Looking for main dish meals that are easy to prepare? These 5 ingredient dinner recipes are a lifesaver when you’re busy. You won’t need to fill up your grocery cart to make these recipes.

A collage labeled 5 Ingredient Dinners shows macaroni and cheese, baked salmon, mini pizzas, and a pulled pork sandwich.
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Many of you have expressed frustration about having to cook after getting home from a long day at work. It’s 5:30, everyone is hungry, maybe even “hangry,” and there’s an urgent need to get dinner on the table, pronto. You really don’t want to face a recipe with a laundry list of ingredients that even a well-stocked pantry can’t supply!

Check out this collection of 5 ingredient (or less!) recipes and hopefully, make your life a little simpler. Happy cooking!

5 Ingredient Dinner Recipes

Lots of great choices! You’ll find everything from sloppy Joe sandwiches to squash soup. Look for healthy recipes, like stuffed portobello mushrooms, or pizza chicken. Be sure to try the slow cooker green enchilada soup which you can make in the morning. Dump five ingredients into the slow cooker, and it’s ready when you get home.

Something for everyone. You’ll find kid-friendly meals, vegetarian meals, healthy dinners, air fryer recipes, and more.

A short shopping list. Check your pantry and refrigeratory first because you may already have everything you need! Add any ingredients you need to your shopping list; I guarantee it will be a short list!

Whole food ingredients. Many super fast recipes use ready-made products, like canned soups and instant potatoes. I promise you, these recipes don’t include lots of ultra-processed ingredients.

Crockpot bbq chicken on a bun.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe

5 from 3 votes
Crockpot BBQ chicken is irresistible and a real crowd-pleaser! With only 3 ingredients, it's super easy to make.
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image of chicken topped with cheese and pepperoni in a baking dish

Pizza Chicken

4.41 from 61 votes
This easy five ingredient, one-pan pizza chicken is a weeknight lifesaver. It's a crowd-pleasing dinner! 
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A skillet of one pan spaghetti topped with melted cheese, garnished with basil, sits on a light surface with a slice of bread nearby.

One Pan Spaghetti

5 from 1 vote
One pan spaghetti cooks the pasta right in the meat sauce for an easy weeknight dinner. You only need 4 ingredients to make it!
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Baked Italian sausage with peppers and onions, partially sliced.

Baked Italian Sausage

4.43 from 14 votes
With only a few minutes of prep, you can have baked Italian sausage ready for pairing with a simple side. Flavorful, customizable, and oh-so-easy!
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Crockpot ham sliced and on a platter.

Crockpot Ham with Maple Dijon Sauce

4.82 from 11 votes
Whether you’re entertaining or just looking for an easy dinner with great leftovers, crockpot ham is the answer. Hands-off and delicious!
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Slow cooker corned beef with carrots, potatoes, cabbage.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

4.84 from 6 votes
Slow cooker corned beef and cabbage is the perfect meal for St. Patrick's Day or any time you want an easy, delicious meal all cooked in one pot.
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Honey balsamic chicken thigh on plate with broccoli and rice.

Honey Balsamic Chicken

4.67 from 3 votes
Honey balsamic chicken thighs are simple to make and the whole family will love their great flavor. The sauce is amazing!
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Creamy and flavorful, this green chile macaroni and cheese will change the way you think about macaroni and cheese! There's no need to make a roux, so it's one of the easiest things you can make, too! Get the easy vegetarian recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Green Chile Mac and Cheese

4.53 from 40 votes
Creamy and flavorful, this green chile macaroni and cheese will change the way you think about macaroni and cheese! There’s no need to make a roux, so it’s one of the easiest things you can make, too!
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Overhead view of a small white bowl of instant pot mac and cheese with broccoli. Two other bowls are partially visible.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Broccoli

5 from 2 votes
What's not to like about creamy Instant Pot mac and cheese with broccoli? With only five ingredients and made in only one pan, you can serve delicious homemade mac and cheese in just over a half hour!
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Overhead view of english muffin pizzas on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

English Muffin Pizzas

5 from 2 votes
With a simple English muffin and any toppings you like, English muffin pizzas are great for a really quick dinner, lunch, or healthy snack. Kids love them!
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Air fryer bagel bites topped with pepperoni and cheese, on a white plate.

Air Fryer Bagel Bites

5 from 1 vote
Homemade air fryer bagel bites are so much better than store-bought and because you’re making them yourself, the topping possibilities are endless!
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Salmon on a white plate with lemon slices and fresh dill.

Lemon Salmon Recipe

4.49 from 27 votes
This easy baked lemon salmon with dill is super flavorful and ridiculously easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes!
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Grilled salmon in foil, topped with chives.

Grilled Salmon in Foil with Garlic Butter

4.45 from 9 votes
Take the heat out of the kitchen by making grilled salmon in foil. Enjoy packets of savory juicy salmon slathered in garlicky butter and sprinkled with fresh chives, steamed to perfection on your grill.
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Four glazed salmon fillets in an air fryer basket, cooked to a golden brown.

Air Fryer Salmon

4.51 from 55 votes
Don't wait to try air fryer salmon! Lightly crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, you love this easy cooking method. Perfect salmon in just 10 minutes. 
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Two servings of stuffed mushrooms on cutting board, garnished with chopped parsley.

Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms

4.50 from 26 votes
Chicken Parmesan stuffed portobello mushrooms are a quick, healthy, and easy meal for busy weeknights.
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Sheet pan breakfast tostada with tomatoes, jalapeno, radish.

Sheet Pan Breakfast Tostadas

4.67 from 3 votes
Sheet pan breakfast tostadas are a step away from ordinary, with crunchy corn tortillas, sharp cheddar cheese, eggs, and salsa verde all baked on a sheet pan. Enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
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Egg salad sandwich with lettuce on whole grain bread, served on a plate with pretzels.

Egg Salad Sandwiches

5 from 3 votes
Enjoy this classic egg salad recipe as a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner. Includes a couple of no-mayo options!
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An easy weeknight meal that they whole family will love! This Skillet Gnocchi with Chicken and Tomato Sauce will be a new favorite one-pan meal! Get the easy recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Skillet Gnocchi with Chicken and Tomato Sauce

4.50 from 2 votes
Cozy and comforting, this skillet gnocchi with chicken and tomato sauce is on your table in under 30 minutes — perfect for busy nights!
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Overhead view of homemade hot pockets, one being pulled apart to show filling.

Homemade Hot Pockets

4.75 from 20 votes
Homemade hot pockets are a fun alternative to pizza night and they also are a fun surprise in lunch boxes. Get the kids involved in making this easy recipe, too!
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Overhead view of pizza quesadilla, cut into wedges.

Pizza Quesadilla

5 from 3 votes
This pizza quesadilla recipe is every busy parents' dream! A kid-friendly lunch or dinner option filled with melty mozzarella, pizza sauce, and pepperoni, this easy recipe is ready to be devoured in just 10 minutes.
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Three chicken tacos topped with lettuce and tomatoes.

Crockpot Chicken Tacos – 3 ingredients!

4.67 from 6 votes
Slow cooker shredded chicken that only takes 3 ingredients. Easy, versatile and delicious.
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Overhead of white soup bowls containing chicken enchilada soup with garnishes.

Slow Cooker Green Enchilada Soup

4.43 from 47 votes
Switch up your chicken soup routine with this easy and flavorful green enchilada soup. This recipe is super easy, and everyone loves it. Make it on the stove if you don't have time for a slow cooker.
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Close-up of a stack of baked egg muffins with a golden-brown top, featuring visible pieces of ham and cheese.

Egg Muffins

4.23 from 49 votes
Egg muffins are perfect for breakfast or “breakfast for dinner”! Make a double batch of egg muffins for easy meals all week long.
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Three egg white muffins with melted cheese and visible broccoli pieces are arranged on a white plate, surrounded by ingredients and kitchen items on a light countertop.

Egg White Muffins

5 from 5 votes
What's better than a healthy breakfast that is ready when you are and portable? You’ll love these freezer-friendly protein-packed egg white muffins for busy weekdays!
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Cottage cheese scrambled eggs garnished with chives, served with sliced avocado and toasted bread on a speckled plate.

Cottage Cheese Eggs

5 from 1 vote
Not only are these cottage cheese eggs the creamiest you’ll ever eat, they’re also packed with protein! You’ll love that they’re easy enough for a weekday breakfast too.
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Sheet pan eggs served on a plate with fresh peaches.

Sheet Pan Eggs

5 from 2 votes
Use your oven to make the easiest ever scrambled eggs! Sheet pan eggs are perfect for a big crowd or for quick breakfasts all week. Enjoy them on hot buttered toast, English muffins, or biscuits.
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A piece of toast with a cooked egg in the center, garnished with chopped chives, served on a white plate with a toasted bread circle on the side.

Eggs in a Basket

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Eggs in a basket is a simple savory breakfast that combines toast and eggs into a single convenient package. This fun breakfast idea has universal appeal! 
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Egg White Breakfast Bake with Spiralized Sweet Potato and Spinach is simple to make, colorful, and the perfect make-ahead breakfast! Get the healthy breakfast recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Egg White Breakfast Bake with Sweet Potato and Spinach

4.47 from 13 votes
Egg white breakfast bake with sweet potato and spinach is easy to make, nutritious, and the perfect make-ahead breakfast!
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4 Comments

  1. Jeanne Gray says:

    I’m going to try the sloppy joes first. I’m a pescatarian, (I don’t know if that’s spelled right!) but love hamburger recipes. There are so many good hamburger plant substitutes on the market it’s not a problem. Thank you so much for sending these! I’m still going to make the egg salad tomorrow!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      That’s a great idea! I hope you love these recipes!

  2. Roy maduma says:

    Hi
    I like all the recipes but my favorite the vegetarian