5 Ingredient Recipes

Using What You Have on Hand

With supplies on hand, you most likely have the needed ingredients to make easy and delicious 5 ingredient dinner ideas. These main ingredient ideas may help:

1. Soups. For a basic soup, use a combination of broth, protein, veggies, and spices.
   • broth – chicken, beef, or vegetable or make some using water and a bouillon cube.
   • protein – chicken thighs, beef, sausage, ham, shrimp, or beans.
   • vegetables – carrots, celery, green beans, onion, and potato.
   • seasoning – garlic, black paper, parsley, cayenne pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Stir fry. The main ingredients for stir fry include: 
   • protein – chicken breast, beef tofu, pork, seafood, or tempeh.
   • vegetables – any you have on hand, cut the same size.
   • aromatics – ginger, shallot, garlic, red peppers, green onions.
   • stir fry sauce – premade sauce or make one using soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch.
3. Casserole. Most casseroles have the following ingredients in common:
   • protein – ground beef, chicken, sausage, and beans.
   • starch – potato, pasta, rice, or a breadcrumb topping. 
   • vegetables – broccoli or cauliflower florets, chopped asparagus, corn, peas, or bell peppers.
   • soups or sauces – cream-based soups or tomato-based sauces.
4. Pastas.
   • pasta – any type of noodle.
   • sauce – use a jar or whip up your own Alfredo Sauce or Homemade Marinara Sauce. 
   • protein – often an optional ingredient and can include grilled chicken breast, seasoned ground beef, or slices of sausage. 
   • veggies – mushrooms and shredded carrots or zucchini.