🌿Limited Ingredient Meals: 4 Simple Dinners That Won’t Break the Bank
By Hey Ivy
If you have been staring into your pantry wondering what to make for dinner – you’re not alone. Groceries cost more than ever, and sometimes you just need a handful of ingredients and a little creativity to get a comforting meal on the table.
These easy dishes use five ingredients or fewer, and they’re proof that simple doesn’t mean boring.
🍝Easy Pasta Bake
Ingredients
🌿1 lb. pasta, just about any type will do. I recommend using ziti, penne, or rotini.
🌿1 jar of pasta sauce 24- 32 oz will do
🌿1 lb. ground beef (optional)
🌿2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (use a little more or a little less if desired)
Instructions
🌿Boil your pasta until it is just al dente, strain and set aside in your pasta pot (do not put back on a heated burner).
🌿While your pasta is boiling, grab a sauce pan and brown your ground beef if you are using meat for this dish. Then stir in your sauce.
Note: If you’re not using meat, skip the sauce pan all together.
🌿Pour your sauce over the pasta and stir it well to cover the pasta.
🌿Transfer your pasta to a non-stick 9×13 pan or a greased 9×13 glass casserole dish, sprinkle generously with mozzarella and, bake at 350* F until your cheese is melted. I like to broil for the last couple of minutes just to brown the cheese a tiny bit.
Note: If you do use the broiler at the end, don’t walk away and be sure to check it every 30 seconds or so. It only takes a minute to burn when the broiler is on !
Optional: Add in some spices if you’d like. Oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning work really well with red sauce. You don’t need too much unless you are using a plain sauce with no added spices. If your sauce is plain, I would recommend using 1 tsp of each listed spice except for the red pepper flake, for that I would say 1/4 tsp is fine unless you like it spicy.
🍔Smash Burgers
Ingredients
🌿1 lb. ground beef. This amount of meat should be just fine for 4 people, adjust as needed for your family.
🌿1 package bulkie rolls or hamburger buns.
🌿Cheese (optional) sliced or shredded is fine, this is a great opportunity to go through the cheese drawer in your fridge and use up what you have.
🌿1-2 tbsp. olive oil
🌿Any form of potatoes for the side will do. Fries, tots, au gratin, even potato chips.
Instructions
🌿Set up your plates with the buns ready. These cook fairly quick so if you are using a traditional oven to cook your potatoes I would preheat at this stage.
🌿Place the ground beef in a mixing bowl and add in any spices you’d like. Seasonings are optional but they add a ton of flavor, I use parsley flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well with clean hands.
💡Pro Tip: Use food safe gloves to speed up the process and to avoid feeling the cold wet meat on your hands eww !
🌿Roll the meat mixture into evenly sized balls just a bit larger than a golf ball. Set aside until your skillet is heated.
🌿Add your olive oil to your skillet and heat on medium.
🌿Place your potato of choice on a baking sheet and bake for the amount of time listed on the packaging.
💡Pro Tip: I use parchment paper to make cleanup virtually effortless.
🌿Your skillet should be heated by now. Place 2 patties in your skillet, place a square of parchment paper or foil on top and press down firmly. Do this quickly for each patty then place the weight on top of each burger for just about 2-3 min before flipping. Repeat the process for your other patties.
💡Pro Tip: If you do not have a weighted meat press to place on your patties you can get creative. I have used a glass measuring cup with water inside to add weight, just be sure to cover the bottom with tinfoil.
🍗Grilled Chicken with Veggies & Rice
Ingredients
🌿1 lb. pkg boneless skinless chicken breast
🌿1 cup long grain rice or 2 bags of the instant boil in a bag version
🌿Mixed Veggies of choice
🌿2-3 tbsp butter
🌿2 cups chicken broth (optional)
Instructions
🌿Preheat oven to 375 F
🌿Rinse 1 cup rice and add to a round glass baking dish if you have one ( if not use 8×8 square), add either 2 cups of water or use chicken broth for added flavor, add in 3 tbsp butter in small tabs all across the top of your rice. Cover with an oven safe lid or use foil to cover. Bake until water is absorbed, about 25-27 minutes
🌿Season your chicken with family favorites or just salt and pepper will do. I like to filet them before seasoning. Give your skillet a drizzle of olive oil, heat on medium-high then pan-sear or grill until fully cooked.
🌿In a smaller sauce pan add 1/4 water and lets simmer, then toss in your veggies and reduce heat to low. When just a little water remains melt in 1-2 tbsp butter. I like add a little garlic powder, salt, and pepper if you have it, toss your veggies.
🌿Remove rice from oven, fluff with a fork and serve with sliced chicken and your mixed veggies.
Enjoy !
🌮Chicken Crockpot Tacos
Ingredients
🌿1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast
🌿1 jar of salsa (any heat)
🌿1 taco seasoning packet
🌿Taco kit or shells
🌿Shredded cheese
Optional : top with sour cream, refried beans, and lettuce. Serve with rice or just have tacos !
Meals don’t have to be complicated or expensive to taste amazing. Play around with spices, use leftover salsa chicken to make a creamy pasta dish, or make arancini bites with leftover rice!. With just a few ingredients and a little imagination, you can make cozy, home-cooked dinners all week long.
-Hey Ivy 🌿
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