Cooking For Dummies? More Like Cooking For Smarties With These 15 Recipes

These recipes are perfect for turning a beginner into a more confident cook, showing that you don’t need to be a pro to create great meals. Each one comes with straightforward steps that are easy to follow, which really helps in building your confidence. After trying these out, you’ll feel more like a smarty than a dummy in the kitchen.

A bowl of Chinese chicken salad with shredded chicken, snap peas, carrots, and peppers, accompanied by a bottle of dressing on the side.
Chinese Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

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.

Starting with a simple classic like Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. It blends the rich, savory flavors of perfectly seared steak with the tang of spiced cowboy butter. It showcases a seamless mix of tradition and flair for even the beginner cook to master with ease.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

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.

Take a step into comfort food with this Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins. It is a recipe that mirrors that homey feeling of southern hospitality. It’s all while offering a straightforward approach that even the most basic kitchen skill set can tackle successfully.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplins

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.

The simplicity of Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef turns the ordinary into an extraordinary staple. It is capable of upgrading tacos, burritos, or bowls into flavorful creations without fuss. It bridges the gap between everyday cooking and restaurant-quality results effortlessly.
Get the Recipe: Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef

Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

A plate of Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers sprinkled with chopped herbs.
Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Ever craved that mouthwatering Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers? With this recipe, you can bring a slice of Little Italy right into your kitchen, without the fuss. It’s rich, it’s hearty and oh-so-satisfyingly spicy. You don’t need to be a seasoned chef to nail it.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

California Eggs Benedict

Eggs benedict with ham and avocado on an English muffin served on a black plate.
California Eggs Benedict. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Here’s a brunch game-changer for you: California Eggs Benedict. We’re talking creamy avocados, juicy tomatoes, and some magic, all nestled on a toasted English muffin. It’s a sunny twist on a brunch classic that’s not only Instagram-worthy but surprisingly doable.
Get the Recipe: California Eggs Benedict

Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

A plate of Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp served on a white rectangular dish.
Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Sweet, crunchy, and just a wee bit exotic, make your own Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp. It offers a route into Asian cuisine that’s not only delicious but downright fun to make. If you thought restaurant-quality dishes were out of reach, this recipe is about to prove you wrong.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

Cucumber Salad with Feta

Cucumber and Feta salad in a black bowl.
Cucumber Salad with Feta. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

On those days when you’re looking for something light yet satisfying, this Cucumber Salad with Feta is your go-to. With its crisp cucumbers, tangy feta, and a dash of dressing, it’s a breeze to put together. Sometimes, the simplest dishes are the most rewarding, and this salad is proof of that.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta

Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken in a bowl with a bowl of rice in the background.
Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Spice lovers, assemble! This Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken is your ticket to a flavor-packed meal that’s surprisingly easy to whip up. With the perfect balance of heat, savory depth, and those addictive crunchy peanuts, you’ll be patting yourself on the back for bringing this dish to your table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Pizza Pasta Salad

A platter of pizza pasta salad served on a white rectangular dish.
Pizza Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Why choose between pizza and pasta when you can have both in one dish? That’s right, this Pizza Pasta Salad is here to keep meals fun and oh-so-easy. Whether you’re looking for a party dish or just want to spice up dinner time, this recipe’s customizable nature makes it a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries

A plate of cottage cheese toast with blueberries, next to a honey dipper.
Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Start your morning with a refreshing twist: Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries. It’s the kind of breakfast that’s nutritious but incredibly easy to make. Just spread, top, and you’re good to go. If you’re looking to add a pop of color and a burst of flavor to your mornings, this is the way to do it.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries

Chinese Chicken Salad

A bowl of Chinese chicken salad with shredded chicken, snap peas, carrots, and peppers, accompanied by a bottle of dressing on the side.
Chinese Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Craving something light yet flavorful? This Chinese Chicken Salad is your answer. We’re talking tender chicken, crisp veggies, and that tangy dressing all coming together in an amazing blend of flavors. This salad proves that simplicity can be incredibly irresistible, making it a great pick for any day.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad

Leftover Steak Quesadilla

A hand holding a cut steak quesadilla.
Leftover Steak Quesadilla. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Got some steak leftovers? Turn them into an irresistibly cheesy and comforting Leftover Steak Quesadilla. It’s a clever and delicious way to give your leftovers a glamorous makeover. With a golden, toasted tortilla, this dish is the ultimate food fix that’s both easy and quick to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Quesadilla

Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Close-up of a hand holding a fork with a bite of copycat Alice spring chicken.
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Fancy bringing a taste of Australia to your dinner table? This Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken, with its mouthwatering honey-mustard flavor, is your first-class ticket down under. Marinated chicken never tasted so good, and with a recipe this simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried it sooner.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Diner Style Salisbury Steak

A plate of Salisbury steak with gravy on mashed potatoes, and a side of peas on a white square dish.
Diner Style Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Recreate the cozy vibe of your favorite American diner right at home with this Diner Style Salisbury Steak. This recipe brings home the comfort of a gravy-slathered patty without any complicated steps. Every bite is a reminder of why we all have a soft spot for classic diner fare.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak

Salmon Pasta Salad

A bowl of salmon pasta salad with a creamy dressing, garnished with a sprig of dill.
Salmon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Looking for something both nourishing and flavorsome? This Salmon Pasta Salad ticks all the boxes. With flaky salmon, perfectly cooked pasta, and a dressing, each bite has a mouthwatering taste and texture. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to make, proving that eating healthily can be effortless.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

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