10 Easy Quarantine Recipes for Busy Cooks

The quarantine life has led to many home cooks finding new ways to stay busy and creative in the kitchen. With everyone at home, it's the perfect opportunity to whip up some exciting recipes. These 10 easy quarantine recipes are designed for busy cooks who crave great food without spending hours over the stove.

1. One-Pot Chicken and Rice

One-pot meals are a lifesaver when cooking time is limited. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Preparation Steps:

1. In a large pot, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Remove from pot.
2. Add onion and garlic to the pot, cook until soft.
3. Stir in rice, tomatoes, broth, paprika, and return chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
4. Season to taste and garnish with parsley.

2. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

This classic Italian dish requires just a handful of ingredients but delivers big on flavor:

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• ¹⁄₂ cup olive oil
• Red pepper flakes (to taste)
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation Steps:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic slices and cook until lightly golden.
3. Add red pepper flakes, then the pasta. Toss to combine, adding pasta water if needed for sauce consistency.
4. Finish with parsley and cheese if using.

3. 5-Ingredient Flatbread Pizza

Simple, quick, and satisfying, this flatbread pizza uses just five ingredients:

• Naan or flatbread
• Marinara sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni (or any topping you like)
• Fresh basil (optional)

Preparation Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Spread marinara sauce on naan, then top with cheese and pepperoni.
3. Bake directly on the oven rack for about 10-15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
4. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

4. Lentil Soup with Spinach

This comforting soup is both nutritious and economical, requiring just a few steps:

• 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper

Preparation Steps:

1. In a pot, sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
2. Add lentils, tomatoes, broth, and cumin. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30-40 minutes until lentils are tender.
3. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Homemade Instant Ramen

Enhance the humble instant ramen with these homemade tweaks:

• 2 packs instant ramen noodles
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 egg
• Green onions, chopped
• Nori (optional)

Preparation Steps:

1. Cook ramen noodles as per package instructions but omit the flavor packets.
2. While noodles cook, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, and a bit of the noodle water in a separate bowl.
3. Poach an egg or fry it sunny side up.
4. Stir the soy mixture into the noodles, top with egg, green onions, and nori if using.

6. Sheet Pan Fajitas

Sheet pan meals are a breeze. Here’s how to make fajitas with minimal effort:

• 2 lbs chicken breasts, sliced into strips
• 3 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fajita seasoning (or make your own with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper)
• Tortillas
• Toppings (salsa, cheese, sour cream, etc.)

Preparation Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss chicken and vegetables with oil and seasoning. Spread on a sheet pan.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
4. Serve with warm tortillas and your choice of toppings.

✅ Note: For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking.

7. Quick Shrimp Scampi

This classic dish requires only a few ingredients but feels luxurious:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¹⁄₄ cup white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ¹⁄₄ cup butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Preparation Steps:

1. Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
2. Add shrimp, cook until pink, then remove from skillet.
3. Pour in wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits. Add lemon juice, return shrimp to the pan, and toss to coat.
4. Serve with pasta, garnish with parsley.

✅ Note: This dish goes wonderfully with linguine or spaghetti, but you can also serve it over rice or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

8. Microwave Mug Meals

When cooking feels like too much work, microwave mug meals can be a lifesaver:

• Mug cake: 4 tbsp flour, 4 tbsp sugar, 3 tbsp cocoa, ¹⁄₈ tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, splash of vanilla extract
• Omelette: 2 eggs, salt, pepper, cheese, diced ham or veggies
• Quiche: 1 egg, 2 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp shredded cheese, spinach, pre-cooked bacon bits

Preparation Steps:

1. Mix ingredients in a large microwave-safe mug.
2. For cake: Microwave on high for about 1 minute 30 seconds.
3. For omelette: Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
4. For quiche: Microwave for 1 minute.
5. Let cool slightly before eating.

9. Slow Cooker Pot Roast

For days when you want dinner to be ready when you come home:

• 3-4 lbs beef chuck roast
• 1 packet of ranch seasoning
• 1 packet of Italian seasoning
• 1 packet of brown gravy mix
• 1 cup water or beef broth

Preparation Steps:

1. Place roast in the slow cooker.
2. Mix seasoning packets and water, pour over roast.
3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours until tender.
4. Serve with your favorite vegetables.

10. No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls

A quick snack or dessert that’s both healthy and satisfying:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¹⁄₂ cup natural peanut butter
• ¹⁄₄ cup honey
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 scoop protein powder (optional)
• ¹⁄₂ cup mini chocolate chips

Preparation Steps:

1. In a bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined.
2. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
3. Roll into balls and store in the fridge.

These recipes are tailored for anyone looking to enjoy fresh, homemade meals without too much time or effort. They utilize common pantry items and encourage cooking for both comfort and creativity. Whether it's a quick dinner for one or a simple dish to share, these recipes will keep you well-fed and creatively engaged in the kitchen during quarantine.

Can I freeze these dishes?

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Most of these recipes can be frozen. For best results, freeze dishes like the One-Pot Chicken and Rice, Lentil Soup, or the Slow Cooker Pot Roast in airtight containers or freezer bags. Make sure to cool them down completely before freezing.

How can I make these recipes vegetarian?

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Many recipes can be adapted easily. For example, replace chicken in the One-Pot dish with tofu or chickpeas. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for soups and sauces. For the flatbread pizza, opt for a variety of vegetables or vegan cheese as toppings.

Are there any recipes suitable for beginners?

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Absolutely, all these recipes are beginner-friendly. The 5-Ingredient Flatbread Pizza, Microwave Mug Meals, and No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls require minimal cooking skills and are perfect for novice cooks.