15 Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less for Dinner

Does your life feel like a marathon some days? Mine does. But armed with quick and easy recipes with 5 ingredients or less, dinner doesn’t have to add to the stress.

Let’s face it: Days can be so unpredictable. Yesterday, I had the best intentions of coming home and whipping up a lasagna. The ingredients were waiting, and on most nights there’s time for that. But then my phone broke and had to be taken care of immediately.

When we moved to Maine, I eschewed a landline in favor of a smartphone only. So our dinner meal plan was tossed out the window and the best intentions of cooking were replaced with takeout. It happens.

But nights don’t have to be like that — not even busy ones. With a well-stocked pantry and the right recipes with 5 ingredients or less for dinner, you can whip up dinner easily — no matter how unpredictable the evening is.

Slow Cooker Pork for Tacos

Did someone say taco night? We love taco night … and I love it, even more, when the taco filling is a flavorful slow cooker creation … like this recipe.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Pork for Tacos on Cooking Classy.

Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Tenderloin

One of my favorite cuts of pork is tenderloin. Why? Because it’s so tender and easy to cook. This one has a sweet glaze that turns an easy dish into something unforgettably delightful.

Get the recipe for Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Tenderloin on Farmer’s Wife Rambles.

Simple Chili Mac

Did you see that cheesy goodness? My kids will go crazy for this simple, flavorful pasta recipe.

Get the recipe for Simple Chili Mac on Balancing Home.

5 Ingredient Pesto Chicken Stuffed Peppers

Pesto + chicken + super easy recipe = happy mama and kids. Seriously, these are stuffed peppers I can get into.

Get the recipe for 5 Ingredient Pesto Chicken Stuffed Peppers on Layers of Happiness.

Chicken Sausage Pepper Potato Hash

Here in the SCB household, we adore breakfast for dinner. And this recipe for a spin on traditional hash is something we’d all love. Bring on the runny eggs!

Get the recipe for Chicken Sausage Pepper Potato Hash on Joyful Healthy Eats.

5 Ingredient Pesto Chicken Soup

Did I mention that we adore pesto and chicken? This soup sounds delightful for those chilly nights (ahem, which is pretty much every night here in Maine these days …).

Get the recipe for 5 Ingredient Pesto Chicken Soup on Gimme Some Oven.

Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken

I love my slow cooker since it means dinner practically makes itself. And the combination of flavors in this chicken recipe? I am practically drooling.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken on The Recipe Critic.

Baked Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets and kids go together like chips and dip or like pumpkin pie and whipped cream or like … well, you get the idea. I love this super simple recipe for making them at home.

Get the recipe for Baked Chicken Nuggets on Cooking Classy.

Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Let me pause while I wipe away the drool. Pizza bread? Sounds like a perfect recipe for Friday Movie Night in our house. How about yours?

Get the recipe for Pull Apart Pizza Bread on Just Us Four Blog.

2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

This recipe has only two ingredients. Two! That means this is simple enough to toss in the slow cooker even on those mornings when the alarm doesn’t go off and the screech of the school bus tires comes too soon.

Get the recipe for 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken on Gimme Some Oven.

Pulled BBQ Chicken Wraps

Pulled chicken and barbecue sauce … yum. These wraps are perfect for busy night dinners.

Get the recipe for Pulled BBQ Chicken Wraps on Farmer’s Wife Rambles.

5-Ingredient Potato Soup

On those gray, cold days, a warm soup like this is good for the soul. I swear.

Get the recipe for 5 Ingredient Potato Soup on Gimme Some Oven.

Chicken Fried Rice

Homemade fried rice is one of my favorite things to make. This one, packed with veggies and chicken, is something we’d all fall for.

Get the recipe for Chicken Fried Rice on Modern Mami.

Sauteed Five Spice Shrimp

My kids go crazy for flavorful shrimp. And I love how quickly you can whip them up with just a few ingredients. This easy peasy recipe can be on your table in no time. Serve it with rice and some steamed veggies for a perfect busy-night dinner.

Get the recipe for Sauteed Five Spice Shrimp on Sarah’s Cucina Bella.

Very Veggie Tortellini

In just 15 minutes, you can be digging into this super easy recipe for a vegetable-filled tortellini pasta dish. It’s yum and easy all wrapped up into one dinner-friendly package.

Get the recipe for Very Veggie Tortellini on Sarah’s Cucina Bella.

Looking for more recipes with 5 ingredients or less for dinner?

Check out my newest cookbook, The Super Easy 5-Ingredient Cookbook! It’s all about cooking well, easily and simply. It’s filled with easy, accessible recipes that the whole family will love. We’re talking one-pan, 30-minute and no-cook recipes for every meal of the day. If you’re a busy person who likes to eat well, this is the cookbook for you.

Available where books are sold (and if you don’t see it on the shelf, ask your favorite bookseller to order you a copy!).