You’re busy, you have way too much on your plate, and you really deserve to have a more relaxed evening.
But you also shouldn’t sacrifice on flavor, and especially have a long day.
So 5-ingredient recipes are going to be your new best friend.
They’re the perfect recipes to grab for when you want good food, but you don’t want to be standing on your feet for an hour.
So grab a few of these dishes and make your week a whole lot more relaxing.
1. Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
Ingredient Number: 5
Side Note: Technically the author lists more than 5 ingredients for the marinade, but the lemon zest and juice come from the same ingredient. Also, she’s not counting the salt and pepper, and I get it. Everyone has it and it’s no effort to add.
I love a really good lemon garlic chicken recipe; you get some amazing tangy savory flavors. Also, this dish looks like a great one to pair with some rice!
2. Brown Butter & Sage Pasta
Ingredient Number: 5
I feel like this is the kind of recipe you either make for a date night in, or all for yourself.
And both are equally valid.
Whether you’re making it for your significant other or not, you deserve to enjoy yourself and relax!
3. Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken
Ingredient Number: 5 (+ 3 optional ingredients)
I’ve never mixed the flavors of maple and dijon, but this recipe looks (and sounds) amazing!
I would definitely love serving this to friends if they came over.
Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken
4. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Ribs
Ingredient Number: 4
I feel like it’s kind of hard to go wrong with ribs. They’re simple, and even simpler when you use a slow cooker.
5. Homemade Hot Pockets In The Air Fryer (Or Oven)
Ingredient Number: It does have seven ingredients, but the egg is optional and I don’t count water as an ingredient. Everyone can easily get it from the tap you know?
I love hot pockets so I would definitely be down for trying these! It also sounds like it might be a bit healthier than something store-bought.
Homemade Hot Pockets In The Air Fryer
6. Air Fryer Kielbasa (Polish Sausage)
Ingredient Number: 4
I grew up with a very similar recipe, and it was always a hit.
And if you’re also a strong believer in very simple and tasty dinners like this, then this is the recipe for you.
Air Fryer Kielbasa (Polish Sausage)
7. 4 Ingredient Crockpot Ravioli
Ingredient Number: 4
I’m sorry, but this 4 ingredient crockpot ravioli just looks so good! I would make a huge batch of this and eat it all throughout the week. No complaints.
8. Authentic Carbonara Recipe
Ingredient Number: 5
I can personally attest to carbonara. It is ridiculously easy.
But you’ll also look like a complete cooking genius to your friend and/or family when you make it because it just looks and tastes so good.
Authentic Carbonara Recipe with No Cream
9. Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredient Number: 4
Whether you’re a solo eater or you have family, this is probably always going to be a winner.
It’s kind of hard to go wrong with such a simple but delicious 5 ingredient recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
10. Spaghetti Aglio E Olio
Ingredient Number: 5
A really really simple dinner recipe that dates back to the 1800s. And with garlic and olive oil, it’ll be a flavorful and satisfying dinner to enjoy.
11. Simple Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Peppers
Ingredient Number: 5
If you’re looking for something that’s just a bit more healthy yet filling, then this is your go-to.
It’s quick and easy, and probably smells amazing cooking in the oven.
Simple Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Peppers
12. Grilled Basil Lemon Pork Chops
Ingredient Number: 5
I love marinated recipes, and these pork chops marinated with basil, lemon, garlic, and olive oil look like they would pair great with some quickly made rice.
Grilled Basil Lemon Pork Chops
13. Easy Butter Poached Lobster Tail Recipe
Ingredient Number: 4 + 2 option ingredients
If you love seafood, then I think this is the recipe you’re looking for.
Also, it just looks like a great date night dinner to make!
Easy Butter Poached Lobster Tail Recipe
14. 5 Ingredient Meatless Baked Ziti (Kraft Copycat Recipe)
Ingredient Number: 5
There’s just something so comfortingly, cozy, and satisfying about baked pasta dishes. The texture, the cheese, it’s all pretty darn good.
5 Ingredient Meatless Baked Ziti (Kraft Copycat Recipe)
15. Shredded Beef Enchiladas
Ingredient Number: 4
I’m all for ultra-flavorful, saucy, and cheesy Mexican-inspired dishes, and this looks like a great one to try.
Also, if you’re a cheese-lover, then there’s no stopping you and how much you can put on. Just a thought.
Shredded Beef Enchiladas (4 ingredients)
16. 5-Ingredient No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredient Number: 5
Disclaimer: Recipe also includes water + (optional) salt and pepper. But I don’t count these since they’re something we all have and don’t really require more money and effort.
This looks like some really good comfort food for when the weather is cold.
Pro-Tip: Add maybe a quarter cup of dry white wine and it might just taste even better. But that’s my personal opinion.
5-Ingredient No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole
17. 15-Minute Red Pesto Pasta with Prawns
Ingredient Number: 5
Another really good-looking recipe you can make when you wanna be a little fancy, but don’t wanna spend an hour on your feet prepping dinner.
15-Minute Red Pesto Pasta with Prawns
18. Air Fryer Pizza Quesadilla
Ingredient Number: 5 + the optional ingredient of basil
Honestly, it reminds me a bit of a double-crust pizza, and if you’re in the crispy tangy cheesy mood, then this is probably a good dinner to try this week.
19. 5-Ingredient Mac and Cheese {No Flour/No Roux}
Ingredient Number: 5
Anyone who says that mac and cheese isn’t a real dinner doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
And when you make it just right, that’ll be all you need for the entire evening.
It’s not a dinner you have all the time, but just when you really want something super comforting.
5-Ingredient Mac and Cheese {No Flour/No Roux}
20. Pesto Salmon
Ingredient Number: 4
Ok, I know I’ve given a lot of carby not-so-healthy recipes, but here’s one that looks light and super flavorful. Also, it’s hard to go wrong when you have a tasty pesto.
21. 5-Ingredient Burrata Pesto Pasta
Ingredient Number: 5
Another good date night dinner recipe, or a nice recipe for yourself when you wanna watch a good movie on a Friday evening.
5-Ingredient Burrata Pesto Pasta
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.