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Some nights just need simple dinners that do not take a lot of thinking. These five easy 5-ingredient dinner recipes are practical, filling, and made with everyday ingredients you can use in real life. From creamy chicken over rice to easy pasta and one-pot meals, this roundup gives you a few dependable options for busy weeknights. They are warm, familiar, and easy to rotate based on what you already have on hand.
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5 Cheap & EASY 5 Ingredient Dinners | Simple Weeknight Meal Ideas
Why You’ll Love These Easy Dinners
I like having a group of recipes like this because they solve different dinner problems. Some nights need something creamy and comforting, some nights need a one-pot meal, and some nights need a fast pasta that does not feel heavy. These recipes are all different, but they share the same goal: getting a real dinner on the table without making the night harder.
- Simple weeknight dinner ideas
- Family-friendly meals
- Creamy chicken, pasta, beef, and one-pot options
- Practical and MINIMAL ingredients
- Easy recipes to rotate through the week
These are the meals that make it easier to still get something good on the table without overthinking it.
They also pair well with any one these 10 easy pasta salads.
Made With Love,
1. Marry Me Chicken Over Rice
Marry Me Chicken Over Rice is a creamy skillet chicken dinner made with thin-sliced chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, heavy cream, basil, spinach, and chicken broth. The chicken is seared first, then returned to the creamy sauce and served over cooked rice.
This is a good recipe when you want something that feels a little special without a lot of extra work. The rice makes it filling, and the sauce brings everything together.
Best for: Creamy chicken dinner nights
Serve with: Rice or dinner rolls
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced thin
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Cooked rice, for serving
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Over Rice
- Season the sliced chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well to combine.
- Add the chopped basil and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over the top.
- Simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes, until heated through.
- Serve hot over cooked rice. Garnish with extra basil if desired.
2. One-Pot Chicken Thighs & Veggies
One-Pot Chicken Thighs & Veggies is a complete dinner made with chicken thighs, sweet potato, golden potatoes, Brussels sprouts, chicken broth, and simple seasonings. The chicken browns first, then everything simmers together until tender.
This one is helpful because it does not need much on the side. You get the chicken, potatoes, and vegetables all in one pan.
Best for: One-pot family dinners
Serve with: A simple pasta salad or rolls
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 to 7 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- 1 sweet potato, chopped
- 1 lb golden potatoes, chopped
- ½ lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- Paprika, to taste
How to Make One-Pot Chicken Thighs & Veggies
- Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken thighs and cook until browned on both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the sweet potato, golden potatoes, and Brussels sprouts to the pan.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stir to coat.
- Return the chicken thighs to the pot, nestling them into the vegetables.
- Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
3. Easy Beef Stroganoff
Easy Beef Stroganoff is a simple comfort meal made with ground beef, beefy onion soup mix, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream. It is creamy, filling, and very quick to put together.
This is a great dinner for nights when you want something cozy without a long ingredient list. The egg noodles make it hearty, and the sauce comes together fast.
Best for: Quick comfort food
Serve with: Bread, green beans, or a side salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet beefy onion soup mix
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 1 (22 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
How to Make Easy Beef Stroganoff
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until almost fully browned.
- Stir in the beefy onion soup mix and continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked and well combined.
- Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles according to the package directions.
- Drain the noodles and set them aside.
- Add the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream to the skillet with the beef.
- Stir until smooth and heated through.
- Add the cooked egg noodles to the skillet.
- Stir until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Serve hot on its own or with a side of bread or vegetables.
4. Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pasta
Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pasta takes a simple cheddar broccoli pasta mix and turns it into a full dinner with chicken, vegetables, frozen broccoli, broth, cream, and mozzarella cheese. It is creamy, cheesy, and filling.
This is a good option when you want pasta but still want to add protein and vegetables. It stretches simple ingredients into a complete meal.
Best for: Creamy pasta dinners
Serve with: Salad or garlic bread
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons no-salt seasoning blend
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 tomato, diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Additional seasonings of choice, such as pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, or others
- 1 (8.3 oz) bag cheddar broccoli pasta mix
- ½ lb frozen broccoli
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
How to Make Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pasta
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
- Add the cubed chicken and season with the no-salt seasoning blend.
- Cook the chicken until lightly browned.
- Stir in the diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, diced bell pepper, and diced tomato.
- Season with the salt and any additional seasonings of choice, such as pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, or others.
- Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Transfer the chicken and vegetable mixture to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the cheddar broccoli pasta mix, frozen broccoli, chicken broth, and heavy cream.
- Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Cook according to the pasta package directions, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Return the chicken and vegetable mixture to the pot.
- Stir until everything is heated through and evenly combined.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Stir until the cheese is melted and creamy.
5. Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes
Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes is a quick pasta recipe made with angel hair pasta, Roma tomatoes, green onions, Parmesan cheese, garlic, basil, salt, pepper, and olive oil. It comes together in about 10 minutes.
This is the lightest recipe in the group and works well when you want something fresh and simple. It can be served as a main dish or as a side with chicken or salmon.
Best for: Fast, lighter dinners
Serve with: Meal prepped shredded chicken, simple side salad, or an easy pasta salad!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
- 3 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup fresh basil, or 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
How to Make Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil on the stove.
- Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to the package instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the diced Roma tomatoes, sliced green onions, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, basil, salt, and pepper to a medium-sized bowl.
- Stir the tomato mixture well.
- Once the pasta is tender, strain it.
- Add the pasta back into the pot.
- Add the olive oil and the diced tomato mixture to the pot.
- Stir well and serve.
6. Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
More Easy Dinner Ideas
Oven Baked
French Onion Pork Chops
Meatless
Lentil Burritos with Potatoes
Oven Baked
John Wayne Casserole
My Pro TipS
Pro Tips for Making These Easy Dinners Even Faster
- Prep the protein first. If a recipe uses chicken, slice or cube it before you start anything else so dinner moves faster once the pan is hot.
- Keep cooked rice ready when you can. Recipes like Marry Me Chicken Over Rice come together quicker if the rice is already cooked or started first.
- Use the same pan when the recipe says to. For skillet meals, cooking the sauce in the same pan keeps all the flavor from the chicken or beef in the final dish.
- Do not rush the simmering steps. The sauce, pasta, rice, or vegetables need those few extra minutes to thicken and finish properly.
- Choose the recipe based on your night. If you need the fastest dinner, make Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes. If you need the most filling meal, make Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pasta or Easy Beef Stroganoff.
- Double one recipe for leftovers. Creamy pasta, stroganoff, and chicken over rice all make easy lunches the next day.
👉 If you need more simple dinners that do not take much planning, my 10 Easy Lazy Dinner Ideas That Make Weeknights So Much Easier roundup is a good one to save next.
Easy Dinner Recipes FAQs
The easiest dinner recipes for busy weeknights are meals that use simple ingredients, short prep time, and minimal cleanup. One-pot dinners, skillet meals, pasta recipes, and meals served over rice are all good options because they do not require several side dishes or complicated steps.
Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes is the fastest recipe in this roundup. It comes together in about 10 minutes because the tomato mixture is stirred together while the pasta cooks.
Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pasta, Easy Beef Stroganoff, and Marry Me Chicken Over Rice are the most filling options in this roundup. They include pasta or rice, protein, and a creamy sauce, which makes them feel hearty enough for a full dinner.
Yes, several of these recipes work well for meal prep. Marry Me Chicken Over Rice, Easy Beef Stroganoff, Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pasta, and One-Pot Chicken Thighs & Veggies can all be stored in the refrigerator and reheated for lunches or another dinner.
If you only have about 30 minutes, make Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes, Easy Beef Stroganoff, or Marry Me Chicken Over Rice. These recipes are simple, fast, and do not require a long baking or slow cooking time.
One-Pot Chicken Thighs & Veggies is the best option when you do not want to make side dishes because the chicken, potatoes, sweet potato, and Brussels sprouts cook together in one pan. Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pasta is another good choice because it already includes chicken, pasta, and vegetables.
Yes, these recipes use common ingredients like chicken, ground beef, pasta, rice, potatoes, canned soup, vegetables, and simple seasonings. Grocery costs can vary, but these are practical dinners built around everyday ingredients.
Some swaps work well, but the core cooking instructions should stay the same. You can usually swap similar proteins, vegetables, or pasta shapes, but rice, pasta, liquid amounts, and simmer times should be followed closely so the recipe cooks correctly.
Simple sides work best. Try a green salad, dinner rolls, garlic bread, steamed vegetables, fruit, or roasted potatoes depending on the recipe. For lighter meals like Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes, grilled chicken or salmon also pairs well.
Yes. A simple weekly plan could be Marry Me Chicken Over Rice one night, Easy Beef Stroganoff another night, Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Pasta for a creamy pasta night, One-Pot Chicken Thighs & Veggies for a complete one-pan meal, and Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes when you need something fast and lighter.
