5 Easy Recipes for the Beginner Home Cook

These are 5 easy recipes anyone can make at home, even beginner cooks! We've provided grocery lists for each recipe so you can quickly grab what you need at the store if not already in your pantry.

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Many of us are now spending more time eating at home and feeding our families home cooked meals since dining out may not be an option. Some of you are not used to cooking for your family and may be searching for easy recipes using simple ingredients. Here are 5 easy recipes for the beginner home cook, or for ANY home cook, along with grocery lists for each recipe. I make these recipes all of the time for my family.

Easy Recipes Using Simple Ingredients

For each recipe, I'm providing a grocery list. I can't figure out how to make the lists printable, so you'll need to jot them down. I chose 5 of my favorite easiest recipes that are in a regular rotation for my family. Every recipe uses simple ingredients and may already be in your pantry, freezer or fridge.

Do not be afraid to give your own spin to each recipe. If you are missing only one ingredient, before heading to the store, try to think of a suitable substitution. For example, you don't have cream of chicken soup but you have cream of mushroom? Totally fine for our Poppy seed chicken recipe below! Only have a tube of refrigerated crescent dough and not biscuits? Try it out on the Italian casserole!

BBQ Beef Casserole

This one-skillet BBQ Beef Casserole with a cornbread topping is SO good and very convenient for a quick weeknight dinner! This easy recipe includes every in one, including the meat, veggies and bread.

Grocery List for BBQ Beef Casserole:

1 lb lean ground beef
Yellow onion
15 oz. can corn kernels
15 oz. can diced tomatoes
Your favorite barbecue sauce (1/2 cup)
1 box Jiffy
1 egg
Milk (1/3 cup)
Shredded cheese (1/2 cup), cheddar or Monterey Jack

Click here for my BBQ Beef Casserole Recipe

Poppy Seed Chicken

Every month, I make at least one batch of shredded chicken and will freeze portions of it to use in recipes like my poppy seed chicken. When you have shredded cooked chicken ready and available, this poppy seed chicken recipe comes together in a flash! You could use a store-bought rotisserie chicken or canned chicken in a pinch.

Grocery List for Poppy Seed Chicken:

10 oz. can cream of chicken soup
16 oz. tub sour cream
Rotisserie chicken (if you do not already have shredded chicken in your freezer)
Ritz crackers (2 sleeves)
Poppy seeds (found in the spice aisle)
1 stick butter
Rice (to serve with - you can buy a microwavable pack or use this recipe for stove top)

Click here for my Poppy Seed Chicken recipe.

Biscuit Italian Ground Beef Casserole

The best family-friendly comfort dish, this Italian ground beef casserole is topped with biscuits for a hearty and filling meal your whole family will love! Save this biscuit casserole recipe for a quick weeknight meal!

Grocery List for Biscuit Italian Ground Beef Casserole:

1 lb lean ground beef
Yellow onion
1 garlic clove (or jar of minced garlic)
Your favorite marinara sauce (1 cup)
Beef broth (1/2 cup)
10 oz. bag frozen mixed vegetables
Shredded mozzarella (2 cups)
Grated Parmesan cheese (1/3 cup)
12 oz. tube refrigerated biscuits
Salted butter (2 tablespoons)

Click here for my Biscuit Italian Ground Beef Casserole recipe.

Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Veggies

This easy dinner uses only one pan. The kids think the kielbasa are hot dogs and they LOVE roasted broccoli so I almost always choose it as one of the veggies. Pick your favorites to make this your own!

Grocery list for Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Veggies:

12 to 14 oz. precooked kielbasa (or your favorite sausage link)
Your favorite fresh vegetables (baby round potatoes, broccoli florets, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, etc.)
Olive oil
Italian seasonings

Click here for my Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Veggies recipe.

Almond Crusted Pork Chops

This recipe is probably the most often made dinner in our house. Every member of my family loves it and it is the EASIEST. It comes together in less than 30 minutes. Serve it with a side of vegetables, sliced apples and a roll.

Grocery List for Almond Crusted Pork Chops

8 thinly sliced boneless pork chops
2 eggs
Almond flour (or almonds processed in blender)
Ground sage
Dried mustard
Paprika
Olive oil

Click here for my Almond Crusted Pork Chops recipe.

I hope this gives you a few recipes to start in your new adventure of cooking! Remember, the more you do it the better you'll get at it. It will take some time! I started this blog over 13 years ago as a way to learn. You can teach yourself how to cook, too! If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. I'm happy to help you through this journey!