16 Easy Recipes To Make In 2016

So, one of your New Year’s resolutions is to cook more. And with plenty of easy recipes and ideas at your disposal, that is one resolution that isn’t hard to keep. It’s time to kick that takeout habit once and for all — and to also start making the most of your kitchen.

It’s pretty simple learning how to make basic dishes like spaghetti, eggs, or grilled cheese, but a little extra effort can go a long way. Instead of throwing together some greens with a dash of store-bought dressing, try crafting your own salad with a homemade mix. Instead of reaching for the boxed stuff, learn how to make mac and cheese from scratch. Once you stop relying on Seamless for dinner, you’ll end up saving a lot of money, and you might even discover that you actually enjoy cooking, too.

Take some inspiration from Chopped and The Great British Baking Show to try something new in 2016. Whether you attempt to achieve full-on #newyearnewyou status with healthy new year recipes or you just want to learn how to finally make guacamole, these 16 recipes will guide you to becoming a pretty good amateur chef. It’s time to start spending some more time in the kitchen.

1. Creamy Apple Kale Salad

It's way easier to get motivated to eat healthy when you have a tasty, simple salad recipe in your arsenal. A Beautiful Mess' apple-kale combo with homemade creamy dijon dressing is a winner.

2. Lighter 20-Minute Fettuccine Alfredo

Instead of ordering takeout Italian food, learn how to make your favorites at home. Averie Cooks uses cashew milk to make homemade Alfredo sauce a little healthier.

3. Quick Vegan Chana Masala

A chickpea-filled dish makes for an easy dinner that's also super nourishing. Cookie and Kate knows how to make comforting food that's also good for you.

4. Red Lentil Curry With Spinach

This curry by Naturally Ella is the ultimate weeknight dinner. Bonus: you can make it in one pot, so there's minimal clean-up.

5. Easy Homemade Ciabatta

There's nothing quite like making your own bread. The Crepes of Wrath's ciabatta only requires five minutes of kneading, making it a good option for the busy baker.

6. Guacamole

You deserve to have guacamole as much as you want it. I Am A Food Blog shows that it's super easy to make at home, so now the ball is in your court.

7. Vegan Overnight Oats

With Oh She Glows' easy overnight oatmeal recipe, you'll never struggle to come up with a fast and tasty breakfast again.

8. Easy Black Bean Soup

Once you're armed with a can of black beans and some vegetable stock, it's pretty much irresistible to make A Beautiful Mess' simple spicy soup.

9. Easy Brown Rice Risotto

If you want to impress dinner guests, risotto is the way to go. Cookie and Kate's mushroom version requires minimal stirring with guaranteed maximum flavor.

10. Black Bean Burrito With Guacamole

2016 is the year you stop blowing your paycheck on store-bought burritos with guac (you know it costs extra). Whip up your own at home with the help of Naturally Ella for extra satisfaction and some saved bucks.

11. Potato Frittata

Want an easy way to save major cash? Make brunch at home instead of going out. This potato frittata by A Cozy Kitchen is simple enough for a beginner chef to master, but delicious enough to make you not miss your favorite brunch spot too much.

12. Easy Pad Thai

Give the takeout a break. Pad Thai can be a little challenging for beginners, but luckily Steamy Kitchen breaks the process down step-by-step in a super helpful how-to.

13. One-Pot Tomato Basil And Burrata Spaghetti

By now, you have probably heard of the magic that is one-pot pasta. But I Am A Food Blog shows that it can be so much better just with the addition of some burrata. Time to up your pasta game.

14. Easy French Ratatouille

If you want to squeeze some more vegetables in your diet, then ratatouille is the way to go. The Kitchn knows how to cook tomatoes, eggplant, and bell peppers to perfection.

15. Three-Ingredient Mini Stuffed Peppers

With just cheese, peppers, and honey, A Spicy Perspective's mini stuffed peppers are as easy to make as they are addictive.

16. Creamy Macaroni And Cheese

Sure, boxed mac and cheese is super convenient. But once you go homemade with The Kitchn's recipe, there's no going back.

For more food inspiration and ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: I Am A Food Blog (3); A Beautiful Mess (2); Averie Cooks (2); Cookie and Kate (2); Naturally Ella (2); The Crepes of Wrath; Oh She Glows; A Cozy Kitchen; Steamy Kitchen; The Kitchn (2); A Spicy Perspective