31 Recipes with Five Ingredients (Or Less!) - Adulting: A Crash Course (2024)

Making a meal can be mentally and physically draining, especially after a long day. But this list of 31 recipes keeps things simple, delicious and customizable to your tastes and preferences.

Breakfast

Egg Sandwich

Ingredient #1:Egg(1)

Ingredient #2: Bagel or English muffin(1)

Ingredient #3:Meat of choice(3 ounces)

Ingredient #4: Cheese(s) of choice(1 slice)

Ingredient #5: Condiment(s) of choice(1 tablespoon)

Directions:Toast bread of choice. Cook egg (either on stove or in microwave for 45 seconds). Assemble sandwich with all five ingredients.

Egg Cups

Makes 12 cups

Ingredient #1:Egg(12)

Ingredient #2: Ham(12 slices)

Ingredient #3:Spices of choice

Ingredient #4: Cheese(s) of choice

Ingredient #5: Vegetable(s) of choice

Directions:Line a cupcake tin with a slice of ham in each cavity. Add one egg, cheese, spices and/or veggies of choice to each. Cook at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Oatmeal

Ingredient #1: Instant oatmeal(1/3 cup)

Ingredient #2: Dried or fresh fruit(1-2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3:Milk of choice(2/3 cup)

Directions:Toast bread of choice. Cook egg (either on stove or in microwave for 45 seconds). Assemble sandwich with all five ingredients.

Smoothie

Ingredient #1: Milk of choice(1 1/2 cups)

Ingredient #2: Frozen or fresh fruit(1/2 cup)

Ingredient #3:Vegetables of choice(optional)

Directions:Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth.

Classic Pancakes

Makes 6-8 pancakes

Ingredient #1:Pancake mix(1 cup)

Ingredient #2: Water(3/4 cup)

Ingredient #3: Syrup(1-2 tablespoons)

Directions:Combine pancake mix and water. Put in skillet over medium heat. Flip when bubbles appear. Top with syrup.

Banana Pancakes

Ingredient #1:Banana(1)

Ingredient #2: Eggs (2)

Ingredient #3: Syrup(1-2 tablespoons)

Directions:Mash banana in a bowl. Add the eggs and mix. Put in skillet over medium heat. Flip when bubbles appear. Top with syrup.

Italian Roasted Potatoes

Makes 4 servings

Ingredient #1:Potatoes(1 pound)

Ingredient #2: Olive oil(2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3: Dry Italian Dressing(1 packet)

Directions:Dice potatoes into pieces approximately half an in square. Toss in olive oil and dressing. Put on baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Roast at 425 for 20 minutes.

Roasted Vegetables

Makes 4 servings

Ingredient #1:Vegetable of choice(1 pound)

Ingredient #2: Olive oil(2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3:Spices of choice

Directions:Cut vegetables into bite size pieces. Toss in olive oil and spices of choice. Bake at 425 for 15-40 minutes (until cooked through).

Steamed Vegetables

Makes 4 servings

Ingredient #1: Frozen steamable vegetables of choice(1 bag)

Ingredient #2: Olive oil or butter(2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3: Spices of choice

Ingredient #4: Cheese(s) of choice

Directions:Steam bag of vegetables per instructions. Add olive oil or butter, spices and cheese(s) of your choice.

Side Salad

Ingredient #1: Green(s) of choice(1 cup)

Ingredient #2:Vegetable(s) of choice(1/2 cup)

Ingredient #3: Proteinof choice(3 ounces, optional)

Ingredient #4: Dressing of choice(2 tablespoons, optional)

Directions:Combine all ingredients into a bowl and toss.

Baked Pork Chop

Ingredient #1: Pork chop(1)

Ingredient #2: Olive oil or butter(2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3: Spices of choice

Directions: Coat pork chop in olive oil and spices. Cook at 400 degrees for 7-21 minutes (or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees).

Baked Chicken Breast

Ingredient #1: Chicken breast(1)

Ingredient #2: Olive oil or butter(2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3: Spices of choice

Directions: Coat chicken breast in olive oil and spices. Cook at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes (or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees).

Baked Salmon

Ingredient #1: Salmon fillet(1)

Ingredient #2: Olive oil or butter(2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3: Spices of choice

Directions: Coat salmon fillet in olive oil and spices. Cook at 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Spaghetti

Ingredient #1: Spaghetti noodles(the same diameter as a quarter)

Ingredient #2:Water(enough to submerge noodles)

Ingredient #3: Pasta sauce(1/2 cup)

Ingredient #4:Parmesancheese(2 tablespoons)

Directions:Bring water to boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente. Drain. Add pasta sauce to pan until warmed through. Serve with parmesan cheese.

Tortilla Pizza

Ingredient #1: Tortilla(1)

Ingredient #2: Pizza sauce (1/2 cup)

Ingredient #3: Cheese(s)of choice (1/4 cup)

Ingredient #4: Topping(s) of choice

Directions:Bake tortilla in oven at 450 degrees for 4 minutes. Remove from oven and add sauce, cheese and toppings. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Quesadilla

Ingredient #1: Tortilla(1)

Ingredient #2: Cheese(s)of choice

Ingredient #3: Proteinof choice(3 ounces, optional)

Ingredient #4: Condimentsof choice

Directions:Combine cheese and protein. Put on half of the tortilla and fold tortilla. Cook in skillet over medium heat until both sides are browned. Dip in condiments.

Grilled Cheese

Ingredient #1: Bread(2 slices)

Ingredient #2:Mayonnaise(2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3:Cheese(s) of choice

Ingredient #4: Condimentsof choice

Directions:Put mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice. On uncoated side, place cheese. Cook in skillet over medium heat until both sides are browned. Dip in condiments.

Cheeseburger Bites

Makes 6 servings

Ingredient #1: Ground meat of your choice(1 pound)

Ingredient #2: Cheese(s) of choice

Ingredient #3: Spicesof choice(3 ounces, optional)

Ingredient #4: Condimentsof choice(2 tablespoons, optional)

Directions: Combine spices and ground meat.Put enough ground meat to cover the bottom of all 24 openings in a mini muffin tin. Add small piece of cheese. Cover with remaining ground meat. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Tacos

Makes 4 servings

Ingredient #1: Ground meat(1 pound)

Ingredient #2: Taco seasoning(1 packet)

Ingredient #3: Cheese(s) of choice(1 1/2 cups)

Ingredient #4:Lettuce(1 1/2 cups)

Ingredient #5:Shell of choice(4)

Directions:Brown ground meat. Drain. Add water and taco seasoning. Cook until warm. Put in shell with cheese and lettuce (and other toppings, if you’d like).

Southwest Chicken Soup

Makes 4 servings

Ingredient #1: Chicken breast(2)

Ingredient #2:Chicken broth(4 cups)

Ingredient #3: Corn(1 can)

Ingredient #4: Black beans(1 can)

Ingredient #5: Diced tomatoes and green chiles (1 can)

Directions:Cook chicken in skillet. Add all ingredients into a pot and cook until heated through.

Caprese Chicken

Ingredient #1: Chicken breast(1)

Ingredient #2: Olive oil (2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3:Tomato, sliced(1)

Ingredient #4:Balsamicdressing(4 tablespoons)

Ingredient #5:Mozzarella, sliced(1 ball)

Directions:Coat chicken breast in olive oil. Place tomato and mozzarella slices on top. Cover in balsamic dressing.Cook at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes (or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees).

Simple Stir Fry

Makes 4 servings

Ingredient #1: Rice of choice(2 cups)

Ingredient #2:Mixed vegetables(1 bag)

Ingredient #3: Soy sauce(1/4 cup)

Ingredient #4: Minced garlic(1 tablespoon)

Ingredient #5:Ginger(2 teaspoons)

Directions:Boil 4 cups of water. Add rice, mix, remove from heat and cover for 5 minutes. In a skillet, combine vegetables, soy sauce, garlic and ginger. Add rice once all is heated through.

Homemade Pizza

Makes 4 servings

Ingredient #1:Self rising flour(1/2 cup)

Ingredient #2: Greek yogurt oil or butter(1/4 cup)

Ingredient #3: Pizza sauce(1/2 cup)

Ingredient #4: Cheese(s) of choice(1/4 cup)

Ingredient #5: Topping(s) of choice(1/2 cup)

Directions:Combine flour and yogurt and form into pizza shape. Cover with pizza sauce, cheese and topping(s). Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes (or until cheese is melted and crust is cooked through).

Roll Ups

Ingredient #1: Tortilla(1)

Ingredient #2:Lunchmeat(s) of choice(3 ounces)

Ingredient #3: Cheese (s)of choice(1 ounce)

Ingredient #4: Vegetable(s)of choice(1/4 cup, optional)

Ingredient #5: Condiment(s)of choice

Directions:Place lunchmeat, cheese and vegetableson top of tortilla. Roll up tortilla. Cut into 1/2 in slices and dip in condiment(s) of choice.

Frozen Banana Bites

Ingredient #1:Banana(1)

Ingredient #2: Peanut butter(2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3: Chocolate chips(1/2 cup)

Directions:Cut banana into 1/4 inch slices. Put peanut butter between two banana slices. Dip halfway into melted chocolate. Freeze for at least one hour.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Makes 24 cookies

Ingredient #1:Peanut butter(1 cup)

Ingredient #2: Sugar (1 cup)

Ingredient #3:Egg(1)

Directions:Mix all ingredients until creamy. Roll into balls and place on baking sheet, creating crisscross pattern with forks. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Fruit Pizza

Makes 8 servings

Ingredient #1:Pie crust(1)

Ingredient #2: Cream cheese(1 brick)

Ingredient #3: Whipped topping(1 container)

Ingredient #4: Fruit of choice(2.5 cups)

Directions:Bake pie crust for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees (or until golden brown). Allow it to cool. Mix cream cheese and whipped topping until smooth. Put on pie crust. Top with fruit of choice.

Peanut Butter Bites

Makes 12 bites

Ingredient #1:Oats(1 cup)

Ingredient #2: Peanut butter(2/3 cup)

Ingredient #3: Honey(2 tablespoons)

Ingredient #4:Chocolate chips or dried fruit(1/2 cup, optional)

Directions:Mix all ingredients. Roll into balls. Chill in refridgerator for at least 30 minutes.

Sweet Dip

Ingredient #1:Greek yogurt (1 6 ounce container)

Ingredient #2:Peanut butter(3 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3: Whipped topping(1 container)

Ingredient #4: Honey(3 teaspoons)

Directions:Mix all ingredients together until creamy. Serve with fruit, pretzels and/or graham crackers.

Chili Cheese Dip

Ingredient #1: Cream cheese(1 brick)

Ingredient #2: Chili no beans(1 can)

Ingredient #3: Shredded cheese of choice(1 cup)

Directions:Spread cream cheese on bottom of dish. Layer chili no beans on top. Cover with shredded cheese. Microwave for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with corn or tortilla chips.

Mini Pepper Bites

Ingredient #1:Mini peppers(3)

Ingredient #2: Cream cheese(3 tablespoons)

Ingredient #3: Everything but the bagel seasoning(to preference)

Directions:Slice and remove seeds from mini peppers. Fill with cream cheese and top with seasoning.

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