Tasty 5-Ingredient Dinners

Quick-marinated chicken thighs basted with a sweet-hot glaze ... don't mind if we do! Round out this quick dinner with any veggies you have on hand; we're green bean fans here.

You'll need:

- sriracha sauce

- honey

- bone-in chicken thighs

- lime juice

- cilantro

Breakfast recipes for dinner are weeknight classics, and this 15-minute skillet recipe is speedier than most. Adjust the heat level to your liking by using a spicier or milder salsa.

You'll need:

- salsa

- eggs

- queso fresco (or shredded cheddar)

- cilantro (optional)

- corn tortillas (optional)

Bacon makes this hearty open-faced sandwich feel like a meal. Each toast allows you to score several food groups (dairy, vegetable, starch) in one tasty package! Add a fresh fruit salad and you have a well-rounded dinner.

You'll need:

- bacon

- Brussels sprouts

- toasted wheat bread

- ricotta cheese

- cherry jam

Skillet-browned cauliflower florets absorb chorizo flavor like little sponges. These flavor-packed tacos easily stand on their own—but the optional toppings make a big impact.

You'll need:

- uncooked chorizo sausage

- cauliflower

- corn tortillas

- refried beans

- toppers (optional): jalapeno pepper slices, queso fresco, green onions, lime wedges, etc.

Quick dinner recipes don't get more delicious than this. Starring zippy strips of thinly sliced beef, this Asian salad is ready in 20 minutes.

You'll need:

- sirloin steak

- ginger vinaigrette salad dressing

- broccoli

- mixed spring or baby salad greens

- red sweet pepper

A minimalist sauce spiked with slices of tangy rhubarb and salty Parmesan cheese perks up a plate of linguine.

You'll need:

- linguine

- rhubarb

- garlic

- Parmesan cheese

- parsley

This moist and flavorful chicken recipe needs just three ingredients. But if you have spaghetti kicking around in the pantry, feel free to add it to the party.

You'll need:

- marinara sauce

- chicken breasts

- Parmesan cheese (optional)

This traditional Italian favorite can be prepared and cooked in 30 minutes—and it's all made in one skillet.

You'll need:

- lasagna noodles

- ground beef

- pasta sauce

- mozzarella cheese

- Parmesan cheese

Tea supplies the base of an unexpected marinade that pairs beautifully with grilled salmon.

You'll need:

- Jasmine tea leaves

- chipotle chile pepper in adobo sauce

- cider vinegar

- salmon

- chili powder

Rather than sandwiching slider patties inside mini hamburger buns, try loading them up inside corn tortillas. Top this grilled dinner recipe with salsa or queso to match the Mexican flavors in the burger spice blend.

You'll need:

- smoked paprika

- garlic powder

- onion powder

- ground beef

- corn tortillas

Smoky, slightly sweet paprika gets a cooldown from fresh mint leaves atop grilled chicken breasts.

You'll need:

- chicken breasts

- mint

- lemon juice

- garlic

- smoked paprika

The name of this recipe says it all. Easy-prep ingredients such as canned diced tomatoes, chili beans, and vegetable juice mean you can have this chili stewing in the slow cooker in 15 minutes flat.

You'll need:

- ground beef

- onion

- chili beans in chili gravy

- diced tomatoes and green chiles

- hot-style vegetable juice

This pasta-and-chicken dinner can be enjoyed for dinner one night—and then be eaten straight from the fridge for lunch the next day.

You'll need:

- cheese tortellini

- broccoli

- diced tomatoes with Italian herbs

- sundried tomato pesto

- roasted chicken breast strips

This loaded Italian sandwich couldn't be easier to prepare. A hoagie bun can substitute for the hero in a pinch.

You'll need:

- eggplant

- marinara sauce

- seasoned croutons

- Parmesan cheese

- hero buns

Dress up a Polish favorite with cherry tomatoes, watercress, and chorizo. This is a great last-minute dinner solution.

You'll need:

- frozen pierogies

- chorizo sausage

- cherry tomatoes

- tomato sauce

- watercress

Mixing these five sweet and spicy ingredients in a saucepan creates a low-calorie, low-fat chili that's full of fiber and flavor.

You'll need:

- ground pork

- pineapple salsa

- red kidney beans

- tomato sauce

- chili powder

This easy pork chop recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to bake. For a satisfying supper, serve with a side of roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts.

You'll need:

- egg

- milk

- corn bread stuffing mix

- pork loin chops

- frozen potato wedges

In 25 minutes, you can make this restaurant-worthy Mexican specialty using (shortcut alert!) rotisserie chicken.

You'll need:

- deli-roasted chicken

- flour tortillas

- spinach

- mushrooms

- Monterey Jack cheese

Pita-crust pizzas put a less-mess twist on the classic chicken wing flavor combo.

You'll need:

- pita bread rounds

- blue cheese salad dressing

- cooked chicken breast strips

- hot sauce

- celery

Use pesto as a steak seasoning and pasta topping for this salad-inspired pasta dinner recipe. Small fresh mozzarella pearls (also called bocconcini) can be traded for the sliced mozzarella to save time and mess.

You’ll need:

- large rigatoni

- basil pesto

- flat iron or tri-tip steak

- roma tomatoes

- fresh mozzarella cheese

This sheet pan dinner recipe is endlessly customizable. Simply pick your protein and vegetables, sprinkle with olive oil and spices, then roast for 20 to 30 minutes and top as desired.

You’ll need:

- pork tenderloin or chicken breasts

- vegetables

- spice rub

- toppings of choice, such as basil pesto, citrus wedges, barbecue sauce, Greek yogurt, tzatziki, or vinaigrette dressing

Whether you prepare this salmon dinner on a grill pan indoors or on an outdoor charcoal or gas grill, it will be ready to plate in less than 30 minutes. The rosemary-mustard butter melts into a delectable sauce for the leeks and fish.

You'll need:

- leeks

- rosemary

- salmon fillets

- butter

- Dijon-style mustard

Once the butternut squash cubes are roasted, this creamy blender soup recipe is ready in just minutes. Serve with a side salad or a whole wheat baguette to complete the meal.

You'll need:

- butternut squash

- onion

- butter

- vegetable broth

- chives (optional)

Shrimp is one of the quickest-cooking proteins. Use the versatile seafood superstar in this tomato pasta recipe that's spiced up with chopped jalapenos.

You'll need:

- shrimp

- linguine or fettuccine

- jalapeno peppers

- garlic

- cherry tomatoes

Go free form and bake this savory dinner pie on a sheet pan rather than a pie pan. 

You'll need:

- refrigerated piecrust

- chard

- garlic-and-herb-flavor goat cheese

- dates

- ham, pancetta, or prosciutto

Go ahead and give this 20-minute meal a twirl! Add color and protein to this restaurant copycat fettuccine Alfredo recipe by mixing in sauteed zucchini, chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes.

You’ll need:

- fettuccine

- sun-dried tomatoes

- zucchini

- chicken breasts

- shredded Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago cheese

Pork chops and pineapple slices get a nice sweet schmear of orange marmalade as they grill for a pleasantly caramelized crust. Cool each bite with the yogurt-marmalade dipping sauce.

You’ll need:

- boneless top loin pork chops

- pineapple

- orange marmalade

- plain yogurt

- cashews

En brodo—meaning "in broth"—refers to how the firm whitefish is cooked in this light dinner recipe. Any firm whitefish would work well in this same poaching process. We’re skirting the rules a bit by including this recipe in a five-ingredient roundup since bread is a nearly mandatory side to soak up every last drop of the broth.

You’ll need:

- white wine

- tomatoes

- shallots

- thyme

- skinless striped bass, red snapper, or halibut fillets

Baked mac and cheese is creamier than ever when the sauce is made with Alfredo sauce, pumpkin puree, and Fontina cheese. Cook this casserole recipe uncovered for the final five minutes until the top is lightly browned.

You'll need:

- multigrain rotini or penne

- Alfredo pasta sauce

- canned pumpkin

- roasted red peppers

- shredded Fontina cheese

If you can't find pork strips at your grocery store, purchase pork loin and slice into thin pieces to make this 20-minute meal. The sweet plum sauce and spicy jerk seasoning make this speedy stir-fry taste surprisingly complex.

You'll need:

- frozen stir-fry vegetables

- pork strips

- Jamaican jerk seasoning

- plum sauce

- cooked rice or pasta