Although some of these dishes may sound intimidating to the average bachelor, don’t let the names or the pictures dissuade you. These are quick and relatively simple plates that will impress your friends and add some variety to your meal plan. So start preheating the oven because these are 25 easy dinners everyone should know how to cook after college!
Spicy Salmon with Bok Choy and Rice
By basting the fish in a combination of red peppers, soy sauce, and honey you’ll get the best homemade glaze you could hope for.
Ingredients:
Baked Pecorino Chicken
Spice up your chicken breasts with a crunchy outer layer of butter, pecorino cheese, and bread crumbs.
Ingredients:
Whole-Grain Spaghetti with Kale and Tomatoes
Starting with the “whole-grain” you can probably already tell that this the healthiest spaghetti on the block. The rest of the recipe requires almonds, kale, garlic, and tomatoes.
Ingredients:
Shrimp With Tomatoes and Olives
Here’s a secret they might not have taught you in college – couscous. That’s right, one word that might save you a lot of time. It cooks fast and when you combine it with olives, tomatoes, and seafood…instant deliciousness.
Ingredients:
1 10-ounce box couscous (1 1/3 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 small onion, chopped
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
3/4 cup pitted green olives
1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc) kosher salt and pepper
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salmon With Creamy Cucumber-Fennel Salad
Last time the salmon was with rice, this time it’s with cucumber salad. To save time you can make the salad in advance and then keep it cool in the fridge. It tastes better chilled anyway.
Ingredients:
4 6-ounce pieces skinless salmon fillet
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper kosher salt and black pepper
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1/2 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced, plus
2 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds
1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced rye bread, for serving
Spanish Omelet With Potatoes and Chorizo
If you have an oven then you can make this dish in no time. While the omelet is baking you can also make a side salad.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 ounces Spanish chorizo (cured sausage), sliced into thin half-moons
3/4 pound red potatoes, diced kosher salt and pepper
3/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
10 large eggs, beaten
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Manchego or sharp Cheddar
1 small head green-leaf lettuce
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
Chicken, Zucchini, and Prosciutto
Once again cook the main dish (chicken) in the oven while cooking the prosciutto and zucchini on the stove. Add some lemon for a touch of extra flavor.
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 pound (about 8 slices) prosciutto
3 small zucchini, thinly sliced into half-moons
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1 lem
Southwestern Beef Chili With Corn
It’s the chili powder and tomato paste that make the chili. The corn just adds a bit of depth.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 poblano or bell pepper, chopped
1/2 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 cup corn kernels (from 1 ear, or frozen and thawed)
1/2 cup grated Cheddar (2 ounces)
2 scallions, sliced
Roasted Cod and Scallions With Spiced Potatoes
Basically you just need to get the ingredients together, apply the spices, and throw them all into the oven. Easy peasy.
Ingredients:
1 pound small red potatoes (about 12), sliced
1/4 inch thick
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon chili powder kosher salt and black pepper
4 6-ounce pieces skinless cod, halibut, or striped bass fillet
2 bunches scallions, trimmed
1 lemon
Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli
Turkey cooks pretty quick when it’s ground up and it’s also much healthier than beef. With a little broccoli and pasta in the mix, you’ve got yourself a solid dinner!
Ingredients:
3/4 pound orecchiette
2 cups broccoli florets
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper kosher salt
Parmesan, for serving
Chicken Curry
It may sound intimidating but fear not. A rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, onions, and the obligatory rice are actually quite easy to throw together. Don’t forget the curry powder.
Ingredients:
1 cup white rice
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained (optional) meat from
1 rotisserie chicken, sliced or shredded
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
Zucchini and Bean Salad
It looks fancy, it’s good for you, and you don’t even need to cook anything. Zucchini, beans, some herbs, and a bit of cheese will do the trick.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar kosher salt and black pepper
2 medium zucchini (about 1 pound), halved and thinly sliced
1 15.5-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped salted roasted almonds
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1 cup bulgur
1 cup goat cheese, crumbled (4 ounces)
Fishermen’s Soup
This dish shouldn’t take too long to throw together. Muscles cook relatively quickly and the halibut really rounds out the flavor.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 leeks (white and light green parts), cut into
1/4-inch-thick half-moons
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 small fennel bulb, quartered and sliced
1/3 cup dry sherry
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper kosher salt
1 pound skinless halibut fillet or some other firm white fish, cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 pound mussels, scrubbed
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
1/2 cup mixed olives
Steak With Artichoke and Cherry Pepper Sauté
Rub the steak in garlic, add some sweet cherry peppers, and then top things off with some artichokes. Now that’s a mouthful.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds flank steak
2 cloves garlic, sliced kosher salt and black pepper
2 cups torn bread (1-inch pieces)
1 15-ounce can artichoke hearts, rinsed and halved
1/2 cup sweet red cherry peppers (such as Peppadews), sliced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Steak With Roasted Parsnips, Tomatoes, and Scallions
Sear the steak, toss the vegetables, and then add some thyme and olive oil. Roast until tender and enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds parsnips, cut into 2-inch pieces, halved or quartered if thick
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 bunch scallions, trimmed
4 sprigs thyme 1/4 cup plus
1 teaspoon olive oil kosher salt and black pepper
4 strip or rib-eye steaks (1/2 inch thick; about 1 1/2 pounds total)
Poached Halibut With Green Beans and Red Potatoes
You can just cook the potatoes and the beans in the same pot. It’s faster and less of a mess.
Ingredients:
1 pound red potatoes kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound green beans, trimmed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
4 6-ounce pieces halibut
2 1/2 cups dry white wine
Oven-Fried Pork Cutlets With Fennel-Chickpea Slaw
The refreshing slaw perfectly complements the crunchy cutlets.
Ingredients:
4 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread
3 tablespoons olive oil kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 large egg whites
4 thin pork cutlets (about 1 pound total)
1 15.5-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
1 fennel bulb, very thinly sliced
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced, plus
1⁄4 cup leaves
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus wedges for serving
Caribbean Tenderloin With Mango Salsa
Dinner is about to get tropical with this delicious mango salsa made from scallions, red peppers, lime juice, and of course mangos.
Ingredients:
1 mango, chopped
2 scallions, chopped
1 tablespoon plus
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper kosher salt
1 1/4-pound pork tenderloin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Quick Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew
The good thing about this stew? You can make a whole lot at once and then freeze some for later!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds lamb steaks (top round or shoulder), bones removed and meat cut into 2-inch pieces
kosher salt and black pepper
4 carrots, cut into 3-inch sticks
1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
4 ounces green beans, cut into small pieces (about 1 cup)
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Homemade Fried Rice
Quit doing takeout and make it even better at home!
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. butter, divided
2 eggs, whisked
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
1 small white onion, diced
1/2 cup frozen peas
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
4 cups cooked and chilled rice (I prefer short-grain white rice)
3 green onions, thinly sliced
3-4 Tbsp. soy sauce, or more to taste
2 tsp. oyster sauce (optional)
1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
Homemade Pizza
Yes, you should be able to make this at home too.
Ingredients:
1/2 recipe homemade pizza crust
1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons your favorite BBQ sauce
1 cup cooked, sliced chicken breast (about one 8-ounce breast)
2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2/3 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese*
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
fresh cilantro, for topping
Spicy Fish Taco Bowl
This one is as easy as cooking the fish and mixing the rest of the ingredients in.
Ingredients:
2 tilapia fish fillets
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp cumin
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp chili powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup black beans
salt and pepper to taste
½ avocado, cut in small pieces
1 lemon
2 cups cooked brown rice
Cheeseburger with Sautéed Mushrooms, Arugula and Dijon Aioli
It’s not just any cheeseburger. This bad boy is big, tasty, and not that hard to make.
Ingredients:
1 pound of lean ground beef
1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
12 ounces of sliced baby bella mushrooms
4 ounces fontina cheese, sliced
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
2 cups of fresh arugula
1/2 lemon, juiced
4 whole wheat buns, toasted
White Bean Ragout with Toast
Just in case you have vegetarians over for dinner you might need this.
Ingredients:
3 medium onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
4 garlic cloves, 3 finely grated, 1 halved
2 teaspoons tomato paste
4–6 1-inch-thick slices grilled or toasted ciabatta
8–10 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan, divided
2 15-ounce cans cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups vegetable broth, divided
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Vegetable Stir Fry with Carrots, Broccoli and Cauliflower
Possibly the most versatile dish in your repertoire, knowing how to cook a good stir fry is critical for kitchen success.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
1 medium/large red onion
2 cloves garlic
A sprinkle Himalayan/sea salt
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups cauliflower florets
1 medium carrot
5 fresh shiitake mushrooms
1 large bok choy
2 tablespoons & 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon white cooking wine
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 teaspoon tahini paste
1 teaspoon molasses
1/8 teaspoon ginger powder
A pinch of red pepper flakes
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