12 Easy Dinner Recipes With 5 Ingredients or Less

Some nights, you just want dinner to be DONE.

Not fancy. Not fussy. Just ready, hot, and good enough that nobody asks, “What else is there?”

That’s exactly why we pulled together our favorite 5 ingredients or less recipes for dinner—because let’s be real, after a long day, the last thing most of us feel like doing is playing chef.

If you’ve ever stared into your fridge at 6:07 p.m. wondering how to turn two eggs, half a zucchini, and a block of cheese into a meal… same. Been there. Too many times 😊

We’ve had nights where the kids are melting down, the laundry’s halfway done, the dog is barking at a leaf, and we forgot to thaw the chicken—again.

And honestly, sometimes all you want is to throw something in the oven and sit down for FIVE minutes without someone calling your name.

We lean on these recipes when life is full and our patience is thin—on workdays, school nights, or the weekends when we just want a break.

So if you’re craving something low-effort and still delicious, you’re in the right place.

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12 Dinner Ideas with 5 Ingredients or Less

These recipes are the kind of meals you can throw together when your brain’s running on fumes and your grocery haul is looking… let’s just say minimal.

We’ve kept things super SIMPLE—just 5 ingredients or less, nothing fancy, and definitely no hard-to-pronounce spices you’ll use once and forget in the back of the pantry.

Think of these as your dinner lifelines.

They’re real food, real fast, and totally doable—even if you’re balancing homework help, a toddler climbing the kitchen stool, and your own rumbling stomach.

Let’s get into it—you might already have everything you need to make the first one tonight.

1

thecookierookie.com

4 Ingredient Pesto Baked Rigatoni Recipe – (VIDEO!!)

"Baked rigatoni is a quick and easy weeknight meal. Simple and easy to make with just 4 ingredients, this dish in on the table in just 30 minutes."

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2

eatingwell.com

Creamy Chicken & Mushrooms

"This healthy creamy chicken recipe is delicious with any mushrooms you have on hand. Serve over whole-wheat pasta for an easy dinner."

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3

ifoodreal.com

Broiled Thai Sweet Chili Salmon

"Broiled Thai Salmon with easy homemade Thai sweet chili sauce cooked until caramelized on top and juicy inside. The best salmon recipe ever!"

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4

foodandwine.com

Chicken Caprese Salad Recipe

"The seasoned oil from mini mozzarella balls does double-duty as a marinade and a dressing in this simple recipe for a Caprese-style bocconcini salad."

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5

hellospoonful.com

Crockpot Tex Mex Chicken

"This crockpot tex mex chicken recipe is bursting with flavor and made using only five ingredients. Perfect for meal prep, office lunches and dinner parties."

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6

camillestyles.com

These Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

"If you’re looking for an easy dinner to make in a pinch, then this is it. This five-Ingredient Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe is your new weeknight go-to."

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7

togetherasfamily.com

Slow Cooker Asian Sesame Chicken

"Easy Sesame Chicken is made in the slow cooker with only 4 ingredients! Asian sesame chicken is a delicious dinner that is so simple and quick to prepare."

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8

hostthetoast.com

Breaded Lemon Chicken

"5 Ingredient Breaded Lemon Chicken. This citrusy, bright chicken takes just minutes to make and only a handful of ingredients. You’re going to love it for busy workweek dinners!"

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9

withsaltandwit.com

Caprese Quinoa Bake

"This 5 Ingredient Caprese Quinoa Bake Recipe is a dinner time savor! It requires no prior cooking, filled with gooey cheese, quinoa, turkey meatballs and fresh basil. It freezes wonderfully so make two!"

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10

thechiclife.com

Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe

"Want a healthy recipe but feeling lazy? With just a couple ingredients and very little effort, you can enjoy this delicious Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe."

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11

sincerelyjean.com

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

"This 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken recipe is delicious and so simple to make! You can make it ahead of time in your slow cooker."

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12

twopeasandtheirpod.com

Skillet Gnocchi Recipe

"5-Ingredient Skillet Gnocchi-You Only Need 5 Ingredients To Make This Easy And Cheesy Gnocchi Recipe. It Is The Perfect Dinner Recipe For Busy Weeknights!"

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