Posted on Jan 1, 2025

"The Ultimate Minimal-Effort Meal": 31 Recipes To Jumpstart Your New Year, From Set-It-And-Forget-It Stews To Batched Breakfasts

If you, like me, have resolved to cook more in 2025, a little daily recipe inspiration is just what you need.

by Ross Yoder, Meg Sullivan, Hannah Loewentheil, Megan Liscomb, Claudia Santos

Cooking can feel like a chore, but in the winter, when life slows down, it can transform into something soothing and satisfying. This January, whether you’re recovering from the post-holiday blues or committing to a resolution to order less takeout, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting meal to lift your spirits. To keep things simple and stress-free, we’ve put together a collection of easy, delicious recipes that highlight the best of winter’s seasonal bounty (yes, even in winter, there’s plenty of fresh inspiration to be found!).

Chart listing in-season produce for January: apples, lemons, beets, and more. Availability varies by location and time of month

Three tacos filled with shredded chicken, pico de gallo, and cilantro on a plate with lime wedges

A bowl of vegetable lentil soup with a spoon, topped with grated cheese, on a checkered tablecloth

Baked gnocchi with melted cheese, tomato sauce, and fresh basil in a pan on a wooden table

Four glass meal prep containers with roasted vegetables, avocado, and green sauce on a marble surface

A bowl of roasted vegetables, avocado, and two halved soft-boiled eggs with a lemon wedge and a spoon on a gray cloth

Stack of vegetable and herb egg muffins on a plate, with a glass of water and a bowl of fruit in the background

Grilled chicken wrap with hummus, tabbouleh, and a drizzle of white sauce on flatbread, served on a wooden board with burlap background

Bowl of orzo salad with roasted cauliflower, herbs, and crumbled cheese, served with a fork

A pot of hearty chili with beans and ground meat, being stirred with a wooden spoon

Brussels sprouts hash with crispy bacon topped with a poached egg in a white dish

Sautéed Brussels sprouts and diced bacon in a cast iron skillet

A bowl of pasta soup with rotini, meatballs, and vegetables in a tomato-based broth on a marble surface

Bowl of ramen with noodles, eggs, mushrooms, scallions, and sesame seeds, garnished with chopsticks on the side

Three stacked oat muffins with chocolate chips on a speckled ceramic plate

Various baking ingredients including oats, zucchini, almond butter, spices, and chocolate chips arranged on a table

Four meal prep containers with rice, sautéed spinach, boiled eggs, ground beef, and sliced green onions on a tray

Tortilla topped with beans, cheese, and a creamy sauce, garnished with cilantro on a baking sheet

Four crispy tacos with garnishes surround a bowl of creamy dipping sauce on a wooden board

Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and sesame seeds in a pan, mixed with a wooden spoon

Two stacked blueberry muffins with a crumbly topping on a cooling rack, surrounded by more muffins in the background

A pot of spaghetti with chicken, sausage, spinach, and grated cheese on top

Two pieces of salmon fillets in a dish, covered with a garlic herb butter sauce

Bowl of grilled shrimp, avocado, and vegetables with lime and herbs, served on a plate

A bowl of creamy soup topped with rice, cilantro, lime wedges, nuts, and seeds on a textured surface with spoons beside it

Broccoli and shredded potato casserole in a baking dish, with cheese sauce being poured on top

A bowl of seasoned lima beans garnished with herbs, served with a chunk of bread and a cut lemon nearby

Stir-fried dish with ground meat, shredded vegetables, and sauce on a blue plate, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions

Ingredients for a Mediterranean dish: raw chicken, vegetables, olives, feta cheese, lemons, spices, garlic, and olive oil arranged on a table

Roasted chicken thighs with assorted vegetables including zucchini, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers on a baking sheet

Bowl of hearty vegetable soup with carrots, potatoes, and herbs, sitting on a textured surface

A bowl of sesame chicken served with rice, broccoli, and green onions, accompanied by chopsticks and small bowls of sesame seeds and scallions nearby

Plate with two folded savory crepes, a bowl of red sauce with a spoon, turmeric, jalapeños, and cilantro. Two forks on the side

Ingredients for a recipe: garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, chicken broth, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, chicken breast, and brown sugar

Bowl of rice topped with shredded chicken, sesame seeds, and chopped green onions

Bowl of chicken tortilla soup with chunks of avocado, shredded cheese, and cilantro, with a spoonful lifted above the bowl

A pot of creamy vegetable curry with chickpeas and greens, with a wooden spoon, next to a bowl of fresh herbs

A bowl of cauliflower, chickpea, and butternut squash curry with a side of rice, garnished with cilantro and nuts

Creamy soup with herbs and tomatoes in a bowl, served with crusty bread on a plate

Stack of pancakes topped with chocolate chips and drizzled with syrup on a white plate