French cuisine doesn’t have to be intimidating. These easy French recipes use simple techniques, accessible ingredients, and pack in all the rich flavor France is famous for. Whether you’re cooking dinner for two or hosting a casual weekend lunch, these seven recipes bring Parisian charm without the pressure.
Oh and if you're always struggling to find your next meal with what's left in your fridge, try this recipe generator from ingredients, Trust me you'll never have this problem again!
TL;DR – 7 French Recipes that are Easy
As a French guy, I chose the 7 best french recipes that are actually easy to do. I understand that French cuisine can be a bit scary but if you start with those basics you'll quickly see it's not that hard!
- Croque Monsieur – Grilled ham and cheese with béchamel
- Goat Cheese Tartine – Toast with honey and thyme
- French Onion Soup – Caramelized onion, broth, and cheese
- Poulet à la Crème – Creamy chicken and mushroom skillet
- Ratatouille – Herb-rich veggie stew
- Madeleines – Soft, buttery mini cakes
- French Meal Plan Idea – Build your own three-course bistro dinner
1. Croque Monsieur (Classic French Ham & Cheese)
Golden, gooey, and beautifully crisp—this elevated grilled cheese is a must-try.
Ingredients
2 slices white sandwich bread (or brioche)
2 slices ham (preferably smoked or Paris ham)
½ cup grated Gruyère or Emmental cheese
1 tbsp butter
For the béchamel:
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
½ cup milk
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe Steps
- Make the béchamel: Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add flour and stir for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook until thickened, then season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Toast bread lightly, then spread béchamel on one side of each slice.
- Assemble: Place ham and half the cheese between the slices (béchamel sides in).
- Butter the outer sides of the bread and toast in a skillet or oven until golden.
- Top with remaining béchamel and cheese, then broil until bubbly.
2. Goat Cheese & Honey Tartine
This rustic toast is creamy, tangy, sweet—and done in under 10 minutes.
Ingredients
2 slices country-style French bread, toasted
¼ cup fresh goat cheese (chèvre)
1 tbsp honey
Fresh thyme (or rosemary), for garnish
Cracked black pepper
Recipe Steps
- Toast bread slices until golden and crisp.
- Spread goat cheese over each slice.
- Drizzle with honey, sprinkle cracked black pepper, and garnish with fresh thyme.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with a side salad or wine.
3. One of My Favorite Easy French Dinner Recipes - French Onion Soup
French onion soup is a cozy classic and a standout among easy French dinner recipes, offering rich flavor with simple, comforting ingredients.
Ingredients
3 large onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sugar
½ cup dry white wine
4 cups beef broth
1 bay leaf
2 thyme sprigs
Salt and pepper to taste
4 slices baguette
½ cup grated Gruyère cheese
Recipe Steps
- In a pot, melt butter with olive oil. Add onions and sugar. Cook slowly until deep golden brown (30–40 mins).
- Deglaze with white wine. Add broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer 20 minutes.
- Toast baguette slices and top with cheese.
- Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, float a toast on each, and broil until cheese is bubbling.
4. Poulet à la Crème (Creamy Chicken with Mushrooms)
Elegant yet easy, this creamy chicken is a French classic perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
2 chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skin-on
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
½ cup chicken broth
¼ cup dry white wine (optional)
½ cup heavy cream
Salt, pepper, fresh parsley
Recipe Steps
- Heat butter and oil in a pan. Season chicken and sear until golden on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté mushrooms until golden.
- Deglaze with wine (or extra broth). Add cream and chicken back to pan. Simmer for 10–15 mins.
- Finish with fresh parsley and serve with mashed potatoes or pasta.
5. Ratatouille (Rustic French Vegetable Stew)
Colorful and comforting, this dish is great hot or cold.
Ingredients
1 zucchini, diced
1 eggplant, diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 tsp Herbes de Provence (or thyme + oregano)
Salt and pepper
Fresh basil (optional)
Recipe Steps
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add zucchini, eggplant, and pepper. Cook until softened (10 mins).
- Stir in tomatoes, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve with crusty bread.
One of the Most Easy French Dessert Recipes - Madeleines
Light, buttery, and delicately sweet, madeleines are a perfect choice when it comes to easy French dessert recipes—simple to bake, elegant to serve.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon zest (optional)
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Recipe Steps
- Beat eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy (about 3 mins).
- Add vanilla, zest, and gently fold in flour + baking powder.
- Fold in melted butter. Chill batter for at least 1 hour.
- Spoon into greased madeleine pan. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 mins until golden.
- Cool and dust with powdered sugar.
Bonus: Build Your Own French Bistro Dinner
Create a full menu using the recipes above:
- Appetizer: Goat Cheese Tartine
- Main: Poulet à la Crème or Croque Monsieur
- Side: Light green salad with vinaigrette
- Dessert: Madeleines
- Drink: Red wine or sparkling water with lemon
Simple, chic, and undeniably French.