21 5-Ingredient (Or Less) Recipes

Introduction

Craving home-cooked meals that deliver on flavor without complicated grocery lists? These 21 5-Ingredient (Or Less) Recipes are the perfect answer. Each dish is crafted to maximize taste while minimizing effort, so you can enjoy fresh, simple plates any night of the week—no culinary degree required. Whether you’re short on time, looking to save on your grocery bill, or just want low-effort meal planning, these recipes promise big rewards with little shopping and prep.

Why 5-Ingredient Recipes Are a Game Changer

Simplicity is powerful. With just five ingredients or fewer, you streamline shopping, reduce kitchen clutter, and still create impressive meals. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, spontaneous gatherings, or anyone looking to eat well without endless pantry staples. Plus, fewer ingredients often means a cleaner, more defined flavor profile and a quick clean-up after dinner.

21 5-Ingredient (Or Less) Recipes to Try

Here are 21 delicious options that keep things simple without sacrificing flavor:

1. **Creamy Pesto Pasta** – Toss hot pasta with store-bought pesto, a splash of cream, and top with Parmesan.
2. **Oven-Baked Chicken Breast** – Season chicken breasts, drizzle with olive oil, and bake with lemon slices.
3. **Garlic Shrimp Skillet** – Sauté shrimp in butter with minced garlic and finish with fresh parsley.
4. **Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese** – Layer sliced tomatoes and basil between bread and mozzarella, then grill.
5. **Broiled Salmon with Dill** – Brush salmon with olive oil, sprinkle with dill, and broil until flaky.
6. **Egg Fried Rice** – Stir-fry leftover rice with eggs, green onions, and soy sauce.
7. **Cheesy Bean Quesadillas** – Fill tortillas with beans and cheese, fold, and pan-grill till golden.
8. **Honey-Glazed Carrots** – Roast carrots with honey, salt, and a touch of butter.
9. **Yogurt Parfait** – Layer Greek yogurt with berries and granola.
10. **Sausage & Peppers Sheet Pan** – Arrange sliced sausage and bell peppers, toss with olive oil, and roast.
11. **Steak & Arugula Salad** – Top arugula with sliced steak, a drizzle of balsamic, and shaved Parmesan.
12. **Caprese Skewers** – Thread mozzarella, tomato, and basil onto skewers, then drizzle with balsamic glaze.
13. **Chickpea Curry** – Simmer canned chickpeas with coconut milk, curry paste, and spinach.
14. **Spicy Sriracha Noodles** – Toss cooked noodles with Sriracha, soy sauce, and green onions.
15. **Peanut Butter Banana Toast** – Spread peanut butter on toasted bread, top with banana slices, and a drizzle of honey.
16. **Breakfast Burritos** – Fill tortillas with scrambled eggs, cheese, and salsa.
17. **Baked Tilapia with Lemon** – Place tilapia fillets in a baking dish, top with lemon slices, season, and bake.
18. **Stuffed Sweet Potatoes** – Bake sweet potatoes and stuff with black beans and salsa.
19. **Spinach & Feta Omelette** – Fill an omelette with fresh spinach and crumbled feta.
20. **Asian Cucumber Salad** – Toss sliced cucumbers with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes.
21. **3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse** – Whip together chocolate chips, cream, and a touch of vanilla.

💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save all your favorite 5-ingredient recipes in one place. CookifyAI automatically generates an organized shopping list, sorting all ingredients by store section for the easiest grocery trip ever. No more forgotten essentials—or wasted time wandering the aisles!

Instructions

Each recipe follows the same principle: minimal prep, simple steps, and quick assembly. For instance, in the Garlic Shrimp Skillet, you heat butter and garlic, add shrimp, season, and cook for a few minutes until pink. In the Chickpea Curry, combine chickpeas, coconut milk, and curry paste in a pot and simmer until creamy. The time you spend is rewarded with maximum flavor—and very little stress.

Weekly Meal Planning

Using 5-ingredient recipes makes meal planning even more efficient. With CookifyAI, you can schedule these recipes across your week, and the app will automatically calculate ingredient quantities and generate a smart grocery list.

**Planning Benefits:**

– Minimize food waste with precise ingredient amounts
– Shopping lists combine recurring ingredients, so you always know the exact quantity to buy
– Grocery lists organized by store section for the fastest, most efficient trip
– No more duplicated pantry staples or midweek store runs

Pro tip: Plan your 5-ingredient recipes for the week in CookifyAI; you’ll see instantly if chicken, eggs, or tomatoes appear multiple times, so you can buy just the right amount and keep your meal routine super streamlined.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 5 to 15 minutes (per recipe)
Cook Time: 10 to 30 minutes (per recipe)
Total Time: Most recipes can be on the table in 20 to 35 minutes, start to finish.

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These 21 5-Ingredient (Or Less) Recipes are your ticket to delicious, stress-free cooking all week long—no overstuffed grocery cart required.