I don’t know about you, but this is the time of year when I’m desperately looking for 5 ingredient meals, quick dinners, and any ideas to get dinner on the table faster. (Yes, even food bloggers have these problems!) My kids are so busy once school starts, and when they’re busy, it means I’m busy too. I just don’t have time to make recipes with a laundry list of ingredients and an hour of prep time.
Since I’ve been combing through my own blog archives to put together a 5 ingredient meal plan for my family, I thought I’d share it here too! Here are some of my family’s favorite 5 ingredient recipes:
7 Days of 5 Ingredient Meals
Monday: Stromboli + Salad
Okay, so technically, the stromboli has 4 ingredients, but I didn’t think you’d mind! Plus, you can round out the meal by adding a bagged salad mix and you’re at 5 ingredients. Kids love this recipe because it’s basically like a pizza in rolled up form, and you’ll love it because it’s super easy to put together. To make dinner even easier, you can make a bunch of stromboli in advance and pop them in the freezer before baking. Thaw them overnight and bake them in the oven when you’re ready to eat! (Here are some more freezer recipes to try!)
Tuesday: Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
Another 4 ingredient recipe, but you can add buns to make sandwiches or serve the chicken over baked potatoes! I just love Crock Pot meals during back-to-school season because when my family’s schedules are still falling into place, I know dinner will be ready whenever we are! Use your favorite barbecue sauce here and I guarantee this dinner will be a hit with your entire family!
Wednesday: Crock Pot Ravioli Lasagna + Salad
Grab another salad kit at the grocery store and you’ve got your third 5 ingredient meal for the week. And yes, it’s another Crock Pot dinner too! When I first made this recipe, I said to myself, “Why have I been making lasagna with lasagna noodles and ricotta all these years when I could have been using ravioli instead?!” I mean, they’re basically the same thing, except ravioli saves you a lot of time boiling and layering. Topped with a layer of melty mozzarella, this is the type of hearty dinner that’s perfect for chilly fall nights.
Thursday: Simple Shepherd’s Pie
This is a friend’s recipe for shepherd’s pie, but over the years, it’s become a favorite in my house too! I always assumed that making shepherd’s pie required a lot of ingredients and steps, but this 5 ingredient meal version is easy-peasy. A bag of frozen mixed vegetables saves valuable prep time—no standing at the counter chopping veggies required!
Friday: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Add tortillas or taco shells here and you’ve got a 5 ingredient recipe! Of course, you can also add taco toppers too, but I bet you can find some options that you already have on hand in the fridge and pantry. Based on the taco seasoning and salsa you use to make this recipe, it can be as mild or as spicy as your family likes. Leftovers are great for taco salad lunches, too!
Saturday: Baked Lemon Chicken Thighs and Potatoes
This recipe is so full of flavor, you’ll forget that it’s only made with 5 ingredients. (Not counting the olive oil, salt, and pepper—you probably have those in the kitchen already!) The potatoes get crispy in the oven, the lemons add a bright flavor, and the garlic—oh, the garlic! It just makes everything delicious. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like, or use another herb that you have on hand. Thyme, rosemary, or oregano would all be good in this 5 ingredient meal!
Sunday: Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork
I think Sunday calls for another Crock Pot recipe, and this one’s a winner. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory, and it’s definitely become a tradition in my household. Try it and let me know what you think!
