Our 12 Most Popular 3-Ingredient Recipes of 2021

Antonia DeBianchi
Antonia DeBianchiContributor
Antonia is a lifestyle, food and entertainment writer from South Florida. She received a Journalism degree from Boston University and loves everything about city-living. When not writing, you’ll find her in the kitchen aspiring to reach Barefoot Contessa status, walking on the…read more
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published Dec 19, 2021
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Credit: From Top to Bottom: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell; Photo: Paola + Murray; Food Styling: Drew Aichele; Kelli Foster

After another whirlwind year, no-fuss recipes are officially our favorite ones to turn to. While 2020 was the year of meticulously feeding sourdough starters and tackling intricate recipes, 2021 was the year we embraced simplicity. Throughout the year, we were reminded that even recipes with a mere three ingredients can pack tons of flavor — and still fuel and inspire us.  

From easy side dishes to quick egg recipes, scheming up a speedy weeknight dinner or on-the-go breakfast has never been tastier. Instant Pot penne pasta, Filipino garlic fried rice, and eggs in a basket are just a few that made the list of our top three-ingredient recipes of 2021.

1 / 12
Grandma's Potatoes
These roasted potatoes are crispy on the outside, and tender and buttery on the inside. They are unlike any other version of roasted potatoes you've made before.
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2 / 12
2-Ingredient Broccoli Fritters
These quick and easy vegetable fritters are naturally free of gluten, dairy, and eggs, thanks to protein-rich chickpea flour.
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3 / 12
Air Fryer Sweet Potato
From classic sour cream and chives to toasted pecans, the topping options are endless.
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4 / 12
Classic Pommes Anna
This French side dish is classic and elegant all at the same time. And all you need are potatoes, butter, and salt.
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5 / 12
Instant Pot Penne Pasta
Instant Pot penne is saucy and creamy, and comes together in under 20 minutes.
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6 / 12
Roasted Baby Potatoes
Everyone needs a simple, versatile side that’s easy to partner with whatever they're cooking for dinner.
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7 / 12
Negroni Sbagliato Recipe
This classic Italian cocktail is a bubbly twist on a traditional negroni.
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8 / 12
Strozzapretti
Absolutely anyone can make this simple, hand-twisted pasta, which is made with just flour and water.
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9 / 12
Sinangag (Filipino Garlic Fried Rice)
In Tagalog, sinangag translates to “garlic fried rice," and it's exactly as it sounds: rice fried with a generous amount of garlic, salt, and pepper.
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10 / 12
Herb Butter Steak Bites
Tender steak bites are seared in a fragrant herb butter for an easy weeknight dinner.
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11 / 12
Eggs in a Basket
Out of all the ways to prepare eggs, none are as playful as eggs in a basket.
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12 / 12
Maple Butter
This fluffy, maple-flavored butter is perfect for spreading on toast, pancakes, or biscuits.
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