5 Super Easy Dishes That Teens Love to Cook

Whether it’s mom and dad’s night off or you want to learn how to cook on your own, these simple, no-fuss recipes are a delicious place to start.

By Frances Kim of Martha Stewart Living
Associate Digital Food Editor

Not every teenager can open a fine-dining restaurant at 17 like wunderkind chef Flynn McGarry (if you’re not impressed by his age, he also started his own supper club when he was 11). But flying solo in the kitchen? Totally doable, especially with our foolproof dinner recipes (hey, you have to learn to crawl before you can walk!). Just consider them the first step on your way to becoming a top chef.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BRYAN GARDNER

1. Tacos
Instead of ringing the (taco) bell, try making your own hard-shell tacos at home. It’s quicker than going to the drive-thru and way more delicious.

Get Sarah’s Tacos Recipe

2. Pizza
Making pizza is a cinch when you use store-bought dough and your trusty muffin pan. Or if you want to transform pita bread into pizza, you can’t go wrong with this Mushroom-Leek Pizza.

Get the Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas Recipe

3. Pancakes
One of our all-time most popular recipes, these classic pancakes are just as easy as using a boxed mix but so much tastier. Breakfast for dinner, anyone?

Get the Easy Basic Pancakes Recipe

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MARCUS NILSSON
4. Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Basically all you have to do is make salsa and boil spaghetti. When you’re ready for more, check out the rest of our no-cook pasta sauces that come together in a flash.

Get the Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce Recipe

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MIKE KRAUTTER
5. Fried Rice
Turn up the volume on leftover rice with spicy-tangy kimchi and gochujang (Korean pepper paste). Top with a sesame oil-fried egg and toasted nori to tie all the flavors together.

Get the Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe