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Don’t be limited by a lack of ingredients! These 5 ingredient recipes include everything from breakfast, dinner, sides, and treats.

Collage of 5 ingredient recipes.

Spare a Trip to The Store!

Keep your grocery list short, or skip the trip altogether. These delicious 5 ingredient recipes are perfect for a weekday meal. As a bonus, many of these recipes use items and supplies you probably already have in your pantry. From breakfast to dinner to a late-night dessert, I know you’ll be able to find something delicious you can easily whip up.

  • For 5 ingredient meal tips & tricks, scroll to the bottom of this post!

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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

Keep these easy breakfast ideas on hand for busy mornings or company!

1 Easy Biscuits and Gravy

Breakfast Easy Biscuits and Gravy
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 30 votes
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2 Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast Breakfast Casserole
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 713 votes
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3 Buttermilk Syrup

Breakfast Buttermilk Syrup
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 48 votes
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4 Breakfast Burrito Recipe

Breakfast Breakfast Burrito Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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5 Bacon Breakfast Pizza Recipe

Breakfast Bacon Breakfast Pizza Recipe
Total Time: 21 minutes

Recipe Video

4.91 from 10 votes
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6 Breakfast Potato Casserole

Breakfast Breakfast Potato Casserole
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 270 votes
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7 Bisquick Waffle Recipe

Breakfast Bisquick Waffle Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
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8 Breakfast Sandwich Recipe

Breakfast Breakfast Sandwich Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 3 votes
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9 Egg Cup Recipe

Dessert Egg Cup Recipe
Total Time: 26 minutes
4.90 from 39 votes
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10 German Pancakes Recipe

Breakfast German Pancakes Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 161 votes
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11 Avocado Egg Recipe

Breakfast Avocado Egg Recipe
Total Time: 19 minutes

Recipe Video

4.91 from 93 votes
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12 Egg Muffins Recipe

Breakfast Egg Muffins Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
4.97 from 28 votes
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13 Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

Breakfast, Dessert, Drinks Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie
Total Time: 3 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 15 votes
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14 Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe

Breakfast Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 1 vote
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15 Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe

Breakfast, Drinks Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 28 votes
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16 Cinnamon Twists Recipe

Dessert, Snack Cinnamon Twists Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 41 votes
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17 Peach Mango Smoothie Recipe

Drinks Peach Mango Smoothie Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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18 Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie Recipe

Breakfast, Drinks Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
4.98 from 43 votes
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19 Protein Pancakes

Breakfast Protein Pancakes
Total Time: 18 minutes

Recipe Video

4.89 from 170 votes
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5 Ingredient Dinners

These five-ingredient recipes include a slow cooker favorite and some crunchy tacos perfect for pairing with our Homemade Salsa! Keep these easy dinner ideas on hand when you need a tasty no-brainer.

20 Easy Prime Rib Recipe

Main Course Easy Prime Rib Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 22 votes
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21 Pizza Casserole

Main Course Pizza Casserole
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 116 votes
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22 Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Main Course Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 1 vote
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23 Ground Beef Tacos Recipe

Main Course Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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24 Mini Corn Dog Muffins Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Mini Corn Dog Muffins Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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25 Honey Glazed Ham

Main Course Honey Glazed Ham
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 31 votes
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26 Crock Pot Pot Roast

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

Recipe Video

4.99 from 120 votes
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27 Bruschetta Chicken Recipe

Main Course Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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28 Green Chili Chicken Recipe

Main Course Green Chili Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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29 Flautas

Appetizer, Main Course Flautas
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 63 votes
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30 Cafe Rio Chicken Recipe

Main Course Cafe Rio Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
5 from 109 votes
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31 Baked Pesto Chicken Recipe

Main Course Baked Pesto Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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32 Sopa de Fideo

Soup Sopa de Fideo
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 270 votes
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33 Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls Recipe

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

Recipe Video

4.94 from 213 votes
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34 Baked Chicken Recipe

Main Course Baked Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 34 votes
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35 Crock Pot Brisket Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Brisket Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 304 votes
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36 Cheese Crisp

Main Course, Snack Cheese Crisp
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 34 votes
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37 Pizza Roll Ups Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Pizza Roll Ups Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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38 Steak Marinade

Main Course Steak Marinade
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 82 votes
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39 Fry Bread Recipe

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

Recipe Video

4.99 from 698 votes
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5 Ingredient Side Dishes

Keep it effortless with a simple green salad, or try any of these easy side dishes.

40 Baked Beans Recipe

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

Recipe Video

4.98 from 41 votes
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41 Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Side Dish Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 31 votes
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42 Candied Sweet Potatoes

Side Dish Candied Sweet Potatoes
Total Time: 18 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 20 votes
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43 Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Bread Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 29 votes
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44 Easy Yeast Roll Recipe

Bread Easy Yeast Roll Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
4.93 from 26 votes
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45 Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.91 from 11 votes
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46 Glazed Carrots

Side Dish Glazed Carrots
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 1519 votes
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47 Grilled Asparagus

Side Dish Grilled Asparagus
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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48 Coconut Rice Recipe

Side Dish Coconut Rice Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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49 No Knead Bread

Bread No Knead Bread
Total Time: 3 hours 14 minutes

Recipe Video

4.85 from 13 votes
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50 Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe

Bread Cheddar Bay Biscuit Recipe
Total Time: 14 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 5 votes
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51 Best Mashed Potatoes

Side Dish Best Mashed Potatoes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 121 votes
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52 Canned Refried Beans

Appetizer Canned Refried Beans
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 47 votes
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53 Green Bean Bundles

Side Dish Green Bean Bundles
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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5 Ingredient Desserts

Don’t forget the sweets! These easy dessert recipes are favorites and all are simple.

54 Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Recipe

Dessert Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 41 minutes
4.92 from 24 votes
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55 Puppy Chow Recipe

Dessert Puppy Chow Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 164 votes
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56 Candied Pecans Recipe

Snack Candied Pecans Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 11 votes
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57 Jello Poke Cake Recipe

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

Recipe Video

5 from 677 votes
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58 Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

Dessert Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 129 votes
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59 Buckeyes Recipe

Dessert Buckeyes Recipe
Total Time: 43 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
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60 Rice Krispie Treat Recipe

Dessert Rice Krispie Treat Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 34 votes
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61 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

Dessert Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Recipe
Total Time: 6 minutes
4.94 from 15 votes
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62 Orange Julius Recipe

Drinks Orange Julius Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 192 votes
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63 Cake Mix Snickerdoodles Recipe

Dessert Cake Mix Snickerdoodles Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes
5 from 41 votes
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64 Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Dessert Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 48 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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65 Chocolate Dipped Cookies Recipe

Dessert Chocolate Dipped Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 28 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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66 Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Dessert Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 19 votes
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67 Easy Shortbread Cookies

Dessert Easy Shortbread Cookies
Total Time: 48 minutes
4.99 from 65 votes
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68 Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Dessert Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 48 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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69 Chocolate Andes Mint Cookie Recipe

Dessert Chocolate Andes Mint Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 11 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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70 Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

Dessert Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 4 votes
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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.

For More 5 Ingredient Recipes:

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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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