20 Best Five-Ingredient Meals to Simplify Your Supper
Reduce the shopping list, not the flavor!
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Simplicity is key...especially on those busy weeknights when even throwing a frozen entreé in the oven sounds like a drag! Between all the chopping, baking, broiling, and plating, it can sometimes feel tedious to get dinner on the table. But at the same time, there's nothing like a home-cooked meal after a long day! That's where these five-ingredient recipes come in. Excluding salt, pepper, cooking oil, and butter, the quick breakfast recipes, lunch ideas, and easy dinners on this list are made with five simple ingredients or less. And don't get it twisted—having a short grocery list doesn't mean your meal will be short on flavor! With a focus on key ingredients, like hearty meats, flavor-enhancing spices, and cheesy finishes, these five-ingredient meals are as easy to make as they are to eat.
If you're looking to keep hungry family members satisfied, you'll be happy to see recipes like Ree Drummond's pan-fried ribeye steak and roast chicken, which call for only a few minimal spices. There are also plenty of meatless recipes for those looking for a lighter lunch or dinner, like Caprese salad which would pair perfectly with the simple pasta recipes ahead. Fettuccine Alfredo, anyone?
And these five-ingredient meals aren't just limited to dinnertime; there are even a couple of recipes to start your day with, too! Take Ree's individual sausage casseroles, which are almost easy enough to make half-asleep. Regardless of which recipe you choose, you're bound to find something that matches both your energy and appetite levels!
Cacio e Pepe Ravioli
You've heard about cacio e pepe pasta, but how about the ravioli version? Despite using stuffed ravioli rather than simple noodles, this recipe is just as easy as the original. All you need is cheese or mushroom ravioli, butter, grated pecorino romano cheese, pepper, and heavy cream.
Get Ree's Cacio e Pepe Ravioli recipe.
Caprese Salad
This easy appetizer is tasty enough to serve as a meal on its own! It's one of Ree's favorites for good reason: it's chock full of juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar, and fragrant basil.
Get Ree's Caprese Salad recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
This juicy, grilled shrimp recipe requires minimal ingredients to yield lots of flavor. The shrimp is coated in lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper and then grilled to perfection for an easy and protein-forward starter or main.
Get the Grilled Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Pan-Fried Ribeye Steak
One of the best parts about steak is the minimal prep work required, and this ribeye recipe is no exception! Just rub the meat in seasoning salt, lemon and pepper seasoning, kosher salt, and lots of black pepper, then cook it on a skillet until medium rare.
Get Ree's Pan-Fried Ribeye Steak recipe.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Once you learn how quick and easy it is to make fettuccine alfredo at home, you'll never look back! This creamy pasta calls for only a handful of simple ingredients: fettuccine noodles, butter, heavy cream, freshly grated parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
Get Ree's Fettuccine Alfredo recipe.
Sausage and Peppers
If you're looking for a low-effort meal, simply fire up your grill and grab your favorite protein! This recipe calls for mild or hot Italian sausage or bratwurst and peppers, which are charred on the grill for an easy and flavorful feast.
Get the Sausage and Peppers recipe.
Eggs Florentine
Sure, you could make eggs and toast with just the two ingredients. Or, you could add spinach, hollandaise sauce, and parmesan to the mix for an elevated eggy brunch!
Get the Eggs Florentine recipe.
Baked Salmon
Salmon doesn't need much for its juicy flavor to shine through! In this recipe, the fish fillets are coated in a simple marinade of mustard, honey, lemon juice, and olive oil before being placed in the oven.
Get the Baked Salmon recipe.
Cucumber Salad
With this simple salad recipe under your belt, you'll be cool as a cucumber come mealtime. It features thinly sliced cucumbers and red onion coated in a tangy dressing.
Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.
Roast Chicken
Winner, winner chicken dinner! You're only five ingredients away from a juicy roast chicken covered in crispy skin. This main course only needs lemons, rosemary, butter, salt, and pepper to shine.
Get Ree's Roast Chicken recipe.
Lemon Pasta
Simplicity is key in many pasta recipes, including this vibrant, lemon-loaded dish. The zippy lemon flavor is enhanced with a few household ingredients, like garlic, parmesan, basil, and red pepper flakes.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
Tomato Sandwich
When tomatoes are in season, you don't need much more than salt and pepper to enjoy the juicy produce! But if you did want to take it to the next level, sandwich them between pillowy white bread with chopped fresh basil leaves and garlic aioli.
Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.
Dill Pickle Pizza
This tangy take on pizza calls for refrigerated pizza dough, ranch, shredded mozzarella, white cheddar, and halved dill pickle chips for an easy, cheesy meal. It's almost as easy as calling in delivery!
Get Ree's Dill Pickle Pizza recipe.
Potato Skins
You may think of potatoes as a side, but when they're loaded with bacon, cheddar, green onions, and sour cream, they make a full-on, five-ingredient meal!
Get Ree's Potato Skins recipe.
Buffalo Wings
There's no need to buy store-bought wing sauce when you have a little Frank's Red Hot and Tabasco on hand! When combined with melted butter, the two hot sauces make the perfect buffalo wingman.
Get Ree's Buffalo Wings recipe.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
This five-ingredient recipe is made even easier with the air-fryer. Just coat two slices of sourdough in mayo and mustard, sprinkle the two types of cheeses in between, and air fry the sandwich until crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
Get the Air Fryer Grilled Cheese recipe.
Creamy Tortellini Soup
Thanks to store-bought cheese tortellini and frozen veggies, this comforting soup is as easy to make as it is to eat. The stuffed pasta, peas, and carrots are added to a creamy broth made of heavy cream and chicken or vegetable broth.
Get Ree's Creamy Tortellini Soup recipe.
Pan-Fried Pork Chops
This recipe can be made in just 15 minutes with a handful of ingredients! Pork chops are seasoned simply with salt and pepper before being coated in flour and pan-fried to perfection in a butter-oil mixture.
Get Ree's Pan-Fried Pork Chops recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Chili Butter
This recipe is heavy on flavor and low on effort! All you have to do is wrap scallops in bacon, attach them to a skewer, and bake for 20 minutes. The remaining three ingredients are melted butter, chili powder, and cayenne, which come together to make a spicy sauce that's drizzled over the dish.
Get Ree's Bacon-Wrapped Scallops recipe.
Individual Sausage Casseroles
This Drummond family favorite breakfast calls for only a few ingredients: breakfast sausage, onion, eggs, bell peppers, and cheddar cheese. They're combined and baked in a muffin pan for individually-portioned, protein-packed morning delights!
Get Ree's Individual Sausage Casseroles recipe.
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