18 Easy Recipes for the Hopeless in the Kitchen : Thermocookery

If cooking feels like a constant struggle, these 18 easy recipes are for you. Whether you burn toast or panic at the thought of seasoning, each one is designed with simplicity in mind. These meals come together without complicated steps, fancy gear, or guesswork. With 18 easy recipes for the hopeless in the kitchen, you might finally feel like you’ve got this.

A plate of glazed barbecue chicken drumsticks garnished with small parsley leaves. The chicken is coated in a shiny, dark sauce, suggesting a rich, flavorful marinade. The dish is arranged to highlight the crispy, caramelized skin. — Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

A plate of crispy tofu cubes garnished with cilantro is placed next to a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce in a blue dish. — Crispy Air Fryer Tofu. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is one of the easy recipes that works for people who’ve never cooked with tofu. It only takes a few steps and you don’t need to touch a stovetop. The air fryer handles everything while you just wait. This is the kind of meal that proves you don’t need skills to make something work.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash

A dish filled with mashed sweet potatoes topped with chopped nuts, a pat of butter, and a sprig of thyme. The dish is placed on a wooden board, with a few thyme sprigs scattered around. — Slow Cooker Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is one of your go-to easy recipes when you're told to bring a side and you're panicking. Peel it, dump it in the slow cooker, and walk away. It comes out tender with no effort at all. This one’s so easy it almost feels like cheating.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Squash

Instant Pot Fish Soup

A blue bowl contains a soup with chunks of fish, carrots, and potatoes, garnished with fresh dill. The soup appears to have a clear broth base. — Instant Pot Fish Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is one of the easy recipes that takes the intimidation out of cooking seafood. Just throw the ingredients into the Instant Pot, press a button, and let the machine handle the rest. It’s a cozy, hands-off way to make soup that feels homemade. You’ll feel like a pro even if you’re not.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Fish Soup

Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Italian Seasoning

Close-up of a plate of seasoned and grilled chicken wings garnished with herbs. Lemon wedges are visible in the background, adding a hint of color. The wings appear crispy and well-cooked, resting on a dark plate. — Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Italian Seasoning. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

These take 20 minutes and no brainpower to pull off. You season them, throw them in the air fryer, and let it do the work. The result is crispy wings that don’t require frying or flipping. They’re game-day easy even if you’ve never cooked a day in your life.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Italian Seasoning

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Casserole

A black plate with a serving of broccoli casserole, topped with breadcrumbs. A fork rests on the plate. The background is a marble surface, with some green plant decorations partially visible. — Creamy Vegan Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This feels like it took more effort than it actually did. All the chopping is quick, the mixing is straightforward, and the oven handles the rest. You don’t need to overthink it or measure perfectly. This is one of the best easy recipes for people who don’t trust themselves to make dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Broccoli Casserole

Air Fryer Cheese Bites

A plate of breaded chicken nuggets garnished with parsley. The nuggets are golden brown, and the dish is placed on a white surface with a striped cloth partially visible. — Air Fryer Cheese Bites. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

These are a smart recipe choice for anyone who's not confident in the kitchen. Just toss pre-cut cheese into the air fryer and watch them crisp up with zero prep stress. These are bite-sized wins that turn out right every time. It’s the kind of kitchen victory that builds confidence fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Bites

Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers

A plate of chicken stir-fry with sliced carrots, bell peppers, and mushrooms, garnished with cilantro and almond slices. A fork rests on the plate, and a yellow cloth is visible in the background. — Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is a great fallback for folks who need dinner fast but don’t want to mess around. You toss everything in, close the lid, and let the Instant Pot handle it. There’s no guesswork or complicated seasoning involved. Just press a button and act like it took more effort than it did.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers

Roast Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

A plate of roasted asparagus topped with almond slices, capers, and parsley. Two lemon wedges are placed on either side of the asparagus. The dish is presented on an oval white plate. — Roast Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is one of the easy recipes that works great when you need something green but have no idea how to cook vegetables. Just trim and toss in the air fryer with a few seasonings, and you’re done. This is the definition of low-effort cooking. Even if veggies normally scare you off, this one’s basically foolproof.
Get the Recipe: Roast Air Fryer Asparagus Recipe

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping

A close-up image of a casserole dish filled with a cheesy cabbage casserole. The top is golden brown and crispy, with a serving spoon lifting a portion, revealing melted cheese and tender cabbage underneath. — Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

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This is a simple dinner solution for anyone who thinks cooking is intimidating. The steps are minimal and the ingredients are basic, so it’s impossible to mess up. The oven takes care of the rest while you relax. It’s like dinner that makes itself, but you still get the credit.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping

Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

A white bowl filled with a red kidney bean stew, including visible pieces of meat or vegetables, sits on a dark cloth napkin with a fork and spoon beside it. A small bunch of parsley is on the table nearby. — Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

These are perfect when you want to contribute to a meal but don’t really cook. You just mix a few things in a slow cooker and let it do its thing. The flavor builds as it cooks without you having to be around. It’s the “set it and forget it” dream for anyone who usually burns toast.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

A bowl of penne pasta topped with shredded meat and garnished with fresh basil leaves. A fork is placed in the bowl. Red tomatoes and additional fresh basil leaves are on the marble surface nearby. — Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is one of those easy recipes that truly suits anyone hopeless in the kitchen. You just drop the ingredients into a slow cooker and let it do the work, no babysitting required. This is a classic comfort meal that handles itself, making it one of the easiest dinner options. If you can push a button, you can make this.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

Instant Pot Mushroom Soup

A bowl of creamy mushroom soup garnished with croutons, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh herbs. A golden spoon lies nearby, and sprigs of thyme are placed on the table beside the bowl. — Instant Pot Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is ready in under 30 minutes and doesn’t require any cooking instincts. Add, stir, seal, and walk away until the timer dings. The result is a comforting bowl of soup that came together without much thinking. If that’s not the dream for kitchen rookies, what is?
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mushroom Soup

Lemon Air Fryer Salmon

Four grilled salmon fillets garnished with fresh dill and lemon slices are arranged on a white oval platter. The fillets are seasoned with herbs and pepper. The edge of a striped cloth and a serving of broccoli are partially visible. — Lemon Air Fryer Salmon. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This proves seafood doesn't have to be stressful. Just season a fillet and hit the air fryer for 15 minutes. No flipping, no sauce prep, no babysitting. If you’re scared of overcooking, this one's got your back.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Air Fryer Salmon

Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

A bowl of creamy orange soup is placed on a black plate, garnished with a swirl of cream and a sprig of herb. A spoon rests inside the bowl. Small sprigs of thyme are scattered on the marble surface nearby. — Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This asks almost nothing from you. Just add everything to the slow cooker, walk off, and come back later to a finished soup. It’s the kind of meal that feels like magic if you’re usually lost in the kitchen. Even the name sounds complicated, but it’s not.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Kabocha Squash Soup

Easy Chilli Con Carne

A bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese, diced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream, with a fork resting in the bowl. The food is served in a light green bowl on a green napkin. — Easy Chilli Con Carne. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is the kind of one-pot meal that belongs in every list of easy recipes. You brown a bit of meat, dump in the rest, and let it simmer. There are barely any steps to follow, and it tastes like you knew what you were doing. It’s all the reward with none of the stress.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chilli Con Carne

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

A dish in a black baking pan filled with baked casserole. The top is golden brown with crispy edges and garnished with sliced green onions. A portion has been removed, revealing a creamy interior. — Chicken Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is one of the best easy recipes when you need something filling and low-pressure. You’re mostly just dumping everything in a dish and baking it. There’s nothing technical here, and no chance to mess it up. If you’ve got 10 minutes and a casserole dish, you’re set.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

A baked dish with a large serving of cheesy cauliflower in a glass baking dish is next to a white plate holding a portion of the same dish. The background is a light wooden surface. A fork is visible beside the plate. — Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

This is one of those easy recipes that works even if you've never cooked a vegetable in your life. There's almost no prep and it's all baked in one dish. You layer a few things, sprinkle on cheese, and that's it. It’s like pressing “easy mode” on dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

This is what you make when you’re craving something homemade but don’t want to mess with complicated steps. Just season, toss in the air fryer, and let it crisp. These turn out juicy without much effort, and clean-up is easy too. They’ll look like you tried way harder than you did.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks