A simple but helpful cookbook, especially for families. The recipes have color photos and are in sections on Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Fancy.
Two things I especially loved were the Assembly Meals (quicker meals that are creative and flexible from items you have on hand) and the Kitchen Notes - short essays from Emily, full of tips, ideas, and permission to do things your own way.
I've been a fan of Emily's other writing, and while this cookbook probably isn't revolutionary, it has a lot of great recipes that can help busy families.

Bright and kid-centric...

I really liked the bright and clean layout and easy to read recipes in this kid-centric cookbook.
It truly is simplified and geared toward families and getting food that they would actually eat on the table in a reasonable amount of time. From breakfast, lunch, dinner to dessert, easy to make with ingredients you probably have on hand.
Highly recommend.

This cookbook is exactly what is said it is - simplified. There isn't anything groundbreaking here, but it's a nice collection of simple recipes, including ideas for "assembly" meals (can be assembled from items you likely have on hand). It's organized by breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and fancy. I appreciate that there are photographs for almost all recipes. The index lists all of the recipes though not by ingredient.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for a free copy of #TheSimplifiedCookbook by Emily Ley. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I loved the easy, simple recipes in this book! The assembly meals in each section are brilliant, fun and easy to recreate. I could see myself using this cookbook often and not having a problem following or trading items.

Book Review: The Simplified Cookbook by Emily Ley

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As a busy person constantly juggling the demands of life, I was thrilled to discover The Simplified Cookbook: Delicious Meals with Effortless Prep by Emily Ley. This cookbook has quickly become my go-to guide for getting meals on the table without feeling overwhelmed or stressed out.

Emily Ley understands the chaos of everyday life, especially for those of us who are always on the go, whether it's managing work, family, or just the general whirlwind of responsibilities. She has crafted this cookbook to help those of us who love to cook and those who dread it alike. With her own experiences as a mom of three, Ley provides practical solutions for simplifying mealtimes that resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever faced dinner-time panic.

What I really appreciate about this cookbook is its thoughtful organization. Each section—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert—offers a wide variety of recipes that are not just easy to make but also incredibly satisfying. The recipes are laid out with clear prep times, cooking times, serving sizes, and straightforward instructions. Plus, the beautiful photographs accompanying each dish make it hard not to feel inspired to whip something up!

One standout feature is the inclusion of assembly meals. These quick and easy options require minimal cooking and can be put together by combining ready-to-use ingredients. It’s like having a lifesaver on those particularly hectic days when the thought of cooking feels extraordinarily daunting. I found myself reaching for these recipes on days I was feeling too exhausted to tackle a full-on cooking session.

From delicious Baked Apple Oatmeal to the refreshing Ramen Chicken Salad, and even the crowd-pleasing Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, there’s something here for everyone. The fact that many recipes require only six ingredients or fewer is a game-changer for me, as it keeps my grocery list short and my meal prep efficient.

Overall, I would definitely recommend The Simplified Cookbook to anyone looking to make mealtime less stressful while still enjoying delicious food. Emily Ley has managed to create a resource that not only helps in the kitchen but also frees up time for what really matters—spending quality moments around the table with loved ones. If you’re in need of some culinary simplicity in your life, this book is worth a look!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

There are some excellent things about Emily Ley’s new cookbook that make this a standout. Fist, the recipes are family friendly and accessible. These lunch treats include tomato soup, several salads and a fun ramen noodle bowl. In addition, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert (YES), assembly meals are included. This is a great way to plan your meals for the week- and get the entire family involved.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a fun book for a busy family. The perpetual grocery list is a great addition, and the “healthy-ish” section is the best.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC.

#TheSimplifiedCookbook #NetGalley

There are a few recipes I do want to try but this cookbook isn’t really that great. I mean most of these recipes I have seen everywhere on the internet .

I wouldn’t buy it

I am a fan of Emily Ley's Simplified brand, but I was not a fan of The Simplified Cookbook. The recipes included did not seem to be original but a mix of recipes Emily enjoys using or from friends/family. It felt inauthentic, like something she just put her name on. I understand the concept of the book is to be easy meals. However, most recipes seemed like the kind most people would already have recipes for anyway (or not even need a recipe for such avocado toast, which is pretty self-explanatory). I didn't feel like there was anything particularly unique or interesting to take away from the book. I appreciate the opportunity to review it!

A nice compilation of basic, easy to prepare recipes using a lot of prepared/canned/jarred items. This is for anyone who is new to the kitchen, doesn’t enjoy the process of prepping and cooking, has limited time or any combo of the aforementioned. It’s more assembly than actual recipes, but is quite helpful and purposeful for a novice cook. The recipes are super easy to follow, use limited ingredients and are accompanied by lovely photographs.

This book was gorgeous (like most Simplified/Emily Ley projects ). In the introduction, Ley mentioned that this cookbook would have minimal ingredients and simple instructions for busy, overwhelmed parents. True to her word, the recipes are simple and easy to follow. Every recipe feels like something a working family would actually make like incorporating the use of frozen veggies, instant mash potatoes and other time savers. This book seems like a good fit for someone that isn't as experienced with cooking. Personally, I would have added more spices to most of the recipes if I were to cook them, but Ley did add a disclaimer at the front that you are welcome to customize the recipes to suite your palate.

Lots and lots of recipes here to make cooking easier. They are not all “from scratch” though, most recipes use canned food, store bought seasonings and refrigerated ingredientes, in case it matters to you, but they do simplify cooking, which is the point of this cookbook. You’ll definitely find recipes that you make at home for sure. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

The layout and pictures of this cookbook were beautifully done. I struggle to find meal ideas for my family especially since I'm not much of cook. This cookbook sounded perfect! As the title implies, these recipes are simple. A little too simple. Many of these recipes are for common meals that most people probably already make or know how to make already like rice krispie treats. This cookbook might be nice for meal ideas that aren't already in your weekly rotation.

Let me start out by saying that this cookbook is super cute. The pictures are well done and I love the layout of the recipes. However, the title of this cookbook really shines through in the recipes, and I don't mean that as a positive.

First, the omission of putting a line in the ingredient list of "salt and pepper to taste" is not a favorite of mine. I often help new cooks in the kitchen and teach them to read the ingredients list and instructions before proceeding. This means that those tried and true novice chefs may truly leave out the salt. Also, a lot of the recipes have no flavor builders. I love a good homemade tomato soup, but this tomato soup recipe seemed like it was just hot liquid tomato with some onion flavoring.

I love quiche. I've made so many variations over the years. When I saw the simple quiche recipe, I had to try it. I used the same pre-made pie dough I always use. The length of cook time was too long and the milk to egg ratio I think was too much because my crust was way too dark and the egg was still fairly wet even though it was set up. The bottom of the crust was soggy while the edges were almost burnt. I felt an hour was too long, but trusted the recipe. I didn't make another recipe from the book as I had some reservations after the quiche recipe was a bust.

So for me, this cookbook is a pass. It's asthetically stunning, but the recipes fall flat.

A useful cookbook for making easy meals. The recipes are well set out and easy to follow - I will be returning to this from time to time

This is a great cookbook for new cooks and busy mom's that just want to have some delicious simple recipes. I enjoyed the pictures for each recipe and her labels (make ahead, freezer, picky eater, etc) were helpful. I would totally buy this as a wedding gift .

I honestly was not a fan of this cookbook. It’s written by a woman who runs a successful planner company and the idea is that it’s simple, tasty meals. The recipes are certainly simple. They tend to be just a handful of ingredients like cooked pasta, a jar of Alfredo sauce, and whatever cooked veggies and protein you want to add. Does anyone need a recipe for that? Or cut canned biscuits into fourths, deep fry, and roll in sugar. Cans of cream of something soup are in most of the dinner recipes. They are very high in processed ingredients and vegetables are scarce. Her roast calls for a can of coke and a packet of onion soup mix. Her pumpkin muffins are made of a cake mix combined with a can of pumpkin with extra brown sugar on top. There is a recipe for baked Dorito sandwiches. There is also a breakfast recipe that calls for painting white bread with food coloring, toasting it, and then putting whatever you want like jelly on top. There are photos for most recipes (and a ton of photos of her) and no nutritional information. Sorry, this isn’t a book I’d really recommend but others are likely to enjoy it.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

This is a very interesting and informative cookbook, very helpful and useful so you can get good meals on the table even when time seems rushed. Broken into sections and easy to read, use and follow this book would be great for anyone from beginner to experienced. The cookbook is full of great recipes, ideas and ways to swap and changed ingredients.

This is a cookbook I can imagine using time and again for the recipes but also for the information and ideas. A great book to have on your kitchen counter to refer to on a regular basis. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Gift for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

So. Many. Cookbooks promise “easy recipes that anyone can follow”—and then proceed to list 26 ingredients and 64 steps. Not simple!

Emily Ley’s cookbook, on the other hand, truly lives up to its promise. Seasoned cooks don’t need this book. But *I* do. It’s so nice to see a cookbook that is actually full of truly simple things I can confidently make—AND it makes me feel reassured that even Emily, whose life is optimized and organized to perfection, feeds her family this way.

This cookbook fills a gap in the market, and it’s beautiful to boot!

Emily Ley’s *The Simplified Cookbook* is like having a trusted friend in the kitchen—a friend who understands that feeding your family every single day can feel like running an endless marathon. This book is packed with practical, easy-to-follow recipes that keep things simple without sacrificing flavor, and her meal planning tips are pure gold for those of us juggling busy schedules.

One thing I love about meal planning is how it can give structure to an otherwise chaotic day. When I’ve got dinner sorted out in advance, I feel like I’ve already accomplished something big, even if the rest of the day goes off the rails. Growing up, my mom would always say, “If dinner’s planned, everything else will fall into place.” And she was right! Ley’s four-week meal plan reminds me of that same comforting sense of organization—except now it’s me creating the plan, not just waiting to see what’s for dinner!

With recipes like Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and Baked Apple Oatmeal, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or trying to impress guests. I also love her “assembly meal” ideas—because let’s be real, some nights even chopping onions feels like too much. Ley’s approach is thoughtful, approachable, and full of heart, reminding us that time around the dinner table is about more than the food—it’s about the connection.

This book is perfect for seasoned cooks looking to simplify, beginners figuring out where to start, or anyone who wants to spend less time stressing in the kitchen and more time enjoying the moments that matter.