No matter your ability in the kitchen, we have the essentials covered with these simple recipes and tips that deliver great-tasting results. From chicken and casseroles to brownies and cake, first master these and you’ll have a good grounding to branch out and experiment from.

Cooking steak is simple, quick and a great way to get that restaurant-feeling at home. Ideal cuts include sirloin, rump and flat-iron, and you can sauce them up with bearnaise, gravy or a peppercorn sauce to add variety. Mix and match with sides including chips, long-stem broccoli or pickled shallots – you'll always have the steak as the centrepiece.

Start with a classic: rump steak with a peppercorn sauce. For all the tips you'll need to make it, from how to choose the meat to why you should never cook your steak cold, take a look at our step-by-step tips for cooking steak right every time.

Homemade burgers can be brilliant and once you have the core burger recipe, you can experiment with accessories – seeded buns or brioche, Swiss cheese or halloumi, sweet potato or potato fries. You can also prepare the patties in batches and freeze spares for a speedy meal another day (or night).

Once you've mastered a basic burger patty (follow our tips here), it's time to have fun with toppings. Try this recipe with spiced caramelised onions and a roasted green chilli yogurt.

The beauty of one-pot cooking is it saves on washing up and is ideal for smaller kitchens. It also really lends itself to comforting stews and batch cooking. The ingredients you use are easily interchangeable once you remember the core structure: a protein (meat, beans or tofu), starchy vegetables such as potato and a third ingredient for colour and vitamins, such as carrots or broccoli.

This speedy chicken casserole combines the ease of one-pot cooking with the versatility of chicken. It's garnished with tarragon, while lemon adds freshness and some welcome zip. The best part is only five minutes of hands-on time is required.

Master the basic chilli con carne recipe and then dial the heat up and down (for kids or according to taste). Serve with nachos for a snack, in a bowl topped with sour cream and chives for a hearty winter-warmer or with rice for a full-blown meal.

For a decadent feeling chilli con carne try Heston Blumenthal's rich chilli con carne with spiced butter to take things to the next level.

Give your usual fried eggs a twist by throwing in some flavourful ingredients, for example leftover vegetables, tinned vegetables and spices. Eggs dishes are difficult to get wrong and the options for what to do with them are endless.

For a weekend brunch when you have a little more time, try baked Turkish eggs with yogurt and chilli, using ingredients you probably already have in your fridge. Yogurt, tomatoes, eggs and a little spice are all you need for this easy-to-follow recipe.

With a basic brownie recipe mastered (strong black coffee, ice cream and hot salted caramel sauce optional), the sky's the limit. Perfect brownies combine some nuts for texture, a little chew according to taste and are lightly baked so they're not too dry. Using quality chocolate is half the secret.

To make a dessert with wow-factor, stir cheesecake topping into your brownie batter. It will give a beautiful marble effect and add a creamy element. For more brownie tips and variations, take a look at our 35 steps to the best brownies ever.

The beauty of stir-fries is you can usually work with whatever ingredients you have to hand and they're super-quick to make. Opt for vegetables that will retain some crunch after a little intense heat, such as bean sprouts, peppers and broccoli. Stir in soy sauce, sweet chilli or fish sauce and combine with rice or noodles.

For a stir-fry on the table in just 23 minutes, try a vegetarian spring cabbage and sticky mushroom stir-fry recipe. Here the mushrooms take centre stage, briefly fried on a high heat with ginger and shallots, to lock in their moisture and encourage crisp edges. Sauce is added to the pan and they're served with noodles.

Make your favourite Mexican takeaway at home and save money at the same time. Just be sure to choose quality meats where possible (organic, free-range or both), fresh oil and pat down fried foods with kitchen paper to drain off any excess fat for a healthier dish.

These charred chicken burritos are fun to make and packed with flavour. Homemade salsa and guacamole make the difference and once you learn the recipe you'll keep coming back to it again and again. For more chicken recipes that are better than take out, take a look through our gallery.

You don't need a slow cooker or Crockpot for perfect slow-cooked dishes, though it certainly helps. The 'low and slow' method can be done with a pot full of meat and veg in the oven, left to tick over in the background while you do something else. The planning ahead reaps rewards on the table, with fattier meat cuts breaking down for a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Renowned British chef Tom Kerridge knows a thing or two about teasing the best results out of meat. Try his perfect pulled pork recipe to understand the basics of overnight marinating and how to combine a little sweetness with spice for the best results. 

Soups are wonderfully versatile, particularly in autumn when there's an abundance of root vegetables such as carrot, turnip and swede. Peel the main ingredients, cook in stock until soft and then puree with a blender. You can also add spices such as chilli and ginger, and garnish with a little cream, parsley or coriander.

It doesn't have to be Halloween to enjoy making and eating pumpkin soup. Try Marco Pierre White's comforting pumpkin soup with carrot juice, parmesan and double cream to warm you up on a chilly day.

Basic risotto recipes call for arborio rice, a fair amount of parmesan, some stock and a little time to keep the pan stirred and the rice from burning. From there, add porcini mushrooms and truffle oil for a decadent dish, or green it up with peas, mint and prawns for a spring-style version. It's great to make in volume for a crowd.

Try this simple asparagus and pea risotto recipe to understand the basics of risotto-making – you'll probably find you already have most of the ingredients.

Chocolate cake is timeless and a first choice for celebrations and birthday parties. Master a simple chocolate cake recipe to open up a world of baking possibilities, not to mention it will make you a favourite with friends.

Ready in just 40 minutes, Mary Berry's malted chocolate cake recipe is about as easy as it gets. Sitting tall. sandwiching a layer of chocolate butter icing and decorated with Maltesers, it looks positively regal.

Salmon fillets are easily sourced, healthy and a versatile ingredient. Combine with grated ginger and chilli for Asian flavours or capers, red onions and garlic to add a Mediterranean touch. Minted new potatoes or egg noodles and pak choi make for a simple accompaniment.

This fancy looking seared salmon with a cashew pesto crust is surprisingly quick and easy to make. It takes just 18 minutes and only requires a handful of ingredients. Incorporate it into your dinner repertoire to impress a friends at a dinner party or make your midweek meals more exciting.

Whether they're piled high and dusted with icing sugar or a little more restrained, pancakes aren't just for special occasions. Eggs, flour, milk and, for a fluffier pancake, some baking powder, are all you need as the essential foundations for your towering creation.

Learn the basics of pancake making with these strawberry Scotch pancakes topped with mascarpone and cinnamon butter. They take just ten minutes and make a cracking weekend brunch or dessert.

As they say, you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, but fortunately there's little more to it than that. Top with cheese, ham and thyme for a fail-safe savoury flavour combination or add more vegetables with some griddled courgettes.

A healthy and tasty dish in just five minutes? Absolutely. Try a smoked salmon omelette with boursin and herbs to discover how easy it is to make a delicious, satisfying lunch at home.