11 Easy Dinner Recipes So Simple Even a Teenager Can Make Them

So simple that you may overlook it yet so satisfying that you’ll surely wonder why, the classic grilled cheese sandwich is an awesome way to start cooking, and a great opportunity for exploring new flavors. Leftovers from the night before, deli meat that needs to be used, sauces and spreads, fruits and veggies, or just multiple types of cheese are all ideas for ways to explore the art of making basic to artisan grilled cheese sandwiches. Novice cooks can pair with a thawed and reheated homemade soup or even a simple canned soup for a complete meal they’ll be proud to serve up as their own. This jalapeño popper grilled cheese is only slightly more sophisticated than the classic and bonus! It's made entirely in the toaster oven. Easy to the max.

These pesto chicken pull apart sliders are never not a huge hit! The best part? They're ready to eat in under a half an hour and the prep is made even quicker by using a rotisserie chicken you can grab in advance. Likewise, they're a great way to use up leftover grilled or roasted chicken you might already have on hand. From there it's just layering pesto, cheese and chicken onto dinner rolls and slathering everything in butter before baking.

Quesadillas are very rewarding to make, mostly because they are so customizable and you reap the rewards so quickly! My family loves even the most basic cheese quesadilla, but you can alleviate parent guilt and also take a break for the evening by providing some veggies to add into the mix. From there it's easy - the kids can layer on their favorite toppings like sour cream, salsa, hot sauce or even avocado or a ready-made guacamole.

A great microwave-only starter recipe, these nachos are delicious and filling, and require very little effort and prep time. Using a microwave safe plate, your teenager can make their own nachos in a matter of minutes for a movie night snack, a weekend lunch, or dinner for one. This is a great choice for when they might be babysitting or when you're busy tending to the schedules of younger siblings. Plus, everyone loves nachos for dinner!

The name says it all here - a delicious caprese pasta recipe that's ready in 15 minutes! This super simple recipe is a great introduction to pasta creations that will make your child feel like a world class chef at dinnertime. Pasta is forgiving and delicious, making it great for beginners and picky eaters alike. I like this one because using fresh tomatoes and mozzarella levels up the flavors and lets teens practice their hand chopping a few simple ingredients.

We’re a big breakfast for dinner family especially since I am a firm believer that breakfast is good any time of the day or night! This simple yet hearty banana pancakes recipe provides a simple and tasty way to add some nutrients into an otherwise sugary treat, and it’s all but guaranteed that none of it will go to waste. If your teen is so inclined, apple slices or pumpkin make other great additions.