25 Deliciously Simple Meals Made with Just a Handful of Ingredients

We all get busy, and sometimes easy, delicious meals seem impossible. But guess what? You can cook fantastic food with just a few ingredients! That's right, no more shopping lists a mile long. With a little planning, you can turn pantry staples and fresh finds into amazing meals.

This post is your guide to 25 tasty recipes that prove simple can be sensational. From one-pan wonders to quick skillet creations, you'll find dishes that satisfy everyone at the table.

Bucatini Carbonara

Discover how to make classic Bucatini Carbonara with this simple recipe. Enjoy a creamy, comforting Italian pasta dish ready in just 30 minutes. Get the recipe.

Mussels In Sour Cream Garlic Sauce

Creamy and incredibly comforting Garlic Mussels In Sour Cream Sauce. You need less then 30 minutes from start to finish to make this easy recipe. Enjoy these delicious mussels over rice or mashed potatoes. Get the recipe

Seared Cod In Tomato Caper Sauce

The easiest and most delicious cod recipe you'll ever need. Seared to a flaky perfection and served with a tangy tomato-caper sauce over mashed potatoes or rice, this cod recipe makes an easy and delicious weeknight meal. Get the recipe

Easy Balsamic Chicken

Easy Balsamic Chicken is a quick one-pan dinner that can be whipped up in under 20 minutes. The tomatoes and balsamic vinegar make a delicious sauce, and you'll have a healthy and filling dinner in no time. Get the recipe

Creamy Asparagus Soup

Creamy Roasted Asparagus Soup is deeply satisfying and easy to make. Roasted asparagus and garlic, provide depth of flavor in this warming vegan soup. It’s so delicious, has a light and creamy taste and ready in about 30 minutes. Get the recipe

Super Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe

This super easy sloppy joes recipe requires only 5 ingredients and will be ready in 15 minutes! It’s the perfect weeknight meal for those busy days when you want to whip up something the whole family will love! Get the Recipe

10-Minute Miso Soup

I'll show you how to make a vegan White Miso and Seaweed Soup in just 10 minutes. So easy, delicious and featuring a savory Miso paste broth, silken tofu, wakame and no dashi, this fast and fail-proof soup is sure to become your favorite for busy days. Get the recipe.

Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs

Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs have the juiciest and most tender meat under a wonderfully crispy chicken skin. This family favorite comfort food has only 4 basic ingredients, plus the chicken thighs. Get the recipe.

Kale and Sausage Pasta

In this easy kale + sausage pasta recipe, hot Italian sausage is used for flavor and kale brings some green nutrients to the mix. Sprinkle with a bit of parmesan and a drizzle of good olive oil – it’s all you need! Get the recipe.

Caprese Chicken

This Easy 5-ingredient Caprese Chicken is everything you want in a one-pan meal. It’s wholesome, healthy, delicious, hearty, total comfort food, and a family favorite. The best part is this gluten-free dinner recipe has only 5 ingredients and is made in one pan. Get the recipe.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Making gnocchi is super easy especially if you make them with sweet potatoes. No special ingredients or expensive gluten-free flour mix is needed, only pantry staples. Are you curious to try our 4-ingredient homemade sweet potato gnocchi recipe? We help you with tips, hacks, and more. Get the recipe.

Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

This cheap & cheesy Tortellini Casserole is a weeknight favorite done in 25 minutes with just 5 ingredients. A cheesy tortellini al forno that's packed with flavor, and a dish the whole family will love. It also heats up really well for delicious leftovers! Get the recipe.

Roasted Smashed Potatoes

So easy and delicious, these Crispy Smashed Red Potatoes With Garlic And Dill are a comfort side dish that never disappoints. Naturally vegan and made with just 4 simple ingredients, these crushed red potatoes are great for any occasion. Get the recipe.

Beef Quesadillas

Make delicious beef quesadillas at home with just 5 main ingredients. Perfect for a quick meal or party snack. Easy and cheesy! Get the recipe.

Easy Egg Fried Rice

This quick and easy Chinese egg fried rice features fluffy scrambled eggs that perfectly coat each grain of rice for the tastiest fried rice you’ve ever had! My recipe will give you authentic flavors easily at home in under 15 minutes! Get the recipe.

5-Ingredient Chicken Drumsticks

This easy five-ingredient Chicken Drumsticks recipe is tasty and simple and your entire family will love them! The crispy skin holds the moisture in, giving way to the tender meat that is juicy and flavorful thanks to a simple marinade made with tamari, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and garlic. Get the recipe.

Unbreaded Eggplant Parm

This recipe for Unbreaded Eggplant Parm requires only 5 ingredients, is gluten free, and is the cheesy Italian comfort food of your dreams. Get the recipe.

Creamy Sriracha Pasta 

This creamy sriracha pasta sauce is savory, spicy, and garlicky, uses just four key ingredients, is suitable for vegetarians, and is ready in under fifteen minutes. Get the recipe.

Apricot Glazed Ham Recipe

This super easy apricot glazed ham recipe takes just minutes to prep, then roast it in the oven until its bubbly hot. The apricot glaze for ham adds a great sweet and savory component to the smoked ham that’s SO delicious and has an extra ingredient that will have your guests wondering what it is. Get the recipe.

Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli

This orecchiette with sausage and broccoli pasta has all of the components you need for a quick and easy meal, and it comes together in 30 minutes – perfect for weeknight dinners. And you might even have everything you need to make this Italian sausage pasta in your kitchen already – it’s made with just 5 simple ingredients. Get the recipe.

Chicken Carnitas Tacos

This easy recipe for chicken carnitas tacos is the best way to use up leftover or chicken or turkey! They can me made in just 15 minutes with only 5 simple ingredients. Get the recipe.

Cajun Shrimp

This Cajun shrimp is made with bold Cajun spices, the richness of butter, the tanginess of lemon juice, and a savory hint of garlic. It’s absolutely delicious, and you know the best part? You only need 5 ingredients to make it from scratch in 10 minutes! Get the recipe.

Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

Enjoy this simple, flavorful Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry recipe. Easy to prepare, packed with protein and veggies, it's perfect for a quick, healthy meal. Get the recipe.

Sausage Balls

This one is a timeless Southern favorite – Sausage Balls! These little bites of heaven come together in under 30 minutes, using just three simple ingredients. Yep, you read that right – 3! It’s a must-have appetizer for any holiday gathering or even your lively tailgate parties. You know, the kind that gets everyone talking! Get the recipe.

Black Bean Quesarito Recipe (Taco Bell Inspired)

Yes this black bean quesarito is a Taco Bell copycat! Because who doesn’t want to make a bean burrito out of a cheese quesadilla?! It just makes sense and turns out it’s totally delicious, incredibly easy, and a really (really!) filling meal. Get the recipe.

More from Lavender & Macarons

Who says healthy can't be insanely delicious? Canned white beans are your pantry staple, ready to transform into 28 incredible dinners that will rock your taste buds and wallet. 28 Insanely Delicious Dinners Built Around Canned White Beans