17 Tried-and-True Recipes with Minimal Ingredients for Easy Wins

Are you in need of some cooking inspiration that won't require a trip to the gourmet grocery store or hours in the kitchen? I'm sharing tried-and-true recipes with minimal ingredients for easy wins. Whether you're a busy parent, a novice cook, or simply looking to simplify your meal prep routine, these recipes are designed to deliver delicious results with simplicity in mind, making them perfect for any occasion. So, let's dig in and discover how a handful of basic ingredients can create unforgettable dishes that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Broccoli salad with bacon is a go-to choice for those seeking tried-and-true recipes with minimal ingredients for easy wins. With crisp broccoli florets, savory bacon bits, and a tangy dressing, it's a crowd-pleasing side dish that's perfect for picnics, barbecues, or weeknight dinners. This salad comes together in a snap, making it a convenient option for busy days when you need a tasty and nutritious dish on the table in no time. Whether served as a side or enjoyed as a light meal, it's sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Easy Pickled Red Onions

Easy pickled red onions are a kitchen staple for those looking to add flavor and flair to their meals with minimal effort. These tangy and vibrant onions are a versatile condiment that pairs well with a variety of dishes, from tacos and sandwiches to salads and bowls. With just a few simple ingredients and a short prep time, they're a quick and easy way to elevate any meal. Plus, they can be stored in the fridge for weeks, allowing you to enjoy their delicious tangy flavor whenever the craving strikes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pickled Red Onions

Beef Quesadillas

Beef quesadillas are a classic favorite for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, offering a delicious and satisfying meal option with minimal ingredients. With seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and warm tortillas, they're a crowd-pleasing dish that's sure to please everyone at the table. These quesadillas are easy to customize with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole, making them a versatile choice for any occasion. Whether served as a main course or as a fun appetizer, they're guaranteed to be a hit with your family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Beef Quesadillas

Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Baked stuffed pork chops are a comforting and hearty dish that's perfect for cozy family dinners or special occasions. With flavorful stuffing nestled inside tender pork chops, they offer a delicious combination of tastes and textures with minimal ingredients. These pork chops are easy to prepare and require just a few simple steps, making them a practical choice for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether served with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables, they're sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo chicken dip is a crowd-pleasing favorite for parties, game day gatherings, or casual get-togethers, offering a flavorful and easy-to-make appetizer with minimal ingredients. With creamy cheese, spicy buffalo sauce, and tender chicken, it's a dish that's sure to disappear fast. This dip comes together in just minutes and can be served hot or cold, making it a convenient option for entertaining. Whether enjoyed with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or crackers, it's a winning choice for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

Bacon-wrapped onion rings are a delicious and indulgent appetizer that's perfect for satisfying your cravings with minimal ingredients. With crispy bacon wrapped around sweet onion slices, they offer a mouthwatering combination of flavors and textures that's hard to resist. These onion rings are easy to make and require just a few simple ingredients, making them a practical choice for when you need a quick and tasty snack. Whether served as an appetizer or as a fun side dish, they're sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Maple glazed carrots in the air fryer are a flavorful and easy side dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or holiday dinners. With tender carrots coated in a sweet and tangy glaze, they offer a delicious combination of flavors with minimal ingredients. These carrots come together in just minutes and cook to perfection in the air fryer, making them a convenient option for any meal. Whether served alongside roasted chicken or grilled steak, they're sure to add a touch of sweetness to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks are a simple yet flavorful dish that's perfect for those seeking tried-and-true recipes with minimal ingredients for easy wins. With just cabbage, olive oil, and seasoning, they're a budget-friendly and nutritious side dish that's sure to impress. These cabbage steaks are easy to prepare and cook to perfection in the oven, making them a convenient option for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend dinners. Whether served as a side or as a meatless main course, they're sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon

Sheet pan eggs with bacon are a hassle-free breakfast option for those looking for tried-and-true recipes with minimal ingredients for easy wins. With eggs, crispy bacon, and your favorite seasonings, they're a satisfying and nutritious way to start your day. This breakfast comes together in a snap and cooks in the oven, allowing you to prepare a large batch at once for meal prep or feeding a crowd. Whether enjoyed on their own or sandwiched between toast for a breakfast sandwich, these sheet pan eggs are sure to become a morning favorite.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon

Ground Pork Burgers

Ground pork burgers are a tasty and satisfying alternative to traditional beef burgers, offering a flavorful and easy-to-make option for grilling season. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, they're a convenient choice for busy weeknights or weekend cookouts. These pork burgers can be customized with your favorite toppings like cheese, lettuce, and tomato, making them a versatile option for any palate. Whether grilled outdoors or cooked indoors on a skillet, they're sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Burgers

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Bacon-wrapped air fryer cabbage is a flavorful and unique side dish that's perfect for those seeking tried-and-true recipes with minimal ingredients for easy wins. With crispy bacon and tender cabbage, it offers a delicious combination of flavors and textures that's hard to resist. This cabbage comes together in just minutes and cooks to perfection in the air fryer, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or leisurely dinners at home. Whether served as a side or as a main course, it's sure to add a touch of indulgence to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Air fryer sweet potatoes are a simple and nutritious side dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or holiday dinners. With just sweet potatoes, olive oil, and seasoning, they offer a delicious and easy-to-make option for any meal. These sweet potatoes come out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making them a satisfying choice for the whole family. Whether served alongside grilled chicken or roasted vegetables, they're sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Air fryer baby back ribs are a flavorful and easy-to-make option for those seeking tried-and-true recipes with minimal ingredients for easy wins. With tender ribs coated in a smoky barbecue sauce, they offer a mouthwatering combination of flavors and textures that's sure to please. These ribs come together in just minutes and cook to perfection in the air fryer, making them a convenient choice for weeknight dinners or weekend cookouts. Whether served as a main course or as a party appetizer, they're guaranteed to be a hit with your family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Slow Cooker Rice

Slow cooker rice is a simple and practical side dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or when you need to feed a crowd with minimal effort. With just rice, water, and a pinch of salt, it's a no-fuss recipe that yields fluffy and perfectly cooked rice every time. This rice cooks to perfection in the slow cooker, allowing you to set it and forget it while you focus on other tasks. Whether served alongside a flavorful curry or as a base for stir-fries, it's sure to be a versatile addition to your meal repertoire.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rice

Mini Frittata

Mini frittatas are a versatile and easy-to-make option for those seeking tried-and-true recipes with minimal ingredients for easy wins. With eggs, cheese, and your favorite mix-ins, they offer a customizable and satisfying breakfast or brunch option. These mini frittatas come together in just minutes and bake to perfection in the oven, making them a convenient choice for meal prep or on-the-go breakfasts. Whether enjoyed warm or cold, they're sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Mini Frittata

Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

Lemon butter sauce for salmon is a simple and flavorful addition to any seafood dish, offering a tangy and indulgent sauce with minimal ingredients. With just a few pantry staples like butter, lemon juice, and garlic, it's easy to whip up whenever you need a quick burst of flavor. This sauce pairs beautifully with grilled salmon, roasted vegetables, or pasta, making it a versatile choice for any meal. Whether drizzled over seafood or used as a dipping sauce, it's sure to add a touch of brightness to your favorite dishes.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

Sheet Pan Pancakes

Sheet pan pancakes are a convenient and easy-to-make option for those seeking tried-and-true recipes with minimal ingredients for easy wins. With just pancake batter and your favorite toppings, they offer a delicious and fuss-free breakfast option that's perfect for feeding a crowd. These pancakes bake to perfection in the oven, allowing you to prepare a large batch at once without the hassle of flipping individual pancakes on the stovetop. Whether served with fresh fruit, syrup, or whipped cream, they're sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pancakes