18 Easy Dinners Requiring 10 Ingredients Or Fewer
Crazy day, empty fridge, but still want a real dinner? These 10-ingredients-or-fewer meals save time without sacrificing flavor or comfort.
You will lean on smart shortcuts and pantry staples to make dishes that feel satisfying, not skimpy. Grab what you have, swap what you do not, and dinner will be done fast.
1. Lemon Garlic Chicken and Green Beans Skillet
Think of this skillet as your midweek rescue plan. Sear chicken thighs until the skin turns golden and the kitchen smells like a bistro.
Toss in green beans and sliced garlic, then let everything mingle. A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens the whole pan, and a pat of butter brings the gloss you crave.
Serve it right from the skillet with crusty bread or spooned over quick couscous. If you love extra zing, zest the lemon first and shower it on top.
Swap butter with olive oil if you prefer. You will have juicy chicken, tender beans, and garlicky pan juices that make plates mysteriously clean.
2. Shrimp Tacos
When taco night calls, sear shrimp for a few minutes until just pink and snappy. Toss a bag of cabbage slaw with lime juice and a pinch of salt, then warm your tortillas.
Build with shrimp, crunchy slaw, a drizzle of sour cream, and a streak of hot sauce. Every bite hits bright, creamy, and spicy notes.
You can add avocado if you have one, but it is not required. Double lime if you want extra tang.
These come together faster than delivery and feel like a vacation. Pair with quick beans or chips, and you are golden.
Leftover shrimp also works chilled for tomorrow’s lunch.
3. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
This is a one-pan wonder that basically cooks itself. Slice smoked sausage, toss with bell peppers and onions, drizzle with olive oil, and season with Italian seasoning.
Roast until everything is caramelized at the edges and your kitchen smells like a street fair. The sausage crisps, the peppers sweeten, and cleanup is a breeze.
Serve on toasted rolls with mustard or pile over fluffy rice for a heartier plate. A last-minute splash of red wine vinegar perks it right up.
If you want a little heat, scatter chili flakes before roasting. You get bold flavor with minimal effort, the weeknight dream.
4. One-Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini
This is the creamy, tomatoey bowl you crave on busy nights. Simmer tortellini directly in marinara and broth until tender and plump.
Stir in a handful of spinach to wilt and a splash of cream to turn everything silky. A shower of Parmesan makes it taste like you fussed.
It is rich yet bright, and it all happens in one pot. If the sauce thickens too much, add a bit more broth.
Want extra tang? Finish with a little lemon.
Serve with garlic bread or a simple salad. Leftovers reheat beautifully, so lunch tomorrow is solved too.
5. Tuna and White Bean Skillet
Open a couple cans and dinner is halfway done. Warm olive oil with sliced garlic until fragrant, then tumble in white beans and cherry tomatoes.
Add tuna in big flakes so it stays meaty. A squeeze of lemon makes everything pop, and the juices beg for bread.
It is cozy, protein-packed, and surprisingly elegant for pantry staples. Finish with cracked pepper and whatever herbs you have.
If you like heat, a pinch of chili flakes works wonders. Serve straight from the skillet with a leafy salad.
You will wonder why you did not try this sooner.
6. Pesto Pasta With Chicken
Boil pasta until perfectly tender, then toss hot noodles with jarred or homemade pesto so it clings to every curve. Fold in warm cooked chicken and a snowfall of Parmesan.
Finish with lemon zest to lift the basil and make it sparkle. It is fast, fragrant, and totally satisfying.
If the pesto seems thick, loosen it with a splash of pasta water. Add cherry tomatoes if you have them, but it is great as is.
This bowl is weeknight gold for minimal effort. Serve with a crisp salad and call it done.
Leftovers taste great chilled for lunch tomorrow.
7. Black Bean Quesadillas
These quesadillas make dinner feel like a treat. Lightly mash canned black beans with a pinch of salt so they spread easily.
Pile onto tortillas with shredded cheese, fold, and crisp in a skillet until the cheese melts and the edges go golden. Dip in salsa or spoon it right inside.
Add jalapeños if you want kick, or corn for sweetness. You can cook two pans at once to speed things up.
Serve with a quick side salad or rice. They are budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and late-night-friendly too.
Keep tortillas and beans on hand and you are always ten minutes from melty goodness.
8. Baked Salmon With Dijon
This salmon is classy with almost no work. Spread Dijon mustard over fillets, sprinkle minced garlic, and slide into the oven.
It bakes quickly, turning tender and flaky. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and herbs if you have them.
The mustard adds tang and keeps everything juicy.
Serve alongside roasted potatoes or a bagged salad. If you like a little sweetness, whisk in honey before brushing.
Want extra browning? Broil the last minute.
This is the kind of dinner that earns compliments with pantry basics. Cleanup is easy if you line the pan with parchment.
9. Chickpea Shakshuka Skillet
Simmer crushed tomatoes with onion and garlic until thick and saucy. Stir in chickpeas for hearty texture.
Make little wells and crack in eggs, then cover until the whites set but the yolks are still soft. Scatter feta over the top so it melts into salty pockets.
This skillet is cozy, budget-friendly, and brunch-for-dinner perfect. Sop it up with toast or warm pitas.
Add chili flakes if you like heat, or a pinch of cumin for warmth. The eggs turn the sauce velvety and rich.
You will want to keep scooping until the pan is clean.
10. Cheeseburger Skillet
This skillet captures cheeseburger vibes in cozy pasta form. Brown ground beef with diced onion, then simmer short pasta right in broth so it soaks up flavor.
Stir in cheddar until everything turns creamy and saucy. It is nostalgic, quick, and guaranteed to please picky eaters.
Add ketchup or mustard at the end if you want that classic tang. A few pickle chips on top?
Surprisingly great. If the sauce tightens, splash more broth.
Serve with a simple green side and call it a diner night at home. Leftovers reheat well, making tomorrow’s lunch a breeze.
11. Greek Chicken Pita Wraps
Warm pitas until soft and pliable, then stuff with juicy chicken, chopped cucumber, and tomato. Spoon on tangy yogurt sauce and sprinkle with feta.
The combo is fresh, crunchy, creamy, and salty in the best way. Every bite tastes like a sunny afternoon.
If you want extra zip, add lemon juice or a dusting of oregano. These wraps are perfect for grab-and-go dinners or picnics.
Use rotisserie chicken to cut time even further. Pair with olives or chips and you are set.
They feel light but satisfying, and totally weeknight-friendly.
12. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Heat pulled pork with your favorite BBQ sauce until steamy and sticky. Pile it onto soft buns and crown with pickles for crunch and brightness.
The sweet-smoky sauce does the heavy lifting, and dinner basically builds itself. Grab napkins, because saucy fingers are part of the fun.
Toast the buns if you want extra texture. Add slaw for a cool, creamy contrast.
This is a lifesaver when guests show up hungry or the day runs long. Serve with chips or corn and call it done.
Leftovers make incredible next-day quesadillas.
13. Fried Rice With Eggs
Use cold leftover rice for the best texture. Stir-fry with a bit of oil until toasty, then push to the side and scramble eggs right in the pan.
Toss in frozen peas and carrots and season with soy sauce until everything turns savory and fragrant. Green onions finish it with freshness.
It is speedy, flexible, and deeply satisfying. Add leftover chicken or shrimp if you have it.
A dash of sesame oil at the end adds aroma. Serve hot straight from the wok and watch it disappear.
This bowl proves simple can be sensational.
14. Creamy Mushroom Gnocchi
This comes together in a single pan and tastes like date night. Sauté mushrooms until browned, add garlic, then pour in broth and cream.
Simmer gnocchi directly in the sauce so it turns plush and soaks up flavor. Finish with Parmesan for savory depth and shine.
If you love herbs, toss in thyme or parsley. The sauce clings to every dumpling, making each bite luxurious.
Add spinach for color if you want, but it is wonderful plain. Serve with a crisp salad to balance the richness.
Leftovers reheat gently with a splash of broth.
15. Chicken Caesar Wraps
Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing until every leaf is coated. Layer in sliced cooked chicken and plenty of Parmesan.
Wrap it snugly in a tortilla and slice in half. It is crunchy, creamy, salty, and totally handheld.
Perfect when you want salad energy without a fork.
Add cracked pepper or a squeeze of lemon to wake it up. If you like crunch, throw in croutons.
These wraps travel well for picnics or desk lunches too. Serve with fruit or chips and you are done.
Simple ingredients, big payoff, zero stress.
16. Taco Soup
Brown ground beef, then add taco seasoning, canned beans, tomatoes, corn, and broth. Simmer until the flavors marry and the kitchen smells like taco night.
Ladle into bowls and top however you like: cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or crushed chips. It is hearty, flexible, and comforting.
Adjust thickness by adding broth or simmering longer. Spice level is yours to choose.
This soup tastes even better the next day, which makes it a meal prep hero. Serve with warm tortillas or cornbread.
Every spoonful delivers cozy, savory goodness without fuss.
17. Caprese Chicken
Sear chicken breasts until juicy, then blanket with mozzarella so it melts into a creamy cap. Layer on ripe tomato slices and scatter fresh basil.
A drizzle of balsamic glaze ties it together with sweet tang. It is a five-star dinner with grocery store basics.
Serve with garlic bread or a green salad. If you like extra acidity, add a squeeze of lemon too.
The contrast of hot chicken and cool tomato feels perfect any night. You will want extra basil for that fragrant finish.
Simple, colorful, and fast.
18. Sausage and White Bean Soup
Brown sausage coins for deep flavor, then add garlic and broth. Stir in canned white beans and simmer until everything tastes like it has been cooking all day.
Finish with a hearty handful of spinach just until it wilts. The broth turns savory and soothing with minimal effort.
Serve with buttered toast for dunking. If you want heat, add chili flakes.
A squeeze of lemon wakes it up at the end. This soup is weeknight-friendly yet feels cozy and wholesome.
Leftovers make a stellar lunch and freeze well for emergencies.
