Hey friend! I’ve gathered 26 ridiculously easy, flavor packed dinners that each lean on just 5 ingredients or less, so you can spend way less time in the kitchen and way more time relaxing.
These simple, cozy recipes are all about big taste with barely any effort, because you deserve a delicious meal that doesn’t ask you to stand on your feet for an hour. Let’s find your new favorite weeknight dinner.
1. Pesto Salmon
Ingredient Number: 4 Ok, I know I’ve given a lot of carby not-so-healthy recipes, but here’s one that looks light and super flavorful. Also, it’s hard to go wrong when you have a tasty pesto. Pesto Salmon
2. 5-Ingredient, One-Pot Asian Noodles
This colorful masterpiece was done by the Cheeky Kitchen, and I have to say, those sauce-drenched noodles are making me hungry. Serving 4, it’s simple, but bright and delicious, and packs you with protein and a mouthful of noodles. Update: This recipe is now gone, but if you want something similar, you can check out this 5-ingredient Asian noodle recipe here.
3. Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
Okay, so this marinade technically lists a few more things, but the lemon zest and juice come from just one lemon, and I’m absolutely not counting salt and pepper because we all have those on hand. This lemon garlic chicken is one of my absolute favorites; you get that punchy tang and savory magic in every single bite. It’s gorgeous served next to a fluffy pile of rice.
4. Honey Garlic Shrimp Skillet
Ingredient Number: 5 For those of you who love seafood, this is probably something you should add to your easy go-to arsenal. Add rice or noodles to this (I guess that would make this a 6-ingredient dinner), and you’ll have an amazing, quick meal.
5. Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredient Number: 4 Whether you’re a solo eater or you have family, this is probably always going to be a winner. It’s kind of hard to go wrong with such a simple but delicious 5 ingredient recipe.
6. Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken
I’ve never combined maple and Dijon before, but this slow cooker beauty looks and sounds incredible. It’s 5 ingredients plus a few optional add ins if you’re feeling fancy. I can totally picture myself dishing this up for friends and watching them swoon.
7. Homemade Hot Pockets In The Air Fryer (Or Oven)
Ingredient Number: It does have seven ingredients, but the egg is optional and I don’t count water as an ingredient. Everyone can easily get it from the tap you know?
I love hot pockets so I would definitely be down for trying these! It also sounds like it might be a bit healthier than something store-bought. Homemade Hot Pockets In The Air Fryer
8. Spaghetti Carbonara
Ingredient Number: 5 I’m not sure whether it’s the fact that it’s so simple that makes it the best or that it has bacon in it. Probably both. This five-ingredient dinner is a great option if you’re having pasta cravings and probably not on a diet.
9. 5-Ingredient No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredient Number: 5Disclaimer: Recipe also includes water + (optional) salt and pepper. But I don’t count these since they’re something we all have and don’t really require more money and effort.
This looks like some really good comfort food for when the weather is cold. Pro-Tip: Add maybe a quarter cup of dry white wine and it might just taste even better. But that’s my personal opinion.
10. 5-Ingredient Mac and Cheese {No Flour/No Roux}
Ingredient Number: 5 Anyone who says that mac and cheese isn’t a real dinner doesn’t know what they’re talking about. And when you make it just right, that’ll be all you need for the entire evening.
11. Shredded Beef Enchiladas
Ingredient Number: 4 I’m all for ultra-flavorful, saucy, and cheesy Mexican-inspired dishes, and this looks like a great one to try. Also, if you’re a cheese-lover, then there’s no stopping you and how much you can put on. Just a thought.
12. Spaghetti Aglio E Olio
Ingredient Number: 5 A really really simple dinner recipe that dates back to the 1800s. And with garlic and olive oil, it’ll be a flavorful and satisfying dinner to enjoy. Spaghetti Aglio E Olio
13. Brown Butter & Sage Pasta
Five ingredients, and it’s either a swoon worthy date night dinner or a treat yourself solo meal. Honestly, both options are completely perfect. No judgment here.
14. 5-Ingredient Burrata Pesto Pasta
Ingredient Number: 5 Another good date night dinner recipe, or a nice recipe for yourself when you wanna watch a good movie on a Friday evening. 5-Ingredient Burrata Pesto Pasta
15. 15-Minute Red Pesto Pasta with Prawns
Ingredient Number: 5 Another really good-looking recipe you can make when you wanna be a little fancy, but don’t wanna spend an hour on your feet prepping dinner. 15-Minute Red Pesto Pasta with Prawns
16. Authentic Carbonara Recipe
Ingredient Number: 5 I can personally attest to carbonara. It is ridiculously easy. But you’ll also look like a complete cooking genius to your friend and/or family when you make it because it just looks and tastes so good.
17. 5-Ingredient Italian Sausage and Kale Baked Ziti
I love oven-baked noodles, there’s something so right about the texture and the fact that I don’t have to keep an eye on them as they cook. Also, I’m not so sure as to why I’m giving you so many recipes with noodles in them.
Probably because they’re easy and so darn good. Done by Gimme Some Oven, it serves 6-8 which means either more for you and your family (or friends), or just you. So if you’re craving Italian one night, make sure you have this as one of your go-to’s in your quick and easy five-ingredient arsenal.
18. Air Fryer Pizza Quesadilla
Ingredient Number: 5 + the optional ingredient of basil Honestly, it reminds me a bit of a double-crust pizza, and if you’re in the crispy tangy cheesy mood, then this is probably a good dinner to try this week. Also, quesadillas are such a fun recipe to customize, so have fun with this low-ingredient recipe!
19. 5-Ingredient Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Another recipe by Gimme Some Oven, these quinoa-stuffed bell peppers are so easy and delicious. Oh, and it’s not just another pasta recipe, so for those of you who are looking for something quick but healthy, then this recipe is for you!
If you need your protein, quinoa is a great go-to grain (not to mention it has a lot of other vitamins in it). Stuffed bell peppers are one of my favorites; they’re packed with flavor and simple to make. All you need is to let the oven do most of the work for you.
20. 5 Ingredient Meatless Baked Ziti (Kraft Copycat Recipe)
Ingredient Number: 5 There’s just something so comfortingly cozy, and satisfying about baked pasta dishes. The texture, the cheese, it’s all pretty darn good. 5 Ingredient Meatless Baked Ziti (Kraft Copycat Recipe)
21. Simple Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Peppers
Ingredient Number: 5 If you’re looking for something that’s just a bit more healthy yet filling, then this is your go-to. It’s a quick dinner and it probably smells amazing cooking in the oven.
22. 4 Ingredient Crockpot Ravioli
Ingredient Number: 4 I’m sorry, but this 4 ingredient crockpot ravioli just looks so good! I would make a huge batch of this and eat it all throughout the week. No complaints. 4 Ingredient Crockpot Ravioli
23. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Ribs
Ribs are one of those things that just always deliver, and when you let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting, it’s even better. This teriyaki version uses only 4 ingredients. Definitely add this to your meal plan for a ridiculously easy weeknight win.
24. Easy Butter Poached Lobster Tail Recipe
Ingredient Number: 4 + 2 option ingredients If you love seafood, then I think this is the economical recipe you’re looking for. Also, it just looks like a great date night dinner to make!
25. Air Fryer Kielbasa (Polish Sausage)
Ingredient Number: 4 I grew up with a very similar recipe, and it was always a hit. And if you’re also a strong believer in very simple recipes like this, then this is the recipe for you.
26. Grilled Basil Lemon Pork Chops
Ingredient Number: 5 I love marinated recipes, and these pork chops marinated with basil, lemon, garlic, and olive oil look like they would pair great with some quickly made rice. Grilled Basil Lemon Pork Chops