25 Simple Yet Delicious Dinners With Just 5 Ingredients
Weeknights are hectic, but dinner does not have to be. With just five smart ingredients, you can plate comforting, flavorful meals faster than takeout.
These dishes are simple enough for beginners yet satisfying for seasoned home cooks who want less fuss. Grab a pan, open the pantry, and let dinner practically make itself.
1. Pesto Tortellini With Cherry Tomatoes
Cheese tortellini meets jarred pesto for instant comfort with big basil flavor. Toss in juicy cherry tomatoes and a handful of spinach, letting the heat gently wilt the greens until glossy.
Shower with a snowy drift of parmesan and you are done in minutes.
This is the kind of dinner that loves shortcuts and still tastes like summer. If you want extra zing, a squeeze of lemon works, but the five essentials are enough.
Stir, taste, and twirl those cheesy pockets while they are still hot and saucy.
2. BBQ Chicken Flatbreads
Grab store-bought flatbreads, swipe on smoky-sweet BBQ sauce, and blanket with shredded cooked chicken. Add a generous snowfall of cheese and scatter thin slices of red onion for bite.
Bake until the edges crisp and the cheese bubbles into golden pockets.
Slice into easy squares and watch them disappear. This is pizza night energy without the knead-or-rise stress, and the balance of tangy sauce and savory chicken just works.
Keep napkins handy, cut corners if you like, and enjoy that sticky, satisfying finish.
3. Honey Garlic Salmon
Whisk honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and lemon into a quick glaze, then sear salmon until the edges caramelize. Spoon the sauce over the fillets as they finish, letting it thicken into a sticky sheen.
The citrus keeps it bright while the honey brings irresistible gloss.
Serve with rice or greens and call it a night. You will love the contrast of flaky fish and sweet-savory garlicky sauce.
It is a restaurant-level payoff with barely any prep, just a hot pan, a squeeze of lemon, and a few pantry staples.
4. Sausage and Pepper Skillet
Sizzle sausage coins with onions and garlic until the kitchen smells incredible. Tumble in sliced bell peppers and Italian seasoning, then sauté until everything softens and caramelizes around the edges.
The juices mingle into a savory, herby glaze that coats every bite.
Eat straight from the pan or pile into crusty rolls if that is your mood. It is hearty, colorful, and wildly satisfying without extra fuss.
Five ingredients, one skillet, and a dinner that never needs convincing. Leftovers reheat beautifully for tomorrow’s lunch.
5. Creamy Tomato Gnocchi
Simmer marinara with a splash of heavy cream until it turns blush and coats a spoon. Fold in pillowy gnocchi and let the sauce cling to every curve.
Finish with grated parmesan and torn basil for a cozy bowl that tastes like a hug.
It is fast, comforting, and requires zero chopping if you buy pre-grated cheese. The creamy tang hits that sweet spot between weeknight and treat.
Scoop, swirl, and settle into the couch while dinner practically melts in your mouth.
6. Sheet-Pan Ranch Chicken and Potatoes
Toss chicken, halved baby potatoes, and green beans with ranch seasoning and melted butter. Spread on a hot sheet pan and roast until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is golden.
The butter bastes everything, while the ranch adds that herby, tangy backbone.
It is a full dinner on one pan with almost no dishes. You get crispy bits, tender centers, and a familiar flavor everyone loves.
Pull, plate, and enjoy the easy weeknight victory while the oven does the heavy lifting.
7. Lemon Butter Shrimp Pasta
Boil pasta while shrimp sizzles quickly in butter and garlic. Splash in lemon juice and toss everything together so the sauce shimmers and coats the noodles.
The brightness lifts the richness, making each bite feel light yet luxurious.
Cracks of black pepper and a sprinkle of parsley are lovely if you have them. Mostly, you just need a fork and a deep breath after the first bite.
It is simple, fast, and exactly what a long day calls for.
8. Taco-Style Beef Rice Bowls
Brown ground beef, drain, and spoon over steamy rice. Add spoonfuls of salsa, then shower with shredded cheese so it melts into the warm beef.
Finish with a crisp handful of lettuce for cool crunch against the savory base.
Everything lands in one bowl, and it tastes like taco night without the mess. You can scale it for meal prep or pile it high for a fast family dinner.
Grab a spoon, mix it up, and dig into comfort.
9. Chicken Caesar Wraps
Layer romaine, cooked chicken, creamy Caesar dressing, and plenty of parmesan onto warm tortillas. Roll tightly, tuck the ends, and slice on the bias so everything stays put.
Each bite balances crisp greens, savory chicken, and that unmistakable garlicky dressing.
This is grab-and-go dinner energy, perfect for hot nights or lunch boxes. You can toast the wrap in a dry skillet for a little crunch.
Mostly, it is about simplicity and dependable flavor you can count on every time.
10. Baked Caprese Chicken
Nestle chicken in a baking dish, top with tomato slices and mozzarella, and bake until juicy and melty. Finish with fresh basil and a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze for sweet-tart shine.
The result tastes like a Caprese salad met a cozy casserole.
It is weeknight-easy but dinner-party pretty. Spoon the pan juices over the chicken to catch every drop of flavor.
With minimal effort, you get tender protein, gooey cheese, and the freshest summer notes in every bite.
11. Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken
Sauté chicken, then pour in teriyaki sauce until it thickens into a shiny coat. Stir in pineapple chunks and bell pepper for sweet bite and crunch.
Spoon it all over warm rice so the sauce trickles into every grain.
The combo is cheerful and just different enough to feel special midweek. You get salty-sweet balance and a juicy pop from the fruit.
Keep the heat moderate and do not overcook, and dinner rewards you with glossy, tender goodness.
12. White Bean and Tuna Salad Plates
Combine drained white beans with flaked tuna, lemon juice, olive oil, and thinly sliced red onion. Toss gently so the beans stay creamy and the tuna stays chunky.
Chill or serve room temperature for a refreshing, protein-rich plate.
This is pantry cooking at its smartest. Pair with crisp greens or toast if you want, but it is satisfying on its own.
Zippy lemon and savory tuna keep each bite lively, while beans make it feel complete without extra fuss.
13. Spinach Feta Pasta
Boil your favorite pasta and save a splash of water. Sauté garlic, toss in spinach to wilt, then add pasta and crumble in feta.
A squeeze of lemon brightens everything while the salty cheese turns creamy as it melts slightly.
It tastes like sunshine in a bowl and comes together before your playlist finishes. The textures are balanced, the flavors are clean, and you will not miss a long ingredient list.
Twirl, taste, and enjoy the citrusy finish.
14. Crispy Potato and Egg Skillet
Pan-fry diced potatoes and onions until they are deeply golden and crisp at the edges. Make little wells, crack in eggs, and cover so the whites set and yolks stay jammy.
Sprinkle with cheddar and finish with dashes of hot sauce for kick.
It is breakfast-for-dinner magic with only one pan to wash. The potatoes carry everything, the eggs add creaminess, and the cheese ties it together.
Slide the skillet to the table and dig in while it is sizzling.
15. Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Butter bread, add your favorite cheese, and griddle until the crust turns crisp and the center stretches. Heat tomato soup until steamy and smooth, then pour into a warm bowl.
A sprinkle of basil adds aroma that makes everything feel extra cozy.
This classic is unbeatable when you need gentle comfort in a hurry. Dip, bite, repeat until the bowl is empty and the plate is crumb-speckled.
Simple ingredients, perfect harmony, and a dinner that never goes out of style.
16. Ham and Pea Alfredo
Warm jarred Alfredo sauce and fold in diced ham and peas. Toss with hot pasta so the sauce coats every ribbon and the peas stay bright.
Parmesan on top adds a savory finish you can taste in every forkful.
It is weeknight comfort with minimal chopping and maximum payoff. Salty ham balances the cream, and the peas pop like little bursts of sweetness.
You will be twirling in minutes and scraping the plate clean shortly after.
17. Chickpea Curry
Simmer chickpeas with curry paste or powder in rich coconut milk until thick and fragrant. Fold in spinach so it softens into the sauce, then ladle over fluffy rice.
The spices bloom, the coconut mellows, and every bite feels layered and warm.
It is one pot, big flavor, and very forgiving. Adjust thickness with a splash of water and taste for salt at the end.
Cozy, bright, and entirely pantry-friendly, this curry is your new weeknight ace.
18. Balsamic Sausage and Brussels
Toss halved Brussels sprouts and sliced sausage with olive oil, balsamic, and minced garlic. Roast until the sprouts are crisp-edged and the sausage browns beautifully.
The balsamic reduces into a sweet-tangy glaze that clings to every bite.
This delivers big flavor with barely any prep. It is hearty, balanced, and exactly the kind of tray you will keep picking at.
Serve straight from the pan and enjoy the contrast of tender centers and charred leaves.
19. Greek Chicken Bowls
Cook chicken with Greek seasoning until juicy and fragrant. Scoop over warm rice, then add crunchy cucumber and a tumble of feta.
A squeeze of lemon, if you have it, makes everything pop with brightness.
Each bowl feels fresh yet filling, perfect for make-ahead lunches or fast dinners. The salty cheese and cool cucumber keep each bite lively.
Stir it together or enjoy distinct layers, either way you will be satisfied.
20. Cheesy Beef Stuffed Peppers
Brown ground beef, mix with marinara and cooked rice, then pack into halved bell peppers. Top with cheese and bake until the peppers soften and the tops turn bubbly and golden.
The filling becomes saucy and satisfying inside tender pepper boats.
It is a complete meal tucked into a colorful package. Scoop with a spoon or slice with a knife and fork.
Expect clean plates and maybe a little cheese stretch celebration at the table.
21. Shrimp Tacos
Quick-cook shrimp in a hot pan, then pile into warm tortillas. Add crunchy slaw mix and a drizzle of spicy mayo for heat and creaminess.
Finish with a squeeze of lime to brighten the whole bite.
They are fresh, fast, and wildly satisfying on any night. Set out extras if you like, but the essentials already sing.
Two or three tacos later, you will wonder why you ever waited for takeout.
22. Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta
Cook chicken pieces until lightly browned, then toss with hot pasta and marinara. Add basil and nestle in mozzarella so it melts into creamy pools.
The sauce clings to every noodle, and the basil perfumes the whole skillet.
It is comfort that feels bright, not heavy. You get tender chicken, stretchy cheese, and a sauce that hugs everything.
Scoop generous portions and enjoy that classic Italian American goodness in minutes.
23. Miso Butter Noodles
Stir softened butter with miso until smooth, then toss with hot noodles so it melts into a savory glaze. Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds for crunch and aroma.
The result is salty, cozy, and unbelievably comforting.
This is a five-minute miracle when you need a warm bowl fast. The miso’s umami makes it taste far more complex than the steps suggest.
Slurp happily and let the buttered noodles do their soothing work.
24. Crispy Fish Sandwiches
Bake frozen breaded fish until crackly and golden. Tuck into soft buns with a swipe of tartar sauce, a few crunchy pickles, and a mound of slaw.
The contrast of hot, crispy fish and cool, tangy toppings is the secret.
It is a total weeknight win that feels like a drive-thru upgrade. Stack them high, press gently, and take a big, satisfying bite.
Minimal effort, big crunch, and smiles at the table.
25. Rotisserie Chicken Nachos
Spread chips on a sheet pan, scatter shredded rotisserie chicken, and rain cheese over everything. Bake until the edges crisp and the cheese melts into glossy webs.
Spoon on salsa and add jalapeno slices for heat right before serving.
It is a fast crowd-pleaser that doubles as dinner and snack. Grab a corner chip and pull, then chase the stringy cheese with tender chicken.
Perfect for game night or any night you want easy celebration.
