5 Easy Dinners With 7 Ingredients or Less
Some evenings, dinner needs to be delicious without becoming a project.
You don’t need a long grocery list or a kitchen full of complicated ingredients to put something satisfying on the table. A handful of simple ingredients—and a few shortcuts—can make dinner surprisingly easy.
These five recipes use seven main ingredients or fewer and are perfect for busy weekdays, relaxed weekends, or those nights when you simply don’t feel like cooking.
Pantry basics such as salt, pepper, cooking spray and oil aren’t included in the ingredient count.
1. Creamy Parmesan Chicken
Comforting, creamy and easy enough for a weeknight.
You’ll need:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 cups baby spinach
How to make it:
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Brown it in a large skillet with a little olive oil until cooked through, then remove it from the pan.
Add the garlic and cook briefly. Stir in the cream, Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken.
Add the spinach and return the chicken to the skillet. Cook for a few more minutes until the spinach wilts and everything is heated through.
GGG Tip: Serve with a simple salad, roasted vegetables or pasta.
2. Sheet-Pan Smoked Sausage & Potatoes
This is the kind of dinner that practically cooks itself.
You’ll need:
1 package smoked sausage, sliced
1½ pounds baby potatoes, halved
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
How to make it:
Heat the oven to 425°F.
Place everything on a large sheet pan. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss.
Roast for about 30–35 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the potatoes are tender and lightly browned.
GGG Tip: Line the pan with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.
3. Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken Tacos
This is a wonderful “put it in the crockpot and forget about it” dinner.
You’ll need:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar salsa
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn
Flour or corn tortillas
Shredded cheese
How to make it:
Place the chicken in the slow cooker and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Pour the salsa over the top.
Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and easily shreds.
Shred the chicken, then stir in the black beans and corn. Heat until everything is warm.
Serve in tortillas and top with shredded cheese.
GGG Tip: Put out any extra toppings you already have—avocado, sour cream, lettuce or tomatoes—and let everyone build their own tacos.
4. Easy Baked Ravioli Casserole
Think lasagna without all the work.
You’ll need:
1 package refrigerated or frozen cheese ravioli
1 jar marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound lean ground beef
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
How to make it:
Heat the oven to 375°F.
Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning.
Spread a little sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Layer ravioli, meat sauce and mozzarella. Repeat, then finish with Parmesan.
Cover and bake for about 25 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.
GGG Tip: Add a bagged salad and garlic bread and dinner is done.
5. Honey-Garlic Pork Tenderloin
This one feels a little special without requiring much effort.
You’ll need:
1 pork tenderloin
¼ cup honey
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
How to make it:
Heat the oven to 400°F.
Mix the honey, soy sauce, garlic, Dijon mustard and Italian seasoning.
Place the pork tenderloin in a baking dish and spoon the mixture over it.
Bake until the center reaches 145°F, generally about 20–30 minutes depending on thickness. Let it rest for at least three minutes before slicing.
GGG Tip: Serve with roasted green beans or broccoli and a baked potato for an easy complete meal.
Dinner Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Some nights call for a beautiful meal made completely from scratch.
Other nights call for something easy, comforting and dependable.
Both count.
Keep a few simple recipes like these in your rotation, stock several basic ingredients you use regularly, and give yourself permission to take shortcuts when you need them.
Because dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to bring everyone to the table.
Grace, Gather & Go — Living Beautifully. Loving Fully. Going in Style.