13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (2024)

Ever felt overwhelmed by recipes with endless ingredient lists? We hear you. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 13 meals where less is definitely more. Just a handful of ingredients, and you’re on your way to a delicious meal. It’s perfect for those days when you want to keep things easy but still enjoy a good dinner.

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (1)

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (2)

You’ve got a casserole that’s bound to become a household favorite. This dish is all about comfort, with creamy layers and a satisfying crunch. It’s a breeze to put together, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. A delicious way to bring everyone to the table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Sauerkraut Casserole with Ground Beef

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (3)

Our Sauerkraut Casserole with Ground Beef is a comforting dish that combines the tanginess of sauerkraut with the heartiness of ground beef. It’s a simple, no-fuss meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. This casserole is proof that you can have a flavorful and satisfying meal without a lot of ingredients or time.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut Casserole with Ground Beef

Low Carb Sauerkraut Chicken

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (4)

If you’re aiming for low-carb without losing the taste, our Sauerkraut Chicken is your go-to. This dish combines the tanginess of sauerkraut with tender chicken for a meal that’s both satisfying and easy on your diet. It’s a straightforward dish that brings a burst of flavor with minimal effort. Ideal for a no-fuss dinner that keeps you on track.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Sauerkraut Chicken

Almond Flour Taco Shells

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (5)

Say hello to a healthier taco night with Almond Flour Taco Shells. These are a fantastic low-carb alternative, bringing a nutty flavor and satisfying crunch to your meal. Perfect for those looking for gluten-free options without sacrificing the joy of a good taco. Whip these up for a guilt-free feast that keeps all the fun of taco night alive.
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Taco Shells

Stuffed Chicken Roll Ups

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (6)

Stuffed Chicken Roll Ups offer an impressive twist on dinner. They might look gourmet, but they’re surprisingly straightforward to make. Each roll is a delightful surprise that’s sure to impress. It’s a great way to elevate your chicken game without needing a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Roll Ups

Homemade Ground Beef Taco Meat

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (7)

Upgrade your taco game with our Homemade Ground Beef Taco Meat. It’s all about simplicity and flavor, using just a few ingredients to deliver a robust taste that can be the star of tacos, salads, or bowls. This is your way to ditch the store-bought versions for something much more satisfying and personal. A surefire way to spice up your mealtime with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Ground Beef Taco Meat

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (8)

Light up the grill for these Grilled Shrimp Skewers, a quick and easy option that’s bursting with flavor. They’re perfect for a healthy dinner or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. These skewers promise a delightful seafood experience that’s both simple and delicious. Get ready to receive compliments on your grilling skills.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Homemade Sausage

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (9)

Making sausage at home might sound like a chore, but it’s surprisingly simple with our recipe. You can create flavorful sausages that beat anything you’d buy at the store. It’s a great way to control what goes into your food and tailor it to your taste preferences. Plus, homemade sausage is a fantastic addition to any meal, from breakfast to dinner.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sausage

Naruto Rolls – Cucumber Sushi Rolls

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (10)

Dig into a refreshing take on sushi with Naruto Rolls. These cucumber sushi rolls are a crisp, light alternative to traditional rice-based sushi. Perfect for a quick snack or a unique appetizer, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat. Plus, with fewer ingredients, you’re looking at a healthy option that doesn’t cut on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Naruto Rolls – Cucumber Sushi Rolls

Low Carb Sausage Balls

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (11)

Snack time or party appetizers just got a low-carb makeover with our Sausage Balls. These bite-sized delights pack a flavorful punch, perfect for satisfying hunger without the guilt. They’re easy to make, even easier to enjoy, and they’re sure to be a hit with everyone. A clever way to keep things tasty and healthy.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Sausage Balls

How To Cook Frozen Chicken In Instant Pot

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (12)

Gone are the days of thawing chicken for hours. With our guide, cooking frozen chicken in the Instant Pot is a game-changer. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it turns out perfectly juicy every time. Ideal for those last-minute meals when you forget to plan ahead, this method is a lifesaver.
Get the Recipe: How To Cook Frozen Chicken In Instant Pot

Baked Sausage and Sauerkraut

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (13)

Discover the hearty comfort of Baked Sausage and Sauerkraut. This dish is a nod to simplicity, letting the flavors of the sausage and sauerkraut meld together in the oven. It’s a minimal prep, one-pan wonder that delivers a punch of taste and comfort with every bite. A perfect choice for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sausage and Sauerkraut

Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (14)

Add a twist to your chicken dinners with Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback. Each bite delivers a blend of textures and tastes that are sure to impress. It’s a dish that looks fancy but is incredibly easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Caprese Chicken Hasselback

13 Meals With Less Than 5 Ingredients – So Simple (2024)

FAQs

What to make when you're hungry and have no food? ›

15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
  • Buttery, gooey grilled cheese.
  • PB&J because duh.
  • Tuna melt tostadas.
  • Pancakes! Pancakes!
  • Scrambled eggs.
  • Waffles.
  • A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal.
  • Spaghetti carbonara.
Apr 28, 2020

What to make with not much food? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  • 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  • 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  • 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  • 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  • 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  • 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

What is the 5 ingredient rule? ›

Stick to the 5 ingredient rule: Choose foods with less than 5 ingredients and all things you recognize and know are real food, such as tomatoes, water, or salt. Or if there are more than 5, make sure they're all food or spices. Buy only packaged foods with ingredients you can pronounce or recognize.

What is the 5 ingredient protocol? ›

Avoid food products that contain more than five ingredients. The specific number you adopt is arbitrary, but the more ingredients in a packaged food, the more highly processed it probably is. Note 1: A long list of ingredients in a recipe is not the same thing; that's fine.

What is the cheapest thing to make for dinner? ›

68 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Black Bean Burgers. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Shells. ...
  • Zucchini Corn Quesadillas. ...
  • Super-Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad. ...
  • Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing. ...
  • Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp. ...
  • Orzo With Spinach and Roasted Red Peppers.
May 3, 2024

What to make for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What can satisfy hunger without eating? ›

Control hunger by drinking more water, incorporating green tea, and hitting all of your key nutrients. Distract yourself by diving into your hobbies and relationships—for instance, try listening to a long podcast. Take deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth to curb cravings.

What to eat when you're ill and not hungry? ›

Eat regularly

If you cannot manage large meals, have a snack or small meal every 2-3 hours instead. Try foods like cereal, soup, milky pudding, trifle, mousse, stewed fruit and custard, soft cake, milk or yogurt, toast, cheese on crackers, or biscuits and milk. Try to eat the foods that you prefer, little and often.

What food will fill me up all day? ›

15 Foods That Are Incredibly Filling
  • What makes a food filling? Satiety is a term used to explain the feeling of fullness and loss of appetite that happens after eating. ...
  • Boiled potatoes. Potatoes have been demonized in the past, but they're actually very healthy and nutritious. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Oatmeal. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Soups. ...
  • Meat. ...
  • Greek yogurt.

What to make when there's nothing in the pantry? ›

Quick Pantry Dinners
  1. 1 / 10. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. ...
  2. 2 / 10. Classic Tomato Soup. ...
  3. 3 / 10. Frittata. ...
  4. 4 / 10. Sheet Pan Quesadillas. ...
  5. 5 / 10. Garlic Butter Shrimp. ...
  6. 6 / 10. One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole. ...
  7. 7 / 10. One-Pot Tomato Chickpeas and Orzo. ...
  8. 8 / 10. Salmon Patties.
Nov 30, 2023

How do you eat when you're broke? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  1. Oatmeal.
  2. Eggs.
  3. Bread.
  4. Rice.
  5. Bananas.
  6. Beans.
  7. Apples.
  8. Pasta.

What food can you eat unlimited amounts of? ›

Let's take a look at some of these wonderful foods:
  • Celery. Celery is a vegetable that is made up of 95% water! ...
  • Broccoli. It is well known for the natural substance it contains – sulforaphane, which has an anti-cancerous effect. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Cucumber. ...
  • Lettuce. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Raspberries.

What is limited ingredient food? ›

A limited ingredient diet typically contains one or two protein sources and one or two carbohydrate sources. Grain-free diets may contain many other food sources, so they are not necessarily what you would call a limited ingredient food.

What to make when you have limited food? ›

Other Meal and Snack Ideas:
  1. Canned chicken salad or tuna with avocado on crackers.
  2. Canned beans with pre-cooked rice or quinoa (microwave rice works too!)
  3. Tuna wrap made from a tortilla, tuna, and lettuce or other vegetables.
  4. Sandwiches: tuna salad, peanut butter and jelly, chicken salad.
  5. Cereal with shelf-stable milk.

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