12 Five-Ingredient Meals I Keep in My Back Pocket

As a busy career-focused mom, I’ve come to appreciate the joy of meals that are as straightforward as they are satisfying. It’s in this spirit that I bring you a collection of twelve five-ingredient recipes that I always have at the ready for those evenings when time is of the essence, but so is a good meal.

1. Weeknight Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

This classic Italian comfort food is a staple in my kitchen. With just pasta, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and parsley, you can create a tasty and satisfying meal in minutes. Start by cooking your pasta of choice until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, heat a generous amount of olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add minced garlic and chili flakes, and sauté until fragrant.

When the pasta is ready, drain it, reserving some pasta water. Combine the pasta with the garlic oil, adding pasta water as needed to create a glossy sauce. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. I recommend using a high-quality spaghetti and extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.

2. Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill

Fresh salmon, a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of dill, and a dash of salt and pepper are all you need for this healthy and delicious meal. To start, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating, place your salmon on a baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and dill, then top with thin slices of lemon.

Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. This dish pairs beautifully with steamed vegetables or a simple green salad. When buying salmon, look for fresh, bright pink fillets with a clean smell.

3. Five-Ingredient Chicken Stir-Fry

Stir-fry is a fantastic option for a quick, healthy meal. For this five-ingredient version, you’ll need chicken, bell peppers, soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of oil for frying. Start by thinly slicing your chicken and bell peppers. Then, heat your oil in a pan, add the chicken and fry until cooked through.

Next, add the peppers and minced garlic, and stir-fry until the peppers are tender-crisp. Finally, stir in some soy sauce and cook for another minute or two. A good-quality soy sauce can make a big difference in taste, so don’t skimp on this ingredient!

4. Simple Avocado and Black Bean Tacos

This simple, plant-based meal is packed with flavor. Start by heating canned black beans in a saucepan. While the beans are heating, slice your avocado and chop some fresh cilantro. Then, warm up your corn tortillas on a skillet.

Assemble your tacos by spreading a layer of black beans on each tortilla, followed by slices of avocado, a sprinkle of salt, and a pinch of cilantro. For a bit of extra flavor, add a squeeze of lime. This dish is also great with some salsa or hot sauce on the side.

5. Classic Margherita Pizza

There’s a reason Margherita pizza is a classic. With just pizza dough, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil, you can create a meal that’s simple yet delicious. Start by preheating your oven to its highest temperature, and if you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.

Roll out your pizza dough and top with slices of fresh tomato and mozzarella, then drizzle with olive oil. Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling. Finish with fresh basil leaves and a final drizzle of olive oil. A pizza stone can help achieve a crispy crust, but a baking sheet works as well.

6. Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is a nutritious and versatile grain that forms the base of this hearty salad. Start by cooking your quinoa according to package instructions. While the quinoa is cooking, chop your vegetables of choice (I like bell peppers and zucchini) and toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast in the oven until tender.

Once everything is ready, combine the quinoa and vegetables in a large bowl and drizzle with your favorite vinaigrette. This salad can be served warm or cold and makes for great leftovers. The key to roasting vegetables is to give them space on the pan so they can brown and crisp instead of steam.

7. Asian-Inspired Beef and Broccoli

This restaurant favorite is surprisingly easy to make at home. For this dish, you’ll need beef, broccoli, soy sauce, garlic, and oil for frying. Start by thinly slicing your beef and marinating it in soy sauce and minced garlic for at least 15 minutes.

While the beef is marinating, blanch your broccoli in boiling water until bright green and crisp-tender. Next, heat your oil in a pan and add the beef, frying until browned. Add the broccoli and stir-fry for another minute or two, then serve. Choose a cut of beef that’s tender and flavorful, such as ribeye or flank steak.

8. Quick and Easy Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi is a seafood dish that can be put together in under 20 minutes. Start by sautéing garlic in butter and olive oil until fragrant. Add raw, peeled shrimp, cooking them until they turn pink, and then add a splash of white wine and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Let the sauce simmer until it reduces a bit, then toss in cooked pasta and a handful of chopped parsley. For the best results, use fresh, large shrimp and a decent quality white wine. This dish pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread.

9. Hearty Lentil Soup

This soup is not only hearty and delicious but also packed with nutrients. Start by sautéing diced onions in olive oil until they’re soft and translucent. Add minced garlic, followed by dried lentils, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes.

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the lentils are tender. This may take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes depending on the type of lentils you use. I recommend using green or brown lentils as they hold their shape well when cooked.

10. Five-Ingredient Egg Fried Rice

Fried rice is a fantastic way to use up leftover rice. For this recipe, you’ll need cooked rice, eggs, peas, soy sauce, and oil for frying. Start by heating your oil in a pan, then add the rice and peas, frying until heated through.

Push the rice to one side of the pan, then crack the eggs into the other side. Scramble the eggs until cooked, then mix with the rice. Finally, stir in the soy sauce and serve. The key to good fried rice is to use cold, day-old rice as it fries up better than fresh rice.

11. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

There’s something comforting about the combination of a warm, crispy grilled cheese sandwich and a hot bowl of tomato soup. For the soup, start by sautéing diced onions in olive oil until soft. Add a can of crushed tomatoes, some vegetable broth, and a pinch of salt and pepper, then let it simmer until heated through.

For the grilled cheese, butter one side of each slice of bread, then layer cheese on the unbuttered side. Grill on a hot skillet until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. For an extra flavor boost, try using a combination of cheeses, like cheddar and mozzarella.

12. Simple Greek Yogurt Parfait

This versatile dish is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. Start with a layer of Greek yogurt in a glass or bowl, then add a layer of granola, followed by a layer of fresh fruit. Repeat the layers until the glass is full, then top with a final dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola.

You can customize this parfait with your favorite fruits and granola. I love using berries and honey-flavored granola, but the possibilities are endless. The key is to use a good quality Greek yogurt as it’s thicker and creamier than regular yogurt.