This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Don’t be limited by a lack of ingredients! Breakfast, dinner, sides, and treats—each of these recipes are 5 ingredient recipes!

More Collections: 3 Ingredient Recipes, Pantry Staple Recipes, Quick Dinner Ideas

Collage of multiple 5 ingredient recipes.

Spare a Trip to The Store!

Don’t want a grocery list that’s a mile long? Better yet, you might even be able to skip a trip to the grocery store altogether!

I have collected some delicious 5 ingredient recipes, most of which use items and supplies that you probably already have in your pantry. They are perfect for a weekday meal!

From breakfast to dinner to a late-night treat, I know you’ll be able to find something delicious you can easily whip up.

Indian Fry Bread topped with a beef and bean mixture, shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, lettuce, and a dollop of sour cream on a white plate.

Tips for These Recipes

Variations. Be sure to read the recipe notes. Many of these recipes include variations and substitutions that you can use. For example, you might come across a recipe for beef tacos, but instead of using ground beef, you could easily substitute it with pork or chicken.

Substitutions. Maybe you have ingredients to make Rice Krispie Treats, except for a box of Rice Krispies. Just use different cereals such as Chex Mix or Lucky Charms. Be creative with the supplies that you have and you’ll find you can make more recipes than you thought.

Storing tips. The posts have other helpful tips and storage information. I especially love when a recipe can be frozen for later. Since you’re already making the dish, it’s super cost and time efficient to double the recipe and have a meal for another day.

5 Ingredient Lemon Pepper Chicken served over a bed of rice.

What Can I Make with What I Have on Hand?

Take a look at what supplies you have. You most likely have the needed ingredients to make easy and delicious meals. 

Soups. For a basic soup, simply use a combination of broth, protein, vegetables, and seasoning.

  • Broth can be chicken, beef, or vegetable. You can even make some using water and a bouillon cube.
  • Choose a protein such as chicken, beef, sausage, ham, or beans.
  • Various vegetables such as carrots, celery, onion, and potato.
  • Seasoning like garlic, parsley, cayenne pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Stir fry. The main ingredients for stir fry include: 

  • Protein like chicken, beef tofu, pork, seafood, or tempeh.
  • Any vegetables you have on hand. Just cut them the same size.
  • Aromatics like ginger, shallot, garlic, or green onion.
  • Stir fry sauce. You may have a premade sauce on hand or you can whip one up using ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch.
Cheesy breakfast casserole in a white baking dish.

Casseroles + Pastas

Casserole. Most casseroles have the following ingredients in common:

  • Protein. Most often ground beef, but chicken sausage and beans can also be used.
  • Starch. A base of some type of potato, pasta, or rice. Breadcrumbs are often used as a topping for casseroles. 
  • Vegetables of some sort such as broccoli or cauliflower florets, chopped asparagus, corn, peas, or bell peppers.
  • Soups or Sauces. Cream-based soups are widely used, as are tomato-based sauces.

Pastas.

  • Any type of pasta can create a great dish.
  • Open a can of sauce or whip up your own white or red sauce. 
  • Grilled chicken breast, seasoned ground beef, or slices of sausage are favorites to add. 
  • Mix in some vegetables like mushrooms and shredded carrots or zucchini.

Take the guesswork out of creating your own meal and pick one of our 5 ingredients recipes.

Disclaimer: Some recipes may have more than 5 ingredients listed. Either the extra ingredients are optional and are not required in making a completed dish, or they are basic kitchen staples like salt and oil.


5 Ingredient Breakfast Recipes

Just because these recipes only have a handful of ingredients doesn’t mean they’re not hearty!

Every single one of these recipes either has eggs, breakfast meats, or another protein to make them filling enough to start your day off right.

Breakfast Casserole

This biscuit egg breakfast casserole recipe is filled with biscuits, cheese, eggs and sausage, and takes only minutes to throw together! It’s a family favorite for weekends and holidays!

1 Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Breakfast Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 686 votes
Get the recipe

Buttermilk Syrup

Pour this delicious homemade buttermilk syrup over pancakes, waffles, and crepes. It only takes 5 ingredients, and 5 minutes to make!

2 Buttermilk Syrup Recipe

Breakfast Buttermilk Syrup Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 40 votes
Get the recipe

Biscuits And Gravy

This CLASSIC biscuits and gravy recipe is one everyone knows and loves! Delicious buttery biscuits smothered in a homemade sausage gravy! It only takes a few simple ingredients and is perfect for breakfast (dinner) or a holiday morning!

3 Biscuits and Gravy Recipe

Breakfast Biscuits and Gravy Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 30 votes
Get the recipe

Breakfast Burrito

Delicious breakfast burritos are the perfect on-the-go breakfast! Load them with all your favorite fixings.

4 Breakfast Burrito Recipe

Breakfast Breakfast Burrito Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 18 votes
Get the recipe

Protein Pancakes

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! These protein packed pancakes are your new favorite recipe. Fluffy, healthy, and incredibly delicious!

5 Protein Pancakes Recipe

Breakfast Protein Pancakes Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

4.89 from 165 votes
Get the recipe

Breakfast Pizza

This bacon breakfast pizza is a cheesy breakfast recipe topped with eggs, bacon and your favorite breakfast ingredients! It’s simple, quick and is easily customized based off of your favorite morning ingredients.

6 Bacon Breakfast Pizza Recipe

Breakfast Bacon Breakfast Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 21 minutes

Recipe Video

4.91 from 10 votes
Get the recipe

Breakfast Egg Cups

Deliciously cheesy breakfast egg cups have a crispy crescent roll bottom layered with eggs, bacon and cheese on top!

7 Egg Cup Recipe

Dessert Egg Cup Recipe
Total Time: 26 minutes
4.90 from 39 votes
Get the recipe

Cheesy Breakfast Potato Casserole

This cheesy breakfast potato casserole takes minutes to make and is delicious!! This recipe will become a breakfast favorite.

8 Cheesy Breakfast Potato Casserole Recipe

Breakfast Cheesy Breakfast Potato Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 263 votes
Get the recipe

German Pancakes

These light, fluffy, eggy German pancakes have become a family favorite breakfast recipe! They’re EASY to make, requiring only 5 simple ingredients that are kitchen staples.

9 German Pancakes Recipe

Breakfast German Pancakes Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 156 votes
Get the recipe

Breakfast Sandwich

Smooth morning with quick and simple breakfast sandwiches filled with egg, cheese, sausage, and bacon in a fluffy English muffin.

10 Breakfast Sandwich Recipe

Breakfast Breakfast Sandwich Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 3 votes
Get the recipe

Bisquick Waffle Recipe

Quick and easy Bisquick waffle recipe uses a shortcut on a breakfast favorite, but doesn’t skimp on flavor!

11 Bisquick Waffle Recipe

Breakfast Bisquick Waffle Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

5 ingredient dinner recipes

The last thing you want to do after a long day is make a dinner that uses a laundry list full of ingredients. These recipes are filling, flavorful, and will leave your family plenty satisfied without a copious amount of work.

canned refried beans

Get perfectly creamy restaurant style refried beans by adding just THREE extra ingredients to your canned beans! These refried beans are perfect served as a dip, side, or filling for burritos and tacos!

12 Canned Refried Beans

Appetizer Canned Refried Beans
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 47 votes
Get the recipe

Bruschetta Chicken

Baked bruschetta chicken is marinated in Italian dressing and topped with cheese. It is simple and delicious!!

13 Bruschetta Chicken Recipe

Main Course Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken

Copycat Cafe Rio shredded chicken – a simple and delicious chicken recipe that is perfect for salads, burritos, quesadillas and tacos!

14 Cafe Rio Chicken Recipe

Main Course Cafe Rio Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
5 from 106 votes
Get the recipe

Green Chili Chicken

Green chili chicken is easy and delicious. Topped with cheese and green chili sauce guarantees it will become a new favorite in no time!!

15 Green Chili Chicken Recipe

Main Course Green Chili Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 17 votes
Get the recipe

Flautas

Tortillas filled with meat and cheese and fried to perfection! Crispy, flavorful flautas are a delicious dinner for everyone!

16 Flautas

Appetizer, Main Course Flautas
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 61 votes
Get the recipe

Pot Roast Recipe

This crock pot roast recipe is one of our favorite Sunday dinners. It takes only 3 minutes of prep time and then the slow cooker does the rest! The chuck roast ends up being SO tender and full of flavor from the brown gravy, Italian, and ranch dressing mix! 

17 Pot Roast Recipe

Main Course Pot Roast Recipe
Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 116 votes
Get the recipe

Corn Dog Muffins

Mini corn dog muffins are yummy and kid friendly. These tasty bite-size snacks are ready in under 20 minutes!

18 Mini Corn Dog Muffins Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Mini Corn Dog Muffins Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 8 votes
Get the recipe

Easy Pizza Casserole

Quick and delicious easy pizza casserole – prepped in 5 minutes and only requires 5 ingredients. We call that a dinner win!

19 Pizza Casserole

Main Course Pizza Casserole
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 95 votes

Indian Fry Bread

Delicious homemade fry bread—aka “Navajo Tacos” or “Indian Bread”—pillows of dough, fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Make it a meal by adding sweet or savory toppings!

20 Fry Bread Recipe

Main Course Fry Bread Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 687 votes
Get the recipe

Crescent Roll Chicken Bundles

Shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese, Italian dressing mix, and cream of chicken rolled into buttery crescent dough! These flavorful chicken crescent roll bundles have become a family favorite.

21 Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls Recipe

Main Course Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls Recipe
Total Time: 34 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 209 votes
Get the recipe

Sopa De Fideo

This quick, simple and delicious Sopa (soup) de Fideo is a family favorite. It’s also cheesy and flavorful! Just 5 Ingredients and you’ll have dinner in no time.

22 Sopa de Fideo Recipe

Soup Sopa de Fideo Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 266 votes
Get the recipe

Baked Pesto Chicken

Chicken breast halves covered in basil pesto, baked with mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. So easy, but SO delicious!

23 Baked Pesto Chicken Recipe

Main Course Baked Pesto Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
Get the recipe

Lemon Pepper Chicken

Flavorful and tender lemon pepper chicken is simple and requires just a few ingredients. Served on its own or over rice, this buttery chicken dish is perfect any night of the week for a simple, quick dinner idea.

24 Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Main Course Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 1 vote
Get the recipe

Easy Ground Beef Tacos

One of our favorite versions of tacos – ground beef tacos!! They’re filled with meat and cheese, fried until golden and topped with lettuce and tomatoes.

25 Ground Beef Tacos Recipe

Main Course Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
Get the recipe

5 Ingredient Side Dishes

Sides should NOT be complicated, especially not more complicated than the main dish!

That’s why we love these side dishes specifically. Most are a vegetable with the addition of some seasonings or sauces to easily dress them up.

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Delicious candied sweet potatoes – a simple and tasty side dish that will be a family favorite! Soft sweet potatoes mixed with butter, brown sugar, water, salt and pepper.

26 Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 18 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 20 votes
Get the recipe

Homemade Croutons

Crunchy crispy homemade croutons for all your salad needs! Throw out that bag of store bought croutons and make your own at home! SO YUMMY!

27 Homemade Croutons Recipe

Salad Homemade Croutons Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

Oven Roasted Vegetables

Simple, flavorful, and healthy roasted vegetables that take less than 10 minutes of prep work! Nothing beats yummy veggies roasted in the oven!

28 Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Side Dish Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 30 votes
Get the recipe

Baked Beans

Easy homemade baked beans is a must-have at all of our BBQ’s. Everyone who tries it agrees it’s the best baked beans recipe!

29 Baked Beans Recipe

Side Dish Baked Beans Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 41 votes
Get the recipe

Buttermilk Biscuits

You only need FOUR ingredients to whip up a batch of these golden and flaky buttermilk biscuits. Enjoy them on their own, with a dollop of jam, or smothered in gravy!

30 Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Bread Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 28 votes
Get the recipe

Parmesan Potatoes

Simple and delicious baked parmesan potatoes are the perfect side dish, made from cubed potatoes coated in parmesan and a few simple seasonings.

31 Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.91 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

Easy Yeast Rolls

These easy yeast rolls can be made in under an hour with just 4 ingredients! With how quick and simple they are, they will become your new go-to dinner rolls.

32 Easy Yeast Roll Recipe

Bread Easy Yeast Roll Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
4.93 from 26 votes
Get the recipe

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

If you need a go-to side dish, these brown sugar glazed carrots are perfect for you! The tastiest candied carrots recipe!! Even better, it takes less than 10 minutes to make and only requires 4 ingredients!

33 Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe

Side Dish Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 1472 votes
Get the recipe

Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus is the best side dish alongside almost any dinner recipe! Sprinkled with salt, pepper, and a little parmesan cheese—this recipe is incredible!

34 Grilled Asparagus Recipe

Side Dish Grilled Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 6 votes
Get the recipe

no knead bread

This no-knead bread has only four ingredients, and could not be simpler to make! It’s the perfect bread recipe for beginning bread makers, and so delicious that even experienced bread makers will love it.

35 No Knead Bread Recipe

Bread No Knead Bread Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 14 minutes
4.85 from 13 votes
Get the recipe

Coconut Rice

This easy, restaurant-style coconut rice is perfect for pairing with your favorite Asian dishes. Best of all, it’s ready in 20 minutes!

36 Coconut Rice Recipe

Side Dish Coconut Rice Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 4 votes
Get the recipe

5 ingredient Desserts

Maybe you have last minute company coming over, or maybe you’re craving a late night treat.

Either way, it’s not the time for a fancy dessert with a million random spices and the like. But don’t underestimate the sweet flavor these recipes contain regardless of their simplicity!

Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

Peanut butter no bake cookies combine two cookie classics – No bake cookies + peanut butter cookies. The combo of the two make a delicious, simple cookie recipe that is perfect for anyone who loves peanut butter treats.

37 Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Recipe

Dessert Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 41 minutes
4.92 from 24 votes
Get the recipe

Jello Poke Cake

Cake with Jell-O drizzles poked throughout, and topped with a smooth layer of whipped cream! This light and cool Jell-O poke cake recipe is always a crowd favorite.

38 Jello Poke Cake Recipe

Dessert Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 642 votes
Get the recipe

Orange Julius

Refreshing & simple Orange Julius takes a minute to make and tastes just like the real thing. It is a favorite family treat!

39 Orange Julius Recipe

Drinks Orange Julius Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 188 votes
Get the recipe

Candied Pecans

Want your house to smell like a big holiday hug? Make these candied pecans and get ready for the tastiest smell to fill your home!

40 Candied Pecans Recipe

Snack Candied Pecans Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 11 votes
Get the recipe

Puppy Chow Mix

Our favorite puppy chow recipe!! So easy to make-which includes Chex cereal, powdered sugar, & yummy melted peanut butter and chocolate chips!!

41 Puppy Chow Recipe

Dessert Puppy Chow Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 162 votes
Get the recipe

Easy Buckeyes

This recipe is for all the peanut butter and chocolate lovers out there! These easy buckeyes consist of a delicious peanut butter mixture, frozen and dipped in melted chocolate. SO easy (only 5 ingredients!!) yet SO delicious!

42 Buckeyes Recipe

Dessert Buckeyes Recipe
Total Time: 43 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
Get the recipe

Homemade Reese’s

Homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups! Made with peanut butter, butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and chocolate candy quick, you’ll love this version made at home.

43 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

Dessert Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Recipe
Total Time: 6 minutes
4.94 from 15 votes
Get the recipe

Flourless Chocolate Cake

The BEST flourless chocolate cake recipe. This simple, smooth and fudgy cake is sure to get rave reviews and is a great cake to add to your favorite go-to desserts.

44 Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe

Dessert Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 128 votes
Get the recipe

Caramel Apple Dip

The creamiest and most delicious caramel apple dip you’ll ever find. Just a few ingredients are required, but dark brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk make this recipe a crowd pleaser at any get together.

45 Caramel Apple Dip Recipe

Dessert Caramel Apple Dip Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 32 votes
Get the recipe

Best Rice Krispie Treats

Ooey gooey Rice Krispies treats that are so scrumptious you won’t be able to eat just one! Loaded with butter and melted marshmallows in every bite, this is our go-to recipe for making this classic treat!

46 Rice Krispie Treat Recipe

Dessert Rice Krispie Treat Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 34 votes
Get the recipe

Cake Mix snickerdoodles

Create your favorite cookie in a pinch using a cake mix! Chewy cake mix snickerdoodles are quick, easy & delicious.

47 Cake Mix Snickerdoodles Recipe

Dessert Cake Mix Snickerdoodles Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes
5 from 40 votes
Get the recipe

Sweet And Salty Chex Mix

Sweet and salty Chex Mix is made in minutes for snacking perfection! It’s completely customizable for your munching needs.

48 Sweet and Salty Chex Mix Recipe

Dessert, Snack Sweet and Salty Chex Mix Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 13 votes
Get the recipe

Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Whether studded with white chocolate chips or dusted with powdered sugar, these festive red velvet cake mix cookies are delicious!

49 Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Dessert Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 48 minutes
5 from 9 votes
Get the recipe

Effortlessly delicious dishes

We hope you enjoy trying out some of the 5 ingredient Recipes listed above. You will be impressed at how effortlessly these scrumptious dishes come together with just a few simple ingredients. You’ll want to make them again and again!

More Collections: Easy Breakfast Ideas, Easy Salad Recipes, Easy Dinner Ideas

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!

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

1 Comment