19 Five-Ingredient Dinners That Almost Feel Too Easy

Dinner doesn’t need to be a whole production, and it definitely doesn’t need a long grocery list. Five ingredients are more than enough to make a meal that actually tastes great without spending an hour chopping, stirring, and second-guessing the recipe. These dinners keep it simple, fast, and to the point, because nobody has time for 12-step cooking on a weeknight.

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi

This is the kind of meal that makes you question why you ever made dinner the hard way. One pan, 30 minutes, and just five ingredients get you a creamy, hearty dish that feels like real cooking without the real effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Gnocchi

Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

When you’re too hungry to wait but still want something great, this pesto tortellini pasta salad delivers. It’s fast, fresh, and ridiculously easy to throw together—because pasta salad shouldn’t be complicated.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

Basil Pesto Pasta with Broccoli and Mushrooms

Dump in some pasta, toss in broccoli and mushrooms, and stir in pesto. That’s it. No chopping 20 different things, no standing over the stove forever—just a great meal in no time.
Get the Recipe: Basil Pesto Pasta with Broccoli and Mushrooms

Air Fryer Pork Chops

The air fryer does all the work here, and the result is pork chops with a crispy outside and juicy inside. No breading, no mess, just a straight-to-the-point, five-ingredient dinner that actually tastes great.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air Fryer Lamb Chops

Fancy enough to feel like you tried, but easy enough that you barely did. These lamb chops cook in under 30 minutes with almost no effort, making them perfect for a weeknight meal that doesn’t feel rushed.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Lamb Chops

Caprese Pasta Salad

This one is basically summer in a bowl. Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil get tossed with pasta for a light, fast, and fresh meal that works as a side or a main when you don’t feel like cooking much.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad

Creamy Courgette Pasta with Pancetta

Five ingredients, zero cream, and still somehow a creamy pasta? That’s the magic of courgettes and pancetta. It’s rich, fast, and exactly the kind of dinner that makes life easier.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Courgette Pasta with Pancetta

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

The easiest way to turn chicken into something way more interesting. Stuffed sweet potatoes keep things simple while packing in big flavor with just five ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Spaghetti with No-Cook Lemon Parmesan Sauce

This might be the lowest effort pasta dish you’ll ever make. No cooking the sauce, no complicated steps—just mix, toss, and eat. Perfect for when dinner needs to happen now.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with No-Cook Lemon Parmesan Sauce

Mushroom Pasta

Mushrooms bring the flavor, and the pasta does the rest. No fancy ingredients, no weird steps—just a great, five-ingredient meal that comes together in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Pasta

Miso Butter Noodles

When you want something better than plain pasta but can’t deal with a long recipe, this one’s got your back. Miso and butter make a perfect sauce, and it’s ready before you can even think about ordering takeout.
Get the Recipe: Miso Butter Noodles

Pasta alla Pizzaiola

This is pasta, but make it pizza-flavored. Tomatoes, garlic, and herbs give it all the best pizza vibes in the easiest way possible. Five ingredients, no extra steps, just straight-up flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Pizzaiola

Cajun Blackened Chicken Cutlets

Chicken cutlets get a bold Cajun kick with a spice rub that takes about 10 seconds to mix. Quick, fiery, and straight to the point—because dinner shouldn’t be a project.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Blackened Chicken Cutlets

Lemon Dill Salmon

Five ingredients, one pan, and less than 20 minutes. That’s all it takes to get a bright, flavorful salmon dinner that goes perfectly with whatever you have in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Dill Salmon

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Cheese, pasta, and black pepper are all you really need. This classic dish proves that simple is great, and it’s ready in the time it takes to cook pasta.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Grilled Chicken Alfredo

This is the shortcut version of a classic. Grilled chicken and a creamy sauce make a fast, easy dinner that feels a little fancy without actually being fancy at all.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Alfredo

The Best Creamy 5-Ingredient One Pot Hummus Pasta

Hummus makes this pasta extra creamy without needing anything complicated. Five ingredients, one pot, and somehow, it still feels like a real meal.
Get the Recipe: The Best Creamy 5-Ingredient One Pot Hummus Pasta

Bucatini Pomodoro

Tomatoes, pasta, and a little seasoning—that’s all it takes to get a fresh, easy dinner that comes together in no time. This is one of those meals that makes you wonder why you ever needed more ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Pomodoro

Creamy Baked Ziti

Five ingredients, one dish, and zero extra effort. This baked ziti is cheesy, creamy, and straight to the point, making it perfect for when you need something filling without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Baked Ziti