Simplify your cooking with these 17 few-ingredient recipes

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Are you ready to simplify your cooking routine without sacrificing flavor? If so, you’re in for a treat! I’m excited to share a collection of recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or any time you want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying delicious meals. With just a handful of ingredients, these recipes are designed to streamline your cooking process while still delivering fantastic taste and satisfaction.

Life can get hectic, and spending hours in the kitchen isn’t always feasible. That’s where these few-ingredient recipes come in handy. Whether you’re a seasoned chef looking for quick and easy meal ideas or a novice cook hoping to impress your friends and family, you’ll find something to love in this collection. From savory mains to irresistible sides and snacks, there’s a recipe here for every palate and occasion.

Not only are these recipes simple to make, but they also offer versatility and flexibility. With minimal ingredients, you can easily customize each dish to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. Plus, many of these recipes require minimal prep time and can be made in a single pot, pan, or appliance, making cleanup a breeze. So, if you’re ready to simplify your cooking without sacrificing flavor or variety, let’s dive into these few-ingredient recipes together and discover just how delicious simplicity can be!

A plate of salmon on a white plate with lemon slices on it.
Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

Elevate your salmon dish effortlessly with this lemon butter sauce. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a tangy and flavorful sauce in minutes, perfect for simplifying your cooking routine. It’s a versatile addition to your seafood repertoire, bringing a burst of freshness to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

These maple glazed carrots cooked in the air fryer are a breeze to make and a delightful addition to any meal. With minimal ingredients, they offer a quick and hassle-free way to elevate your side dish game. The sweet glaze caramelizes beautifully, creating tender, flavorful carrots that are sure to please your palate.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots in Air Fryer

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

Transform humble cabbage into a mouthwatering dish with these bacon-wrapped delights cooked in the air fryer. This recipe simplifies your cooking experience with its straightforward preparation and minimal ingredients. Each bite offers a perfect balance of crispy bacon and tender cabbage, making it a satisfying addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Cabbage

A bowl of pickled red onions garnished with black peppercorns, placed on a white surface.
Easy Pickled Red Onions. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Easy Pickled Red Onions

Add a pop of tangy flavor to your dishes with these easy pickled red onions. With just a few basic ingredients and a short preparation time, these pickled onions are a great way to simplify your cooking routine. They’re versatile enough to pair with various dishes, from tacos to salads, adding a bright and refreshing twist to your meals.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pickled Red Onions

Mini Frittata

These mini frittatas are a convenient and versatile option for simplifying your breakfast or brunch routine. With minimal ingredients and a short cooking time, they offer a quick and delicious way to start your day. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or hosting a gathering, these bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit with everyone.
Get the Recipe: Mini Frittata

Beef Quesadillas

Enjoy a comforting meal with these beef quesadillas that are both easy to make and satisfying to eat. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a flavorful filling and crispy tortilla shells in no time. Whether it’s lunch, dinner, or a quick snack, these quesadillas are a convenient option for simplifying your cooking routine.
Get the Recipe: Beef Quesadillas

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.

Sheet Pan Pancakes

Simplify your breakfast routine with these sheet pan pancakes that require minimal effort and yield delicious results. Forget standing over a hot stove flipping pancakes individually – with this recipe, you can bake a batch all at once. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for busy mornings, these fluffy pancakes are sure to become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pancakes

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Elevate your side dish game with these roasted cabbage steaks that are both simple and flavorful. With just a few ingredients and a short cooking time, you can create tender and caramelized cabbage slices that pair perfectly with any meal. Whether you’re a cabbage enthusiast or just looking to add more veggies to your plate, this recipe is sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

Enjoy perfectly cooked sweet potatoes with minimal effort using your air fryer. This recipe simplifies the cooking process, allowing you to achieve crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors in no time. Whether as a side dish or the star of the meal, these air fryer sweet potatoes are a convenient and delicious option for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes

A hand holding a tortilla chip dipped in creamy Buffalo chicken dip, garnished with slices of green onion.
Buffalo Chicken Dip. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Simplify your party food prep with this easy buffalo chicken dip that’s always a crowd pleaser. With just a handful of ingredients and a short cooking time, you can whip up a creamy, spicy dip that pairs perfectly with chips, veggies, or crackers. Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or a casual get-together, this dip is sure to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Slow Cooker Rice

Take the hassle out of cooking rice with this simple slow cooker recipe. With minimal effort, you can achieve perfectly fluffy rice every time, making it a convenient option for simplifying your meal prep. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish or using it as a base for various recipes, this slow cooker rice is a versatile staple to have in your culinary arsenal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rice

Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon

Simplify your breakfast routine with these sheet pan eggs loaded with crispy bacon. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking in the oven, you can enjoy a hearty breakfast without the fuss. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or feeding a crowd, these sheet pan eggs are a convenient and delicious option.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Eggs with Bacon

Close-up of an air-fried barbecued rib with charred edges over a white plate.
Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Enjoy tender, flavorful ribs with minimal effort using your air fryer. This recipe simplifies the cooking process, allowing you to achieve juicy ribs with crispy exteriors in no time. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a weekend barbecue, these air fryer baby back ribs are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Elevate your dinner game with these baked stuffed pork chops that are both easy to make and impressive to serve. With just a few ingredients and a short cooking time, you can create flavorful and tender pork chops stuffed with savory goodness. Whether it’s a weeknight meal or a special occasion, these stuffed pork chops are sure to be a hit at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Ground Pork Burgers

Simplify your burger night with these flavorful ground pork burgers that are easy to make and packed with deliciousness. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create juicy patties that are perfect for grilling or cooking on the stovetop. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just craving a tasty burger, these ground pork burgers are sure to satisfy your appetite.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Burgers

Stack of bacon wrapped onion rings.
Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

Elevate your appetizer game with these irresistible bacon-wrapped onion rings. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a crispy and flavorful snack that’s perfect for sharing. Whether you’re hosting a party or looking for a fun twist on a classic dish, these bacon-wrapped onion rings are sure to be a hit with everyone.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Simplify your side dish game with this broccoli salad featuring crispy bacon and a tangy dressing. With minimal ingredients and a quick assembly process, you can create a refreshing salad that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a picnic, potluck, or weeknight dinner, this broccoli salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon

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