20 recipes with few ingredients
Practical, quick, and delicious
Have you ever opened the fridge and felt you had nothing to eat, even with some items there? Have you given up on cooking because the recipe seemed complicated or called for ingredients you didn’t have?
The good news is that you don’t need many ingredients to prepare delicious dishes. With few items, it’s possible to make recipes for lunch, snack, or dinner that will surprise you with their ease and incredible flavor . Many popular recipes use only three perfectly combined ingredients .
In this guide, you’ll find 20 recipes with few ingredients, divided into categories to make your choice easier. These are sweet and savory options that prove simplicity and flavor can go hand in hand.
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The foundation of cooking with few ingredients
Cooking with few ingredients doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. The secret lies in choosing quality ingredients and combinations that complement each other. Foods like eggs, pasta, cheese, vegetables, and basic seasonings are the foundation of many simple and tasty recipes.
Garlic and oil pasta, for example, is a true lifesaver. With just four ingredients — pasta, garlic, oil, and salt — it’s ready in minutes and delicious . These recipes show that it’s possible to maintain a balanced routine with quick, nutritious, and flavorful dishes .
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Quick savory recipes
1. Garlic and oil pasta
This pasta recipe is a true classic, especially at the end of the month. All you need are four ingredients: pasta, garlic, oil, and salt. In just a few minutes, it’s ready and delicious .
Ingredients:
- 200g pasta (spaghetti or other long pasta)
- 4 sliced garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions:
Cook the pasta in salted water. In a skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic (be careful not to burn it). Drain the pasta, mix with the garlic, and finish with parsley. Serve with grated cheese if desired. Ready in 15 minutes.
2. Carbonara pasta
Carbonara pasta is just as easy as garlic and oil pasta and also uses few ingredients. The tip is to prepare only the amount you’ll eat right away, as it doesn’t reheat well .
Ingredients:
- 200g spaghetti
- 2 eggs
- 100g grated Parmesan cheese
- 100g bacon or pancetta, cubed
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, fry the bacon until crispy. Beat the eggs with cheese, salt, and pepper. When the pasta is ready, mix with the bacon, turn off the heat, and add the egg mixture, stirring vigorously. Serve immediately.
3. Quick omelet
Who hasn’t needed to make a quick omelet because they were very hungry, in a hurry, or both? This recipe is versatile, cheap, and very fast .
Ingredients:
- 2 to 3 eggs
- Cheese or ham
- Tomato or vegetables
- Salt and seasonings
Instructions:
Beat the eggs with salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick skillet with a drizzle of oil. Pour in the eggs and, when they start to set, add the filling to one half. Fold over and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic, quick, and delicious side dish. If you cook the potatoes in the microwave, it’s even easier. If not, the trick is to cut them into smaller pieces before cooking .
Ingredients:
- 4 medium potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
Cook the potatoes until tender. Mash well, add butter, milk, and salt. Stir until creamy.
5. Fried fish
A good fried fish is ready very quickly and doesn’t need many ingredients. Prepared correctly, it can be served as an appetizer or main dish .
Ingredients:
- 4 fish fillets (tilapia or other white fish)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt, pepper, and garlic to taste
- Wheat flour for coating
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
Season the fillets with lemon juice, salt, and garlic. Coat with wheat flour. Fry in hot oil until golden on both sides. Serve with rice or salad.
6. Oven-baked Parmesan rice
A complete meal in just one dish. Practical and quick, this recipe is great for lunch or dinner .
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 100g grated mozzarella cheese
- 50g chopped ham
- Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions:
Mix the rice with tomato sauce, ham, and mozzarella. Place in a baking dish, top with Parmesan, and bake until golden.
7. Linguine with zucchini and lemon
A light, creamy, and fresh recipe with a citrus touch. You need few ingredients and practically just one pan .
Ingredients:
- 250g linguine
- 1 medium zucchini, grated into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 minced garlic clove
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Cook the linguine. In a skillet, sauté the garlic in olive oil, add the zucchini, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the pasta, lemon zest, and juice. Finish with Parmesan.
8. Potato rosti
Once you master the rosti technique, you’ll have a quick, tasty, and versatile dish that can be made with various fillings .
Ingredients:
- 2 large potatoes
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
Grate the potatoes and squeeze out excess water. Season with salt. Heat butter in a skillet, add the grated potato, and press firmly. Cook until golden on both sides.
9. Express pancake
Ideal for those who want something different without wasting time .
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
Beat everything until you get a batter. Quickly make pancakes in the skillet. Fill with whatever you have available.
10. Baked chicken with onion soup mix
Onion soup mix is a versatile seasoning that transforms chicken .
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken fillets
- 1 packet of onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Instructions:
Mix the onion soup mix, water, and mayonnaise. Spread this mixture over the chicken. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes.
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Sweet recipes with few ingredients
11. Yogurt cake (flourless)
This “super creamy and soft” yogurt cake is quick to prepare — the batter is ready in just five minutes . It’s an excellent option for those who are gluten intolerant.
Ingredients:
- 1 2/3 cups (400g) fat-free vanilla Greek yogurt
- 4 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons (32g) cornstarch
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Pour into a greased pan. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 70 to 75 minutes, until the surface is caramelized. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
12. Cookie and guava paste sandwich
With just three ingredients and 20 minutes of prep, this recipe combines crispy cookies with guava paste .
Ingredients:
- 1 package of Fofitos cookies
- 2 cups guava paste
- 1 cup refined sugar
Instructions:
Cut the guava paste to fit the cookies and make a sandwich. Roll in refined sugar. Done.
13. Easy cheese bread
No lunch or dinner plans? This quick snack recipe is perfect and everyone will love it .
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sweet cassava starch
- 1 cup sour cassava starch
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup oil
- 2 eggs
- 100g grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
Heat milk, oil, and salt until boiling. Pour over the starches and mix. Let cool, add eggs and cheese. Shape into balls and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes.
14. Corn brigadeiro
A different version of the traditional treat with a delicate corn flavor. This recipe uses few ingredients and can be served by the spoonful or rolled .
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 can of heavy cream
- 1 can of drained corn
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions:
Blend the milk, cream, and corn in a blender. Strain and place in a pan with condensed milk and butter. Cook over low heat, stirring until it pulls away from the bottom. Let cool, roll into balls, and coat in shredded coconut.
15. Yogurt gelatin
A light, creamy, chilled dessert that went viral on social media for its simplicity. The basic combination uses gelatin, hot water, and yogurt .
Ingredients:
- 1 packet (12g) light gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 250g cold plain yogurt
Instructions:
Dissolve the gelatin in boiling water. Let cool for 3 to 5 minutes. Blend in a blender with the yogurt. Pour into a dish and refrigerate for about 4 hours until set.
16. Protein mug cake
Perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth nutritiously and without excess. Ready in 1 minute and 30 seconds .
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon oat bran
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 mashed banana
- 1 pinch of baking powder
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a mug. Microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Drizzle with honey.
17. Healthy chocolate treat
With only 47 calories and 6 grams of protein per serving, this recipe is a sugar-free sweet option .
Ingredients (white part):
- 100g skim milk powder
- 100ml water
- 2 tablespoons sweetener
Ingredients (chocolate part):
- 100g skim milk powder
- 120ml water
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions:
Cook each part separately over low heat until thickened. Let cool. Roll into balls combining both mixtures and coat in milk powder.
18. Lemon and orange cake
A simple, citrusy, aromatic cake with the freshness of orange and lemon and the flavor of almonds .
Ingredients:
- 1 orange
- 1 lemon
- 4 eggs
- 150g sugar
- 150g ground almonds
- 150g corn flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
Boil the orange and lemon in water for 30 minutes. Beat eggs with sugar. Blend the boiled fruit with more juice. Mix everything with dry ingredients and oil. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 40 minutes.
19. Cheese bread cake
If you don’t want to make individual cheese bread rolls, this cake version is the solution .
Ingredients:
- Same as traditional cheese bread
- Batter with more liquid, baked in a greased pan
Instructions:
Prepare cheese bread batter with a bit more milk, making it more liquid. Pour into a greased pan and bake until golden.
20. Polenta in the pressure cooker
Polenta is delicious and easy to make .
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 6 cups water
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a pressure cooker. Cook for 10 minutes after pressure builds. Open, stir, and serve with sauce or cheese.
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Tips for cooking quickly in everyday life
Some strategies help save time in the kitchen :
- Keep pre-cut vegetables in the fridge for use during the week.
- Use a pressure cooker and air fryer to speed up preparation.
- Choose one-pan recipes to avoid mess.
- Always have basic items on hand like pasta, eggs, milk, and flour.
- Cook extra and freeze portions for busier days.
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Frequently asked questions about recipes with few ingredients
How many ingredients are considered “few”?
Most recipes on this list use between 3 and 5 main ingredients .
Can I substitute ingredients?
Yes! Most of these recipes are flexible. Swap meats, vegetables, and cheeses according to your preference or what you have on hand. Garlic and oil pasta and omelets are especially adaptable.
What if I don’t have an ingredient?
Get creative. No zucchini for the linguine? Use eggplant. No Greek yogurt? Use another type of yogurt. Practical cooking is about finding solutions.
Are these recipes economical?
Yes. With few ingredients, you reduce waste and shopping costs .
How to maintain a balanced diet with quick recipes?
With planning, it’s possible to prepare complete meals in minutes . Combine carbohydrates with proteins and vegetables in each meal.
20 recipes with few ingredients 20 recipes with few ingredients 20 recipes with few ingredients