A Week of Easy 5-Ingredient Dinners

It’s been a year. And that’s precisely why it’s a great idea to give 2020 a send-off with a week that includes some of the absolute easiest dinners you can put on the table. Each one requires just a handful of ingredients (not counting salt and pepper, because I know you already have those in the kitchen), which also means they don’t require too much effort and won’t leave you with a sink full of dirty dishes. Here are five comforting and warming dinners to help finish out the year.

I can hardly think of a cozier way to start the week than a pot of soup. And because there are no noodles or dairy in the ingredient list, this soup is ideal for freezing if you have leftovers.

Get the recipe: 5-Ingredient Sausage, Kale, and Sweet Potato Soup

Consider this dinner your reminder that it’s actually quite easy to prepare fish for dinner. The salmon cooks in about 10 minutes and finishes with a simple pantry glaze that gives the fillets an eye-catching sheen and a sweet, tangy flavor. Round out dinner with a salad or roasted vegetables, and maybe some rice or potatoes.

Get the recipe: Honey-Glazed Salmon

This is our favorite solution for a fast and fancy midweek pasta night. Pasta, cheese, black pepper, and ice water are all you need for tonight’s dinner. Although if you really want to pack in the comfort, garlic bread is never a bad idea.

Get the recipe: Cacio e Pepe

A pack of boneless chops is the key to bringing this quick and easy skillet to the table. Definitely include a side like cauliflower rice, regular rice, egg noodles, or a chunk of bread to mop up all that wonderful sauce.

Get the recipe: Creamy Mushroom Smothered Pork Chops

You made it to the end of the week! Now pull out your slow cooker for dinner. I like to grab a pack of tortillas and all the fixing for tacos, then let everyone around the table assemble shredded chicken tacos just the way they like them.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Salsa Pulled Chicken

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Meal planning isn’t always easy — especially if you’re just getting started. But we’re firm believers that it’s the secret to stress-free weeknight dinners. We want to help you find inspiration and ease some of the pain points that come with getting dinner on the table night after night, whether you’re cooking one or a family of four or five. Every week we share a new meal plan solution specifically customized for you from reader requests or from a guest contributor, for Next Week’s Meal Plan!