food
By Katherine Gillen
•
Published Apr 24, 2020
We all have nights when we just can’t muster the willpower to cook a complicated meal. But here’s a secret: Cooking a delicious dinner doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking—or even require a trip to the grocery store. To prove it, here are 30 five-ingredient recipes that are so easy, even beginners can whip them up in a flash. (Psst: Olive oil, salt and pepper don’t count.)
RELATED
61 Easy Family Dinners Everyone at the Table Will Eat
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
1. Cacio E Pepe
This Italian classic takes a mere 20 minutes to whip up. Keep it in your back pocket for the laziest of nights.
Get the recipe
2. Five-ingredient Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
You wouldn’t know this dish is meatless, but looks (and tastes) can be deceiving. Thanks to all that quinoa, it’s still packed with protein.
3. Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
When you feel like diving face-first into a bowl of carbs, but also want to maintain a little bit of decorum, make this number. It has Parmesan, Caesar dressing and kale—you know, for your health.
4. Lemon Butter Scallops
There’s something about scallops that screams sophistication…even though they’re basically foolproof.
5. Honey Garlic Salmon
Easy, healthy and delicious are our three favorite food groups. Serve this with steamed or roasted vegetables for bonus points.
6. Five-ingredient Spinach Parmesan Zucchini Noodles
If you haven’t yet boarded the zoodle train, it’s time to hop on. They’re low-carb, versatile and practically no-cook—this dish takes 20 minutes.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
8. Easy Five-ingredient Corn Soup
With so few ingredients, it’s definitely worth seeking out corn on the cob, but frozen kernels will work in a pinch.
Get the recipe
Photo: Michael Marquand/Styling: Caroline Lange
9. Five-ingredient Smoked Gouda Mac And Cheese
This decadent dish is as easy as cracking open one of those blue boxes, but so much tastier. (No smoked gouda on hand? You could use any good melting cheese in its place.)
Get the recipe
10. Five-ingredient Lemon Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts
When you have a flavorful, garlic-spiked yogurt marinade, you don’t need much else.
11. Five-ingredient Cheesy Cauliflower Soup With Kale Pesto
You had us a cheesy cauliflower, and again at kale pesto. We’d tell you the croutons are optional, but who are we kidding?
12. Five-ingredient Green Chile Stew
Minimal ingredients and maximum flavor are not mutually exclusive, thank you very much. (Bonus: You can make this one in your slow cooker if you want.)
Emily Morgan
13. Cheesy Kale Farfalle Pasta
While we’d happily eat a simple bowl of buttered noodles, this lemony, cheesy dish is proof that it’s not difficult to dress up pasta without a ton of effort.
Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
14. One-pan Steak With Beets And Crispy Kale
All hail the sheet tray meal, aka the lazy cook’s best-kept secret. With a few easy maneuvers, you’ll have medium-rare steak, tender beets and crunchy kale all at once.
Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
15. One-pan Eggs With Asparagus And Tomatoes
You love eggs but hate doing the dishes. Same, friend. We found the solution.
Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
16. Grilled Peach, Prosciutto And Mozzarella Sandwich
Our advice? Bookmark this one for peach season, then make it for lunch on repeat.
Get the recipe
17. Easy Chicken Tikka Masala
You’re 30 minutes away from a better-than-takeout dinner. The secret? A homemade masala paste you can (and should) make ahead.
18. Five-ingredient White Chicken Chili
Any kind of diced or shredded chicken will work in this recipe. Even the rotisserie chicken you picked up last time you were at the store.
The Clean Plate
19. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Easy Frittata
Frittatas are one of our go-to dinners when we need to clean out the crisper drawer. This version calls for beet greens, but you can use any veggies you have on hand.
Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
20. One-pan Roasted Chicken With Carrots
We love the way the carrots soak up all that rendered, schmaltzy goodness from the chicken. We also love that it’s ready in 30 minutes, of course.
Get the recipe
Erin McDowell
21. Lemon And Herb Roast Chicken
A few aromatics are all you need to make a tender, crispy roast chicken feel *that much* fancier. Just ask Ina Garten.
Get the recipe
A New Way to Food
22. Whole Roasted Chipotle Chicken
Instead of a million different spices, a can of chipotles in adobe gives this chicken its spicy flavor.
Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
23. Ten-minute Macaroni And Cheese In A Mug
While there’s nothing wrong with cooking a whole pot of macaroni just for yourself, this version is a lot faster and you don’t have to share.
Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
24. Eggs Baked In Tomatoes
If you have a carton of eggs in your fridge, you’re one step closer to dinnertime.
Get the recipe
Christopher Hirsheimer/Canal House Cook Something
25. Chicken Thighs With Pancetta And Green Olives
The key to getting ultra-crispy skin is to cook the thighs low and slow, starting in a cold skillet. It might sound crazy, but it works.
Get the recipe
26. Capellini With Garlic, Lemon And Parmesan
Save that jarred marinara sauce for another night. With a little garlic and 30 minutes, you won’t even miss it.
27. One-pot Cacio E Pepe Israeli Couscous
Parmesan and black pepper strike again, and we’re not mad about it at all. This is kind of like risotto, but so much faster.
28. Five-ingredient Almond Flour Pancakes
Admit it: You love breakfast for dinner. It’s fast, easy and comforting, as all delicious dinners should be.
29. Five-ingredient Vegan Banana French Toast
No eggs, no dairy, no problem. This French toast is surprisingly nutritious, thanks to whole grain bread and flaxseed meal.
30. Five-ingredient Green Curry
We never thought we would have a crush on tofu, but here we are.
RELATED
35 Ridiculously Easy Dinners for When You're Not Sure What to Make
Katherine Gillen
Senior Food Editor
Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...
read full bio