Hey there, my fellow minimalist cook.

This is Mason, from Kinda Healthy Recipes.

What are some of the challenges you usually face when it’s time to cook?

#1. The recipes that come to mind or that you find online require a ton of ingredients you don’t have.

#2. You don’t have much time to prep and cook.

To help you out in those situations, I created a list of recipes that require 5 ingredients or less. Keep this bookmarked for the next time you’re pressed for time or there isn’t much to choose from in the pantry and fridge.

Whether you're looking to free up your evenings, trim your grocery expenses, or simply savor incredible flavors without the fuss, these handpicked 5-ingredient recipes are here to make your kitchen duty easier.

As a disclaimer, you may find a few recipes call for ingredients like salt, pepper, or spices that technically take a recipe over the 5-ingredient threshold. But you’ll also find a few with 3 ingredients. So let’s call it even.

​1. Chicken Sausage Pasta for Two​

Shallots and burst tomatoes make a super flavorful sauce in minutes. Pair with charred chicken sausage coins and pasta, and you have a surprisingly delicious dish in no time.

1. chicken sausage
2. cherry tomatoes
3. shallots
4. olive oil
5. bowtie pasta
6. (optional) parmesan or pecorino romano

​Get the full recipe.

​2. BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese​

If you have leftover pulled chicken or need something to make with rotisserie chicken, this BBQ mac and cheese is the move.

1. leftover pulled BBQ chicken or pork
2. Banza pasta shells
3. water and milk
4. shredded cheese

​Get the full recipe.

​3. Sticky Sweet Ground Beef & Broccoli​

For something so simple, this dish is loaded with flavor and is a great way to get your veggies in with a smile. Here’s a look at what you’ll need:

1. lean ground beef
2. barbecue sauce
3. worcestershire sauce
4. precooked bacon
5. frozen broccoli florets

​Get the full recipe.

​4. Pan Fried Naked Chicken Tenders​

This recipe will completely change your protein prep game. Long gone are the days of dry, rubbery chicken. I’ve included five different flavors, but the base recipe is super simple and calls for basically chicken, oil, and spices.

1. chicken tenderloins
2. olive oil (or any oil)
3. spices/seasoning varies from flavor to flavor

​Get the full recipe.

​5. Pizza Quesadillas​

This was one of my go-to snacks to make as a kid. I obviously wouldn’t put the veggies in back then, but this version definitely delivers more flavor than my quesadillas of yore.

1. low carb tortillas
2. turkey pepperoni
3. mushrooms
4. sun-dried tomatoes
5. shredded mozzarella

​Get the full recipe.

​6. Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Beef​

You’ve heard of a Mississippi pot roast, but what about the Texas pot roast? I’m not saying I invented it, but I think I may have invented it. You slow cook a lean shoulder roast with beef fajita and ranch seasoning, pickled jalapeño peppers, and sliced onion.

What you’ll need:

1. beef shoulder roast
2. beef fajita seasoning
3. ranch seasoning
4. pickled jalapeño peppers
5. white onion
6. (optional) lime and cilantro

​Get the full recipe.

​7. Garlic Parmesan Carrot Fries​

Perfect for snacking or as a side dish for burgers or adult chicken nuggets, these carrot fries are one of my most popular recipes out there. The most common review is that they’re basically indistinguishable from sweet potato fries.

1. carrots
2. garlic
3. olive oil
4. grated parmesan
5. (optional) red pepper flakes and parsley

​Get the full recipe.

​8. Protein Pancakes​

I’ve made lots of protein pancakes in my day with egg whites, canned pumpkin, and different flour blends. And while they may be slightly lower carb or higher protein, I’ve found mixing protein powder with your favorite pancake mix and a little milk makes protein pancakes that rival the real deal. I mean, look at the fluff!

1. your choice of pancake mix
2. protein powder
3. milk

​Get the full recipe.

​9. Mug Protein Brownie​

This is one of the earliest recipes on my blog, and people continue to make it all these years later. I guess it really holds up for something so simple.

1. canned pumpkin
2. protein powder
3. cocoa powder
4. sweetener (optional)

​Get the full recipe.

There you go, I told you it was possible!

If you try any of these recipes, please send me a message. I’d love to hear how it went.

Happy cooking and bone apple tea.

Mason

PS: If you enjoy these recipes, I'd love it if you could forward them to a friend or colleague. It only takes 10 seconds and helps me a lot. Every bit of support means the world to me!