On the days you’re short on time and energy (or cash in your grocery budget!), reach for one of these tried-and-trusted “5-ingredient (or less)” dinners!
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As busy moms (or dads!), one of the most challenging parts of taking care of our families is feeding them delicious, nutritious meals. All day. Every day. Day after day. At least, it is for me. (Topped only by keeping my house clean, which is ALWAYS a struggle.)
I do enjoy cooking… when I have the time and energy. Once upon a time, I had all the time I wanted to play around in the kitchen, finding new recipes, trying new ingredients, and experimenting with new techniques. It was one of my favorite pastimes.
As my plate has filled, however, I haven’t spent as much time cooking elaborate and involved dishes. I still cook quite a bit, by many people’s standards, but not nearly as much as I used to. And to be honest, I often feel guilty about it.
I’m coming to accept, however, that I’m simply in a different season right now. And that’s okay. I feed my family tasty, nutritional meals, and that’s enough. In another season, perhaps, I will do more again.
And you know what? I’ve found that dinners can be simple and tasty. I’ve found plenty of recipes that don’t require a ton of time or a grocery cart’s worth of ingredients. And with grocery prices these days, that’s even more of a bonus!
Whatever your reason for needing simple dinners – whether for time, energy, or grocery cost savings – I’d love to share my favorite “5-ingredient (or less)” dinners.
20 Favorite “5-Ingredient (Or Less!)” Dinners
On the days you’re short on time and energy (or cash in your grocery budget!), you don’t want to be running all over your kitchen, measuring and assembling a dozen different ingredients. You want something quick and easy… yet still good for your family!
My Go-To Tools for Making Homemade Easier:
Programmable Slow Cooker
Instant Pot
Bread Machine
Large Cast Iron Skillet
Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
Sheet Pans
Those are the days I reach into my arsenal of 5-ingredient (or less) dinners. Following are my favorite simple dinner ideas requiring only a handful of ingredients. Some are healthier than others 😉, but all will fill your family’s bellies and satisfy their taste buds.
- Roast in the crock pot – It seriously doesn’t get any easier than this: put a beef roast in the crock pot, season with salt and pepper, add a cup or two of beef broth, and cook on low all day. It’s so simple, and with good quality beef and beef broth, it tastes amazing
- Skillet beef patties – This is my other super simple go-to. Form ground beef patties, season with garlic salt and pepper, and cook to your preference in a skillet.
- Salsa chicken – This one has TWO ingredients: skinless, boneless chicken breasts + 2 cups of salsa. That’s it! Cook in the crock pot for 6-8 hours, or until chicken shreds with a fork.
- Beef & bean burritos – Fill tortillas with seasoned, cooked ground beef, pinto beans, and shredded cheese. Roll and seal into burritos. **These are great to throw in the freezer for later! You can also cut out the meat (leaving the beans and cheese) to make it a meatless meal.
- Sheet pan sausage & veggies – This one is extremely versatile. Slice kielbasa or chicken/turkey sausage into 1/2-1″ rounds. Spread out on a sheet pan with diced veggies of your choice, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 400° for about 20 minutes.
- Spaghetti – Use a jarred sauce, or make your own ahead of time & freeze/can for an easy meal. (That’s what I do, to make a tastier, more nutrient-packed sauce.)
- Breakfast for dinner – Our go-to easy breakfast-for-dinner meal is scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and fruit.
- Ham, green beans, and potatoes – Combine diced potatoes, cubed ham, a pound of green beans, a sliced onion, and chicken broth into a crock pot. (I eyeball everything.) Season with S&P (I know — technically, that makes 7 ingredients, but salt and pepper don’t count. 😉) Cook on low for 8 hours, or until potatoes are tender.
- Crock pot chicken breast – This is my favorite super simple chicken breast recipe. With the seasonings listed, it is more than 5 ingredients, but you can simplify it down to garlic salt and pepper, and it’s still delicious.
- Chicken and asparagus – This one can be simplified by using 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning in place of the basil, oregano, and thyme. (Find other simple asparagus recipes here.)
- Simple baked fish
- Lemon garlic shrimp pasta – Cook pasta of choice in salted water. In another pan, cook shrimp in butter and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. (Add an extra ingredient with a splash of lemon juice.)
- Quesadillas – Keep them simple with shredded cheddar cheese, or mix it up with beef, chicken, or a variety of cheeses. Or try pizza quesadillas!
- Pizza bread or pizza bagels – We love to make homemade pizzas on Family Movie Night, but on the days I’m short on time or energy, I “cheat” by topping a loaf of French bread sliced horizontally or bagels with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. (You can find other pizza variations here!)
- Burrito bowls – These are great because you can add as few or as many ingredients as you want. Start with a base of rice and seasoned beans, and add any of the following toppings: tomatoes, corn, avocado, red onion, cheese, sour cream, and/or salsa.
- Sheet pan fajitas – This is another dinner that can be as simple or involved as you want. This recipe offers lots of options so you can adapt it to your needs. (You can find more sheet pan meals here.)
- Skillet chicken, pork, or venison – Slice meat into ½” slices, and marinate in your marinade of choice. Cook in a skillet until cooked through.
- Paninis – Paninis are a fantastic 5-ingredient or less dinner. They have the ease of a sandwich with the flair of a fancier dish. Easily make paninis (and so many other grilled foods) with a George Foreman grill.
- Grilled chicken marinated in Italian dressing – Marinate chicken thighs or breasts in Italian dressing, and grill. It’s super easy, yet super good. (Read this post for 10 Simple (But Effective) Tips For Super Grilling Success.)
- Tuna (or egg) salad – These are great because you can make them as simple or dressed up as you want. When I need to whip up a quick meal, I combine tuna (or egg) with mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, mustard, chopped red onion (if I have it), and S&P – all to taste. You can eat it on sandwiches, pitas, or beds of lettuce.
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YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
- 25 One Pot / One Pan Meals for Easy Dinners
- 50 (Simple) Healthy Meals for Busy Moms
- 25 Pantry Meals You Can Make With What You Have on Hand
- 25 Meatless Meals (That Aren’t Pasta)
- 10 Freezer Meals That AREN’T Casseroles
Share your thoughts!