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15 low-key recipes to help you ease into the new year

Simple and satisfying meals that are just right for right now.

Simple and satisfying meals that are just right for right now

CBC Life ·
(Photography, left: The Goods; middle: Leila Ashtari; right: David Bagosy)

If you're feeling a bit burnt out after holiday cooking, or perhaps just looking for a soft start to 2021's meal planning, this recipe roundup checks off all the boxes. Here are 15 meals that are simple to prepare and ready in a relatively short amount of time. Perhaps most importantly, these recipes are a very delicious way to kick off a new year of cooking. Sheet pan bakes, winter-perfect salads, skillets full of pasta, some meat-free selects and plenty more, all below!

Delicata Squash and Italian Sausage Bake

Overhead shot of a sheet pan on a dark grey surface. Slices of roasted delicata squash, onion, pieces of sausage and roasted rapini are on the pan.
(Photography by Betty Binon)

Spiced Chicken Salad Stuffed Tomatoes

(Photography by Gabriel Cabrera)

Skillet Lasagna with an Easy Everyday Tomato Sauce

A skillet on a grey wood surface. The skillet is filled with a cooked lasagna with melted cheese and dollops of ricotta cheese on top.
(Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Pajeon

An overhead shot of a plate of pajeon on a bright blue background. A small bowl of sauce, a plate of kimchi and another plate of pajeon surround the main plate.
(Photography by Soo Kim)

Beaton's Mac & Cheese

A cast iron skillet with mac and cheese in it.
(Photography by Lindsay Anderson and Dana VanVeller)

Chicken Cacciatore Sheet Pan Dinner

Overhead shot of a sheet pan with roasted chicken thighs, tomatoes, and pieces of mushrooms, red pepper and onion on it. It's sitting on a grey wooden surface with the fresh ingredients scattered around the pan.
(Photo: David Bagosy; Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Paul Sun Hyung Lee's Kimchi Soup

Kale Stem Pesto

(Photography by Leila Ashtari)

Fish and 'Chip' Sheet Pan Dinner

(Photo: David Bagosy; Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Tray-Baked Salmon Nicoise

A large piece of baked salmon surrounded by potatoes, green beans and cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet.
(Photography by Jackson Roy)

Sweet Potato and Lentil Salad in a Lime Vinaigrette

A bowl of lentil salad with chunks of sweet potatoes in it, and topped with microgreens and pomegranate arils. Small bowls of pomegranate arils and salad dressing sit next to the salad.
(Photo: Shayma Owaise Saadat)

Warm Winter Salad

Overhead shot of 3 bowls of salad on a wooden table.
(The Goods)

Dal aur Sabzi: Lentils with Roasted Carrots and Kale

Overhead shot of a green plate of Dal aur Sabzi, Lentils with Roasted Carrots and Kale on a white lace tablecloth. A yellow plate of basmati rice sits next to it.
(Photo: Shayma Owaise Saadat)

Soba Salad with Tahini Dressing and Roasted Cauliflower

Overhead shot of a bowl of soba noodle salad with roasted cauliflower, slices of red bell pepper and sliced green beans in it. The bowl sits on a dark brown metal surface.
(Photography by Betty Binon)

Sarosh's Chicken Jalfrezi Pita Pockets with Quick-Pickled Onions

(Photography by Gabriel Cabrera)

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