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Whether your pantry is looking empty, or you just need something simple, these 3 ingredient recipes will surely come in handy!

Collage of 3 ingredient recipes.

We LOve Simple Recipes!

We’ve all been confronted with empty pantry woes. Take a deep breath, because we‘ve got you covered! These easy recipes have 3 ingredients or less, saving you time, sanity, and a trip to the grocery store. These 3 ingredient recipes aren’t just for dinner, but breakfast, side dishes, and desserts as well!

  • For 3 ingredient meal tips & tricks, scroll to the bottom of this post!

3 Ingredient Breakfast Recipes

Look no further for easy breakfast ideas! You’ll love our go-to recipes for a simple start to the day.

1 Toad in the Hole

Breakfast Toad in the Hole
Total Time: 6 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 35 votes
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2 Hash Brown Recipe

Breakfast Hash Brown Recipe
Total Time: 18 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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3 Scrambled Eggs Recipe

Breakfast Scrambled Eggs Recipe
Total Time: 9 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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4 Breakfast Potatoes Recipe

Breakfast Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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5 Bacon in the Oven Recipe

Breakfast Bacon in the Oven Recipe
Total Time: 23 minutes
5 from 20 votes
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6 3 Ingredient Banana Bread

Bread 3 Ingredient Banana Bread
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 8 votes
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7 Sausage Casserole

Breakfast Sausage Casserole
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 204 votes
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3 Ingredient Dinner Recipes

Coming up with different main dishes every day of the week can be daunting! It’s nice to have some simple three ingredient meals on hand when your pantry is running low.

We have plenty of easy dinner ideas to choose from!

8 Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe

Main Course Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
4.91 from 31 votes
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9 Cheese Quesadilla

Main Course, Snack Cheese Quesadilla
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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10 Hot Dog Nuggets Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Hot Dog Nuggets Recipe
Total Time: 18 minutes

Recipe Video

4.93 from 42 votes
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11 Baked Ravioli Recipe

Main Course Baked Ravioli Recipe
Total Time: 21 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 44 votes
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12 Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

Appetizer, Main Course Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 132 votes
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13 Tostada

Main Course Tostada
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 22 votes
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14 Chicken Tacos

Main Course Chicken Tacos
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 84 votes
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15 Kalua Pork Recipe

Main Course Kalua Pork Recipe
Total Time: 9 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 81 votes
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16 Pigs in a Blanket

Main Course Pigs in a Blanket
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 181 votes
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17 Hot Ham and Cheese Roll Up Recipe

Main Course Hot Ham and Cheese Roll Up Recipe
Total Time: 16 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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18 Pulled Pork Recipe

Main Course Pulled Pork Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 46 votes
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19 Shredded Chicken Recipe

Main Course Shredded Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
5 from 29 votes
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3 Ingredient Side Dishes

When you need easy side dishes, these 3-ingredient recipes will hit the spot! From Candied Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Broccoli, quick green beans, or simple Grilled Asparagus, there are a variety of delicious options.

20 Perfect Baked Potato

Main Course Perfect Baked Potato
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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21 Deviled Eggs Recipe

Appetizer Deviled Eggs Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 53 votes
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22 Caramelized Brussel Sprouts Recipe

Side Dish Caramelized Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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23 Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Total Time: 16 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 18 votes
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24 Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 90 votes
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25 Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts on white plate.
Side Dish Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 204 votes
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26 Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe

Main Course, Side Dish Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
4.89 from 17 votes
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27 Baked French Fries Recipe

Appetizer, Salad Baked French Fries Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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28 Roasted Green Beans Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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29 Corn on the Cob on the Grill

Side Dish Corn on the Cob on the Grill
Total Time: 17 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
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30 Tortilla Chip Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Tortilla Chip Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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31 How to Make Spaghetti Squash

Main Course How to Make Spaghetti Squash
Total Time: 50 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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32 Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

Appetizer, Breakfast, Snack Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe
Total Time: 18 minutes
4.91 from 21 votes
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33 Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipes

Appetizer Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 81 votes
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3 Ingredient Dessert Recipes

Desserts make great three-ingredient recipes! They are perfect for using pantry staples to mix up something to satisfy that sweet-tooth craving.

Many of these are perfect for beginners and are easy dessert recipes for kids like our favorite peanut butter cookies with that classic criss-cross pattern.

34 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Dessert 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
4.97 from 26 votes
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35 Easy Shortbread Cookies

Dessert Easy Shortbread Cookies
Total Time: 48 minutes
4.99 from 65 votes
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36 Oreo Truffle Balls

Dessert Oreo Truffle Balls
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
5 from 22 votes
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37 Peach Dump Cake Recipe

Dessert Peach Dump Cake Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 493 votes
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38 Funfetti Cookies

Dessert Funfetti Cookies
Total Time: 16 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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39 Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Dessert Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 97 votes
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40 Peach Cobbler With Cake Mix Recipe

Dessert Peach Cobbler With Cake Mix Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 21 votes
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41 Dole Whip Recipe

Drinks Dole Whip Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 37 votes
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42 Lucky Charms Treats Rice Krispie Treats

Dessert Lucky Charms Treats Rice Krispie Treats
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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43 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookie Recipe

Dessert 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.81 from 72 votes
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44 Blueberry Dump Cake Recipe

Dessert Blueberry Dump Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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45 Oreo Cookie Bark Recipe

Dessert Oreo Cookie Bark Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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46 Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Recipe

Dessert Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 15 votes
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FAQS

  • Find a protein. Look in the fridge, freezer, and even the pantry for canned protein. Some common proteins include chicken, beef, pork, deli ham, fish, beans, and eggs.
  • Find a carbohydrate. Pasta, rice, bread, rolls, and beans. 
  • Find produce. Fruits and veggies from the counter, pantry, fridge, or freezer. 
  • Use spices. Salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, cinnamon, vanilla, Italian seasoning, and packets of dinner mixes.
  • Look in the pantry. Canned soups, premade sauces, and honey.
  • Find fat and dairy. Milk, cheese, yogurt, and olive oil.
  1. Variations. Different seasonings and cooking methods can change even the most basic of ingredients into a completely different dish; for example, a simple potato can be baked, fried, roasted, or mashed. 
  2. Meat. Shredded meats like beef, chicken, or pork, are great basic/versatile ingredients. Shredded Chicken can be used in Chicken Tacos, added to soup, or a casserole, mixed with BBQ Sauce to put on a bun, and more. 
  3. Mix and match. Sometimes you need a simple meal because you’re in a hurry. Other times you may be due to go grocery shopping and currently have limited ingredients. In either case, take a look at what you DO have available then mix and match.

For More 3 Ingredient Recipes:

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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