Home-cooked meals don't have to be intimidating, and there are tons of beginner recipes to get you started. Whether you're just started out in the "real" world on your own or you've made it a goal to start cooking for yourself more, look no further than this list of 30 fast, easy, and satisfying meals, from pastas to chicken to beef dinners and more. You'll wonder why there was a time when you didn't look forward to cooking. Keep scrolling to pick out your favorites and get in the kitchen ASAP.
Get the recipe: Kraft-style stovetop mac 'n' cheese
Get the recipe: lemon pepper chicken breast
Get the recipe: Tex-Mex ground beef tacos
Get the recipe: easy tomato sauce
Get the recipe: easy chicken noodle soup
Get the recipe: roasted Italian sausage, peppers, potatoes, and onion
Get the recipe: salmon with crispy cabbage and kale
Get the recipe: pasta carbonara
Get the recipe: lemon-thyme baked chicken
Get the recipe: parmesan garlic spaghetti
Get the recipe: spicy tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons
Get the recipe: sautéed mushrooms with poached egg
Get the recipe: quesadilla roll-ups
Get the recipe: chicken spaghetti casserole
Get the recipe: homemade vegetarian burrito
Get the recipe: cacio e pepe
Get the recipe: baked sweet potatoes with cannellini beans and spinach
Get the recipe: spaghetti aglio e olio
Get the recipe: chicken parmesan meatballs with spaghetti
Get the recipe: broccoli-cheddar soup
Get the recipe: spaghetti with garlic white wine sauce
Get the recipe: pan-seared steak
Get the recipe: vegetarian pasta carbonara
Get the recipe: chicken parmesan sub
Get the recipe: one-pot fettucine alfredo
Get the recipe: rotisserie chicken tacos
Get the recipe: Ayesha Curry's five-ingredient pasta