You know what’s the worst? Committing to a recipe that claims it is easy to make, only to get into it and wonder in what world the recipe is “easy.”

One of the mistakes I used to make when meal planning was just picking recipes that looked delicious without considering the level of effort (LOE) involved. Let’s be honest, prep times and cook times are not usually as advertised on a recipe—everyone moves at their own pace, and distractions (especially if you have kids) can make a big difference.

So, I originally came up with this recipe Level of Effort Scale for myself, but when we started putting out our own recipes on Meal Planning Blueprints, I knew I had to include it. This scale is awesome—it helps you pick recipes that actually fit your schedule and energy level.

Recipe LOE Ranking Considerations

When I choose a ranking for a recipe, I end up breaking it down by several factors. Some of those are:

  • Preparation Time: How long does it take to prepare the ingredients?
  • Hands-On Cooking Time: How long do you need to be actively cooking?
  • Total Cooking Time: Overall time the recipe takes to complete, including passive cooking.
  • Number of Ingredients: How many ingredients are required?
  • Skill Level: How much cooking experience is needed?
  • Complexity of Steps: How difficult are the steps involved?
  • Special Equipment: Are any special kitchen tools or equipment needed?
  • Cleanup Required: How much cleaning up is necessary?

My Level Of Effort Ranking System

Alright, folks, below is the system breakdown! We have 5 buckets, and while most of our recipes can be chucked into Easy Peasy, Simple, or Moderate, we do have some (like desserts, I will put in ALL the effort for great desserts!).

Recipe Effort Level 1: Easy Peasy

  • Preparation Time: Under 10 minutes
  • Hands-On Cooking Time: Under 10 minutes
  • Total Cooking Time: Any length (e.g., slow cooker meals)
  • Number of Ingredients: 7 or fewer
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Complexity of Steps: Very simple, few steps
  • Special Equipment: None or the basic tools
  • Cleanup Required: Minimal

Recipe Effort Level 2: Simple

  • Preparation Time: 10-20 minutes
  • Hands-On Cooking Time: 10-20 minutes
  • Total Cooking Time: Under 1 hour or longer if passive (e.g., slow cooker)
  • Number of Ingredients: 8-10
  • Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
  • Complexity of Steps: Simple, straightforward steps
  • Special Equipment: Basic kitchen tools
  • Cleanup Required: Low

Recipe Effort Level 3: Moderate

  • Preparation Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Hands-On Cooking Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Total Cooking Time: 1-2 hours or longer if passive (e.g., slow cooker)
  • Number of Ingredients: 11-15
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Complexity of Steps: Moderate, some detailed steps
  • Special Equipment: Some specialized tools
  • Cleanup Required: Moderate

Recipe Effort Level 4: Involved

  • Preparation Time: 30-45 minutes
  • Hands-On Cooking Time: 30-45 minutes
  • Total Cooking Time: 2-3 hours or longer if passive (e.g., slow cooker)
  • Number of Ingredients: 16-20
  • Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
  • Complexity of Steps: Detailed, complex steps
  • Special Equipment: Special tools or appliances
  • Cleanup Required: High

Recipe Effort Level 5: Time-Intensive

  • Preparation Time: 45+ minutes
  • Hands-On Cooking Time: 45+ minutes
  • Total Cooking Time: 3+ hours or longer if passive (e.g., slow cooker)
  • Number of Ingredients: 20+
  • Skill Level: Advanced
  • Complexity of Steps: Highly complex, many steps
  • Special Equipment: Specialized equipment required
  • Cleanup Required: Extensive