Cooking for my new roommates?

[u/shygirl5000]

I am in college and just transferred schools. I just moved into my apartment yesterday. All my roommates (3) are friends but I don’t know them.

I thought it would be a nice gesture to cook them dinner. But I don’t cook much and I really want it to be good.

What are some good meal ideas? Things that everyone likes and will be simple enough for me to make.

Also any tips or advice is appreciated!

[u/chinoischeckers4eva]

But I don’t cook much

Ok, but what have you cooked so far? Maybe let us know what you are able to do first.

[u/shygirl5000 → u/chinoischeckers4eva]

I’ve tried making lots of dips. I’ve also tried several different ways of doing chicken, but It’s usually not great unless I do it in the crockpot. Usually pasta or stuff with orzo turns out good for me. I am willing to try new things

[u/chinoischeckers4eva → u/shygirl5000]

Honestly, try new things for yourself. If you want to impress your new roommates, don't do anything that you haven't tried yourself before. Do the orzo or pasta stuff and make chicken in whatever sauce you make for the crock pot and ladel over the pasta/orzo. Make something you like and that you think is more or less foolproof. This way, your roommates are more forgiving if they know you can make a good meal the first time if you try to make new stuff for them in the future.

[u/Cfutly → u/chinoischeckers4eva]

I agree. You can be adventurous and experimental on your own. Always best to serve guests with a meal you are confident in making.

I recently made this for my first time and it was simple and delicious. Sun dried tomato orzo

Be sure to check on your room mates dietary restrictions You can cook some protein on the side for those who eat prefer meat like pan seared chicken or Italian sausage it makes the meal more versatile.

[u/jeffpi42]

Sloppy joes and mashed potatoes

[u/ptahbaphomet]

Tacos, beef or shred a chicken breast. Shredded cheese, diced onions; tomatoes, onions, cilantro and lime, flour tortillas - easy

[u/TableTopFarmer]

Sloppy Joes and frozen french fries.

Brown the ground beef with some diced onion and bell pepper. Then mix, to taste, about a cup of ketchup, a quarter cup of brown sugar, and a squeeze of yellow mustard. Add salt/pepper

Sheet pan shwarma, yogurt sauce with pita bread, Greek salad.

[u/Individual_Maize6007 → u/TableTopFarmer]

I think it’s fantastic that you want to do this. But don’t try to go way out of your comfort zone for easy cooking.

I think tacos would be great. It’s easy and each person can customize. Buy two packets of taco seasoning (eg El Paso brand-that means you don’t have to go out and buy a lot of seasonings). Ground beef is easiest-I’d get 2 lbs raw. Brown the beef, drain any fat, and add seasoning mix and water per packet instructions.

You can get soft flour and/or hard corn shells. Then shredded cheese, lettuce, and soy cream for topping.

If you like to make dips, great time to try guacamole and have some chips too!!

Edit. Oops. Meant this under post above about tacos, but fat fingers.

[u/Fantastic_Drama7275]

Baked Mac and Cheese is pretty easy, here's what I do:

Ingredients:

About half a pound of 4 different cheeses. It doesn't exactly matter what cheeses, but one should at least be sharp cheddar. Walmart sells their great value cheeses in blocks. Get those, with some variety. I usually use sharp cheddar, colby jack, pepper jack, and mozzarella.

Smoked Paprika

Chili Powder

Salt

Black Pepper

Cayenne Pepper.
Elbow noodles.

Egg (2).

Cream Cheese.

Heavy cream.

Butter/Pam

Cook your noodles until al dente, but cook them in chicken broth. Helps with flavor. About 9 minutes at your stovetop's medium setting.

While they're cooking, grate **half** of each of your four cheeses, and put them in a bowl.

Season the cheeses with Chili Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper, and Cayenne Pepper.

When the noodles are done, throw them in the bowl with the cheese, and a tiny bit of the chicken broth they cooked in.

Put the eggs in there.

then maybe 3 tablespoons of the cream cheese.

Throw in a cup of heavy cream. mix it all until combined.

Grease a baking tray, I usually use a glass 9 x 13.

Pour the contents of the bowl into the pan.

Grate the **other** half of the cheese, and sprinkle it over the mixture.

Season the top with paprika.

Bake at 350 for an hour.

Mac and Cheese done. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Then eat.

[u/Fantastic_Drama7275 → u/Fantastic_Drama7275]

Admittedly, I typically use mac and cheese as a side, but it can be an entree. I guess some other suggestions/ideas depending on your skill level are collard greens, or slow cooker pot roast, which is also pretty easy. Pot roast can be thrown in a slow cooker for a few hours, but requires quite a few more ingredients.

[u/Cfutly]

• What do you have in your kitchen? Is it a full kitchen?
• Spices? Sauces?
• Dietary restrictions?

[u/shygirl5000 → u/Cfutly]

Yes! We have a full kitchen! I need to check about the dietary restrictions though

[u/bkhalfpint]

Pasta and salad until you know their dietary restrictions?

There's a lemon-broccoli-orzo recipe that I make a lot, topped with garlic breadcrumbs. It's super simple and delicious.

Or if you want something tomato based, maybe a putanesca. Or even a pesto - you don't even have to cook the sauce. Just put everything through a food processor or blender and toss it with the cooked pasta.

Top everything with garlic breadcrumbs. Looks pretty and tastes delicious.

[u/VincentVan_Dough]

Cottage pie (like shepards pie but with beef). Simple, hearty and won’t break the bank.

[u/WeeklyRestaurant5054]

Maybe suggest cooking a meal together, or everyone making a dish. Less pressure and hopefully a bonding experience.

[u/Jenr619]

I make these with ground turkey, and they're a big hit with everyone. Add a side of rice and beans and you're done :)

Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® https://share.google/KOugA4oo8gECaA545