Cooking 101: 22 Recipes Every Cook Should Know (2024)

Aprons on, ladies! It’s time for a crash course in cooking basics, as in the dishes you should no doubt have in your recipe arsenal. We’re talking everything from breakfast staples and easier-than-they-look roasts to crowd-pleasing side dishes and deliciously simple desserts. Besides letting you prove your prowess in the kitchen, these recipes can be tweaked so they’re entirely your own. (We smell an heirloom DIY cookbook in the works.)

1. Scrambled Eggs: We’re sure you’ve made them in the past, but why do home scrambled eggs never resemble fluffy restaurant scrambled eggs? Educate yourself, get the technique down, then get ready to mix it up. Cue extra cheese, sautéed veggies and your favorite meat. (via Good Food)

2. French Toast: Start your day with a little indulgence… and only a little bit of work. In three steps (beat eggs with milk, dip bread in mixture, pan fry eggy bread), you’ll have a weekend brunch-worthy meal. (via Simply Recipes)

4. Potato Frittata: Having guests over for breakfast? A potato frittata is a great meal to make for many. Plus, it’s easy and only requires one pan. (via BHG)

5. Grilled Cheese: A lunch and snack-time staple, the grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food. And it’s all about the bread, people. Pro tip: Once you’ve mastered the basic combo, try our 12 alternatives. (via Delish)

6. Tomato Soup: Put the can down. That grilled cheese you just made will go much better with a bowl of homemade tomato soup. (via Fine Cooking)

7. Tomato Sauce: A simple marinara is a versatile base for a meat or seafood sauce, a pasta dish or homemade pizza and can store for up to six months in the freezer. (via Giada de Laurentiis)

8. Margherita Pizza: Remember that tomato sauce we encouraged you to make? Spread some on your homemade pizza dough, sprinkle with cheese and voila! That’s amore. (via Bon Appetit)

9. Basic Lasagna: Keep putting that sauce to good use. It’ll come in handy for a basic lasagna, a great make-ahead meal that can be prepared in a variety of ways. (via Chow)

10. Spaghetti and Meatballs: We’re not saying you should make the pasta from scratch, but there’s something about a homemade meatball that can’t be found in the store-bought variety. Plus, you’ll make your nonna so proud. (via The Pioneer Woman)

11. Roast Chicken: We’ll do anything Ina Garten says. And this is her “Perfect Roast Chicken,” so it must be a winner. (via Barefoot Contessa)

12. Chicken Cutlets: A great weeknight meal when you’re strapped for time but still want something hearty and healthy on the table. (via Serious Eats)

13. Chicken Soup: There’s a reason why an entire book series uses chicken soup as a metaphor for healing. (via Olive and Herb)

14. Broiled Fish: You know that drawer at the bottom of your oven? That’s a broiler, and it works wonders on fish filets. (via Living Well Spending Less)

15. Burgers: Bobby Flay thought of everything in his recipe for the perfect burger, from the just-right toasted bun to the type of equipment you should have at the ready. (via Food Network)

16. Steak: Got a Ron Swanson doppelgänger in your life or looking to win one over? Steak is the way to his heart. (via Epicurious)

17. Mac ‘n’ Cheese: Homemade macaroni and cheese puts the boxed variety to shame. And this recipe — packed with butternut squash and sharp cheese — puts a healthy and flavorful spin to this classic meal. (via Cooking Light)

18. Roasted Vegetables: A great side to any meal, roasted vegetables are healthy, filling and full of flavor. You can’t go wrong. (via The Wednesday Chef)

19. Guacamole: Perhaps the greatest dip on earth. Pro tip: Leave the pit in the bowl to prevent your green stuff from turning into brown stuff. (via Gimme Some Oven)

20. Vinaigrette: Every home cook should have oil and vinegar on hand. Use them to make a variety of vinaigrettes for all your leafy needs. (via Real Simple)

21. Chocolate Chip Cookies: What’s not to love about chocolate chip cookies? If you make them yourself, we guarantee you’ll love them more. (via Smitten Kitchen)

22. Brownies: There’s nothing quite like just-out-of-the-oven fudge brownies, especially when made by little old you. (via Brown Eyed Baker)

Got another recipe under your belt that’s a must-learn for all? Tell us in the comments below, or submit it to the Brit + Co. Community!