Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Less Is More: 5 Ingredient Dinners Are Easier Than You Think
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 1 month ago on
February 22, 2025

Discover how to create delicious, satisfying meals using just five ingredients, simplifying your cooking process without sacrificing flavor. (Depositphotos)

Share

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.

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.”

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.

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.

5 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.

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.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Senate Rebukes Trump’s Tariffs as Some Republicans Vote to Halt Taxes on Canadian Imports

DON'T MISS

Supreme Court Sides With the FDA in Its Dispute Over Sweet-Flavored Vaping Products

DON'T MISS

Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs to Promote US Manufacturing, Risking Inflation and Trade Wars

DON'T MISS

Fresno Firefighters Save Dog From Canal and Now She’s Ready for Adoption

DON'T MISS

Big Brands Spend Just Enough on X to Avoid Musk’s ‘Naughty List’

DON'T MISS

Judge Dismisses Corruption Case Against New York City Mayor Eric Adams

DON'T MISS

State Center Trustees Render Split Decision on Future of PLAs

DON'T MISS

California’s Schools Chief Has a $200,000 Salary and a Side Gig

DON'T MISS

Why Project Labor Agreements Are Good for Our Schools and Students: Opinion

DON'T MISS

Trump Proposes Tax Deduction for Auto Loan Interest on US-Made Cars

UP NEXT

Supreme Court Sides With the FDA in Its Dispute Over Sweet-Flavored Vaping Products

UP NEXT

Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs to Promote US Manufacturing, Risking Inflation and Trade Wars

UP NEXT

Fresno Firefighters Save Dog From Canal and Now She’s Ready for Adoption

UP NEXT

Big Brands Spend Just Enough on X to Avoid Musk’s ‘Naughty List’

UP NEXT

Judge Dismisses Corruption Case Against New York City Mayor Eric Adams

UP NEXT

State Center Trustees Render Split Decision on Future of PLAs

UP NEXT

California’s Schools Chief Has a $200,000 Salary and a Side Gig

UP NEXT

Why Project Labor Agreements Are Good for Our Schools and Students: Opinion

UP NEXT

Trump Proposes Tax Deduction for Auto Loan Interest on US-Made Cars

UP NEXT

Western US Sees Sharp Increase in Extreme Weather Impact

Fresno Firefighters Save Dog From Canal and Now She’s Ready for Adoption

14 hours ago

Big Brands Spend Just Enough on X to Avoid Musk’s ‘Naughty List’

14 hours ago

Judge Dismisses Corruption Case Against New York City Mayor Eric Adams

14 hours ago

State Center Trustees Render Split Decision on Future of PLAs

14 hours ago

California’s Schools Chief Has a $200,000 Salary and a Side Gig

15 hours ago

Why Project Labor Agreements Are Good for Our Schools and Students: Opinion

16 hours ago

Trump Proposes Tax Deduction for Auto Loan Interest on US-Made Cars

16 hours ago

Western US Sees Sharp Increase in Extreme Weather Impact

16 hours ago

Amazon Said to Make a Bid to Buy TikTok in the US

16 hours ago

Fresno Man Found Dead, Coroner’s Office Seeks Help Finding Family

16 hours ago

Senate Rebukes Trump’s Tariffs as Some Republicans Vote to Halt Taxes on Canadian Imports

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a resolution Wednesday night that would thwart President Donald Trump’s ability to impose tariffs on Canada, ...

9 hours ago

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., center, is joined from left by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., as they speak to reporters about President Donald Trump's tariffs on foreign countries, at the Capitol, in Washington, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
9 hours ago

Senate Rebukes Trump’s Tariffs as Some Republicans Vote to Halt Taxes on Canadian Imports

13 hours ago

Supreme Court Sides With the FDA in Its Dispute Over Sweet-Flavored Vaping Products

13 hours ago

Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs to Promote US Manufacturing, Risking Inflation and Trade Wars

A young Labrador mix rescued from a Fresno canal on Sunday, March 2, 2025, is thriving in a foster home after overcoming fear and trauma. (Instagram/Fresno Animal Center)
14 hours ago

Fresno Firefighters Save Dog From Canal and Now She’s Ready for Adoption

14 hours ago

Big Brands Spend Just Enough on X to Avoid Musk’s ‘Naughty List’

14 hours ago

Judge Dismisses Corruption Case Against New York City Mayor Eric Adams

14 hours ago

State Center Trustees Render Split Decision on Future of PLAs

15 hours ago

California’s Schools Chief Has a $200,000 Salary and a Side Gig

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend