You don't need a stocked spice rack and 20 ingredients to make a great dinner. These 10 five-ingredient recipes (plus pantry staples like salt, pepper, and oil) prove that simple cooking can be seriously delicious.
1. Garlic Butter Salmon
Ingredients: Salmon fillets, butter, garlic, lemon, fresh dill
Melt butter with minced garlic, pour over salmon, squeeze lemon on top, and bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. Garnish with dill. Done.
2. Caprese Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breasts, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, balsamic glaze
Sear chicken, top with sliced tomato and mozzarella, broil until melted, drizzle with balsamic. Restaurant-quality in 20 minutes.
3. Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables
Ingredients: Italian sausage, bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, Italian seasoning
Toss everything on a sheet pan with olive oil, roast at 425°F for 25 minutes. One pan, no cleanup stress.
4. Black Bean Quesadillas
Ingredients: Tortillas, black beans, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream
Mash beans lightly, layer with cheese in tortillas, cook in a skillet until crispy on both sides. Serve with salsa and sour cream.
5. Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients: Pasta, pesto, cherry tomatoes, parmesan, pine nuts
Cook pasta, toss with pesto and halved tomatoes, top with parmesan and toasted pine nuts. Ready in 15 minutes.
6. Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry
Ingredients: Beef strips, broccoli, teriyaki sauce, rice, sesame seeds
Stir-fry beef and broccoli, add teriyaki sauce, serve over rice. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
7. Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, feta cheese block, pasta, garlic, basil
Place feta in a baking dish surrounded by tomatoes and garlic, bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, stir in cooked pasta and basil.
8. Honey Garlic Pork Chops
Ingredients: Pork chops, honey, soy sauce, garlic, green beans
Sear chops, add honey-soy-garlic glaze, simmer until cooked through. Serve with steamed green beans.
9. Loaded Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, black beans, avocado, salsa, Greek yogurt
Bake sweet potatoes, split open, load with beans, avocado, salsa, and a dollop of Greek yogurt. Hearty and plant-forward.
10. Lemon Herb Shrimp
Ingredients: Shrimp, lemon, butter, garlic, parsley
Saute shrimp in garlic butter for 3-4 minutes, squeeze lemon, garnish with parsley. Serve with bread or over rice.
Related: What to Cook With Ingredients You Already Have
Related: Meal Prep Beginner's Guide: Save Time and Money
Not sure what you have on hand? Clove AI knows what's in your kitchen and suggests recipes based on your actual ingredients — so you can make great meals without running to the store.