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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Easy Recipes That Will Make You Love Cooking Again

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 2, 2025 · Published December 9, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    Cooking can sometimes feel like a chore, but it doesn't have to be that way. With these 23 easy recipes, you'll find simple and enjoyable meals that can reignite your passion for the kitchen. From quick weeknight dinners to fun weekend projects, these dishes are designed to bring joy back into cooking.

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is super easy to prepare. With only four ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in just 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Taco Potato Casserole with Ground Beef

    Taco Potato Casserole with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit: The Honour System.

    Taco Potato Casserole is a filling and tasty dish that brings together Tex-Mex flavors and comfort food. With layers of seasoned ground beef, diced potatoes, and melted cheese, this simple casserole is great for family dinners or gatherings.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole combines all your favorite taco flavors into a simple one-dish meal. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Black Lentil Feta Salad

    Black Lentil Salad with Feta.
    Photo credit: Evergreen Kitchen.

    This Mediterranean salad is full of flavor and super easy to prepare. It's packed with healthy lentils, creamy feta, fresh veggies, and a simple dressing, making it perfect for lunches or dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake

    Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Honour System.

    This Creamy Chicken Pasta is packed with fresh veggies like spinach and tomatoes, all mixed in a delicious sauce and baked just right. It's a lighter take on the classic, using Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.

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    Apple Risotto with Marcona Almonds

    Apple risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Apple Risotto is packed with apple flavor and can be ready in just 35 minutes. It's a tasty dish that works well as a side or a main course, especially when topped with crunchy Marcona almonds.

    Get the recipe

    Kimchi Mac and Cheese

    Kimchi Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: Mikha Eats.

    This mac and cheese is creamy and cheesy, with a crunchy topping that adds a nice texture. The addition of kimchi gives it a refreshing kick that balances out the richness, making it a dish you'll want to enjoy again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sandwich

    A buffalo chicken ranch sandwich.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Homemade buffalo chicken ranch sandwiches come together in just 30 minutes, offering a spicy and satisfying meal. With a few easy-to-find ingredients, you can whip up a tasty feast without much effort.

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    Easy Cheeseburger Casserole

    Easy Cheeseburger Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dude That Cookz.

    Cheeseburger Casserole is a simple and tasty dish that's great for a quick weeknight dinner. With just a few ingredients like ground beef, onions, tomato puree, and cheese, it's a hearty meal that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Crispy Tofu

    Air fried crispy tofu.
    Photo credit: Sarah Cook.

    Crispy air fryer tofu is a quick and affordable dinner option. This flavorful dish is a tasty vegan or vegetarian meal that you can whip up in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Risotto with Leeks & Lemon

    Salmon Ristotto with Leeks & Lemon
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This Salmon Risotto is ready in under 40 minutes and doesn't need constant stirring. With the bright flavors of lemon, leeks, and parsley, it's a simple yet elegant dish that works well for dinner parties or a quick weeknight meal.

    Get the recipe

    Simple Oven Baked Salmon

    Oven baked salmon.
    Photo credit: Low Carb Africa.

    Oven baked salmon is quick and easy to prepare, using store-bought fish seasoning for added flavor. This is a great option for busy nights when you want a healthy meal without a lot of work.

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    Easy Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This paella is a simple dish that everyone will enjoy. It's packed with flavorful saffron, white wine, shrimp, chicken, green peas, and bell peppers, making it great for dinner parties and tasty even the next day.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    Slow Cooker Pot Rost.
    Photo credit: One Happy Housewife.

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast is simple to prepare and doesn't need any searing. The beef turns out juicy and tender, while the vegetables are cooked just right, making it a meal you'll love.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Rib Eye

    How To Cook A Rib Eye Steak
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer rib eye steak is a simple way to enjoy a delicious steak at home. It's juicy and full of flavor, plus it's a healthier option that cuts down on grease.

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    Crab Pasta

    Crab Pasta
    Photo Credit: Caroline's Cooking.

    This crab pasta is super simple to whip up and has a fresh, light flavor that's really enjoyable. It's a perfect choice for a quick meal.

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    Orange Ginger Chicken

    Whole orange ginger chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Orange Ginger Chicken turns a whole chicken and some oranges into a delicious roast dinner with a flavorful sauce. The sweetness of the oranges, the zing of ginger, and the salty touch of dark soy sauce create a great meal for any night.

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    Sausage Asparagus Pasta Bake

    Sausage Asparagus Pasta Bake
    Photo Credit: Buy This Ccook That.

    This Sausage Asparagus Pasta Bake is simple and uses just five ingredients. The fresh asparagus and sweet Italian sausage come together for a tasty dish that you'll enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This potato stir-fry with halloumi and veggies is a quick and easy dinner that you can whip up in just 25 minutes. It's healthy, flavorful, and all cooked in one pan, with a hint of lemon to really brighten it up.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Mahi Mahi

    Mahi mahi.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This mahi mahi cooked in the air fryer is a quick and tasty meal that looks great on the plate. Pair it with your favorite sides for a satisfying dinner that won't take much time to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sweetheart cabbage salad comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for anyone who thinks they don't like salads. Packed with spinach, crunchy cabbage, and tasty chickpeas, all topped with plenty of Parmesan cheese, it's a healthy and satisfying dish.

    Get the recipe

    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a simple dinner packed with vegetables, ground beef or lamb, and plenty of cheese on top. This version skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead, creating a healthy and tasty Mediterranean meal that's easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese come together for a delicious meal. This is a satisfying dinner that will remind you how enjoyable cooking can be.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      14 Simple Sweets That Make Every Day a Little Better
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      21 Cozy Comfort Food Ideas That Make Every Night Feel Better
    • Pesto gnocchi.
      31 Easy 30-Minute Family Dinners
    • Lemon ricotta pasta.
      19 Weeknight Pasta Dishes You’ll Have on the Table in 15 Minutes - or Less!

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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