Quick recipes for serving a crowd in about 30 minutes

This gorgeous and healthy summer vegetable salad is loaded with pretty produce, including golden beets, avocado, corn, microgreens, and radishes. Chickpeas and edamame add substance, and an herb-filled buttermilk-avocado dressing makes this salad truly special. Serve it on its own for a light vegetarian meal or add grilled chicken for an easy weeknight dinner.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Chopping, mixing

Key Equipment: Knife, cutting board, bowl

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Add grilled shrimp or use a different dressing (like balsamic vinaigrette) for variety.

Turn to this beef stir-fry recipe for a quick and easy dinner. The tender, spicy steak is cooked in the same wok or skillet as the crisp, colorful vegetables, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that smell divine as the dish is cooking.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Stir-frying, seasoning

Key Equipment: Wok or skillet, tongs

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Swap out the steak for chicken or tofu for a different protein.

This green chile rotisserie chicken casserole features tender rotisserie chicken with vegetables. The corn adds a nice pop of sweetness, while the rice helps absorb the flavors. A crunchy topping of crushed tortilla chips finishes off this comforting, Southwestern-inspired casserole.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Layering, baking

Key Equipment: Casserole dish, oven

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Use brown rice or quinoa for a healthier option, or swap out rotisserie chicken for ground turkey.

These quick and easy nachos have earned the title of "the best nachos people have ever had." With easy-to-find ingredients, an optional pop of tang and spice from the pickled jalapeños, and salsa verde and sour cream for serving, these nachos are guaranteed to impress.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Assembling, baking

Key Equipment: Baking sheet

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Add guacamole or shredded chicken for extra toppings.

Enjoy this quinoa and black bean salad as a delicious and quick vegetarian main dish or as a side for grilled chicken or steak. And don’t forget the leftovers! They make an easy lunch on the go.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Mixing, cooking quinoa

Key Equipment: Pot, bowl

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Add corn, avocado, or feta cheese for extra texture and flavor.

These easy vegan black bean burgers have a healthy dose of fiber thanks to the combination of black beans and quinoa. Cumin and chipotle chile powder give these burgers a Southwestern spin. Using your hands to combine the mixture creates a soft, uniform texture.

Degree of Difficulty: Medium

Core Techniques: Mashing, forming patties

Key Equipment: Skillet, spatula

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Use panko breadcrumbs instead of quinoa or add shredded vegetables for extra crunch.

Sweet and crunchy apples and celery combine with savory shrimp and nutty pecans in this easy, colorful dinner salad. It's a delightful mix of textures and flavors.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Chopping, sautéing

Key Equipment: Knife, skillet

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Substitute shrimp with grilled chicken or tofu for a different protein option.

Thinly sliced zucchini and summer squash bulk up this easy vegetarian pasta recipe. Saving a bit of the starchy pasta-cooking water to toss with grated cheese, herbs, and bright lemon at the end is the secret to a fast, silky no-cook pasta sauce.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Boiling, sautéing

Key Equipment: Pot, skillet

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Add some grilled shrimp or roasted chicken for a protein boost.

Think of this vegetarian enchilada casserole as a veggie-packed Mexican-inspired lasagna with corn tortillas standing in for the noodles! This easy dinner recipe is sure to become a new family favorite.

Degree of Difficulty: Medium

Core Techniques: Layering, baking

Key Equipment: Casserole dish, oven

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Add black beans or shredded chicken for extra protein.

In this quick 20-minute dinner recipe, tender penne pasta is combined with garlic, roasted red peppers, and spinach, then topped with crumbled feta cheese for a fast and easy meal.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Boiling, sautéing

Key Equipment: Pot, skillet

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Swap spinach for kale or use goat cheese instead of feta for different flavors.

Like sloppy Joes? Then you'll love this sloppy Joe casserole recipe. This kid-friendly dinner has the classic sloppy Joe flavors, while parents will like all the veggies packed in to make it a healthy meal.

Degree of Difficulty: Medium

Core Techniques: Layering, baking

Key Equipment: Casserole dish, oven

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Use ground turkey instead of beef or add extra vegetables for added nutrition.

This flavorful vegan dinner is a veggie version of the Louisiana classic. It’s packed with butternut squash, tomatoes, poblano peppers, and okra. This vegetarian gumbo is quick, packed with flavor, and done in only 30 minutes.

Degree of Difficulty: Medium

Core Techniques: Sautéing, simmering

Key Equipment: Pot

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Add a protein like tempeh or tofu, or switch the vegetables based on your preference.

This creamy chicken noodle soup recipe has a delicious potpie feel to it. We call for rotisserie chicken to streamline your prep time—look for a nice big one with lots of breast meat on it.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Simmering, mixing

Key Equipment: Pot, ladle

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Add extra vegetables or use a different type of pasta for variety.

This broccoli-quinoa casserole makes a hearty vegetarian main dish. The quinoa cooks with the broccoli, creating the perfect amount of steam for tender vegetables.

Degree of Difficulty: Medium

Core Techniques: Baking, steaming

Key Equipment: Casserole dish, oven

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Add cheese for a creamy texture or swap quinoa for rice.

This rich, healthy white chicken chili recipe comes together in a flash thanks to quick-cooking chicken thighs and canned white beans. Cream cheese adds the final bit of richness and a hint of sweet tang.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Simmering, blending

Key Equipment: Pot, spoon

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Use a non-dairy cream cheese for a vegan version or swap chicken for tofu.

Forget the marble-size meatballs you find in many versions of Italian Wedding Soup. In this easy recipe, they’re full-size, full-flavored, and plenty filling.

Degree of Difficulty: Medium

Core Techniques: Simmering, mixing

Key Equipment: Pot, spoon

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Use turkey or vegetarian meatballs for a lighter option.

Prepared salsa verde adds tang to this fast weeknight chili recipe and pairs beautifully with the rich caramelized chicken and creamy beans. Don't shy away from the poblano peppers for a deep, flavorful kick.

Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Core Techniques: Sautéing, simmering

Key Equipment: Pot, spoon

Beginner-Friendly Variations to Try: Use ground chicken or turkey instead of whole chicken for quicker cooking.