What are some great, easy recipes for dinner that a 16 year old that has only cooked once or twice can make?

Question

I am 16 and I am embarrassed to say I have only actually made and cooked something twice, which was pork chops. They tasted great but I am so afraid I will get burned cooking! I need at least three recipes, since I want to cook when my mom works. There are four adults [including me] and one six year old. It would help if it did not take longer than 30 minutes to an hour to cook. My mom and I are going to the store tomorrow.

It can be any recipe as long as you tried it and loved it! Thanks!

Answer 1

Burritos-- just cook up some ground beef and onions separately and dice tomatoes, shred cheese, whatever you want.

I also like Tuna Helper Alfredo which is easy in a big sauce pan.  Follow the directions and after you take it off the heat add in about 1/2 bag frozen peas put into a casserole dish and top with crushed Triscuits.  Use the tuna in a package(5.5oz) instead of a can and then you don't have to drain it.

Answer 2

my recomendation is to watch rachel ray on food network  her program 30 min meals are all very easy and she will walk you through every step

Answer 3

Boneless, skinless chicken b*****s are always great and a good buy especially if you have a supermarket close by where they pre-season the chickencken b*****s. What you'll need:

.  3 or 4 whole chicken b*****s, cut in half.  

.  cooking oil

.  Seasoned or regular salt, pepper, and garlic powder (not garlic salt)

Coat a large skillet with cooking oil (don't use a whole lot - just enough to coat the bottom of the skillet) with the heat on medium high.  Wait about 3 minutes till the oil gets hot.  One way of testing it is to put just a drop or two of water into the skillet after a couple of minutes and if it 'dances' it's hot enough.  It might sizzle a bit but don't worry, you won't get burned.

Season all of the b*****s with salt (a little) pepper to taste and some garlic powder.  When your skillet is hot put 3 or 4 b*****s in (don't crowd them) and let them brown on both sides.  Easiest way to check browning is with tongs, not a spatula. When they get brown on one side, turn them over.  When both sides are brown use your tongs to move them to a plate and put the next batch of b*****s in the skillet.  You may have to add a little more oil.  DO NOT PUT THE BROWNED CHICKEN b*****s ON THE PLATE WITH RAW CHICKEN BREAST!.

When all of the b*****s are browned, put them all in the skillet, turn the heat down to medium low, add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water (it will sizzle but won't boil over), put a lid on the skillet and let 'er cook.  Chicken should easily be done in 30 minutes, probably less

While the chicken is cooking teach the 6-year old how to set the table, you make a nice green salad, Mom is in charge of baking the potatoes in the Microwave or preparing frozen potatoes and Dad can plop some frozen veggies into a serving dish, microwave them with the taters and the meal will be complete.  All of this will take about a half hour and by then your chicken should be done.  Stick a fork into the chicken at about twenty minutes and give it a little twist - if it kind of separates and isn't pink - it's done.  

Along the way check occasionally on the water in the skillet - if it's low add a bit but keep the lid on as much as possible.  For the best of all taste as the chicken gets close to being done let the water simmer down until there is almost none left and the juice from the chicken will brown and get on the b*****s; swirl the chicken in the browned juice it is delicious.

I know this sounds l-o-n-g and drawn out but it isn't as you'll see once you've done it.  Best of luck!

Connie S

Answer 4

there are many simple things you can make. i'm 15 and i cook all the time i love it. and im use to the heat since i burn myself more straightening my hair :]

but you can make things like:

tacos or taco salad.

chicken which you can put in like anything.

tuna casserole or just tuna sandwiches or something.

pizza. you can make them on slices of bread you just use cause and add spices cheese and whatever else you like. they take like 10-15 min on like 350-400 degrees. im not exactly sure.

hamburger helper

there are also alot of frozen things that you can get that you add water to and you have like a whole main dish.

but those are pretty simple things.

cooking isn't a hard thing. and its nice when everyone says how good it is :]

Answer 5

One of my favorite fast and easy meals is Skillet Lasagna. It's simple, takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, and reheats well if you have any leftovers. This recipe will make about 8 servings.

1 pound ground beef (or a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage)

1 large onion, chopped

1 26 oz. jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I like Prego Chunky Garden Tomato, Onion & Garlic or Ragu Chunky Mama's Special Garden)

16 oz box of pasta - whatever medium sized shape you can find (I've used penne and rotini, but my favorite for this is campanelle)

12 oz container cottage cheese

8 oz package shredded Italian cheese blend (or Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, etc.)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. While the water is coming to a boil, brown the ground beef over medium high heat in a large (12" diameter) frying or saute pan - something that has sides at least 2" tall. When it's about halfway done, stir in the chopped onions and continue cooking until the onions are soft and the beef is uniformly cooked, with no pink left. Drain the grease (I just stick a paper towel in the pan and swipe it around with a wooden spoon). Stir in the pasta sauce and keep this over low heat until the pasta is done. Drain the pasta then add it to the sauce mixture, stirring until it's evenly distributed. Stir in the cottage cheese (drain it first if there's a lot of liquid) and half of the shredded cheese. Smooth it out and spread the remaining shredded cheese over the top. Put a lid on it (use aluminum foil if you don't have a lid) for a few minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.