As a college student with three jobs (read more about making that work here), finding time to cook is my NEMESIS. Here are 10+ 5-ingredient meals that are quick, budget-friendly, and simple. Hopefully, it will help you with making time to have quick and nutritious meals without breaking the bank.
What are the benefits of 5-ingredient meals?
Essential Pantry Staples
Pantry staples will vary some person to person, but here are some of my favorites! They make mixing and matching for meal prep super easy while maintaining some variety. They also are reasonably low cost options.
Proteins
- Canned tuna or salmon (one of my all-time go-to’s)
- Chicken breast (fresh or frozen)
- Eggs (great quick source of protein)
- Greek yogurt (great sour cream substitute when needed)
- Sausage
Carbs
- Bread or tortillas
- Protein pasta and/or rice
Seasonings & Add-Ons
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes
- Cayenne pepper
- Taco seasoning
10+ Quick and Delicious 5-Ingredient Meals (And One Dessert with 6 Ingredients)
I brainstormed through some easy ideas for every time of the day-each using 5 ingredients or fewer!
Breakfast
- Avocado Toast with Egg
- Ingredients: Bread, avocado, egg, salt, red pepper flakes
- Packed with protein and healthy fats for a satisfying start to your day
- Banana Pancakes
- Ingredients: banana, eggs, baking powder, cinnamon, honey
- Fluffy, naturally sweet, and totally gluten-free
- Greek Yogurt Parfait
- Ingredients: Greek Yogurt, granola, honey, berries, chia seeds
- A delicious, nutrient-dense breakfast you can build in minutes
Lunch
- Easy chicken wrap
- Ingredients: chicken, tortilla, refried beans, shredded cheese
- Easy and portable lunch that can be made in minutes!
- Tuna Salad and Crackers
- Ingredients: canned tuna, miracle whip or mayo, boiled eggs, relish (optional), seasoning to taste
- Easy, refreshing, and loaded with protein
- Cheesy Quesadilla
- Ingredients: Tortilla, cheese, black beans, salsa, sour cream
- Quick to make and super satisfying
Dinner
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
- Ingredients: Pasta, shrimp, garlic, butter, parsley
- Elegant enough for date night, easy enough for a weeknight
- Baked chicken and veggies
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, Italian seasoning
- An easy and tasty classic!
- One-Pan Sausage and Peppers
- Ingredients: Sausage, bell peppers, onion, olive oil, garlic
- Hearty, colorful, and full of flavor
Snacks & Desserts
- Peanut Butter Energy Bites
- Ingredients: Peanut butter, oats, honey, chocolate chips, chia seeds
- Perfect for an on-the-go energy boost!
- Vanilla Mug Cake
- Ingredients: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, milk, butter, vanilla extract
- Light, fluffy, and ready in under 2 minutes!
Top Tips to Make 5-Ingredient Meals Even Easier
A few additional tips to make your life even easier:
- Meal Prep Smart: Pre-chop your veggies, cook proteins in bulk, and portion ingredients into containers
- Use Time-Saving Tools: Air fryers, blenders, and Instant Pots can cut cook time in half!
- Mix and Match Ingredients: Use the same staple items to create multiple meals
Eating well doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen! With these 5-ingredient meals, you can cook quickly, clean less, and still enjoy delicious, healthy dishes every day.
