These 30 Easy Wins Are Carrying Your Kitchen Right Now

There’s something about easy wins in the kitchen that just makes everything feel a little more manageable. These are the go-to recipes that keep things moving when your brain is fried and the grocery haul is running low. No overthinking, no long prep—just simple, great meals that work. You’re not reinventing anything here, and that’s exactly the point.

Close up of cacio e pepe in white bowl with fork and spoon.

Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Horizontal image of fried rice in a white bowl with brown chopsticks on the side. — Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A fast fried rice that puts leftovers to work and gets dinner done in 15 minutes. It’s a great choice when you need something quick without starting from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

This Instant Pot soup is packed with veggies and cheesy tortellini, ready in just 30 minutes. It’s one of those easy wins that saves you on the busiest nights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

Jamaican Rasta Pasta

An overhead image of cooked rasta pasta on a serving bowl. — Jamaican Rasta Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This vegan rasta pasta comes together in 30 minutes using fresh ingredients and basic pantry staples. It’s great when you want something easy with a little extra kick.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Coffee Rubbed Steak

This coffee-rubbed steak cooks fast and turns out tender with bold flavor. It's perfect for nights when you want something quick that still feels like a win.
Get the Recipe: Coffee Rubbed Steak

3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

An image of broccoli cheese casserole served on a table with a spoon on the right side. — 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Only three ingredients and 30 minutes stand between you and this broccoli cheese casserole. It’s an easy way to keep things simple but still feel like you’re cooking.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Air Fryer Cod

Air fryer cod cooks in under 20 minutes and uses just lemon and a few spices. It’s a smart pick when you want something light and quick without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cod

Mango Avocado Salad

An overhead image of avocado salad in a serving bowl. — Mango Avocado Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This mango avocado salad comes together in 15 minutes with fresh produce and a tangy vinaigrette. It’s a great way to throw together a bright side or light meal.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

With only three ingredients, this classic bucatini cacio e pepe is simple and reliable. It’s one of those go-to meals that never lets you down on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Air Fryer Ribeye

Making ribeye in the air fryer gives you juicy steak fast, with just a handful of pantry spices. It’s the kind of dinner that proves easy wins can still be great meals.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ribeye

Grilled Steak with Herbed Scallion Topping

This grilled New York steak with scallion herb topping is perfect for warm weather dinners. It’s quick to prep and hits the table fast, which makes it a solid go-to.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Herbed Scallion Topping

Pasta Fresca

Pasta fresca comes together with just a few ingredients and under 30 minutes of cook time. It’s a great way to get dinner done fast without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Fresca

Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)

An overhead image of the vegan efo niro in a pot. — Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mushrooms and spinach bring depth to this vegan efo riro, a quick stew that cooks clean and fast. It’s a bold change of pace that still fits into a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)

Chana Masala

Chana masala uses canned chickpeas and pantry spices for a fast, one-pan meal. It's an easy win when you want something filling but don’t want to heat up the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chana Masala

Baingan Bharta

Baingan Bharta uses roasted eggplant and a quick spice mix for a fast, flavorful dinner. It’s ready in 30 minutes and works great with rice or flatbread.
Get the Recipe: Baingan Bharta

Ethiopian Cabbage

Atakilt Wat is an easy, one-pot cabbage stew with carrots, potatoes, and simple spices. It’s a smart way to get a full dinner on the table without much planning.
Get the Recipe: Ethiopian Cabbage

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

An overhead image of sun dried tomato pasta in a rectangular dish. — Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This creamy sun-dried tomato pasta is a one-pot meal ready in 30 minutes. It’s an easy win when you need something rich and reliable on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

20-Minute Silky Golden Noodles

These golden noodles come together with a quick sauce and familiar pantry staples. It’s a fun, easy meal to throw into your week when you need a change.
Get the Recipe: 20-Minute Silky Golden Noodles

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Air fryer honey mustard pork chops are ready in 30 minutes and come out juicy every time. This one’s great when you want dinner fast without standing over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Pizza Sliders

An image of a hand picking up one pizza slider from the baking pan. — Pizza Sliders. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These pizza sliders are cheesy, saucy, and packed with veggies—great for busy nights or weekend cravings. You’ll love how quick and low-effort they are.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sliders

Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Shaved beef cooks in minutes with a punchy stir-fry sauce that rivals your usual takeout. It’s a fast, weeknight fix that delivers big on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Penne Pomodoro

Penne Pomodoro is simple, budget-friendly, and done in under 30 minutes. It’s one of those easy wins you keep coming back to without even thinking.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro

Cauliflower Nuggets

Crispy cauliflower nuggets bake, fry, or air-fry fast with barely any prep. They’re great for dipping, snacking, or rounding out a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Nuggets

Carrot Casserole

Carrot casserole is cheesy and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs for texture. It’s a great way to eat more veggies without feeling like you’re stuck with salad again.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Casserole

Sheet Pan Bibimbap

Sheet pan bibimbap brings Korean flavors with roasted veggies and crispy tofu in just 35 minutes. It’s a one-pan win when you need something fresh but easy.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Bibimbap

Spicy Soba Noodles

Spicy soba noodles come together with nutty noodles and crisp veggies in a bold sauce. You’ll get dinner done fast without turning to takeout again.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Soba Noodles

Spicy Vodka Pasta

This spicy vodka pasta can be made with or without vodka and easily adjusted to suit your kitchen. It’s a weeknight dinner that feels a little special with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Vodka Pasta

Bucatini Pasta with Garlic Shrimp

Garlic shrimp and cherry tomatoes pair perfectly in this easy bucatini pasta, ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a great way to fit seafood into a busy week.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Pasta with Garlic Shrimp

Green Rice Casserole

Green rice casserole is packed with flavor, quick to make, and even better the next day. It’s one of those meals that works just as well for dinner or lunch.
Get the Recipe: Green Rice Casserole

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Cottage cheese alfredo comes together in 15 minutes with a lighter, creamy finish. It’s a fast way to make pasta feel fresh without going heavy.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Mushroom Masala

Mushroom masala is rich, tomato-based, and ready in just 30 minutes. It’s great when you want something comforting that still fits a busy schedule.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Masala