When you want comfort food and you still want to eat well, the easiest move is to cook from a site that already does both. Simply Cooking! is built around global flavors, approachable methods, and smart swaps—so you can cook satisfying food without making your week harder.
Below is a more comprehensive, organized roundup of standout Simply-Cooking.com recipes—plus a simple way to turn them into a 7-day plan.
Comfort soups and stews (big flavor, low stress)
Easy Zuppa Toscana
A Tuscan-inspired, Italian-American soup with sausage, potatoes, kale, and cream. It’s the kind of bowl that tastes indulgent, yet it’s easy to lighten with smart swaps (like cauliflower for potatoes, or dairy-free cream options).
Why it’s a keeper: one pot, meal-prep friendly, reheats well.
Pasulj (Serbian White Bean Stew)
A paprika-forward bean stew that shows how “simple ingredients” can still taste deep and warming. It’s naturally adaptable, and the site includes ways to keep it gluten-free, vegan, or lower-carb inspired.
Why it’s a keeper: cheap to make, great leftovers, perfect for batch cooking.
Binakol (Chicken Soup in Coconut Water)
This Visayan chicken soup uses coconut water instead of plain water or broth, giving a gentle sweetness and a clean finish. It’s similar in comfort level to tinola, but it tastes lighter and more fragrant.
Why it’s a keeper: ideal “reset meal” that still tastes special.
Vegetable-forward Filipino classics (high flavor, real food)
Ilocano Dinengdeng
A vegetable-heavy dish built around seasonal produce and a fish-based broth. It’s more soupy than pinakbet, and it’s often served over rice for a complete meal.
Why it’s a keeper: practical, seasonal, and naturally nutrient-dense.
Bicolano Sinantolan
A creamy, tangy dish made from grated santol cooked with bagoong, chilies, and coconut milk. It’s bold and comforting, and it’s a great example of Filipino “resourceful cooking” with big flavor.
Why it’s a keeper: intense flavor, minimal ingredients, very satisfying.
Lighter sides and “make it taste better” staples
Spanish Escalivada (Roasted Eggplant and Pepper Salad)
A Catalan dish of whole vegetables roasted until smoky and sweet, then dressed simply with olive oil and salt. It’s naturally vegan and low-carb friendly, so it fits almost any weekly plan.
Why it’s a keeper: meal-prep friendly, works as a side, salad, or topping.
Confit Garlic (Slow-Cooked Garlic in Olive Oil)
Silky, spreadable garlic cooked gently in olive oil. It’s a “flavor multiplier” that instantly upgrades vegetables, soups, pasta, and dressings. The post also frames it as a versatile booster with safe storage tips.
Why it’s a keeper: one prep recipe that improves many meals.
Weekend anchor recipe (one pot, big payoff)
Kazakh Plov
A traditional one-pot rice dish using rice, lamb or beef, onions, carrots, and warm spices like cumin and coriander. It’s straightforward, hearty, and built for feeding a crowd.
Why it’s a keeper: easy “family-style” centerpiece with strong comfort factor.
Sweet finish (simple, reliable baking)
Hershey’s Simple Chocolate Chip Cookies
A classic American cookie designed for dependable results and a soft, chewy texture. The post also includes swap ideas (including gluten-free and dairy-free options) and practical baking tips.
Why it’s a keeper: fast, familiar, and great for portion-controlled treats.
A simple 7-day plan using these recipes
You don’t need to cook all of these in one week. Instead, pick 1–2 batch recipes, add 2 lighter veg-forward meals, then keep one “fun” dish for the weekend.
- Day 1: Confit Garlic prep (you’ll use it all week)
- Day 2: Easy Zuppa Toscana (cook once, eat twice)
- Day 3: Spanish Escalivada + simple protein (fish/chicken/tofu)
- Day 4: Pasulj (meal prep bowl night)
- Day 5: Dinengdeng (vegetable-forward reset meal)
- Day 6: Kazakh Plov (weekend anchor)
- Day 7: Cookies (small batch treat, or bake for guests)
