5 Easy Dinner Recipes With Just 5 Ingredients You’ll Make on Repeat

By Brandon D / September 29, 2025

Busy night, hungry mood, zero patience? Same. These five dinners deliver big flavor with tiny shopping lists—just five ingredients each (plus salt, pepper, and oil). They’re quick, comforting, and totally weeknight-proof.

We’re talking crispy chicken, creamy pasta, sheet-pan salmon, and a taco situation that solves everything. Minimal prep, maximum satisfaction. Ready to cook smarter, not harder?

1. Crispy Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs You’ll Put on Speed Dial

If you love chicken that’s juicy inside with shatteringly crisp skin, this is your new go-to. The magic is in the hot pan, a hit of lemon, and garlic that caramelizes right on the chicken. It’s fast, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for any night you don’t want to think too hard.

Ingredients:

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 to 2.5 lb)
• 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Pat the chicken very dry and season all over with salt, pepper, and the smoked paprika.
2. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Add a slick of oil. Place chicken skin-side down and cook undisturbed until deeply golden and crisp, 8–10 minutes.
3. Flip the chicken. Stir together lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and honey. Pour around (not on) the chicken so the skin stays crisp.
4. Transfer skillet to a 425°F oven and roast 12–15 minutes, until chicken hits 165°F.
5. Spoon the garlicky lemon pan juices over the thighs before serving.

Serve with roasted potatoes or a simple arugula salad. Want heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Pro tip: preheat the pan well—hot skillet equals extra-crispy skin, trust me.

2. Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta That Basically Makes Itself

This is your “I need comfort in a bowl” pasta. It’s silky, slightly tangy from sun-dried tomatoes, and buttery without being heavy. Weeknight luxury with pantry staples—yes, please.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz short pasta (rigatoni, penne, or cavatappi)
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain.
2. In a large skillet, warm a tablespoon of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream. Simmer 3–4 minutes to thicken slightly.
4. Stir in Parmesan until melted. Add pasta and toss, loosening with splashes of pasta water until glossy.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if you’ve got it.

Top with chopped basil if it’s hanging around, or add spinach to wilt in the sauce. Want protein? Fold in rotisserie chicken or crispy pancetta. This sauce also loves a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

3. Sheet-Pan Maple-Dijon Salmon That Feels Like a Fancy Dinner

When you want something fast that looks impressive, this salmon delivers. The maple and Dijon team up for sweet heat and a glazed finish. Toss it on a sheet pan and you’re eating in 15 minutes—seriously.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 pound baby broccoli (broccolini), trimmed

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment. Toss broccolini with oil, salt, and pepper; spread on one side.
2. Whisk Dijon, maple syrup, and soy sauce. Place salmon on the other side of the pan and brush generously with glaze.
3. Roast 10–12 minutes, until salmon flakes easily and broccolini is tender-crisp.
4. Brush any pan juices over salmon before serving.

Serve with lemon wedges and rice or couscous. Swap broccolini for asparagus or green beans if that’s what you’ve got. For extra char, broil the last 1–2 minutes.

4. Garlicky Shrimp Tacos With Lime Crema That Save Any Monday

Tacos fix everything. These come together fast with juicy garlic shrimp, warm tortillas, and a zingy 2-ingredient crema. It’s fresh, bright, and very “let’s have a good night.”

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 8 small corn or flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup sour cream + 1 lime (zest and juice) as a single ingredient

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, toss shrimp with garlic, chili powder, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of oil.
2. Mix sour cream with lime zest and juice and a pinch of salt for a quick crema.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
4. Warm tortillas in a dry pan or over a flame until pliable.
5. Fill tortillas with shrimp and drizzle with lime crema.

Add shredded cabbage or sliced avocado if you want extra texture. Prefer smoky? Swap chili powder for chipotle powder. Pro tip: don’t overcook the shrimp—they go from perfect to rubbery fast.

5. One-Pot Tomato Basil Gnocchi That’s Ridiculously Cozy

Pillow-soft gnocchi simmered in a rich tomato-basil sauce, all in one pot. It’s weeknight comfort with basically no cleanup. You’ll be fishing for seconds before you even set the table.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi
• 1 (24–26 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Instructions:

1. In a wide pot, bring marinara and broth to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring occasionally, 4–5 minutes until tender and the sauce thickens.
3. Stir in half the mozzarella to melt. Scatter the rest on top, cover, and let it get melty and gooey, 1–2 minutes.
4. Fold in basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Finish with a drizzle of olive oil or a pinch of chili flakes. Add spinach to wilt in, or swap mozzarella for burrata if you’re feeling extra. Leftovers reheat like a dream.

Final Tips for 5-Ingredient Success

• Lean on pantry MVPs: salt, pepper, olive oil, and butter don’t count—use them freely.
• Choose quality basics: better pasta, good Dijon, and real maple make a big difference.
• Balance flavors: when in doubt, add acid (lemon, lime) or heat (chili flakes) to wake things up.

That’s dinner made easy. Five ingredients, five fast wins—no drama, just delicious. Pick one for tonight and keep the rest in your back pocket for the next “what’s for dinner?” moment.