5 Recipes with 5 Ingredients (or Less!)

We like to pretend that summer is full of long, lazy days, and maybe for some people, it really is. But for a lot of us, time is as precious as ever. That’s why we decided to pull together some of the best recipes from around the web that use five ingredients or fewer. These recipes are quick, simple and often help you use up any leftovers.

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Read on to discover our 5 favourite recipes using just 5 ingredients.

Summer Traybake Chicken

This quick recipe is best in the summer, when the tomatoes are at their best.

Cook time: 15 min

Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 lb (250 g) cherry tomatoes

4 tbsp pesto

Place the chicken in a large, shallow roasting tray, and drizzle the olive oil over it. Grill the chicken for 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and pop it all under the grill for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is done. Drizzle the pesto over the top, and serve.

Asian Noodles with Steak and Mange Tout

This recipe calls for steak, mange tout and peanuts, but really you can chuck in whatever meat, veg and nut you like, so you can use up what’s in the fridge and pantry.

Cook time: 25 min

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 package soba or other Asian wheat or rice noodles

1 1/2 lbs (680 g) skirt steak

1 lb (450 g) mange tout

2 tbsp soy sauce

1/4 cup unsalted peanuts, chopped.

Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set the noodles aside.

Heat a large pan over a medium-high heat, and season the steak with salt and pepper. Place the steak in the pan. Cook each side for 2 to 6 minutes, depending on how you like your steak. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your steak. When the steak is done, transfer it to a cutting board, and cover it loosely with a tent of aluminium foil. Be sure to keep the juices in the pan.

Again, have the heat on medium-high. Add the mange tout to the pan. Toss them in the juices occasionally, and cook it for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the noodles, soy sauce and 2 tablespoons water, and heat it all through. This should take about 20 seconds.

Divide this mixture between four bowls. Slice the steak, and lay the strips on top of the noodle mix in each bowl. Scatter the peanuts on top, and serve.

Prawns with Spring Onions and Crispy Potatoes

These prawns do have a little kick, but with a couple of simply prepared veg, they make a surprising mid-week meal.

Cook time: 30 min

Serves: 4

Ingredients

Olive oil

1 lb (450 g) baking potatoes, scrubbed and chopped into 1/2 inch cubes

2 spring onions, thinly sliced

1 lb (450 g) peeled prawns

2 tsp curry powder

Heat about 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan on medium-high heat. Add the potatoes, and, stirring occasionally, cook until crispy, about 12 to 14 minutes. Add the spring onions, and cook for another minute. Move the potatoes and onions to a plate, and set to one side.

Top up the oil in the pan with another teaspoon of oil. Pile in the prawns and curry powder, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 2 or 3 minutes. Serve.

Sauteed Pork Chops with Kale

This simple dish might take a little bit longer, but it’s all done in one pan, so you’ll save time on the washing up.

Cook time: 40 min

Serves: 4

Ingredients

2 large bunches of kale (or another leafy green)

Olive oil

4 pork chops (about 2 lbs or 900 g)

3 cloves garlic, chopped

The juice of a lemon

Roughly chop the greens, removing stalks and spines if necessary, and wash them. Don’t dry them, but do set them aside.

Coat the bottom of a large pan with oil, and heat it over medium-high heat. Season the chops with salt and pepper, and place them in the pan. Sauté for about 4 minutes on each side.

Move the chops to a serving dish or the individual plates, and add a bit more oil, about 1 tbsp, to the pan. Pop the garlic into the pan, and cook it for about 1 minute, or until golden brown. Add the greens and sauté until tender and/or wilted. Sprinkle the greens with the lemon, and they are ready to be served, either in a serving dish or on the plates.

Florentine Ravioli

This can be made with fresh or frozen pasta and spinach, so you can just pop the ingredients in the freezer and cook it in a pinch. You don’t even have to wait for the pasta and spinach to thaw.

Cook time: 20 min

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 package cheese ravioli or tortellini

6 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

16 oz (450 g) spinach

1/2 cup (60 g) Parmesan cheese

Cook the ravioli or tortellini according to the package directions. At the same time, heat 2 tsp of the oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste, and then add the spinach. Cook until the spinach has wilted.

Divide the spinach mixture between four bowls, and top with the ravioli. Drizzle some olive oil over the top of each bowl, about 1 tsp each. Top with the Parmesan cheese and serve.

Which one of these recipes whets your appetite the most? What’s your favourite fast recipe with just a few ingredients?