15 Easy Dinner Recipes with Few Ingredients
Short on groceries? These 15 easy dinner recipes use 5-7 ingredients each and still taste amazing. Simple shopping, simple cooking, incredible flavor.
Admin User
March 13, 2026
The best weeknight dinners aren't the ones with 25 ingredients — they're the ones where you open your fridge, grab a few things, and have dinner on the table in 20 minutes. Every recipe here uses 5 to 7 ingredients (not counting salt, pepper, and oil).
5-Ingredient Dinners
1. Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-Fry
Ingredients: Eggs, tomatoes, scallions, soy sauce, sugar
The most-cooked homestyle dish in China. Silky scrambled eggs meet sweet-savory tomato sauce. Five minutes from pan to plate.
Make it: Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-Fry
2. Egg Drop Soup
Ingredients: Eggs, chicken broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, scallions
Possibly the simplest recipe in existence that still feels like a proper meal. Silky egg ribbons in warm broth.
Make it: Egg Drop Soup
3. French Omelette
Ingredients: Eggs, butter, salt, herbs, cheese (optional)
The classic French technique: low heat, constant stirring, fold when barely set. Creamy, elegant, and done in 3 minutes.
Make it: French Omelette
4. Silken Tofu with Sesame Soy
Ingredients: Silken tofu, soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, chili flakes
No cooking required. Literally slice tofu, drizzle sauce, eat. The ultimate lazy dinner that's actually healthy.
Make it: Silken Tofu with Sesame Soy Sauce
5. Peanut Butter Cookies (Dessert Dinner!)
Ingredients: Peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, salt
Sometimes dinner is just... cookies. Three-ingredient base, no flour needed, ready in 15 minutes.
Make it: Peanut Butter Cookies
6-Ingredient Dinners
6. Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients: Leftover rice, chicken, eggs, soy sauce, vegetables, sesame oil
The king of "use what you have" cooking. Day-old rice actually works better here.
Make it: Chicken Fried Rice
7. Tahini Lentils
Ingredients: Lentils, tahini, garlic, lemon, cumin, parsley
Earthy lentils meet creamy tahini. High protein, incredibly satisfying, and ready in 25 minutes.
Make it: Tahini Lentils
8. Hot and Sour Soup
Ingredients: Tofu, mushrooms, rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili paste, eggs
Bold, warming, and deeply savory. Everything goes in one pot.
Make it: Hot and Sour Soup
9. Bread Omelette
Ingredients: Bread, eggs, onion, green chili, tomato, salt
India's favorite street food breakfast works perfectly as dinner too. Crispy bread wrapped in seasoned egg.
Make it: Bread Omelette
10. Griddled Flatbreads
Ingredients: Flour, yogurt, baking powder, salt, oil, butter
No yeast, no rising time. Mix, knead briefly, cook in a hot pan. Fresh bread in 15 minutes.
Make it: Griddled Flatbreads
7-Ingredient Dinners
11. Chicken Karaage
Ingredients: Chicken thighs, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sake, flour, oil
Japanese fried chicken that's crispier and more flavorful than any fast food. Marinate, coat, fry.
Make it: Chicken Karaage
12. Ma Po Tofu
Ingredients: Tofu, ground pork, doubanjiang, soy sauce, garlic, Sichuan pepper, scallions
The famous Sichuan dish — numbing, spicy, and deeply savory. One of China's most beloved comfort foods.
Make it: Ma Po Tofu
13. Dal Fry
Ingredients: Red lentils, onion, tomato, garlic, ginger, cumin, turmeric
India's ultimate comfort food. Creamy, spiced lentils that go with rice or bread.
Make it: Dal Fry
14. Chorizo Potato Cheese Omelette
Ingredients: Eggs, chorizo, potatoes, cheese, onion, peppers, salt
A Spanish-inspired thick omelette that's hearty enough for dinner. Slice it like a pie.
Make it: Chorizo Potato Cheese Omelette
15. Kidney Bean Curry
Ingredients: Kidney beans, onion, tomatoes, coconut milk, curry powder, garlic, ginger
Open a can, simmer with aromatics, serve over rice. A 20-minute curry that tastes like it took hours.
Make it: Kidney Bean Curry
Shopping Strategy: The 20-Item Pantry
Keep these ingredients stocked and you can make most recipes on this list anytime:
| Fridge | Pantry | Spices |
|---|---|---|
| Eggs | Rice | Salt & pepper |
| Butter | Flour | Soy sauce |
| Onions | Canned beans | Sesame oil |
| Garlic | Lentils | Cumin |
| Tofu | Coconut milk | Turmeric |
| Cheese | Chicken broth | Chili flakes |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest dinner on this list? Dal Fry — lentils are one of the cheapest proteins in the world. A serving costs under $1.
Can I meal prep these? Absolutely. Kidney Bean Curry, Tahini Lentils, and Chicken Fried Rice all store and reheat beautifully.
What if I literally have nothing in my kitchen? Start with eggs, bread, and butter. You can make Bread Omelette or French Omelette tonight.
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