Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be good. These recipes use 5 ingredients or less, come together fast, and still taste like something you put real effort into. Perfect for hectic days, tight budgets, or those moments when you just want to keep things simple, because great food should always be easy, not stressful.
Sausage Rolls
These sausage rolls might look fancy, but they’re made with just a handful of ingredients and are shockingly easy to throw together. Juicy sausage wrapped in buttery puff pastry bakes up golden, flaky, and full of flavor. Whether for snacks, parties, or a simple meal, this one delivers big without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Rolls
Caprese Skewers
Caprese skewers are the perfect fresh bite to whip up when you want something easy but impressive. Just stack mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil, then drizzle with balsamic for a classic combo that never misses. These are party-friendly, prep-friendly, and only take five ingredients to pull off, simple and stylish without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Skewers
Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken
This cheesy ranch chicken takes three main ingredients and turns them into something that tastes like it took hours. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its trick while you go about your day. Tender, creamy chicken that’s rich, comforting, and surprisingly low-effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken
2-Ingredient English Muffins
Two ingredients, one pan, and you’ve got English muffins that are fluffy, filling, and ridiculously easy. Just eggs and cheese come together into a lighter bread alternative that works for breakfast or snack time. It’s a recipe so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it already.
Get the Recipe: 2-Ingredient English Muffins
Baked Ham
This baked ham with pineapple brings all the flavor of a holiday meal using just three ingredients. Juicy ham gets coated in sweet brown sugar and topped with pineapple rings for a retro-style dish that’s as easy as it is tasty. Perfect for special gatherings or just a comforting weeknight dinner, set it, bake it, and let the oven do the heavy lifting.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ham
2-Ingredient Flourless Waffles
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and ready in minutes, these flourless waffles are made with just two simple ingredients. Perfect for rushed mornings when time is short but a warm breakfast is still a must, they’re as easy as mix, cook, and serve. No mess, no stress, just a delicious, hassle-free start to your day.
Get the Recipe: 2-Ingredient Flourless Waffles
No-Bake Cheesecake Fluff
This no-bake cheesecake fluff tastes like a rich dessert but takes hardly any time to make. With just a few ingredients and zero oven time, you’ll have a creamy, dreamy treat ready whenever the craving hits. It’s a sweet fix that comes together faster than you can clear a spot in the fridge, simple, delicious, and way too easy.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Cheesecake Fluff
Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Sweet meets salty in these two-ingredient bacon-wrapped pineapple bites. Juicy fruit and crispy bacon come together in a combo that’s ridiculously delicious and totally simple and easy to make. No need for complicated prep, just wrap, bake, and snack. These are dangerously low-effort and disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Bahama Mama Tropical Smoothie
This tropical smoothie blends up with just a few ingredients but tastes like a beach vacation in a glass. Berries, bananas, and coconut come together in a cool, fruity mix that’s great for hot mornings or a midday pick-me-up. It’s bright, refreshing, and takes only a couple of minutes, barely any effort, all the island vibes.
Get the Recipe: Bahama Mama Tropical Smoothie
Cream Cheese Pancakes
Cream cheese pancakes are one of those almost-too-easy-to-believe recipes that actually deliver. With just a few ingredients and a quick spin in the blender, you’ll have soft, warm pancakes on the table in no time. Perfect for lazy weekends or rushed weekday mornings, no boxed mix needed, no fuss required.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Pancakes
3 Ingredient Fudge
This 3-ingredient fudge is a chocolate lover’s dream, rich, creamy, and almost impossibly easy to make. With no special equipment or candy thermometers needed, it’s as simple as melt, mix, and chill. In just a few steps, you’ll have smooth, decadent fudge that tastes like it came straight from an old-fashioned candy shop.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Fudge
Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Salsa chicken couldn’t be simpler, just toss a couple of ingredients into your slow cooker and come back to perfectly cooked, flavorful meat. Use it in tacos, bowls, or over rice, it’s flexible, juicy, and ready when you are. Low-effort and easy, with no chopping or sautéing involved, it’s the kind of recipe that feels like cheating but in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Peanut Butter Brownies
Peanut butter brownies made with five ingredients or less? Yes, it’s possible, and they’re everything a brownie should be, rich, gooey, and packed with bold peanut butter flavor. There’s no need for a long list of ingredients or complicated steps, just mix, bake, and enjoy. These brownies come together fast, perfect for when you want homemade without the measuring marathon.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Brownies
Chicken Quesadillas
These chicken quesadillas are the ultimate no-fuss dinner, easy, cheesy, and made for nights when you just don’t have the energy to cook. With just tortillas, salsa chicken, and melted cheese, you can throw together a delicious meal in minutes. Simply heat them in a skillet until golden and crisp, and dinner is served.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas
Breakfast Sausage
Cooking breakfast sausage doesn’t have to be complicated, just pick your favorite type, throw it in the pan, and in a few minutes you’ve got crispy, savory bites that go with anything. Whether you’re building a plate or just grabbing protein on the go, it’s as straightforward as it gets. Old-school breakfast made easy.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Sausage
Peanut Butter Cups
Homemade peanut butter cups? Absolutely. With just three simple ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, you can create an indulgent, irresistible treat that rivals anything from the candy aisle. Simply melt, layer, and chill, no fancy tools or candy thermometers needed. It’s ridiculously easy, incredibly delicious, and a whole lot better than store-bought.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cups
Egg Muffins
Egg muffins are the kind of breakfast that makes you wonder why everything isn’t this easy. With just a few ingredients, these protein-packed bites bake up in no time and are perfect for meal prep or a grab-and-go option. Whether you keep them simple or add a little cheese or veggie, they stay under five ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Egg Muffins
Cheese Curds
Homemade cheese curds in under 20 minutes? Yes, and you only need four ingredients to make it happen. Whether pan-fried or oven-baked, they come out golden, gooey, and totally addictive. This simple snack is so easy, it might just ruin store-bought versions forever.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Curds
3-Ingredient Onion Dip
This onion dip is the kind of party hero that comes together with almost no effort. Just three ingredients and a quick stir, and you’ve got a creamy, savory dip perfect for chips, crackers, or veggie sticks. It’s a go-to for game day, potlucks, or any night you want something delicious without spending time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Onion Dip
3-Ingredient Baked Custard
Baked custard is rich, silky, and surprisingly easy to make with just three simple ingredients. It’s the perfect low-effort dessert that still delivers big on flavor and comfort. No complicated steps, just whisk, bake, and enjoy a timeless classic made effortlessly.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Baked Custard
Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
You don’t need a long ingredient list to make this steakhouse-worthy bacon-wrapped filet mignon. With just a few pantry basics and good-quality meat, this dish delivers serious flavor with minimal effort. Sear in herb butter, finish in the oven, and you’ve got an elegant dinner ready without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
Cheesy Pickle Chips
Two ingredients, one pan, and a whole lot of crunch, these cheesy pickle chips are as simple as snacks get. Tangy pickles wrapped in a crispy, cheesy shell come out of the oven with just the right bite. Perfect for parties, snacking, or whenever cravings hit, they’re fun, fast, and unexpectedly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Pickle Chips
Homemade Asparagus
Cooking asparagus shouldn’t be a struggle, and this method proves it doesn’t have to be. With just a few ingredients and a little know-how, you can get perfectly crisp-tender stalks every time. No more soggy or stringy vegetables and hello to simple, fuss-free greens, a better way to do veggies with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Asparagus
Cucumber Appetizers
These cucumber appetizers are everything, light, crisp, creamy, and ready in ten minutes flat. With just a handful of ingredients like cucumber, salmon, cream cheese, they’re bite-sized and full of fresh flavor. They feel a little fancy without any actual work involved, perfect for entertaining or just snacking smarter.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Appetizers
Maple Bacon
Maple bacon only needs two ingredients to completely change your breakfast game, just coat thick-cut bacon with maple syrup and bake until it’s sweet, smoky, and irresistibly crispy. It takes barely any prep but feels like something special. This is one of those too-easy-to-be-true recipes that actually delivers.
Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon
Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
This smoothie tastes like dessert but only takes five minutes and five ingredients to blend up. Strawberries, a touch of vanilla, and creamy elements come together into a sweet, cool treat that doubles as breakfast or an afternoon snack. It’s fruity, refreshing, and just rich enough to feel indulgent, with minimal work, and maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Chocolate Popcorn
Chocolate popcorn is what snack dreams are made of, and it only takes about ten minutes and a few ingredients to make. Fresh popcorn gets coated in melty chocolate and finished with a pinch of salt for the perfect sweet-salty combo. It’s great for movie nights, parties, or anytime you want something fun and homemade without going overboard.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Popcorn