Our Allrecipes Allstars' Favorite 5-Ingredient Dishes

Who doesn't love simplicity as the main ingredient?

overhead view of fettuccine noodles in a skillet being coated in Alfredo Sauce
Photo:

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

The kitchen can be the most loving and comforting place in a home. There's a reason it is the heart of the house. However, sometimes it can be a chore for many who cringe at the idea of making a full meal with many steps and ingredients. Before you resort to delivery, we have a list of five-ingredient recipes that offer a sigh of relief. Thanks to the expert advice from our Allrecipes Allstars, we have a list of just such dishes, from sides, to entrées, to desserts. Our Allstars are home cooks just like you, and they have proclaimed these are their favorites. Check them out!

01 of 16

Buttery New Potatoes with Leeks and Parsley

Buttery New Potatoes with Leeks and Parsley
Buckwheat Queen

This simple yet balanced recipe is sure to be a crowd favorite. According to Allstar Grace Lutvak, "For such an easy recipe, the combination of these ingredients is amazing. I've made it many times."

02 of 16

Grandma Randolph's Noodles

close up view of raw noodles with flour on a cutting board
Tiffany Kennedy-Kelly

"My favorite noodles! I add extra herbs, and sometimes mix in spinach. So easy and incredibly yummy!" says Allstar Jane Wilcox. They're versatile, too. Serve them plain, with a sauce, or in soup.

03 of 16

Cinnamon Crunch Bars

Cinnamon Crunch Bars
Kim

"I made a half batch of these bars in a 9-inch square pan lined with parchment paper, and baked them at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. I am surprised at not only how simple these are to make, but how tasty they are too!" says Allstar Kim Shupe. "They are like a super simple graham cracker toffee. I did also use pecans in place of walnuts, and would do that again. Thank you for the recipe—these bars are fantastically quick, easy, and delicious!"

04 of 16

Quick Christmas Salad

Quick Christmas Salad

"Definitely don't wait til Christmas to make this salad! It's delicious, and would be great any time of the year!" says Allstar Kim Shupe. "I used baby spinach for the greens, and a homemade balsamic. You can serve this salad alone as a light lunch, or pair it with a protein (I served it alongside some baked chicken thighs) for an easy supper too."

05 of 16

2-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake

angel food cake with strawberries and cream
lutzflcat

"Whoa, just doesn’t get much easier than this." says Allstar Pat Bernitt. "I could see this with a quick-and-easy blueberry sauce, and as another reviewer mentioned, adding some coconut to the batter just might be another great option. And most importantly, it’s delicious on its own!"

06 of 16

Authentic Greek Tzatziki

Authentic Greek Tzatziki

"Best tzatziki I’ve ever made. For lack of a better explanation, it tastes 'pure' (hope that makes sense)," says Pat Bernitt. Makes sense to us! Use this fresh, light, yet flavorful condiment as a vegetable dip, souvlaki sauce, or to complete your homemade gyros.

07 of 16

Candied Dills

candied dills

"Gotta tell you, this surprised the heck out of me because we REALLY liked them." says Bernitt. "They're sweet, but you don't lose the dill flavor either, a really good balance of sweet and dill."

08 of 16

Honey Ginger Carrots

Honey Ginger Carrots

"I really like the sweet-tart contrast between the honey and the lemon. Yeah, it is somewhat similar to glazed carrots, but the lemon and ginger do differentiate it. I know this recipe has been around for a while, and I’m glad I finally found it. Enjoyed, would make again!" exclaims Bernitt.

09 of 16

Sriracha-Soy Chicken Thigh Marinade

Sriracha-Soy Chicken Thigh Marinade
lutzflcat

"I used garlic paste and cilantro in the tubes, so this really was a super easy marinade to make. It does have a kick to it, so if you’re at all sensitive to heat, you may want to add less Sriracha, then taste, and add more if it suits you," says Bernitt. Serve with simple sides for dinner in no time.

10 of 16

Low-Carb, Sugar-Free Instant Pot Cheesecake

Low-Carb Sugar-Free Instant Pot(R) Cheesecake

"Followed the directions to the letter, and this turned out surprisingly well. The texture is spot-on cheesecake, and I really didn’t even miss the crust. My husband said he does enjoy the crust, but he enjoyed this, and it disappeared pretty quickly. This is so darn easy to make with minimal cleanup, and has a nice presentation." says Allstar Pat Bernitt.

11 of 16

Baked Old Bay Salmon

Baked Old Bay Salmon
France C

"Good recipe, quick-and-easy preparation, really enjoyed it with sides of Asian Asparagus Salad with Pecans and Homemade Mac and Cheese," Pat Bernitt suggests.

12 of 16

Sun-Dried Tomato Palmiers

sun dried palmiers

Pack flavor into refrigerated crescent rolls with this tasty and satisfying recipe. Take it from Allstar Bernitt, "This is a very easy appetizer and one that I think can go from 4 stars to 5 with a bit more attention on my part." It's fun to customize the filling with this in mind, adding more tomato flavor, a different cheese, or even herbs and spices.

13 of 16

Apple Spinach Salad

spinach salad with apples and nuts
France C

"I had my doubts about how apples would taste with Italian dressing, but I was pleasantly surprised because they’re good!" says Allstar Paula Roten. "That little bit of sweetness from the apples is a good contrast to the tang of the dressing. Just doesn’t get much easier than this for a light lunch today with a few fig and olive crackers."

14 of 16

Zesty Bean Dip

Zesty Bean Dip

This fun and super easy dish only requires three ingredients and takes less time than a pot of rice. No wonder it's an Allstar favorite. This bean dip will be a crowd pleaser at the next friend gathering or even a Super Bowl party.

15 of 16

Alfredo Sauce

overhead view of fettuccine noodles in a skillet being coated in Alfredo Sauce

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

“Exactly what I was looking for,” says one Allrecipes community member. “A base recipe for me to build off of based on my own personal taste. I like topping with sun-dried tomatoes and some grilled chicken breast.” With over 3,400 five-star reviews, this is just the thing.

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