17 5-Ingredient Dinners To Make on Repeat

It's hard to believe that with just 5 ingredients (or less!), you can have a satisfying dinner.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

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Updated April 24, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
4-ingredient ravioli lasagna lifted from a casserole dish using a spatula

Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn

These recipes prove that just because you use fewer ingredients, doesn't mean you have to skimp on flavor. After trying just one of these 5-ingredient dinners, I'm sure you'll be hooked! Every single one of them is a fun, quick, easy, and economical answer to the question each one of us asks ourselves every night, "What's for dinner?"

As you browse and save your favorites for later, don't forget to read through the helpful tips and tricks from our editors and contributors!

  • Italian Pasta Salad

    5-ingredient pasta salad in a bowl with serving utensils

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    Simply Recipes Recipe Developers Julie and Amy Luxemberg say, "There are many ways to customize this pasta salad if you want to take it beyond the 5 ingredients. Add chopped kalamata olives or capers for extra briny flavor; white beans, chickpeas, or shredded chicken for protein."

  • Turkey Taco Bowls

    Plate of 5-ingredient turkey taco bowl at a table setting with a glass of water, bowl of lime wedges, and a fork on a table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

    Simply Recipes Recipe Developer Liv Danksy says, "For our vegetarian friends, we love draining extra-firm tofu, grating it on the large holes of a box grater, and sauteing it in a pan! The resulting texture is very similar to ground turkey."

  • Lemony Zucchini Pasta

    5-ingredient zucchini pasta in a pot with a wooden spoon

    Simply Recipes / Grace Elkus

    Simply Recipes Contributor Grace Elkus says, "The recipe begins brilliantly: grate two pounds of zucchini, cook it down until it becomes wonderfully thick and spreadable, then toss it with a pound of pasta"

  • Brown Butter and Sage Linguine

    5-ingredient pasta

    Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn

    Simply Recipes News Editor Myo Quinn says, "You can make this brown butter pasta in 15 minutes if you work smart. Cooking the pasta takes the longest, so here’s what you do: Set the pot of water over high heat with a lid on—I promise you the lid helps the water boil faster. Move on to making the brown butter sauce. When the water starts boiling while you make the sauce, drop the pasta in. If the sauce is ready before the pasta is done cooking, simply take it off the heat."

    Continue to 5 of 17 below

  • Cheesy Corn Bake

    Corn casserole

    Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn

    Simply Recipes News Editor Myo Quinn says, "I prefer pepper Jack for its sharpness, spice, and flavor. Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or part-skim mozzarella are good alternatives."

  • Gingery, Garlicky Ground Beef

    Ground Beef with Rice

    Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn

    Simply Recipes News Editor Myo Quinn says, "I keep whole ginger in the freezer and grate just what I need for cooking. Frozen ginger is easier and safer to grate than fresh because the fibers don't get stuck on the blades. You don't need to peel the ginger and can grate it right over the wok."

  • Chili Crisp Chicken Salad

    Chili crisp chicken salad in a bowl

    Simply Recipes / Sheela Prakash

    Simply Recipes Contributor Sheela Prakash says, "This chicken salad puts chili crisp front and center, so you definitely want to use one you love the taste of. There are so many different jars out there, these days but my favorite is the Sichuan Chili Crisp from Fly By Jing. Alternatively, it’s pretty easy and fun to make your own."

  • Easy Pasta Bake

    My family's 5-ingredient pasta bake

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    Simply Recipes Contributor Sara Haas says, "Since the pasta will be cooked twice, it’s better to slightly undercook it during its initial boil. Check it two minutes before you expect it to be done to determine texture. It should still be a little hard."

    Continue to 9 of 17 below

  • Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini With Wilted Greens

    Skillet Cacio e Pepe Tortellini With Wilted Greens in a Pot With a Serving Spoon, All on a White Kitchen Towel on the Counter, and Next to It, a Bowl of Cracked Pepper, a Glass of Water, and a Block of Pecorino Romani Cheese

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Simply Recipes Contributor Sheela Prakash says, "Since easy is the name of the game for this skillet dinner, I like to use baby kale or spinach. Both come pre-washed and wilted in just a minute or two under the heat of the pasta. If you want to turn the volume up on the pepperiness even further, you can also try baby or regular arugula."

  • Midnight Pasta

    bowl of midnight pasta at a table with a drink, a table napkin, and utensils

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    Simply Recipes Contributor Sheela Prakash says, "If you’re truly anchovy-averse or want to make this pasta vegetarian or vegan, swap the anchovies with a tablespoon of capers, a generous handful of pitted, chopped olives (buttery green Casteveltranos are especially nice), or some chopped marinated or canned artichokes. Use an additional 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the recipe."

  • 4-Ingredient Mediterranean Salmon

    4-ingredient mediterranean salmon on a platter next to a bowl of lemon wedges and a glass of wine

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Simply Recipes Contributor Sheela Prakash says, "Either fresh or frozen salmon can be used in this recipe. If using frozen salmon, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before cooking."

  • Linguine With Tuna and Capers

    Linguine with tuna and capers on a plate at a table setting with a bowl of parsley, a denim table napkin, salt and pepper shakers, and a glass of water

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

    Simply Recipes Recipe Developer Julia Levy says, "I love the Tonnino tuna in jars. If you can find them, use them here! You may need to add less olive oil to the recipe, as the jars have more oil in them than cans do."

    Continue to 13 of 17 below

  • Crispy Chicken With Zucchini and Shallots

    crispy chicken thighs with zucchini and shallots in a dutch oven

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

    Simply Recipes Senior Editor Laurel Randolph says, "For incredibly crispy and delicious chicken thighs, don’t crank up the heat—medium is where it’s at. The long cook time helps to render out the fat more evenly, yielding crispy goodness."

  • Ravioli Lasagna

    4-ingredient ravioli lasagna lifted from a casserole dish using a spatula

    Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn

    Simply Recipes Contributor Meghan Splawn says, "So much of this dish’s flavor is built at the grocery store. My family loves Rao’s basic marinara but grab your favorite roasted garlic marinara or arrabbiata sauce. You could even shortcut this further with a jar of bolognese sauce."

  • Upside-Down Chili Pie

    slice of upside down chili pie on a plate

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    Simply Recipes Contributor Malina Syvoravong says, "If using 5 ingredients isn't your main goal: add 1/2 cup of finely grated cheddar cheese and a strained 4-ounce can of canned chopped jalapeños to your cornbread batter. This will give your cornbread a fun color and bite of spice."

  • Ranch Chicken Breasts

    close up of ranch chicken cross section cut

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    Simply Recipes Contributor Sara Haas says, "One of my favorite tricks is removing some of the marinade before adding the raw protein. Since it’ll never touch the raw meat, it’s safe to mix with mayonnaise to use as a ranch sauce for serving."

    Continue to 17 of 17 below

  • Dumpling Salad

    A bowl with the Trader Joe's Miso Crunch Chopped Salad Kit and dumplings

    Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

    Simply Recipes Senior Editor Laurel Randolph says, "One of the best things about this “recipe” is how flexible it is. I’ve made it with all sorts of dumplings, from shrimp to pork and cabbage to vegetable to chicken—everything works. You can change it up to suit your mood and your diet."

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