20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (2024)

    From pasta, to chicken, to roasted veggies — these simple recipes will come in handy over and over again.

    by Jesse SzewczykBuzzFeed Staff

    Cooking at home is challenging — we get it — and everyone needs a collection of staple recipes they can turn to over and over again.

    So we rounded up 20 of our favorite staple recipes that just about everyone should know how to make. Pick a few of your favorites, bookmark them, and keep them in your back pocket.

    1. Roasted lemon chicken to pair with just about anything.

    cafedelites.com

    Why you should know how to make it: It's both simple and impressive, and relatively cheap to make. This recipe uses chicken thighs instead of a whole bird to make things more manageable for a beginner cook. You can pair it with veggies, grains, and anything else your heart desires.

    Get the recipe.

    2. A super simple pesto you can toss with pasta, over chicken, or spread on a sandwich.

    thesuburbansoapbox.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Pesto is super versatile and can dress up just about any meal. Toss it over pasta, spread it on salmon, or mix it with yogurt to make a creamy sandwich spread. It's easy to make, and you can stash it in your fridge for several days.

    Get the recipe.

    3. Fluffy homemade pancakes you can make for just about any meal.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (2)

    motherthyme.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Homemade pancakes make the ultimate breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner (don't @ me). They're fairly easy to make, cook up quickly, and taste way better than the kind you make with store-bought mix.

    Get the recipe.

    4. Chicken stir-fry so you can use up all of the veggies in your fridge.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (3)

    momontimeout.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Stir-fry is the perfect meal to make when you have a fridge full of random items. This recipe, using chicken and veggies, is the perfect starting point. Using this recipe as a guide, you can throw in whatever protein or veggies you have on hand to create an off-the-cuff dinner that's satisfying and quick.

    Get the recipe.

    5. Crockpot chili that's the perfect hands-off recipe for chilly nights.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (4)

    chelseasmessyapron.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Everyone should have a solid chili recipe up their sleeves. It's the perfect thing to cook on cold nights and makes great leftovers. This one is prepared in a slow cooker, so it's great for busy weeknights. You just dump everything in in the morning, turn it on, and come home to a warm dinner ready to be enjoyed.

    Get the recipe.

    6. Homemade garlic bread you can serve alongside pasta, salad, or just about anything else.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (5)

    budgetbytes.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Garlic bread complements pretty much every meal. It only requires five ingredients and minimal effort to throw together, and pretty much everyone will love it.

    Get the recipe.

    7. Comforting spaghetti carbonara that comes together in no time.

    gimmesomeoven.com

    Why you should know how to make it: It's the ultimate empty-fridge pasta recipe that uses just a handful of basic ingredients such as eggs, bacon, and dried spaghetti. It's cheap, comes together quickly, and tastes amazing.

    Get the recipe.

    8. A simple one-pan salmon and green beans that's made entirely in the oven.

    littlespicejar.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Everybody needs a simple technique for cooking fish at home. This recipe marinates salmon in honey mustard and bakes it alongside green beans, but you can use just about any veggie you'd like.

    Get the recipe.

    9. A simple omelet so you can quickly prepare breakfast before running out the door.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (6)

    thekitchn.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Cooking a perfect omelet is simple, but it takes practice. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to bust out an impressive breakfast for yourself or guests without a ton of effort.

    Get the recipe.

    10. An easy stovetop mac 'n' cheese so you finally stop eating the boxed variety.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (7)

    thekitchn.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Sure, boxed mac 'n' cheese is delicious, but you really can't beat a homemade version. This recipe only requires five ingredients and is made entirely on the stovetop, so you don't have to bother baking it.

    Get the recipe.

    11. A foolproof recipe for perfectly cooked steak every time.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (8)

    tasty.co

    Why you should know how to make it: Steaks are expensive, so when you actually do splurge on them, it's important you know how to cook them properly. This recipe pairs them with a homemade garlic butter that keeps them nice and tender and full of flavor. Keep this recipe in your back pocket for those special occasions and people will be convinced that you're a pro chef.

    Get the recipe.

    12. An easy 20-minute tomato sauce you can toss over pasta.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (9)

    foxandbriar.com

    Why you should know how to make it: You can make this sauce ahead of time, stash it in your fridge, and toss it over pasta during the week. It's way better than the store-bought varieties, and not that much work.

    Get the recipe.

    13. A homemade pizza recipe you can customize with your favorite toppings.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (10)

    Vaughn Vreeland/BuzzFeed

    Why you should know how to make it: Sure, ordering pizza is pretty much zero effort, but there's something special about making your own pizza. It tastes way better, and you can top it with whatever ingredients your heart desires.

    Get the recipe.

    14. A quick homemade hummus that comes together in no time.

    cookingclassy.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Hummus is the ultimate snack to have on hand. You can dip chips, veggies, pretzels, and just about anything else you can think of in it. It lasts for several days after you make it and can be customized with any flavor you can think of. Love red peppers? Add them in! Really into roasted garlic lately? Throw some cloves in as you blend it!

    Get the recipe.

    15. A sheet tray of roasted veggies you can eat all throughout the week.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (11)

    cookingclassy.com

    Why you should know how to make it: These simple roasted veggies are seasoned with garlic and herbs and are a cinch to throw together. They go with just about any protein and make meal-prepping a breeze.

    Get the recipe.

    16. Perfectly moist grilled chicken you can make indoors — because who has an actual grill, anyways?

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (12)

    gimmedelicious.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Grilled chicken is a simple go-to protein that you can pair with pretty much anything — and once you invest in a grill pan, you can make it indoors in no time. Throw it on top of rice, a salad, or in a sandwich — however you eat it, it's going to be good.

    Get the recipe.

    17. A gourmet grilled cheese you can whip up in a matter of minutes.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (13)

    Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott / Via bonappetit.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Because it'll become your new go-to snack for late nights, quick lunches, and everything in-between.

    Get the recipe.

    18. A delicious (and classic!) Caesar salad you can eat as a full meal, or pair with something else.

    cookingclassy.com

    Why you should know how to make it: Caesar salad is a classic for a reason. It's both hearty and light, flavorful, and relatively simple to throw together. If you choose to make your own dressing, you can get a head start and prepare it on the weekend, then just stash it in your fridge.

    Get the recipe.

    19. Fluffy mashed potatoes you can serve alongside any ~fancy~ meal you're making.

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (14)

    Taylor Miller/BuzzFeed

    Why you should know how to make it: Whenever you need to cook a fancy meal, mashed potatoes are the ultimate go-to side. They're decadent yet super easy to make, and they make any meal feel special.

    Learn how to make four different kinds of mashed potatoes.

    20. A signature chocolate chip cookie recipe you can bake for special occasions (or just because).

    Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    Why you should know how to make it: Because cookies are the ultimate sweet treat to make for just about any occasion. Birthday party? Bring cookies. Celebrating a promotion? Bring cookies.

    Get the recipe.

    Looking for even more recipe inspiration? Check out these posts:

    17 Easy Pantry Meals You Can Whip Up On Busy Nights

    20 Cheap And Easy One Pot Dinner Ideas To Bookmark

    20 Go-To Recipes Every Twentysomething Should Know (2024)

    FAQs

    How many recipes does the average person know? ›

    A survey found that, on average, people claimed to know how to make 15 recipes without having to look them up.

    What meals should everyone know how do you cook? ›

    17 Dishes Every Home Cook Should Know How to Make, According to Chefs
    1. 01 of 17. Eggs. Victor Protasio. ...
    2. 02 of 17. Rice. Diana Chistruga. ...
    3. 03 of 17. Roast Chicken. Julia Hartbeck. ...
    4. 04 of 17. Bolognese. Photo and Styling by Julia Gartland. ...
    5. 05 of 17. Baked Fish. Maxwell Cozzi. ...
    6. 06 of 17. Fresh Pasta. ...
    7. 07 of 17. Steak. ...
    8. 08 of 17. French Fries.
    Mar 11, 2024

    What's the easiest thing to learn to cook? ›

    10 Dishes Every Beginner Cook Should Learn
    • 01 of 10. Cream-Based Soup. Victor Protasio. ...
    • 02 of 10. Roast Chicken. Julia Hartbeck. ...
    • 03 of 10. Pizza. Bella Graves. ...
    • 04 of 10. Pasta Carbonara. ...
    • 05 of 10. Whole Roasted Fish. ...
    • 06 of 10. Risotto. ...
    • 07 of 10. Garden Salad. ...
    • 08 of 10. BLT Fried Egg-and-Cheese Sandwich.
    Feb 1, 2024

    When you were going to try a new recipe what is the first thing you want to do? ›

    Read the recipe before you start.

    “Read the recipe a few times before you make it,” she says, “and make sure it is something you are comfortable doing.” Then, lay out every ingredient you'll need before you begin to cook.

    How many people does the average person actually know? ›

    The horizon of our personal experience

    A study in the US asked how many people Americans know by name and found that the average person knows 611. Let's assume you are more social than the average American, and you know 800 people. In a world of 8 billion, this means that you know 0.00001% of the population.

    How often do most people cook? ›

    Highlights: Cooking Statistics
    • In 2021, approximately 28% of Americans cook at home daily, while 70% cook weekly.
    • On average, people in the US spend 37 minutes per day cooking.
    • 28% of males say they can only cook five meals or less without a recipe.
    • Roughly 98.5% of households own a cooking stove or range in the US.

    What are the most important meals? ›

    Breakfast is often described as the most important meal of the day, providing as it does sustenance and energy (i.e., calories) for whatever activities lay ahead.

    What is a beginner cook called? ›

    Commis Chef (Junior Chef)

    A junior chef, also called the commis chef, works with station chefs to learn about the kitchen environment. This person has recently completed some schooling or training and is beginning to work in the culinary field.

    What can I cook as a beginner? ›

    These simple, no-fail recipes can help you cook with confidence — and lead to success.
    • Easy. Turkey Chili. Eric Kim. ...
    • Easy. Cheesy Frittata. ...
    • Easy. Spatchco*ck Roast Chicken. ...
    • Easy. Roasted Salmon With Dill and Cucumber Salad. ...
    • Easy. Sautéed Mushrooms. ...
    • Easy. Monte Cristo. ...
    • Easy. Pan-Seared Salmon. ...
    • Easy. Spaghetti Stir-Fry With Chicken.

    What is the first thing to do before baking? ›

    The most important thing to do first is READ THE RECIPE. Read it all the way through. Make sure you have all the ingredients you need. Make sure you have the correct dishes for mixing, utensils for measuring, and pans for baking.

    What is the most important step in a recipe? ›

    List ingredients in chronological order. The ingredients list is one of the most important parts of a recipe, and it should be listed in the order that it will appear in the directions list. Make sure to be specific and list exact amounts needed; and include the state of ingredients (i.e., frozen, softened, melted).

    What is the most critical part of a recipe? ›

    Ingredient List - The ingredient list is one of the most critical parts of a recipe. The ingredients should be listed in chronological order, with the ingredient used first at the very top of the list (Palmer, 2020).

    What percent of the population doesn t know how to cook? ›

    Survey Finds 28% of Americans Can't Cook.

    How many meals does the average person cook? ›

    Women cooked 8.7 meals per week, on average, in 2022. Men cooked about 4 per week.

    What is the average number of recipes in a cookbook? ›

    Keep in mind that the average size of a cookbook is about 75 to 200 pages. On average, a typical cookbook will have around 150 recipes, but that varies as well, from small cookbooks with just 15 recipes to more than 300.

    What percent of Americans don't cook? ›

    A survey conducted in 2019 by oven manufacturer June found that a mere 20 percent of Americans cook daily. The rest? Presumably they're eating takeout, dining out (when times were more normal), or grazing on snack foods all day long.

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