5 Quick Dinners with just 5 ingredients

Quick dinners with just 5 ingredients are a lifesaver for busy nights when time and energy are low. In this post, you’ll find 5 fast, delicious, and budget-friendly meals that use only a handful of ingredients, yet deliver maximum flavor. Whether you’re a beginner cook or just short on time, these easy recipes will have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.

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1. Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

This is one of our favorite quick dinners with just 5 ingredients, it’s creamy, comforting, and super simple to make after a long day.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast (sliced thin)
• Pasta (penne or spaghetti)
• Garlic (minced)
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese

Quick Steps:

1. Cook pasta and set aside.
2. Sauté garlic in a bit of oil, add chicken and cook through.
3. Pour in cream, let simmer, then add cheese.
4. Toss with pasta and serve.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

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2. Spicy Egg Fried Rice

A classic among quick dinners with just 5 ingredients, this spicy egg fried rice is budget-friendly, fast, and endlessly satisfying.

Ingredients:

• Cooked rice (preferably cold)
• Eggs
• Green chili or red chili flakes
• Soy sauce
• Spring onions

Quick Steps:

1. Scramble eggs in oil, then push to the side.
2. Add rice and chili, stir-fry 2 minutes.
3. Pour in soy sauce, mix well.
4. Garnish with spring onions.

⏱️ Ready in: 10 minutes

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3. One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon

Want a healthy meal fast? This salmon dish proves that quick dinners with just 5 ingredients can still be fancy and nutritious.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets
• Lemon (sliced)
• Fresh or dried herbs (like dill or thyme)
• Olive oil
• Potatoes (sliced thin)

Quick Steps:

1. Toss potatoes with oil, salt, herbs. Bake at 200°C (392°F) for 15 min.
2. Add salmon with lemon slices on top, drizzle with oil and herbs.
3. Bake together for another 10–12 minutes.

⏱️ Ready in: 25 minutes

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4. Cheesy Veggie Quesadillas

If you’re looking for vegetarian quick dinners with just 5 ingredients, this cheesy quesadilla delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

• Tortillas
• Cheese (cheddar/mozzarella)
• Bell peppers
• Onions
• Butter or oil

Quick Steps:

1. Sauté onions and peppers.
2. Layer cheese and veggies on half of each tortilla.
3. Fold and cook in a pan until golden on both sides.

⏱️ Ready in: 15 minutes

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5. Beef & Potato Skillet

Hearty and filling, this one-skillet meal shows how quick dinners with 5 ingredients can satisfy even the biggest appetites.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Potatoes (cubed)
• Onion
• Paprika or chili powder
• Garlic

Quick Steps:

1. Brown beef and garlic in a skillet.
2. Add onions and potatoes, cook covered until soft.
3. Season with paprika/chili, salt and pepper.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

Looking for more 5-ingredient meal ideas? Check out our 10-Minute Breakfasts!

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Tips for Making the Most of Quick Dinners with 5 Ingredients

Making quick dinners with 5 ingredients doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or creativity. Here are a few tips to get the most out of these meals:

• Use versatile ingredients: Items like garlic, cheese, eggs, or tomatoes can be used in multiple dishes, saving money and prep time.
• Keep pantry staples ready: While we’re counting only 5 core ingredients, having oil, salt, pepper, and spices on hand helps bring the flavors to life.
• Batch prep proteins or grains: Cooking rice, pasta, or chicken in bulk early in the week makes dinner even faster later on.

If you find yourself getting bored, try switching one ingredient with a similar one — like using sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes, or shrimp instead of chicken.

Shopping Made Simple

Another benefit of these quick dinners with 5 ingredients is the minimal grocery list. You can get in and out of the store quickly, or even better — shop from your pantry! Planning a week’s worth of meals using just 15–20 total ingredients helps cut costs and reduce waste.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, quick dinners with 5 ingredients can save your time, energy, and budget — without compromising on taste. Simplicity is often the secret to consistency in cooking. Try rotating these meals through your week and you’ll never feel overwhelmed at dinner time again.