Less is More: 5-Ingredient Dinners are Easier Than You Think
From TikTok trends to Jamie Oliver’s newest cookbook, minimalist cooking is extremely popular. The internet agrees: five-ingredient dinners are not only easier to cook but can be just as delicious and satisfying as more elaborate meals.
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Whether you’re short on groceries or looking to simplify your way of cooking, mastering the art of minimalist meals is surprisingly easy. Here are tips to help you create effortless, minimal-ingredient dinners without the stress.
Build Around Pantry Staples
Start with versatile pantry staples like pasta, rice or canned items like beans, corn or tomatoes as your base. Canned goods are not only affordable and convenient but also have a long shelf life, making them perfect for quick and easy meals.
These staples pair well with a variety of ingredients and create a solid foundation for your dish. For example, combine spaghetti, olive oil and garlic, then top with red pepper flakes and parmesan for a straightforward yet delicious pasta dish, or toss canned black beans with rice, salsa, diced avocado and shredded cheese for a quick burrito bowl.
Knoxville Backyard & Beyond’s Amanda Luhn’s go-to quick meal is rice and beans. She says, “You can add almost any kind of vegetable about to go bad and make it into a stir fry with some soy sauce. Or make it a casserole-like dish with ground beef and cheese and bake it. Add chicken and some mushroom sauce and it’s something else.”
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Utilize Multi-Use Ingredients
On TikTok, creators showcase a variety of quick and easy recipes that require only a few ingredients. For instance, the five-ingredient dinner with one hand trend emphasizes simplicity by using protein, vegetables and basic seasonings to craft a wholesome meal.
This approach is perfect for when you want to keep things simple and versatile in the kitchen. Opt for ingredients that can do double duty in your recipe. A rotisserie chicken can be shredded for tacos, tossed into a salad or mixed into a casserole. Humble potatoes can be turned into mashed potatoes, French fries and potato soups.
This TikTok video created by @_terriesmith shows an easy creamy ranch bowtie pasta made with chicken breasts, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, ranch seasoning and bowtie pasta. A simple search of “five ingredient recipes chicken” on the platform will give you plenty of fun and easy ideas for using a multi-use ingredient like chicken.
Embrace Prepped and Packaged Items
Don’t shy away from pre-cut vegetables, frozen fruits or jarred sauces to reduce prep time. For example, frozen stir-fry veggies paired with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and cooked shrimp can make a quick and flavorful meal. Convenience items can be a lifesaver when working with fewer ingredients.
Gena Lazcano from Ginger Casa shares, “I always keep noodles in all varieties, jarred pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese and ground beef on hand. I have three kids who love this meal each and every time, so I know I can’t go wrong. It makes a quick and easy meal.” These simple, go-to items make meal prep much faster while allowing you to create a delicious dish without much effort.
Use Bold Flavors
With fewer ingredients, it’s essential to maximize flavor. As celebrity chef Jamie Oliver shared on Good Morning America while talking about his newest cookbook, “5 Ingredients Mediterranean: Simple Incredible Food,” “Keep the shopping list really low. Keep it easy. Focus on flavors and technique and really nice quick meals that you can have for breakfast, lunch or dinner.”
The same philosophy applies when cooking with just a few ingredients — using fresh herbs, citrus, spices or vinegar can enhance your dishes without adding complexity. A squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of smoked paprika can transform even the simplest meals into something memorable. Whether you’re making a quick pasta or a salad, bold seasonings can improve your meal without complicating the process.
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Master One-Pan Meals
One-pan meals are perfect for keeping things simple and reducing cleanup, making them ideal for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without the mess. The beauty of one-pan meals lies in their versatility — simply toss together ingredients that you have on hand then roast everything on a sheet pan. Pork chops with potatoes, carrots and onions roasted in olive oil make a filling five-ingredient dinner.
Not only does this method save time, but it also allows all the flavors to meld together as they cook. You can easily swap in different proteins and vegetables based on what you have on hand, which makes cooking easier and more flexible. The result is a hearty, satisfying dish with minimal effort and just one pan to clean. This cooking style is ideal for busy families, singles or anyone looking for a no-fuss way to prepare a wholesome family meal.
Get Creative with Leftovers
Transforming leftovers into a fresh, new meal is a great way to reduce food waste and stretch your ingredients further. Take last night’s roasted vegetables and combine them with eggs and cheese to create a quick frittata, or turn leftover rice into a delicious fried rice dish with soy sauce, scrambled eggs and frozen peas.
These simple swaps not only save time but also allow you to be creative in the kitchen, making the most out of what you already have. You can even use leftover two-ingredient salsa chicken to make a tasty stir-fry or repurpose it into wraps or sandwiches, offering endless possibilities for quick, flavorful dinners. By thinking creatively, you can easily breathe new life into leftovers and enjoy a fresh and exciting meal.
Five Ingredients, Zero Stress
Cooking with just five ingredients is all about simplicity and smart choices. Cap off your dinners with desserts like three-ingredient fudge and you’ll wonder how you ever cooked any other way. By building around staples, using bold flavors and embracing a little creativity, you can make delicious dinners without breaking a sweat — or your budget.
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About the Author
Jessica Haggard is dedicated to helping people cook easy everyday recipes focusing on bioavailable and nutrient-dense foods. She helps people overcome food allergies and discover healthy recipes that make a difference in their health with gluten-free, low-carb and keto cooking at Primal Edge Health.
This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.
