12 Easy Winter Recipes You Can Make in 3 Steps or Less
The post-holiday season and cold winter months can put you in a cooking rut. The days feel longer, bad weather keeps us indoors, and there’s little to no motivation to plan for and cook your meals, especially during busy weeknights. But before you order takeout for the fourth time this week, you can find some cooking inspiration in these recipes that only require three steps or less. We’re not talking about things like peanut butter and jelly or a frozen pizza (though those are always good, too); we’re talking about scrumptious sheet pan meals, vegetarian options like black bean chili and sesame-crusted tofu, and elevated dishes like white beans and shrimp and a smoked salmon flatbread.
Having a rotation of a few three-step breakfast, lunch, and dinner options is the key to always getting a good meal on the table with minimal effort. Here are 12 recipes to ignite your passion for cooking for any meal of the day—all ready in three steps or less.
Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Take a classic favorite dip and transform it into a gooey and delicious grilled cheese within minutes. Pair the easy-to-make sandwich with tomato soup or some chips and fresh fruit for the coziest lunch or dinner.
Roasted Acorn Squash Salad
This winter salad has it all; lacinato kale serves as a hearty base, while roasted acorn squash adds warmth and richness, crumbled feta cheese provides the perfect balance of saltiness, and pistachios and pomegranate arils satisfy the crunch-factor. Ready in minutes, this is a salad you’ll be making all season long.
Sesame-Crusted Tofu With Spicy Dipping Sauce
This tofu recipe will quickly become one of your all-time favorites, whether you’re a tofu lover or not. The crispy yet delicate extra-firm tofu is full of flavor since each piece is coated in a sesame seed-cornstarch mixture and then pan-friend to perfection. And the homemade garlic-chili dipping sauce takes this three-step dish to the next level.
Black Bean Chili
Cold winter nights call for a comforting chili with all the fixins’. This vegetarian version is packed with black beans, veggies, fluffy quinoa, and a flavorful spice blend that will warm and fill up your belly. The best part is, it’s ready in just three steps.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie may seem overwhelming to make, but frozen veggies and store-bought mashed potatoes are the saving grace of this meal. All you have to do is brown some ground meat and assemble it in a dish before baking. Easy enough, right?
Crunchy Nacho Bake
Who wouldn’t love a crunchy nacho casserole to nosh on while watching a football game or during movie night? The best part of this dish is that it only calls for a handful of ingredients, most of which you likely have in your pantry already.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Broccoli
Sheet pan meals are ideal for busy weeknights, and this gnocchi with roasted broccoli, feta, and pesto is just the thing to make for nights when you want dinner on the table with minimal effort. All you have to do is toss gnocchi, broccoli, and onions in some store-bought or homemade pesto, and roast it until it’s warm and slightly crispy. It doesn’t get easier than that.
Japanese Style Shrimp Salad
If you’re craving something fresh, crisp, and healthy, look no further than this vibrant and tasty shrimp salad, inspired by classic Japanese flavors. Everything comes together in just 15 minutes, making it the ideal weekday lunch or quick dinner.
Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
Even the most amateur chef can master this roasted sausage and veggie sheet pan meal. Grab a loaf of your favorite fresh bread to make a mouthwatering sandwich, or serve it alongside a green salad or rice for a delicious dinner that takes 20 minutes to make.
Easy Green Shakshuka
Not only is this shakshuka filling and flavorful, but it’s beautiful, too. Don’t be scared to get creative and add your favorite kind of greens or whatever you have on-hand—this dish is easy to customize and ready to be enjoyed after three simple steps.
Buttery Shrimp With Marinated White Beans
Grab your white beans from the pantry and your peeled shrimp from the freezer for a simple yet elegant lunch or dinner option. There’s truly no better combination than garlicky butter, tender shrimp, and hearty white beans with just a delicate touch of lemon and parsley.
Smoked Salmon Flatbread
Store-bought naan is the key to this delicious and delicate flatbread that comes together in just minutes. Spread on a generous layer of cream cheese or crème fraiche, and layer on all the toppings like smoked salmon, red onion, capers, and leafy greens. Customize to your heart’s desire, and serve at your next brunch or family gathering.
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