Well, I started my first batch all-grain, so maybe I'm not one to talk. But I think that if you have a decent handle on the basics of boiling, fermentation, etc, you could move on to extract recipes - perhaps with steeped grains.
Randy Mosher has an excellent approach to a first-time recipe in his book 'Radical Brewing,' starting on pg 31. He allows the novice brewer to devise their own brew by offering a recipe with 2 variables.
Basically, you make an extract recipe with 5 lbs light DME. Choose a crystal malt, whatever color you like, and steep anywhere from 5. to 1.5 pounds of it in the kettle (2.5 gallons of water) as it heats up, slowly, to boil. Darker crystals give a darker color and more roasted flavor; lighter ones add caramely sweetness. More will give more flavor and color, less will give less. At 200F, remove the grains (they should be in a muslin bag) and add the DME. Bring to boil, careful not to boil over.
Then, choose a hop variety - Cascade for American hop aromas; Saaz for Czech; Hallertau for German; or East Kent Goldings for British. Use 4, 6, or 8 oz of the choosen variety, depending on if you want mild, moderate, or strong bitterness and hop aroma. Bear in mind that Cascades tend to be more bitter and Saaz to be less. Add 1/4 of them at the beginning of the boil, 1/4 of them 40 minutes in, and 1/2 of them about a minute before the end.
Cool down the wort, being careful to keep it sanitary; the best way is to top it off to five gallons with cold water (the water should be sterile; boil it the day beforehand and keep it in the fridge, maybe). You should need about 3.5 gallons, but it depends on how much water boiled off the wort. Once the total 5 gallons of wort is at about room temperature, pitch in the yeast. Just choose a strain that interests you (don't use a lager strain). Leave it for 2-3 weeks, until the airlock stops bubbling.
Prime it with 1/2 to 3/4 cups corn sugar, depending on how carbonated you want it (more sugar makes it more carbonated, obviously) and bottle.
I like this approach because it allows you to easily devise your own recipe. If you want to brew a specific style of beer, or don't feel up to figuring that much out yet, there are plenty of good extract recipes in the recipe database here.
If you do choose to go the way I described above, please say so! That was just a summary; if you're planning on following that advice, I'd like to make sure I'm not forgetting anything I should say about it. Or just pick up 'Radical Brewing;' it's very good.
If not, have fun with whatever you want to brew!
![Craft A Brew - Safale S-04 Dry Yeast - Fermentis - English Ale Dry Yeast - For English and American Ales and Hard Apple Ciders - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [1 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41fVGNh6JfL._SL500_.jpg)
