, take your time to research what you need.  Be open to hand-me-downs, some kitchen utensils will last forever.  Some of my favorite tools date back a few generations. 

Essential Utensils and Kitchen Tools:

Preparation: Quality knives make jobs like chopping, slicing and dicing easier.  Consider starting with a chef’s, paring, and serrated/bread knife.  You’ll likely also want a vegetable peeler, cutting boards, grater, colander, and can opener too for basic kitchen set-up.

Mixing: Set of mixing bowls, rubber scraper, spoons (solid, slotted), whisk, rotary eggbeater or electric mixer.

Measuring: A basic set of measuring cups and spoons can make cooking and baking much easier.     

Stove-Top Cooking: Frying pan/skillet (preferably oven-safe), saucepan (2 quart), stock pot (6-8 quart), tongs, spatula, potholders.

Baking: Half sheet pan (rimmed 18x13 inches), baking dish, oven mitts.  

Storing: Invest in some clear glass storage containers with lids.  Clear containers make it easier to identify the food item without opening the container.

Miscellaneous: Finally, don’t forget to buy a basic food thermometer for food safety, either analog or digital, to check the temperature of your meals.  

One Meal at a Time, You’ll Become Apron Ready  

Keep your meals simple and start where you are.  These are the building blocks for developing real kitchen confidence.  Making small changes in the kitchen can really make a big difference and now you’re realizing that feeding yourself does not have to be complicated.  Meals don’t need to be fancy and simple meals still count.  We’re working on making progress, not perfection.  Don’t forget, the availability of fruits and vegetables change with the seasons, bringing new flavors and opportunities to add some pizzazz to your simple beginner-friendly meals.  Confidence grows with practice, and every simple meal is another step toward becoming Apron Ready.  

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Michelle Ressel, MS, RD, LDN

Founder of Apron Ready