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5-Ingredient Dinner Recipes are sure to make your life easier, whether you are short on items in your pantry and fridge or short on time. These quick and easy meals are family-friendly, fast, and happen to be gluten free. And these dinners are all made with five ingredients or less (plus maybe a little olive oil, salt, and pepper).
And in this collection, you’ll see the five ingredients listed under each photo. So then you can click over and get the full recipe once you know you have everything you need!
What do you make when you are running low on groceries? How about when you don’t have a lot of time?
I rely on what I call my back-pocket meals. These are dinners I can make with just a few ingredients. And usually, I have made them so often I don’t even have to look at a recipe.
Since each of these dishes has no more than five ingredients (plus maybe some oil, salt, and pepper), they can definitely become your favorite go-to meals in a time crunch or at the end of the week when the food inventory is running low.
Of course, if your main dish is super simple, you need sides that don’t require a lot of ingredients or time either. Try some of these gluten free ideas (all items on my list of gluten free ingredients):
- Rice – white, brown, instant, microwave pouches, even cauliflower rice.
- Potatoes – baked, cheesy mashed potatoes, oven roasted, frozen French fries, even whipped cauliflower for a low carb option.
- Noodles – gluten free pasta, rice ramen noodles, spaghetti squash, zoodles.
- Vegetables – frozen veggies, roasted vegetables, steamed vegetables, sauteed veggies like buttered peas and carrots.
- Salad – with your favorite gluten free salad dressing.
Mix and match with these dinner recipes with few ingredients to make fast family-friendly meals without needing a laundry list of items or a trip to the grocery store!
20+ Gluten Free Dinners with 5 Ingredients or Less
Not counting olive oil, salt, and pepper, each of these easy dinner recipes has no more than five ingredients. Perfect for when you are short on time or items in the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Making a delicious, healthy, and gluten free meal for the family just became simple and excuse-proof!
5-Ingredient Chicken Recipes
It's definitely a winner, winner chicken dinner when you only need a few other items to make a meal for the family.
Leftover chicken, family favorite flavors, and a few minutes of prep time. That's the perfect formula for dinner in a snap. If you are out of tortillas or tostadas, you can always pile it on chips and make nachos.
What do you need? Cooked chicken, barbecue sauce, tostada shells or corn tortillas, cheese, green onions (optional).
Keep it simple but special with this tasty recipe for an easy dinner or appetizer recipe. Use the oven or air fryer!
What do you need? Chicken tenders, prepared pesto, prosciutto.
Nobody said Sunday dinner can't be simple. Just cover that chicken in a flavorful mix of balsamic vinegar and herbs and pop it in the oven for a juicy bird and maybe even enough for leftovers.
What do you need? Whole chicken, onion, balsamic vinegar, dried rosemary, dried oregano.
Forget the fuss of wing and the grease of chicken fingers. These smoky and spicy kicked up tenders will have you licking your fingers and your lips.
What do you need? Chicken tenders, butter, hot sauce, paprika.
Roast chicken doesn't have to wait for the weekend when you can let your crockpot do all the work. Toss it in the slow cooker with lemon and any herbs you have on hand, then come home to dinner ready and waiting for you.
What do you need? Whole chicken, lemons, onion, fresh herbs.
Yes, a crockpot meal can be easy, fresh, and flavorful. Serve it over gluten free pasta, rice, spaghetti squash, cauliflower rice, or zoodles.
What do you need? Chicken breasts, balsamic vinegar, garlic, tomatoes, fresh basil.
Truly a dump and go recipe, and then you can shred that chicken and use it for tacos, salads, nachos, rice bowls, and more. Beans are a great way to stretch your meat and your budget too.
What do you need? Chicken breasts, chili powder, cumin, salsa, black beans.
A simple and healthy Japanese-inspired recipe and the quick marinade is made with pantry staples. Kids love it too.
What do you need? Chicken breasts, soy sauce or liquid aminos, honey, garlic, ginger.
A few simple tricks make this tasty dish super fast. It has perfect smoky chili flavors.
What do you need? Chicken thighs, chili powder, cilantro, limes (optional).
5-Ingredient Beef and Pork Recipes
From ground beef to steak bites, hot dogs to ham, you'll be amazed at all the possibilities with just a few ingredients and your favorite beef or pork.
A fast family-friendly meal that reinvents a childhood classic. Kids and adults love this hearty dish that takes less than twenty minutes.
What do you need? Gluten free elbow macaroni, ground beef, onion, canned tomato sauce,
When seared in a cast iron pan, you'll be amazed at how much flavor you can get with just two ingredients. Uncomplicated and ready in about 10 minutes.
What do you need? Cube steaks, Worcestershire sauce.
Pack a ton of flavor into tender, bite-sized morsels of beef. Seared in a screaming hot pan, then coated in a sweet and sticky balsamic glaze, these take less than 15 minutes to make.
What do you need? Top sirloin steak, garlic powder, Dijon mustard, honey, balsamic vinegar.
A Mexican-inspired twist on the usual baked hot dogs. This family-friendly recipe is fun and easy, and can be made in the oven or air fryer.
What do you need? Corn tortillas, cheddar cheese, hot dogs.
A few pantry ingredients simmer all day in your slow cooker so that you can come home to a hearty and flavor-packed dinner. Serve it over polenta, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, or rice.
What do you need? London broil, onion, bell pepper, jarred pasta sauce.
Turn your favorite BBQ meal into a fun and delicious dish like nothing you’ve ever had before. So easy with leftover pulled pork and coleslaw.
What do you need? Sweet potatoes or sweet potato fries, pulled pork, barbecue sauce, cheese, coleslaw.
A simple way to dress up some amazing steaks for a quick dinner recipe that is also a little extra special. Perfectly seared and topped with the classic combo of fresh Caprese salad.
What do you need? Filet mignon, roma tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, balsamic reduction.
Of course, these can be a great make-ahead meal prep breakfast, but they are also perfect for brinner. And you can swap the meat, cheese, and veggies for whatever you have on hand.
What do you need? Cooked broccoli, ham, cheddar cheese, eggs, dry mustard.
Juicy, tender, and flavorful. With only one secret ingredient and a couple of minutes of prep time, your crockpot is doing all of the hard work.
What do you need? Corned beef brisket with seasoning packet, hard cider.
Tender, flavorful, fall-apart beef roast made in the crockpot. A surprisingly sweet, savory, and tangy combination of ingredients but a delicious twist on this comfort food.
What do you need? Boneless beef chuck roast, cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, beef broth or red wine.
5-Ingredient Vegetarian and Seafood Recipes
Even if you aren't a meat-eater, you can also go meatless or enjoy fish or shellfish dishes with less than a handful of ingredients.
This simple egg dish starts on the stove and finishes in the oven. Simpler than making individual omelets and no need to fuss with a crust like a quiche.
What do you need? Eggs, spinach, tomatoes, feta cheese.
A quick and easy recipe you can make in one skillet with only a few ingredients in less than 10 minutes. A healthy and versatile dinner.
What do you need? Shrimp, garlic powder, chili paste, honey, limes.
Breakfast for dinner is simple, tasty, and fun when you make egg muffins. Just add some toast and fruit for a meatless meal for the family.
What do you need? Bag of shredded potatoes, broccoli, cheese, eggs, dry mustard.
This velvety smooth soup can be made on the stove or in your pressure cooker. Light and healthy while still being satisfying and soul-warming.
What do you need? Butternut squash, onion, sage, thyme, chicken or vegetable broth.
A family-favorite meal prep recipe that is packed with extra veggies and nutrition. Perfect to make ahead and freeze too.
What do you need? Gluten free pasta, canned tuna, hummus, broccoli, spinach.
A show-stopping seafood dinner doesn't have to take a lot of hours or effort. You'll never believe how easy and perfect it is to make in the microwave.
What do you need? Salmon, lemon pepper seasoning, butter.
