Flavor-Packed Dinners You Can Make with Five Ingredients or Less

When you don't have time to head to the grocery store to pick up a long list of ingredients for dinner, these simple recipes are just what you need. From no-fuss pasta dishes and delicious pizzas to sheet-pan dinners and seasonal soups, each of the recipes were highlighting here can be made using only five ingredients—not counting the kitchen staples that are salt, pepper, oil, and water.

As we make our way into winter, when the days feel shorter with the sun setting earlier, more often than not the last thing you want to do is make a meal that has a bunch of different ingredients and moving parts. Luckily, you can still put together a delicious dinner without needing a plethora of flavor elements. We pair a few staples with some other flavor-packed ingredients and fresh foods in these recipes, and the results show that it doesn't take much to make a delicious meal. One tasty example is our Classic Margherita Pizza, pictured here. Store-bought marinara sauce is spread over store-bought pizza dough and sprinkled with mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses then scattered with fresh basil leaves before being baked to crispy, cheesy perfection.

Looking for a dish where healthy protein is the star? Try salmon, which really doesn't need much beyond salt and oil to shine. It makes for a filling dinner when roasted alongside a few colorful vegetables. Or perhaps you want something comforting on a cold day? If that's the case, opt for our one-pan pasta where a few fresh herbs, plenty of grated cheese, oil, and lemon juice great a cozy entrée.

These recipes show how handy it is to keep your pantry and freezer well stocked. Chances are you can make a complete meal using a few ingredients and foods you already have. In the meantime, our favorite five-ingredient dinners will be your guide to making incredible, flavorful meals with minimal elements.