Easy Meals for Beginners

You don't need to “learn to cook” in the abstract. You need five reliable meals you can make without thinking. Master these and you'll rarely need a takeaway.

1. One-pan roast veg + protein

Chop any vegetables, add chicken thighs or halloumi, toss in oil, salt and pepper, roast at 200°C for 30 minutes. Nearly impossible to ruin.

2. Proper scrambled eggs

Low heat, constant stirring, take them off just before they look done — they finish cooking in the pan. Toast on the side.

3. Tomato pasta that isn't sad

Garlic in olive oil, tin of chopped tomatoes, pinch of salt and sugar, simmer 10 minutes. Better than any jar.

4. Stir-fry

High heat, protein first, then hard veg, then soft veg, then a splash of soy and garlic at the end. Serve on rice or noodles.

5. Loaded baked potato

Microwave 6–8 minutes, then 10 minutes in a hot oven for crisp skin. Top with beans, cheese, tuna — whatever's in the fridge.