Easy Peasy Eats: 15 No-Fail Meals For The Hopeless Cook

Ever whisper to yourself, “Please don’t let me mess this up,” before stepping into the kitchen? Let’s change that mantra to, “I’ve got this.” This list of no-fail meals is kind of magical that way. They’re all about making cooking feel less like a gamble and more like a sure thing. These recipes are patient, forgiving, and ready to guide you from beginning to end.

Two bowls of Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you think making this dish sounds like climbing Everest in flip-flops, think again. Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu is like a leisurely walk in the park where you end up with juicy chicken wrapped around ham and cheese. It is cooked to perfection without even breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate.
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Think about firing up the grill and throwing on some steaks, not worrying about overcooking or undercooking. All it takes is a little attention and some cowboy butter to turn it into a meal that’ll make you feel like you’ve won a cooking show. Serve Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter for lunch or any gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

A bowl of Mediterranean orzo salad on a black plate.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This dish is like taking a trip to the Mediterranean without leaving your kitchen. All you do is mix some shrimp and fresh veggies. Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp will give you a refreshing and light meal that asks for minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

2 Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches on a black plate.
Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Here’s a way to turn a few simple ingredients like chicken and mozzarella, into a restaurant-quality sandwich that’s grilled to bring out all the flavors. Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich will make you forget about those bland and boring lunches of the past and turn your eyes to a flavorful future.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

A bowl of skillet gnocchi with sausage and broccoli rabe.
Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Skip the pot of boiling water and whip up this Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe. It is an amazing one-pan wonder that creates a mouthwatering blend of flavors and textures with minimal cleanup. It proves that cooking a fancy-sounding meal doesn’t have to be a chore.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Chicken Piccata

Two chicken piccata on a white plate with parsley and lemon wedges.
Chicken Piccata. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

With its capers and tangy sauce, Chicken Piccata is a dish that somehow feels both elegant and straightforward. It turns the humble chicken into something that zings with flavor. The key to its success lies not in complicated techniques but in the blend of its simple yet punchy ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp skewers on a white plate with lemon wedges.
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

A proof of how minimal ingredients and effort can result in a deliciously energizing meal is Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp. By simply marinating and grilling, you can achieve a summery dish that brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your plate. It’s a rewarding way to impress family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Beefy John Wayne Casserole

A slice of beefy John Wayne casserole on a plate.
Beefy John Wayne Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Does this Beefy John Wayne Casserole sound like it requires the skills of a seasoned chef? Well, in reality, it’s a forgiving dish that combines meat and spices in a heartily satisfying way. This casserole is a no-nonsense meal that promises to be a crowd-pleaser any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Beefy John Wayne Casserole

Turkey à la King

A plate with a Turkey à la King and salad on it.
Turkey à la King. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Looking for the perfect antidote to leftover turkey blues? Turkey à la King is here to save you. It turns what is seen as boring into a creamy, dreamy dish that’s comforting and incredibly easy to assemble. This dish serves as a shining example of how simplicity in the kitchen can lead to kitchen success.
Get the Recipe: Turkey à la King

Roast Pork with Apples

A plate of Pork Roast with Apples on a table.
Roast Pork with Apples. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When you pair pork with apples and roast them together, you go on a food trip that results in savory goodness with just the right touch of sweetness. The pairing of Roast Pork with Apples is a foolproof method for a meal that feels special without requiring the cook to have professional skills.
Get the Recipe: Roast Pork with Apples

Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

A platter of sheet pan lemon-rosemary chicken with lemon slices, herbs, and garnished with cherry tomatoes.
Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

The beauty of Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken lies in its simplicity. It gives its ingredients a wonderfully aromatic and flavorful makeover. It also has the bonus of minimal cleanup! It is the kind of dish that reassures even beginners that cooking a meal doesn’t have to involve an endless list of steps.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef

A plate of Mexican carne molida with lime wedges served on a wooden table with a striped cloth on the side.
Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bring the fiesta to your kitchen in a way that’s almost deceptively easy. Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef is proof that with just a handful of ingredients and spices, you can whip up a filling for tacos or burritos that’s bursting with flavor. It upgrades ground beef to a celebration of flavors.
Get the Recipe: Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef

Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

Two bowls of Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Cooking a dish that mimics the comforting embrace of Cracker Barrel is surprisingly achievable. Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins have a taste of homestyle cooking without the need for hours spent in the kitchen. It is a warm, comforting bowl of goodness, an uncomplicated choice for a soothing dinner.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

Baja Fish Tacos

Baja fish tacos on a white plate.
Baja Fish Tacos. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Searching for a vibrant punch of flavor and texture? Baja Fish Tacos takes fresh ingredients and crispy fish in a tortilla, in an addictive way. It’s a dish that proves you don’t need to be an expert to serve up something delicious. It is light yet satisfying without much fuss.
Get the Recipe: Baja Fish Tacos

Brisket Fried Rice

Brisket fried rice in black serving dish on white background.
Brisket Fried Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Turning leftover brisket into Brisket Fried Rice is a stroke of genius that shows how leftovers can be given a delicious second life. The combination of brisket with fried rice results in a dish that feels both innovative and pleasurable. It will help your knack for creativity show.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Fried Rice

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