Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Subscribe
Save Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. Read More Next
    • The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. Read More Next
    • The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Read More Next
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD

    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. All can be made in 45 minutes or less.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS

    17 St. Patrick's Day Crafts and Decorations

    Looking for a golden idea? You're in luck. Kick off your St. Patrick's Day celebrations with our shamrock garlands, rainbow balloons, leprechaun traps, and more.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING

    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME

    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING

    How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter

    Help them thrive even when the temperature drops.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS

    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Start by carving out a designated work area in your space.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE

    How to Start a Virtual Book Club

    From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice.
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Food & Cooking
  3. 20 Recipes Every 20-Something Should Learn to Cook

20 Recipes Every 20-Something Should Learn to Cook

By Kelly Vaughan
February 18, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Randy Harris

From roast chicken to the perfect cheese omelet, become well-equipped in the kitchen with these essential recipes.

Start Slideshow

1 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Credit: Randy Harris

Learning how to cook is a goal for many twenty- and thirty-somethings. Whether you're living on your own for the first time, trying to save money, eat better, or pick up a new hobby, there are so many benefits to knowing how to cook. But where do you begin when you're just getting started in the kitchen? First and foremost, cook what you love to eat. Not only will it feel rewarding to bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies or recreate your favorite takeout-inspired meal at home, but you're also more likely to do it often if you enjoy eating what you make.

Consider these recipes a guide for what we consider the essentials. You'll find versatile building blocks, such as our All-Purpose Tomato Sauce and Instant Pot Chicken Broth, as well as complete meals that will impress your family and friends, like One-Pan Pasta and Roast Chicken with Vegetables and Potatoes.

We're also including recipes for two of the most popular desserts—Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chewy Brownies. You'll never pick up a mix again when you see just how simple (and delicious!) it is to make these from scratch.

Knowing how to make a variety of different side dishes that you can pair with steak, fish, poultry, or a vegetarian entrée is also key. We have two essential recipes for potatoes—mashed or roasted—as well as a master recipe for brown rice, which you can pair with anything and everything.

In no time at all, you'll be hosting dinner parties galore using these essential recipes—we promise that they'll never go out of style.

1 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

One-Pan Pasta

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you're cooking in a kitchen with minimal space and cookware, this is the recipe for you. All of the ingredients (just seven total!) cook in the same large pot. Whether you make it on a busy weeknight or serve it for a dinner party with friends, this spaghetti is dressed to impress.

2 of 21

3 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Roast Chicken with Vegetables and Potatoes

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Everyone should get a roast chicken recipe under their belt, and in our humble opinion, this is the ultimate version. Our master method will teach you how to build flavor using citrus and herbs—plus, how to prevent the chicken from drying out.

3 of 21

Advertisement

4 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Classic Cheese Omelet

Credit: Chris Simpson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Almost anyone can make eggs for breakfast, but creating a creamy omelet that isn't dry and has no breakage requires a bit more technique. This recipe introduces key techniques like how to thoroughly combine the yolks and whites, properly stir them in the skillet, and master the perfect fold.

4 of 21

5 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Brown Rice

Credit: Bryan Gardner
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It's one of the most versatile grains around, and learning how to properly cook brown rice will inspire stir-fries, grain bowls, and flavorful side dishes for years to come.

5 of 21

6 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Crispy Chicken Cutlets

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

An adult upgrade to chicken nuggets, these crispy chicken cutlets are delicious served atop a green salad or alongside heartier side dishes like mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. Make a big batch to keep in the freezer; you'll be glad you have them on hand whenever you need dinner in a pinch.

6 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

General Tso's Chicken

Credit: Martyna Szczesna
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Curb your takeout habit with our sweet, sour, and spicy take on this Chinese-American classic. This dish is nothing without its signature sauce—a host of ingredients including soy sauce, dried red chiles, garlic, ginger, scallions, and sesame oil build all the flavor here. It's well worth the effort.

7 of 21

8 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Easy Classic Guacamole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Be the MVP at your next game day party with this essential dip. Ripe avocados are flavored with garlic, plum tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice—it's so much better than the store-bought kind and way more impressive.

8 of 21

9 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

All-Purpose Tomato Sauce

Credit: Chris Simpson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Ladle it on top of our Quick and Easy Pizza Dough, twirl it with spaghetti, or bake it with meatballs. No matter how to use it, this is an essential marinara sauce recipe that will have you ditching the jarred variety in no time.

9 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Classic Burger-Joint Cheeseburger

Credit: Armando Rafael
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Skip the drive-thru and make your own number #1 at home. Juicy grass-fed beef is topped with slices of American cheese, tomatoes, dill pickles, shredded iceberg lettuce, ketchup, and mayonnaise.

10 of 21

11 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Test Kitchen's Favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs

Credit: Alpha Smoot
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Everyone loves eating this Italian-American classic but how many people actually make it at home for dinner? Our recipe takes you through the basics of making sauce and meatballs, plus how to assemble it all together for one spectacular main course.

11 of 21

12 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fluffy Mashed Potatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Master this essential side dish with our tips and tricks. By using a potato ricer, hot dairy, and the right type of spud, you'll create creamy (not gummy!) mashed potatoes every time.

12 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Credit: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

When you're feeling under the weather or just want a taste of something healthy and delicious, make this classic soup. It's pure goodness.

13 of 21

14 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Seared Porterhouse Steak

Credit: Bryan Gardner
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Planning a romantic date night with a loved one? Make a gorgeous, show-stopping porterhouse steak, which includes a strip steak and a filet—trust us, there is plenty of meat to go around.

14 of 21

15 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Easy Skillet-Poached Salmon

Credit: Ryan Liebe
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Poaching fish, meat, or poultry is an essential skill. Getting the timing just right requires a bit of patience and practice, but once you nail it, it will transform your dinner routine.

15 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Roasted Red Potatoes

Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasted potatoes is another back-pocket recipe you'll be glad you mastered. Here, we've infused them with fresh rosemary for earthy flavor. They're a delicious, classic side dish—and you'll be amazed at just how easy they are to make!

16 of 21

17 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Perfect Frittata with Zucchini and Provolone

Credit: Bryan Gardner
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Creating a flavorful frittata that isn't overcooked nor undercooked may seem like a challenge, but this recipe is the perfect introduction. This recipe uses summer squash, but feel free to swap in any seasonal vegetable like mushrooms, Swiss chard, or bell peppers.

17 of 21

18 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Macaroni and Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This is the ultimate recipe to satisfy the kid in you. The cheesy sauce for this classic comfort food starts with béchamel, a famed French sauce that is also the base for potato gratins. From here, add in three types of cheese—Monterey Jack, Gruyère, and Comté—for maximum flavor.

18 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Basic Risotto

Credit: Johnny Miller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here, slow and steady really does win the race. Learn how to make a basic risotto with arborio rice, onions, white wine, and Parmesan, and then mix it by adding in whatever you please—wild mushrooms, lobster and shrimp, or butternut squash are all tasty options.

19 of 21

20 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Customizable Vegetable Soup

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Homemade soup is more wholesome and has so much more flavor than store bought options (it's cheaper, too!). This recipe is a good basic formula, but feel free to get creative by adding in whatever grains and vegetables you please. The student has become the master!

20 of 21

21 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Instant Pot Chicken Broth

Credit: Clive Streeter
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

One of the secrets to flavorful cooking at home is often in a homemade broth. From risotto to homemade soup, a batch of made-from-scratch stock or broth is so versatile. Making your own broth with parsley stems, chicken bones, and vegetables is also a great way to reduce food waste.

21 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Kelly Vaughan

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 21
2 of 21 One-Pan Pasta
3 of 21 Roast Chicken with Vegetables and Potatoes
4 of 21 Classic Cheese Omelet
5 of 21 Brown Rice
6 of 21 Crispy Chicken Cutlets
7 of 21 General Tso's Chicken
8 of 21 Easy Classic Guacamole
9 of 21 All-Purpose Tomato Sauce
10 of 21 Classic Burger-Joint Cheeseburger
11 of 21 Test Kitchen's Favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs
12 of 21 Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
13 of 21 Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
14 of 21 Seared Porterhouse Steak
15 of 21 Easy Skillet-Poached Salmon
16 of 21 Roasted Red Potatoes
17 of 21 Perfect Frittata with Zucchini and Provolone
18 of 21 Macaroni and Cheese
19 of 21 Basic Risotto
20 of 21 Customizable Vegetable Soup
21 of 21 Instant Pot Chicken Broth

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Martha Stewart

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service
  • Media Kit
  • Sitemap
  • Martha's Blog
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • FAQ
  • Corporate
  • International

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

View image

20 Recipes Every 20-Something Should Learn to Cook
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.