30 Best 5-Ingredient Recipes and Meal Ideas

With these easy-peasy 5-ingredient recipes, you’ll be one step closer to a fantastic lunch or dinner.

You don’t have to buy a lot of ingredients to show your loved ones you care.

After a hard day’s work, who has the time to whip up something extravagant for dinner? But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to rely on frozen pizza, either.

Nope, it simply doesn’t follow. These recipes, for instance, only call for five ingredients – maybe even less – but they’ll still turn out amazing.

You need not worry about extra work. Heck, you won’t even need to go to the grocery store.

Most, if not all of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry.

Get ready to be mind-blown with these quick and easy, 5-ingredient recipes. Let’s eat!

30 Five-Ingredient Recipes That Are Oh-So-Simple (+ Desserts!)

1. No-Peek Chicken 

This 5-ingredient, one-pan, 10-minute, no-peek chicken recipe is as good as it gets. It’s easy, delicious, it’s internet gold.

We’re off to a great start!

Besides the tender and juicy chicken, this casserole also contains rice, making it a complete dish on its own.

A combination of canned mushroom soup and cream of celery soup gives it maximum richness and flavor, to boot.

Wondering why it’s called no-peek chicken? That’s because this chicken doesn’t need any babysitting. Once it goes into the oven, your job is done.

2. 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes

Potatoes and cheese: these two ingredients alone are enough to tell you this next recipe is a smash hit.

Along with sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and garlic salt, you’re assured to have nothing but pure deliciousness.

It’s rich, cheesy, and hearty. This is comfort food at its best. 

All the ingredients get thrown into the slow cooker, which takes care of everything for you.

3. 5-Ingredient Lasagna 

Whenever I hear the word lasagna, my mom’s flawless, yet backbreaking recipe is the first that comes to mind.

But what if I told you there was a way to make ridiculously delicious lasagna without all that effort?

I myself couldn’t believe it either, but I’m glad I gave this recipe a try.

Until now, it still puzzles me how this super simple recipe can result in such an outstanding lasagna!

4. Bisquick Sausage Balls  

Whether you serve them as an appetizer, an afternoon snack, or a side dish, you can’t go wrong.

It only takes one bite to fall in love with these Bisquick sausage balls. 

A word of warning: these treats are outrageously addicting. It’s so good, you’ll want it around all the time!

Fortunately, they’re easy to make. As you’ve probably already fathomed, the recipe calls for Bisquick mix, the inexperienced cook/baker’s best friend.

5. 5-Ingredient Pita Pizza 

Who needs crust when you can use pita bread instead? Trust me, this pita pizza will be your new favorite treat.

Smothered with tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, it has everything you can ask for in a pizza. 

You’ll also love how quick and easy this afternoon delight is to make!

With this recipe, you won’t need to wait long to enjoy mouthwatering, freshly-baked, homemade pizza. The whole thing comes together in just 20 minutes!

6. 5-Ingredient Spinach Parmesan Pasta

I’m not usually a fan of spinach, but mix it with cheese and pasta, and I can never get enough of it. 

This spinach Parmesan pasta is the stuff of legends. If you don’t believe me, go ask Popeye the sailor man. I’m sure he approves!

With this recipe, all you’ll need is spinach, garlic, butter, Parmesan, and your choice of pasta. It may be vegetarian, but even meat lovers will be hooked.

7. Biscuits  

Didn’t think you could bake anything with just 5 ingredients, didn’t you?

Not only does this biscuit recipe defy the odds, but it also does so in just half an hour.

How awesome is that? If this is your first time baking biscuits, this recipe is a good place to start.

Unlike most biscuits recipes, you won’t need to knead and roll dough for this one. 

These biscuits are so tender they melt in your mouth. They’re light, moist, and taste just as good as the ones you get from popular food chains.

Also, these biscuits are completely dairy-free. What a wonderful surprise, indeed.

8. 5-Ingredient Taco Casserole

Say hello to this ridiculously hearty and addictive taco casserole. It has everything you love in tacos, but more. 

With this dish, think tacos and pizza together in one casserole.

The crust is made of crescent roll dough, and the toppings are ground beef taco mix, salsa, and cheese.

This recipe makes six servings, but I won’t be surprised if you have it all to yourself!

9. 5-Ingredient Chili 

Chilis is the ultimate southern comfort food. We also know it requires a lot of time and effort to make. Not this chili, though!

It’s a simple 5-ingredient recipe that’s just as satisfying and comforting as any bowl of chili. It’s rich, meaty, and seasoned oh so perfectly.

Pair this chili with a side of cornbread and voila, lunch or dinner is served.

10. Coca-Cola Chicken 

While most people see Coke as a sweet, quench-thirsting beverage, to southerners, it’s a common ingredient to both sweet and savory dishes.

In this recipe, Coke is used as a glaze to coat the chicken. You’ll love how it lends a sweet, almost caramel-like flavor to the bird.

It also couldn’t be easier to make. Just throw all the ingredients in a dish, pop it in the oven, and your work is done.

11. 5-Ingredient Coconut Curry  

If you’re a sucker for thick and creamy curry-based dishes, you will definitely love this one.

In this recipe, broccoli and chickpeas are bathed in a delectable coconut curry sauce.

Served on a bed or hot, Jasmine rice, this dish will delight both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Its flavors are so complex, you’ll be surprised that it only calls for five ingredients!

12. Mississippi Pot Roast 

If you’ve never had Mississippi pot roast, you are in for a treat.

This southern dish is made of fork-tender chuck roast cooked in a delicious au jus and spiced with pepperoncini peppers.

It’s meaty, salty, and savory with a bit of a kick!

Since it’s slow-cooked for several hours, the meat becomes so insanely tender that it melts in your mouth. 

Sure, it takes hours to cook, but your involvement is very minimal. In fact, all you’ll need is to turn on the Crockpot, and it takes care of the rest.

13. Christmas Crack 

Looking for a delicious yet quick and easy holiday snack? Give the classic puppy chow a fun, festive twist! 

This colorful bowl of Christmas crack truly is addictive.

A combination of Chex, peanuts, pretzels, and green and red M&M’s is held together with white chocolate. 

It’s crunchy and chocolatey, sweet and salty, and gives you nothing but pure happiness.

Serve this to Santa, and he might just give you extra Christmas cheer.

14. 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole  

If you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your weekly meal rotation, look no further than this ground beef casserole.

It only calls for five budget-friendly ingredients, yet it yields the most amazing flavor. You really can’t go wrong with ground beef, cheese, and potatoes!

Because the ingredients are so filling, this casserole can feed the whole family, with leftovers for the next morning, to boot.

15. Apple Butter 

Have a plethora of apples this fall? I know exactly what you should do with them.

This apple butter will breathe new life into your dull toast and crackers.

This apple butter has the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and buttery.

Plus, making your own is so much cheaper than getting one from a grocery store.

It has a pretty impressive shelf-life, which means you can make a huge batch and give out to friends and family for a delicious, homemade holiday present.

16. 5-Ingredient Baked Salmon  

I eat salmon all the time, and no, I never get tired of its flavor.

As a versatile fish, you’ll never run out of ways to cook salmon, and this recipe is definitely one of my favorites.

Because salmon is already so rich and delicious on its own, you won’t need much to give it flavor.

In this recipe, you’ll only need garlic and lemon butter sauce.

It’s a simple sauce, but the flavors are on point.

17. Clam Dip  

Looking for the perfect summer appetizer? Dunk your favorite chips, crackers, and crudites into this clam dip, then.

Made with a blend of cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and minced clams, this dip encapsulates the flavors of the sea. 

You’ll love how beautifully the briny clams, tangy lemon, and earthy garlic cut through the richness of the cheese.

Bring this to your next beach potluck and watch it disappear in minutes!

18. 5-Ingredient Turkey

Are you in charge of this year’s Thanksgiving turkey? Do not fear, this simple recipe is here.

I’m pretty sure you’re wondering how on earth Thanksgiving turkey made it to this list. Nope, this is not a drill, people.

This legitimately is a 5-ingredient turkey recipe!

If you think dealing with a giant bird is stressful, this recipe will throw all of your worries away. 

19. Perkins Pancakes 

If you miss going to Perkins for breakfast, this pancake recipe is exactly what you need.

It yields the exact same pancakes you love at Perkins, but with this, there’s no need to leave the house.

These pancakes are soft and fluffy, and they taste spectacular with a dab of butter and a drizzle of syrup.

The best part is you can customize them with your choice of toppings.

Whether you love fruits and berries or chocolate and bacon, feel free to make it your own.

20. Mac and Cheese   

Mac and cheese is the quintessential American comfort food, so I’m pretty sure you already have your own recipe for it.

But if you’re looking for an easier version that tastes just as good as any, I have you covered.

This stovetop mac and cheese is ultimate, cheesy heaven. It’s ridiculously rich, creamy, ooey-gooey, and purely phenomenal.

The best part is it only requires 5 ingredients and 25 minutes to make. It couldn’t get any better than that.

21. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast or a perfect afternoon refreshment, this peanut butter banana smoothie is the one to beat.

It’s everything you imagine it to be: smooth, thick, creamy, and bursting with peanut butter and banana goodness. 

Made with super ripe bananas, peanut butter, milk, and honey, it’s so decadent but also nutritious at the same time.

22. 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie that only needs five ingredients? It sounds impossible, but it’s true. 

Sure, it’s not as good as intricate pumpkin pies that use roasted pumpkin and homemade crusts, but hey, it’s the next best thing. 

And honestly, it’s actually pretty impressive!

Plus, come on, who has the time to make pie from scratch especially during the holiday season? 

23. Watergate Salad   

Watergate salad is a 5-minute, 5-ingredient dessert made of canned pineapples, pecans, and marshmallows dressed with pistachio pudding and whipped topping. 

The unique combination gives you a wonderful harmony of flavors and textures. You get sweet, tart, soft, fluffy, creamy, and crunchy in one bite!

The pistachio pudding makes the whole thing green, which is why the salad is also called pistachio fluff, green stuff, and Syracuse cake. 

24. Rice Krispies

These Rice Krispie treats are crispy, crunchy, chewy, buttery, and ooey-gooey.

I think I’ve just described the perfect snack for both the kids and the kids at heart!

Rice Krispie treats are held together with a mixture of melted butter and marshmallows. To say these squares are addictive is an understatement.

These snacks are primarily sweet, so don’t forget to season them with a pinch of salt.

The saltiness balances out the sweetness, making them even more delightful.

25. 5-Ingredient Blueberry Skillet Dump Cake  

If you’re new to baking, dump cakes are a great way to start.

In this blueberry skillet recipe, you’ll literally dump all the ingredients in a dish and pop it in the oven. It’s impossible to mess up.

More importantly, it’s outrageously delicious. The cake forms a crispy crust on top, while it remains super soft on the inside.

The sweetness of the blueberries also really shines through.

Served warm with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream, this cake is summer on a plate.

26. Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies    

If you’re craving cookies but not in the mood to bake, this recipe is the perfect solution.

Cornflakes are bound by corn syrup and peanut butter, creating mounds of crispy, crunchy, chewy, and creamy delights.

They even have that sweet and salty combo I love so much.

The level of deliciousness of these cookies is just ridiculous! It’s hard to believe they only require five ingredients and absolutely no oven to make.

27. Keto Peanut Butter Cookies 

Keto dieters, rejoice! While the keto diet absolutely forbids carbs and sugar, that doesn’t mean you also have to say goodbye to dessert.

Don’t worry, sweet tooths, these keto cookies have you covered.

Made with peanut butter, egg, butter, sugar-free vanilla, and low-calorie sweetener, these cookies are soft, chewy, and sweet with a hint of salty.

They’re just as good as regular peanut butter cookies, but they don’t contain sugar or flour! How amazing is that?

28. Coconut Macaroons  

Looking for new, exotic dessert recipes to try? I highly recommend these coconut macaroons, then.

Not to be confused with the French macarons, the coconut macaroons are a Filipino dessert made of coconut flakes.

They’re also the same size as macarons, but the texture and flavor are completely different.

They’re soft, chewy, ooey-gooey, and loaded with nutty, toasty desiccated coconut in every bite.

29. 5-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies 

The thought of bananas and oatmeal in a cookie may not excite the kids, but wait until they try these.

These banana oatmeal cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with sweet banana goodness.

They’re no chocolate chip cookies, sure, but they’re a lot more nutritious!

30. Dream Whip Pie   

Just by looking at the photo, you can already tell how dreamy this dream whip pie is. 

Dream whip pie is a heavenly dessert made of a graham cracker crust and a fluffy filling of whipped cream and instant pudding.

You won’t need the oven for this recipe! Just 10 minutes of mixing and assembling and you’re done.

The hardest part is waiting for it to set in the fridge.

Another great thing about it is that you have limitless flavor options. Just switch up the pudding flavor, and voila!