17 Easy Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less You Can’t Pass Up

When life gets busy, we all appreciate meals that are quick, simple, and require minimal ingredients. That's why I'm excited to share these easy recipes with you. Each one needs just five ingredients or less. Perfect for those hectic days, these dishes save time without sacrificing flavor, making meal prep a breeze and allowing more time for what truly matters.

Close-up of a grilled barbecue rib with shiny glaze on a white plate. — Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you the latest recipes and tips every week!

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

This dish makes a great choice for a quick, flavorful side. With just five ingredients, it's simple to prepare and pairs well with any meal. The air fryer ensures the bacon is crispy while the cabbage stays tender. Perfect for those busy weeknights when time is short. Enjoy a tasty side without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Easy Pickled Red Onions

A bowl of sliced pickled red onions garnished with black peppercorns. — Easy Pickled Red Onions. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These pickled red onions are a versatile addition to your kitchen. They require only a handful of ingredients and add a tangy flavor to salads, sandwiches, and more. Quick to prepare and ready in no time, they make meal prep a breeze. A perfect way to enhance any dish with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pickled Red Onions

Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

A plate of pork chops stuffed with mushrooms and cheese served with green beans. — Baked Stuffed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These pork chops are a simple yet impressive dinner option. With minimal ingredients, they are easy to prepare and offer a hearty meal. Baking ensures they come out juicy and flavorful. Ideal for those evenings when you want a substantial meal without spending too much time. A practical and tasty choice for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Rice

A spoonful of slow-cooked white rice held above a bowl, with a fresh green parsley leaf in the background. — Slow Cooker Rice. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This rice dish is perfect for those who want an easy side with little hands-on time. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing you to focus on other tasks. With just a few ingredients, it’s a convenient option for busy days. Whether for a family meal or meal prep, this recipe simplifies your cooking routine.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rice

Sheet Pan Pancakes

A plate of square pancakes drizzled with syrup, next to strawberries and a cup of maple syrup on a white tablecloth. — Sheet Pan Pancakes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These sheet pan pancakes offer a hassle-free breakfast option. With only a few ingredients, they are easy to whip up and serve a crowd. Baking them in the oven means no standing over a griddle. Perfect for busy mornings or brunch gatherings. Enjoy fluffy pancakes with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pancakes

Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon

Baked eggs with spinach, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes in a red baking dish. — Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This recipe provides a simple way to make a hearty breakfast. Using just a few ingredients, it combines eggs and bacon in one pan. Easy to prepare and great for feeding a group. Perfect for those busy mornings when you need a quick and filling meal. Enjoy a classic breakfast with ease.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon

Beef Quesadillas

Stack of quesadillas filled with cheese and meat, garnished with herbs, served with dips on a white plate. — Beef Quesadillas. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These quesadillas are a quick and tasty meal option. With only five ingredients, they come together quickly for a satisfying lunch or dinner. The beef filling is flavorful and easy to prepare. Perfect for busy days when you need something fast and filling. Enjoy a simple and delicious meal with minimal prep.
Get the Recipe: Beef Quesadillas

Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

These onion rings are a fun and easy snack or side dish. With just a few ingredients, they offer a flavorful twist on a classic. The bacon adds a crispy, savory touch to the tender onions. Perfect for parties or casual dinners. Enjoy a tasty treat that’s quick to make.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

A plate of broccoli salad with bits of bacon, served on a white oval dish alongside a wooden spoon. — Broccoli Salad with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This broccoli salad is a fresh and easy side dish. With minimal ingredients, it’s quick to prepare and full of flavor. The bacon adds a savory crunch to the crisp broccoli. Ideal for potlucks or family dinners. Enjoy a healthy and simple salad with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Ground Pork Burgers

Close-up of grilled pork burger patties stacked on a white plate. — Ground Pork Burgers. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These pork burgers are a simple and tasty meal option. With just five ingredients, they come together quickly and are perfect for grilling. The ground pork offers a juicy and flavorful patty. Ideal for casual dinners or barbecues. Enjoy a delicious burger without much hassle.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Burgers

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Sliced and roasted cabbage wedges seasoned with herbs on a white plate, garnished with black pepper and fresh herbs. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These cabbage steaks are a healthy and easy side dish. With minimal ingredients, they are simple to prepare and roast to perfection. The roasting process brings out a rich, sweet flavor in the cabbage. Perfect for adding a nutritious option to any meal. Enjoy a flavorful side with minimal prep time.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Two halves of baked sweet potatoes topped with butter and garnished with herbs on a white plate, with a red checkered napkin on the side. — Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These sweet potatoes are a quick and easy side dish. With just a few ingredients, they cook up perfectly in the air fryer. The result is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep. Enjoy a nutritious and simple side with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Sliced glazed carrots garnished with herbs on a fork, with more on a plate in the background. — Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These carrots are a sweet and easy side dish. Using just a few ingredients, they cook quickly in the air fryer. The maple glaze adds a touch of sweetness to the tender carrots. Perfect for adding a bit of flavor to any meal. Enjoy a quick and tasty side with minimal prep.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Mini Frittata

These mini frittatas are a convenient and easy breakfast option. With only five ingredients, they come together quickly and bake in a muffin tin. Perfect for meal prep or a grab-and-go breakfast. The individual portions are great for busy mornings. Enjoy a quick and protein-packed start to your day.
Get the Recipe: Mini Frittata

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This dip is a simple and crowd-pleasing appetizer. With just a few ingredients, it comes together quickly and offers a spicy, creamy flavor. Perfect for parties or game days. Easy to prepare and always a hit. Enjoy a flavorful dip with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

These ribs are a quick and easy main dish. Using just a few ingredients, they cook up tender and flavorful in the air fryer. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. The air fryer ensures they are cooked to perfection with minimal effort. Enjoy a tasty and simple meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

Grilled salmon fillet garnished with lemon slices and grated cheese on a white plate, accompanied by a red and white striped napkin. — Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This sauce is a simple way to enhance your salmon. With minimal ingredients, it’s quick to prepare and adds a rich, buttery flavor. Perfect for a quick and elegant dinner. The lemon butter sauce pairs perfectly with the salmon. Enjoy a delicious meal with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon