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20 Easy 5-Ingredient (or Fewer!) Recipes

20 Easy 5-Ingredient (or Fewer!) Recipes

Updated May 08, 2020

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Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

You don't need a lot of ingredients (five or fewer, to be exact) to make these simple recipes delicious. Whether you're looking for breakfast (may we recommend 3-Ingredient Pancakes?), dinner (these Baked Pork Chops are shockingly easy), or dessert (you just need chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk for this fudge), you'll find something for everyone at your table in this collection of five-ingredient—or fewer—recipes.

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3-Ingredient Baked Pork Chops

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

3-Ingredient Baked Pork Chops Recipe

Exciting news—you’re just three ingredients away from a magnificently meaty main dish! This crispy, oven-baked pork chop recipe works just as well for boneless, center-cut pork chops, simply check them after 10-15 minutes and be sure not to let them overcook.

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Cacio e Pepe

Credit: Gina Desimone; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Adam Dolge

Cacio e Pepe Recipe

This foolproof method delivers the classic, crave worthy flavors and textures of cacio e pepe—strong peppery backbone (without verging towards too “hot”), earthy saltiness from the Pecorino cheese, and a luscious sauciness that will have you ready to lick the bowl.

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2-Ingredient (More or Less) Sweet Potato Pancakes

Credit: Jennifer Causey

2-Ingredient (More or Less) Sweet Potato Pancakes Recipe

Yes, you can make sweet potato pancakes with just two ingredients (give or take)! If you’re a little skeptical, you’ll become a believer after biting into them. They’re simple enough for weekdays, yet feel indulgent enough for weekend brunch.

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Chia Pudding

Credit: Photo by Ari Taymor

Chia Pudding Recipe

Combine ingredients and soak overnight. Add sorrel juice to chia pudding for desired taste and texture. Top with whatever fruit is good at the farmers market: berries, peaches, pears. Add shaved coconut or flax or cacao or any crunchy seed or nut.

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3-Ingredient Pancakes

Credit: Photos by Alex Tepper

3-Ingredient Pancakes Recipe

These single-serving pancakes are a bit more like the custardy center bite of French toast: fluffy, eggy, and golden delicious.

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Chorizo and Egg Breakfast Tacos

Credit: Photos by Teresa Sabga

Chorizo and Egg Breakfast Tacos Recipe

You’re craving a new protein-packed breakfast, but you don’t have much time to experiment in the kitchen before running out the door. Here’s a foolproof breakfast taco recipe that’s quick, simple, and most importantly, delicious.

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3-Ingredient Banana Bread

Credit: Photos by Teresa Sabga

3-Ingredient Banana Bread Recipe

When you’re baking a loaf of homemade banana bread, you no longer have to fuss with flour, baking powder, eggs, etc.—all of that stuff’s included in just-add-water pancake mix.

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2-Ingredient Fudge

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

2-Ingredient Fudge Recipe

Requiring a mere 2 ingredients (both of which are likely already in your pantry), this is the fudge you can make with one only one hand. Packing an intensely chocolatey flavor, this easy fudge recipe is sure to please.

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2-Ingredient Macaroons

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2-Ingredient Macaroons Recipe

Requiring only two ingredients, these easy coconut macaroons are almost too good to be true. Whip up a batch in just 20 minutes for sweet and simple treat.

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3-Ingredient S'mores Peepza

Credit: Caleb Zorn Styling: Emma Crist

3-Ingredient S'mores Peepza Recipe

Peeps, Nutella, and a refrigerated pizza crust come together for a jaw-dropping pastel masterpiece.

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Lemon-Grilled Chicken Breasts

Credit: Greg DuPreeFood Styling: Rishon HannersProp Styling: Thom Driver

Lemon-Grilled Chicken Breasts Recipe

This is a perfect basic grilled chicken recipe, simple and versatile enough to meal prep, whip up on a hectic weeknight, or serve to company. Make sure to cook the chicken breasts until the internal temperature reaches a safe 165 degrees—about six minutes on each side. Save three of these grilled chicken breast halves to make our Hearts of Romaine Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken. Garnish the plate with grilled lemon slices.

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Simple Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Simple Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe

This simple whole chicken recipe is great served as is with crusty bread or over rice, but it’s also a great way to cook chicken ahead of time to use in a variety of dishes, such as chicken salad, soups, and casseroles.

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Grilled Bone-In Chicken Thighs

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Grilled Bone-In Chicken Thighs Recipe

How can such a simple recipe for grilled chicken thighs taste so flavorful and satisfying? Once you sink your teeth into the super-crispy skin and find rich, tasty dark meat waiting underneath, you’ll understand. This low and slow cooking method yields tender, succulent meat with carefully developed flavors.

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Grilled Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

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Grilled Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches Recipe

Golden brown waffles provide the perfect compliment this ham, dijon mustard, and cheddar brunch sandwich.

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5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Credit: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Recipe

When glazing, use a shallow bowl that will accommodate the entire cookie.

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White Chocolate-Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars

Credit: Annie Campbell

White Chocolate-Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars Recipe

Fact: Cinnamon Toast Crunch makes everything better.

If the sweet, warm, crunchy cereal was a more frequently used ingredient, the world would be a much better place. That's why we created these super easy, 3-ingredient White Chocolate-Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars using Pampered Chef's Snack Bar Maker (read all about this amazing pan here). Don't worry if you don't want to shell out the $25—you can get a cheaper alternative on Amazon OR you can forgo the special pan and make White Chocolate-Cinnamon Toast Bark instead. Truly, the sky's the limit when it comes to these homemade candy bars.

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Simple Rice And Beans

Credit: Meredith Food Studios

Simple Rice And Beans Recipe

With just a few ingredients (that you probably already have in your pantry), this easy, budget-friendly recipe couldn't be simpler.

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Simple Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Simple Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash Recipe

As easy as it gets, this is a great, hands-off, and foolproof method for making slow cooker spaghetti squash. Use the slow-cooked squash for salads, as a veggie swap for pasta noodles, or as a simple fall side dish.

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Simple Grilled Whole Lobster

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Simple Grilled Whole Lobster Recipe

Cooking fresh lobster may seem intimidating—but after you do it once, it’s really know sweat. Grilling them is a great way to cook fresh lobster as it imparts a delicious smoky flavor to the crustacean’s rich meat, and being that you can eat them right from the shells, it’s super simple too.

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20 Easy 5-Ingredient (or Fewer!) Recipes

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3-Ingredient Baked Pork Chops

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Cacio e Pepe

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2-Ingredient (More or Less) Sweet Potato Pancakes

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Chia Pudding

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3-Ingredient Pancakes

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Chorizo and Egg Breakfast Tacos

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3-Ingredient Banana Bread

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2-Ingredient Fudge

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2-Ingredient Macaroons

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3-Ingredient S'mores Peepza

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Lemon-Grilled Chicken Breasts

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Simple Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

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Grilled Bone-In Chicken Thighs

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Grilled Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

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5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

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White Chocolate-Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars

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Simple Rice And Beans

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Simple Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash

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Simple Grilled Whole Lobster

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