Easy Recipes for Teens

Many parents wonder whether their teens will ever learn how to cook and be independent enough to take care of themselves when required. Not everyone has the desire to cook.

However, for those who wish to give cooking a try, with enough practice and motivation, any teenager can learn the skills required in the kitchen.

There are many recipes that teenagers can easily learn and prepare on their own. In this article, we have provided delicious and easy recipes for teens to attempt. Make your parents proud by cooking them wonderful dishes provided below.

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. The recipes mentioned in this section are very simple to prepare and don't take up a lot of your time. Once you learn to blend different flavors together, you can prepare quite a few varieties on your own.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Serving Size: 5
Calories per Serving: 340 (approx)

Ingredients

• 2 cups pancake mix
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
• Butter, optional
• Syrup of your choice

Directions

In a bowl, combine pancake mix, milk, and the beaten eggs. With a whisk, stir it all together so that there are no lumps left. Add the chocolate chips now and make sure the batter is of the right consistency. Place a nonstick skillet on the stove and keep the heat over medium-low.

With a ladle, pour batter over the skillet and let it cook until the edges turn dry. Flip the pancake over and let it cook on the other side as well. Once the pancake is golden brown on both sides, remove from the skillet and onto a plate. After all the pancakes are ready, spoon some butter over them and serve with syrup.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Serving Size: 4
Calories per Serving: 300 (approx)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cups mixed berries, fresh
• 1 cup nonfat yogurt
• 1 cup nonfat milk
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup almonds, unsalted
• ¼ cup walnuts, unsalted
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Take a skillet to toast almonds and walnuts for about 3 minutes. Remove the nuts from the skillet and chop them coarsely. In a bowl, combine yogurt, honey, oats, vanilla extract, and milk together. Take 4 glasses and fill them evenly with this mixture.

Then make a layer of mixed berries and chopped nuts. You can make as many layers as you like. Cover the glasses with Saran wrap and place them into the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Serve when ready. You can prepare this recipe the night before as well.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Serving Size: 4
Calories per Serving: 325 (approx)

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 4, 8" flour tortillas
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese
• ¼ cup red peppers, sliced
• ¼ cup milk
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Directions

In a bowl, whisk milk, eggs, salt, black pepper, red peppers, and cilantro together. Take a nonstick skillet, add the butter in first and then pour the mixture in. Cook the egg mixture over medium heat, stirring it occasionally. Once the eggs turn slightly brown, use a spatula to remove it from the skillet.

In the same skillet, warm the tortillas on both sides. Place the scrambled eggs in the middle of the tortillas, wrap them properly, and serve immediately. You can add bacon bits, turkey, chicken, or veggies to the recipe.

Many times, preparing fancy appetizers can seem like a challenging task. However, there are tons of appetizers that don't really require a lot of effort. With easy-to-follow recipes, these appetizers will leave everyone at the table feeling amazed.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Serving Size: 8
Calories per Serving: 195 (approx)

Ingredients

• 8 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 loaf French bread
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup basil, chopped
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Directions

Turn the oven at 350° F. Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients, except the Parmesan cheese, in a bowl. Do a taste test before going to the next step. Slice the French toast and place them in the oven for a few minutes. When they turn slightly brown, bring them out, spread the tomato mixture on top, garnish with Parmesan cheese, and serve.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Serving Size: 4
Calories per Serving: 200 (approx)

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 oz. dried egg noodles
• 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• ¾ cup onion, diced
• ¾ cup celery, diced
• ½ teaspoon tarragon leaves, chopped
• Salt and black pepper, for taste
• Lemon slices, for garnish

Directions

In a pot, boil chicken stock for couple of minutes with the lid on. Next, add onion, celery, and garlic into the stock and mix properly. Reduce the heat and let the liquid simmer for couple more minutes. Add the noodles next, place the lid on, and cook for about 5 minutes or till the noodles are al dente.

Remove the pot from the stove to add parsley, tarragon, salt, and black pepper in. Add lemon slices to the soup and serve it warm.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Serving Size: 6
Calories per Serving: 160 (approx)

Ingredients

• 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup olive oil
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 3 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halves
• 1 cup yellow peppers, diced
• ½ cup black olives, halves
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Directions

In a bowl, combine lettuce, black olives, green onions, cherry tomatoes, yellow peppers, and onion together. In another bowl, whisk olive oil, soy sauce, honey, salt, and black pepper together. Do a taste test before adding the dressing to the salad. You can refrigerate the salad, without the dressing, before you serve it.

Add the dressing right before serving the salad; don't forget to toss thoroughly. You can even add roasted almonds, pine nuts, pecans, or walnuts and herbed croutons to the recipe.

It's possible that you may feel hungry during the day and one of the frustrating moments is when there's nothing to eat in the house. So, what do we do about it? Simple. Just follow the recipes mentioned below and prepare mouth-watering dishes in minutes.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Serving Size: 1
Calories per Serving: 380 (approx)

Ingredients

• ½ cup jalapeños
• ⅓ cup cilantro, chopped
• ⅓ cup red kidney beans
• 1 oz. Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons mild/hot salsa
• 1 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 oz. tortilla chips
• ⅓ cup corn kernels
• ½ cup black olives, halves
• Sour cream and guacamole, for garnish

Directions

On an ovenproof plate, arrange tortilla chips evenly. One by one, spread all the ingredients, except sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and the cheeses, over the chips.

Sprinkle both the cheeses on top and place the place into a 350° F preheated oven till the cheese melts. Bring the plate out carefully and spread salsa, sour cream, and guacamole on top. Serve immediately.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Serving Size: 5 quarts
Calories per Serving: 260 (approx)

Ingredients

• 5 quarts popcorn, popped
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ cup corn syrup

Directions

Preheat the oven at 250° F and keep the popcorn in a bowl. In a nonstick pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar, salt, and corn syrup to it. Keep stirring the mixture till it begins to boil and the brown sugar has melted properly. Remove the pan from heat and add baking soda along with vanilla extract to it.

Combine everything properly and pour this mix over the popcorn. Toss the popcorn lightly to coat it properly. Then, spread the popcorn on a baking dish evenly and place inside the oven for 15 minutes. Once the caramel popcorn is ready, remove the dish from the oven, break it slightly once it cools down, and serve it.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Serving Size: 6
Calories per Serving: 150 (approx)

Ingredients

• 12 slices of bread, your choice
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 4 tablespoons Ranch salad dressing mix
• 3 medium cucumbers
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Directions

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, dressing mix, salt, and black pepper together. Cut the edges of the bread slices and spread the mixture on one side. Peel the cucumber and cut them in thin slices. Place the cucumber on one side of the bread and top with other slice. Prepare 6 sandwiches and serve immediately.

You can also include thinly-sliced onion, peppers, and avocados to the recipe.

Preparing main course doesn't have to be a big deal. There are many ways to serve a wonderful meal, lunch or dinner, that will satisfy everyone's taste buds. How, you ask? Read the following recipes and you will find out.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Serving Size: 6 slices
Calories per Serving: 180 (approx)

Ingredients

• 12" thin pizza crust
• 4 oz. Mozzarella cheese, slices
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, for taste
• Basil leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven at 450° F. Place the pizza crust on a baking sheet and drizzle olive oil over it properly so the crust is coated properly. Sprinkle chopped garlic on top along with Parmesan cheese.

Now, place a thin layer of tomatoes, sprinkle salt and black pepper over, basil leaves, and Mozzarella cheese slices on top. Place the pizza crust inside the oven for 10 minutes or till the cheese has melted and the crust turns crispy. Serve the pizza once it's ready. Sprinkle oregano and red pepper flakes before serving.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Serving Size: 4
Calories per Serving: 230 (approx)

Ingredients

• 4 hamburger buns, split
• 8 lettuce leaves
• 8 tomato slices
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1¼ lbs lean beef
• 1 cup onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup pickles
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Directions

In a bowl, add salt and black pepper to the meat, divide it into 4 equal parts, and make ¾" thick patties with gentle hands. Heat a nonstick skillet and place the patties in to cook properly. Once the meat turns brown on one side, gently turn it over and let it cook on the other side as well.

Spread mayonnaise on one side of the buns, place the cooked patties on the bottom, and top it with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Top it with another bun and serve immediately.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Serving Size: 4
Calories per Serving: 420 (approx)

Ingredients

• 8 oz. penne pasta, uncooked
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1½ cups mushroom, sliced
• 1 packet garlic-herb pasta sauce mix
• 1 packet cooked chicken, sliced
• Salt and black pepper, for taste
• Parsley leaves, chopped

Directions

Cook penne pasta and prepare the garlic-herb pasta sauce mix as per the directions mentioned on the packets. In a pan, add mushrooms with olive oil and cook for a couple of minutes over medium-low heat. When the mushrooms begin to sweat, add chicken, pasta sauce mix, salt, and black pepper to it.

Mix all the ingredients properly. Drain the pasta, but don't throw away the water. Add the pasta to the pan along with a few tablespoons of the water and mix properly. Toss and coat the pasta thoroughly, garnish with parsley leaves, and serve immediately.

Desserts are irresistible; and when you're making mouth-watering desserts that can make anyone asking for more, there's no feeling quite like it. Here are a few dessert recipes that will surely make everyone proud of you.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Serving Size: 12
Calories per Serving: 450 (approx)

Ingredients

• 24 graham crackers
• 12 marshmallows
• 4 chocolate bars (dark or milk)

Directions

Preheat the oven at 350° F. Break the chocolate bars into 12 even pieces. Sandwich a piece of chocolate and a marshmallow between 2 graham crackers. Place the s'mores on a baking sheet and into the oven for a few minutes. Once the marshmallows melt, bring the baking sheet out and eat them as is.

You can use chocolate bars with nuts in them for the recipe as well.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Serving Size: 1
Calories per Serving: 510 (approx)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons strawberries, slices
• 2 tablespoons pineapple, chunks
• 2 tablespoons whipped cream
• 1 medium banana, peeled and split lengthwise
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
• 1 scoop strawberry ice cream
• 1 scoop chocolate ice cream

• 1 cup chocolate syrup
• Maraschino cherries

Directions

Place the split banana over an oval dessert plate. Place all 3 scoops of ice cream over the banana, and top with strawberry slices and pineapple chunks. Add whipped cream on top, drizzle chocolate syrup, and garnish with maraschino cherries right before serving.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Serving Size: 20
Calories per Serving: 35 (approx)

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 packet milk chocolate chips
• 1 packet strawberries

Directions

Wash and dry strawberries. In a pot, bring water to a boil and place an empty glass bowl on top. Add the entire packet of milk chocolate chips in and let it melt over low heat. Keep whisking as the chocolate melts.

Once ready, remove the glass bowl from the heat. Before the chocolate turns thick, dip strawberries in and place them on a plate lined with aluminum foil. Keep the plate inside the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Serve after dinner.

In order to enhance your culinary skills, it's important to keep making the dishes you're good at and learn new ones as well. Cooking isn't rocket science. Just by following the recipes provided in this article, other food websites, and cookbooks, anyone can develop the techniques and become a good cook.