5 Quick and Easy Five-Ingredient Meal Ideas

Short on time but craving a home-cooked meal? CookSmart AI has you covered! These five meals each use only five ingredients, making them simple, tasty, and perfect for busy weeknights.

1. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 oz Spaghetti

• 1 lb Raw Shrimp, Peeled and Deveined

• 4 Cloves Garlic, Minced

• 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter

• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Add shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.

4. Toss pasta with shrimp and garlic butter, sprinkle with Parmesan, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information (per serving, serves 2):

• Calories: 550 kcal

• Protein: 35 g

• Carbs: 50 g

• Fat: 20 g

• Fiber: 3 g

2. Caprese Chicken

   
   

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)

• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced

• 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced

• 6 fresh basil leaves

• 2 tbsp balsamic glaze

Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through.

2. Top each chicken breast with tomato slices and mozzarella. Cover skillet and cook 2 more minutes until cheese melts.

3. Remove from heat, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and garnish with basil leaves.

Nutrition Information (per serving, serves 2):

• Calories: 350 kcal

• Protein: 34 g

• Carbs: 6 g

• Fat: 20 g

• Fiber: 1 g

3. Veggie Quesadillas

   
   

Ingredients:

• 4 large flour tortillas

• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1 small onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté bell pepper and onion for 5 minutes until softened.

2. Remove veggies from skillet. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle half the cheese, add sautéed veggies, then top with remaining cheese.

3. Place another tortilla on top and cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cheese melts.

4. Slice into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream.

Nutrition Information (per serving, serves 2):

• Calories: 450 kcal

• Protein: 18 g

• Carbs: 40 g

• Fat: 25 g

• Fiber: 5 g

4. Honey Soy Glazed Salmon

   
   

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each)

• 3 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tbsp honey

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lemon, sliced for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, and garlic. Brush over salmon fillets.

3. Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake 12–15 minutes until cooked through.

4. Serve with a squeeze of lemon on top.

Nutrition Information (per serving, serves 2):

• Calories: 310 kcal

• Protein: 34 g

• Carbs: 10 g

• Fat: 14 g

• Fiber: 0 g

5. Avocado Toast with Egg

   
   

Ingredients:

• 2 slices whole-grain bread

• 1 ripe avocado

• 2 large eggs

• Salt to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Toast bread slices to your preference.

2. Mash avocado in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Spread evenly on toasted bread.

3. Cook eggs to your liking (fried, poached, or scrambled) and place on top of avocado toast.

4. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information (per serving, serves 2):

• Calories: 320 kcal

• Protein: 12 g

• Carbs: 28 g

• Fat: 20 g

• Fiber: 10 g

Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious! With these five quick and easy five-ingredient meals, you can whip up satisfying dishes in no time while keeping things simple and budget-friendly. Experiment with the recipes, swap ingredients based on what you have, and let your creativity shine in the kitchen. Don’t forget to subscribe to CookSmart AI’s newsletter for more easy, AI-generated recipes delivered straight to your inbox every week—making mealtime stress-free and fun!