5-ingredient March dinners for when you're too tired to cook (under 30 minutes)
- One-Pan Ravioli With Sausage
- 3-Ingredient Baked Barbecue Chicken
- My Dad's Fried Noodles
- Rice Carbonara
- Sheet Pan Salmon With Asparagus
- Sausage White Bean Soup
- Brown Butter Cacio e Pepe
- Cheesy Baked Tacos
- 5-Ingredient Curried Potatoes with Spinach
- 3-Ingredient Cajun Alfredo Pasta
- Turkey Taco Bowls
- Cacio e Pepe Creamy Beans
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- 15-Minute Wonton Soup
- Dumpling Salad
- One-Pot Caprese Orzo
- Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Chicken Enchilada Chili
- Shrimp Pesto Pasta
- Quick Peanut Chicken Noodles
The perfect recipes for those busy weeknights when you just can't.

Dinner doesn't need to be complicated, and these delicious 5-ingredient dinners prove just that. Fewer ingredients and a cook time of under 30 minutes mean a fuss-free meal on the table in no time. With crave-worthy options like Garlic Butter Steak Bites, 3-Ingredient Cajun Alfredo Pasta, and Chicken Enchilada Chili, there's something for everyone to enjoy any night of the week.
01 of 20
One-Pan Ravioli With Sausage

"This recipe is the perfect example of minimalism, using just five ingredients, one pan, and 15 minutes start to finish. The combination of cheesy ravioli, tender spinach, and meaty sausage keeps me coming back for more." —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer
02 of 20
3-Ingredient Baked Barbecue Chicken

"Smoked Gouda adds smoky, melty, cheesiness. Instead of red onions, I opt for thinly sliced green onions, which provide amazing onion flavor but with less bitterness and pungency." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer
03 of 20
My Dad's Fried Noodles

"What makes these fried noodles truly delicious is the contrast between the soft and crispy bits. To ensure that the noodles fry well: Drain them very well and shake off any excess moisture before adding them to the frying pan." —Susan Bronson, Recipe Developer
04 of 20
Rice Carbonara

"Classic pasta carbonara is a lazy-night staple in my kitchen. It's a dish that takes minimal time and effort but still feels fancy, and it often saves me from resorting to takeout. But on one of these recent lazy nights, the concept of a rice carbonara came to me. A container full of rice left over from another recipe I had been working on was taunting me from the back of the fridge. I detest wasting food, and I always have bacon, eggs, and parmesan cheese on hand, so this seemed like a low-risk, high-reward experiment." —Jamie Anulewicz, Recipe Developer
05 of 20
Sheet Pan Salmon With Asparagus

"Lemons and capers are staples in my fridge, as is butter, so I can whip up a fancy but super-fast lemon caper butter to top the salmon in mere minutes. It's a flavor combination that's familiar yet somehow feels just the right amount of special." —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer
06 of 20
Sausage White Bean Soup

"Try other sausages and beans: I like this combo, but who says others won't work? I love the idea of using chorizo and pinto beans or mild Italian sausage and lupini beans. There are plenty of pairings that would work well with this soup." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer
07 of 20
Brown Butter Cacio e Pepe

"A green salad and crusty bread are a no-fuss pairing for brown butter cacio e pepe. You can also serve this as a side (think: rustic mac & cheese) with chicken and roasted broccoli." —Sharon Lehman, Recipe Developer
08 of 20
Cheesy Baked Tacos

"My top reasons for baking tacos are ease and crispy cheese. It's flat-out easier to toss a bunch of tacos in the oven instead of flipping them in a skillet, and they all cook at once. And while the tortillas come out lightly crisp thanks to a high-heat oven and a bit of cooking spray, the real treasure here is the cheese that seeps out of the sides of the tacos and onto the hot baking sheet." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director
09 of 20
5-Ingredient Curried Potatoes with Spinach

"For this curry, I prefer using baby potatoes. Their small size absorbs the curry's rich flavors, and their smooth texture keeps them tender without falling apart. If you decide to use larger potatoes, peel and cut them into 1-inch chunks so they cook evenly. Then, keep an eye on the cooking time, as that will vary from the baby potatoes." —Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer
10 of 20
3-Ingredient Cajun Alfredo Pasta

"After cooking the pasta, Cajun smoked sausage is seared in a skillet, then store-bought alfredo sauce is added. The cooked penne is stirred into the creamy sauce for a delicious 15-minute meal. Optional toppings include parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and cracked red pepper." —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer
11 of 20
Turkey Taco Bowls

"For one of our favorite weeknight dinner hacks, we let taco seasoning do the heavy lifting. Mix ground turkey with a whole package of taco seasoning, water, and fresh cilantro before serving everything over rice and topping it all with one of our favorite cheeses: queso fresco." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director
12 of 20
Cacio e Pepe Creamy Beans

"Little did he know, my grandfather was making his own version of cacio e pepe, albeit with white beans instead of pasta. It was one of the best, most comforting meals I remember to date, and I still make it all the time." —Annika Panikker, Recipe Developer
13 of 20
Garlic Butter Steak Bites

"When I'm serving steak bites, I follow a dinner formula of meat + starchy side + vegetable side. For the starchy side, we'll usually have crispy potatoes, steamed rice, or buttered noodles, and for the vegetable dish, I'll either air fry or steam some broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts." —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer
14 of 20
15-Minute Wonton Soup

"This is an endlessly customizable dinner that you can whip up to suit a variety of preferences and needs. The aromatic broth, tender, juicy wontons, and fresh, vibrant greens make it taste like you devoted much more time than you did." —Kris Osborne, Recipe Developer
15 of 20
Dumpling Salad

"One of my back pocket meals that I lean on when I'm tired, out of ideas, or simply craving it (which happens often) is dumpling salad, also known as potsticker salad. You can make it countless ways, but I come back to this three-ingredient version over and over. The combination of warm, chewy dumplings, fresh and crunchy salad, flavorful dressing, and chili crisp is irresistible." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director
16 of 20
One-Pot Caprese Orzo

"Once the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, you'll remove the pot from the heat and finish with some more tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella. I like to serve it with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, but that's it!" —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer
17 of 20
Egg Roll in a Bowl

"I love this recipe because it uses four easy-to-find ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. Ground meat, a bag of coleslaw mix, soy sauce, and ginger are pretty much all you need to make this dish." —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer
18 of 20
Chicken Enchilada Chili

"There is always a can of red enchilada sauce in my pantry. A mild blend of tomatoes, chile peppers, garlic, and onions, it's a versatile base for so many recipes. When I want a hearty, one-pot meal that takes minimal effort (read: no chopping and mostly pantry ingredients), this chicken chili is what's for dinner." —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer
19 of 20
Shrimp Pesto Pasta

"I made this recipe often for my clients as a private chef, and I was also told it was a kid favorite. All you need to make it are four key ingredients: some fresh basil pesto, thick-cut bacon, shrimp, and a box of your favorite curly pasta." —Danielle Campbell, Recipe Developer
20 of 20
Quick Peanut Chicken Noodles

"My recipe for quick peanut chicken ramen noodles starts with a pack of instant ramen. While the noodles boil, you brown ground chicken in a pan. Stir in the ramen flavor packet, a big dollop of peanut butter, and some of the water the noodles cooked in to make it saucy. Toss in the cooked noodles, add a squeeze of lime juice for brightness, and you're done!" —Rebecca Fennel, Recipe Developer