Yes, you can make dinner and dessert with 5 ingredients or less.
Whether you are short on time, funds, or you have a limited selection at your grocery store, there can be many benefits to a menu that is full of flavor without all the hustle and bustle.
Below are some delicious savory dinners and sweet desserts that will have your mouth watering. These recipes are tried and tested and they do include affiliate links. If an item is purchased, there may be an affiliate commission.
With that in mind, enjoy these fast and scrumptious recipes!
Basic Ingredients Every Kitchen Should Have
Below is a list of very basic ingredients and food items that every kitchen should have. These are inexpensive products that can be used in 100s of dishes. They are also inexpensive and easy to obtain.
If there is ever a worse scenario where food is harder to come by, you will want these in your pantry. Plus, these ingredients are in many of the simple recipes listed below.
Flour - If you have flour at home, then you can make an almost endless number of desserts. There are many different varieties of flour and they all add something different to your after-dinner treat.
Seasonings - When you have a dinner with minimal ingredients, or you want to add a flavor punch, then include these basic seasonings. All can be bought online.
Cooking Oil - The right oil adds flavor in addition to health benefits to your simple family dinners. There are a wide variety of oils from standard vegetable oil to avocado oil.
Herbs - The right herbs can add a touch of flavor to your recipe, especially when it is one with few ingredients. Each one adds its own personal touch.
Rosemary - Rosemary adds a lemon-pine flavor to pizza and pork.
Thyme - Add a lemony taste and provides vitamin C.
Sage - Great with turkey and dressing. Also helps with digestive problems.
Basil - Basil adds a flavorful punch to almost any pasta or sauce.
Oregano - The ideal spark for the best pasta, poultry, and seafood.
Mint - Mint is a great addition to ice cream.
Proteins - Every good dinner has a protein. So you will want to have these basics in your refrigerator:
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Family Meals
It may seem hard to believe, but there is an almost endless number of family dinners that you can make with limited ingredients. The following 5 recipes have something for everyone.
1. Cheesy Garlic Broccoli
This is a gooey dish that will satisfy adults and kids. All it takes is broccoli, cheddar cheese, and garlic, and you have an easy dinner.
You can see the recipe here.
2. Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches
This unique dish will have your family buzzing for days, especially because all it takes is pork shoulder, a bit of BBQ sauce and root beer, of which there are many available varieties.
You can see the recipe here.
3. Steak with Crispy Parmesan Potatoes
As the name suggests, this very homespun recipe adds a great spin to the potato dish and includes everyone’s favorite: steak!
You can see the recipe here.
4. Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Don’t worry if the instant Mac & Cheese is not on the shelves. You can make your own with elbow pasta, milk, and cheddar cheese.
You can see the recipe here.
5. Three-Ingredient Chili
With ground beef, a can of chili beans, and diced tomatoes, you can make delicious chili just like mom used to make, and it’s fast!
You can see the recipe here.
Chicken Dishes
As one of the most versatile yet tasty proteins, chicken never goes out of style, and if you have some at home, a few extra ingredients could lead to a new family favorite.
1. Chicken With Herbed Potatoes
With a few potatoes, a bit of rosemary, and a whole chicken, you can make this wholesome meal that will feed your hungry family.
You can see the recipe here.
2. Teriyaki Chicken
Yes, you can make your own delicious Teriyaki Chicken with less than 3 ingredients. All you need is chicken, soy sauce, and brown sugar!
You can see the recipe here.
3. Curry Grilled Chicken Wings
This is one of the best restaurant-quality chicken dishes you will see with under 5 ingredients. Chicken, yogurt, and some seasonings will make a happy family.
You can see the recipe here.
4. Apple Juice Chicken
This amazingly unique chicken recipe literally only takes 4 common ingredients. With chicken, apple juice and salt and pepper, you will make a new crowd favorite.
You can see the recipe here.
Desserts
Here is where your flour comes in handy.
After you have had your simple yet delicious entree, follow it up with a classic dessert. Do it just right, and your whole entire meal could be done with 6 total ingredients!
1. Homemade Butterfingers
Make candy bars better than those you find at the store with this tasty recipe that only requires peanut butter, any kind of chocolate, and that candy corn that you still have in the pantry.
You can see the recipe here,
2. Cookies and Ice Cream Pie
Using any brand of sandwich cookie, chocolate, and your choice of ice cream, you can make this delicious pie that few can resist.
You can see the recipe here.
3. Cinnamon-Sugar Twists
This is an incredibly tasty, yet incredibly simple dessert that turns puffed pastry and ground cinnamon into a masterpiece.
You can see the recipe here.
4. Nutella Brownies
There is bound to be Nutella on the shelves, and you can use it along with eggs and flour to make gooey brownies that will delight the kids.
You can see the recipe here.
Cookbooks and Other Fast Recipes
For even more very quick and very delicious recipes, check out these cook books. They have hundreds of recipes that can be made in minutes and with minimal ingredients.
Best of all, they are available as e-books, so you can bring your tablet into the kitchen and cook without the need of a heavy book. (physical copies also available)
The Simple Kitchen: Quick and Easy Recipes Bursting With Flavor - Easy to follow recipes that use minimal ingredients.
5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Food - Professional chef Jamie Oliver shares his recipes that use only 5 ingredients.
The Best Simple Recipes - Over 200 recipes that take less than 30 minutes and minimal ingredients.
The Easy Italian Cookbook - Fast Recipes Italian Style.
The 4-Ingredient Diabetes Cookbook - More very quick recipes but for those living with diabetes.
Wrap Up and Final Notes
Keep in mind that these delicious dinners and desserts can be enjoyed all year round. Even when the grocery stores are bursting with food, it doesn’t mean that you need to overspend to feed your family.
Try the recipes on this list, add your own flair if you choose to do so, and have a fun and tasty family dinner.
Comments