10 Easy Main Dishes for the Beginner Cook

I like cooking. I like the money that I save by not buying fast food for dinner. I like knowing what's in my food. But what I don't like, at least at this point in my life, are complicated recipes. The key word for these recipes is easy. These aren't healthy, whole foods recipes by any means - one uses cream of chicken soup, and one uses Pillsbury crescents. But all of them  have five ingredients or fewer, at least the way I prepare them, and don't require a lot of work.

Here are 10 favorites from my limited cooking repertoire. I've listed the ingredients I use for each recipe, and the recipe names link to the directions for them.

: : 1 : :

Basil Pork Chops

Pork chops
Brown sugar
Dried basil
Olive oil

The recipe calls for boneless pork chops, but I use bone-in.

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 : : 2 : :

Upside Down Pizza Casserole

 Lean ground beef

Italian-style tomato sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
10-ounce package  refrigerated biscuits

 : : 3 : :

Tuna Macaroni

1 box macaroni and cheese
1 can light tuna, packed in water
1 can cream of chicken soup

 My favorite version of tuna noodle casserole is actually not a casserole, and not the version pictured. All I do is make a box of Annie's Mac & Cheese, then mix in the soup and tuna. No baking required! We sprinkle chow mein noodles on the individual servings.

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: : 4 : :

Parmesan Chicken 

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasoned bread crumbs
Grated Parmesan cheese
Dried basil
Egg

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: : 5 : :

Salmon Patties

 Canned salmon

Egg
Sseasoned dry bread crumbs
Olive oil

 

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: : 6 : :

Ham and Cheese Crescent Roll-Ups

  Pillsbury® Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls

Thinly sliced ham
Sliced cheddar cheese

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: : 7 : :

Chicken and Rice Dinner

 Boneless skinless chicken breast halves

Minute^® White Rice

Cream of chicken soup

Water

Oil

  : : 8 : :

Cod au Gratin

 Cod fillets
Margarine or butter
All-purpose flour
Milk
Shredded Cheddar cheese

It tastes better than it looks in the photo! 

I make this with 12 oz. of pollock and scale the other ingredients in half.

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: : 9 : :

Dump and Go Cheesy Chicken

Boneless chicken breasts
Cream of Cheddar cheese soup
Milk
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder

  : : 10 : :

Turkey Meatballs 

 Ground turkey

Egg
  Italian seasoned bread crumbs

I pour barbecue sauce over mine before baking and serve over rice. 


What are your favorite easy recipes?