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If you're short on time or trying to fit delicious meals into your budget and meal plan with fewer ingredients try this collection of recipes with 8 or fewer ingredients. Simple recipes with only a handful of ingredients are a great way to get through a busy week.
Jump to:
- How to make 8-ingredient recipes more flavorful
- 10 8-ingredient dinner recipes
- 10 8-ingredient side dish recipes
- 6 8-ingredient dessert recipes
- 6 8-ingredient bread recipes
Recipes with short ingredient lists make meal planning easier and take some of the fuss out of cooking. 8 ingredients recipes are helpful for several reasons:
- Simple + Convenient: 8 ingredient recipes help to keep your grocery list shorter giving your budget a break.
- Time Saving: making a quick meal like xx without a lot of ingredients saves shopping time, prep time, and sometimes even cooking time.
- Versatility: 8 ingredient recipes can be creative! From dinner to dessert recipes, you can create dishes like stuffed sweet potatoes, cookies, and homemade bread.
How to make 8-ingredient recipes more flavorful
When cutting back on your grocery budget or the amount you can buy when grocery prices are high keep these tips in mind.
- Use pantry staples like spices and spice mixes.
- When groceryshopping, take advantage of ingredients like mustard, balsamic vinegar, and jarred items like sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and pesto which are all loaded with flavor. These items can be used in salads, dressings, marinades, soups, casseroles, pasta dishes, and sandwiches.
Note: for the purpose of this collection, salt and pepper are considered the only pantry staples and not something that needs to be purchased every grocery shop.
10 8-ingredient dinner recipes
If you're trying to come up with dinner tonight, browse this collection of main dishes that are low on ingredients but big on flavor. From easy beef recipes to baked chicken to vegetarian, there's something for everyone.
Try a sandwich filled with pesto and butternut squash or a simple baked pasta dish for your main meal, all without loading up on groceries.
Using a combination of my favorite things like condiments with a lot of flavor, whole grains, and fresh vegetables can help you create big beautiful grain bowls or simple dinner bowls like a tuna sushi bowl.
Browse below for more easy dinner ideas!
1
Creamy Dill Chicken
Just 7 ingredients and 30 minutes for this delicious dinner with a creamy dill pan sauce.
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2
Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken
This honey mustard pretzel chicken takes only 4 ingredients and can be on the table in under an hour.
3
30-Minute Chicken and Gravy
This dish is a quick and easy meal that can be whipped up in just 30 minutes. Tender chicken smothered in a savory gravy, it's a comforting and satisfying option for busy weeknights.
4
Air Fryer Croissant Sandwiches with Pesto and Havarti
Air fryer croissant sandwiches with croissants, Havarti cheese, and pesto. Top with shredded lettuce and pickled red onions to add freshness. 3-4 minutes in the air fryer.
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5
Oven-Baked Marinated Chicken Wings
Try these oven-baked chicken wings bathed in a delightful homemade marinade, striking the perfect balance between sweet and spicy.
6
Baked Goat Cheese Pasta
Inspired by a TikTok recipe, this creamy past with goat cheese makes this meal perfect for weekends or weeknights!
7
Roasted Butternut Squash Sandwich with Caramelized Onions and Pesto
This sandwich with roasted butternut squash, caramelized onion and pesto makes a delicious lunch or dinner recipe.
8
Baked Pesto Salmon
This baked pesto salmon is a great 20 minute option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
9
Italian Meatballs
Tender Italian style meatballs made with Grandma’s recipe - ultimate comfort food in only 8 ingredients. Turn simple ground beef into tender meatballs in this easy recipe.
10
Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups with Creamy Lemon Dill Spread
Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups, aka Pinwheels, are the perfect party appetizer that can be made ahead of time. They’re great for lunch outside-the-box, too! Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest give a bright and zesty flavor to the creamy lemon dill spread.
10 8-ingredient side dish recipes
11
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
These air fryer smashed potatoes are crispy, delicious, and full of flavor. Cooking them in the air fryer makes the process super quick and easy, cutting out the need to parboil them first.
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12
Easy Pan Fried Chickpeas
Easy crispy pan-fried chickpeas seasoned and slightly spicy for a budget-friendly salad toppings or snack.
13
Air Fryer Frozen Maple Brussels Sprouts
Frozen Brussels sprouts take a delicious turn in the air fryer with a glaze of maple syrup, extra-virgin olive oil, and Dijon mustard. Crispy, caramelized goodness that’s ready in a snap. Elevate your sprouts with this easy, flavorful option.
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14
Parmesan Garlic French Fries
The perfect cheesy, garlicky snack or side dish. Make homemade fries or use frozen fries and top them with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and minced garlic.
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15
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
A flavorful, easy side dish made with couscous, bell peppers, caper, and olive, seasoned with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Garnish with fresh parsley.
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16
Chipotle Corn Salsa
A fresh salsa made with simple ingredients - perfect with tacos or scooping onto tortilla chips.
17
Quick Oven Roasted Sesame Broccoli Recipe
Delicious and easy to make, this nutty and caramelized broccoli requires only 5 ingredients.
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18
Honey Baked Cauliflower Recipe
This baked cauliflower is loaded with flavor, featuring a sweet and spicy seasoning and a perfectly caramelized surface.
19
Butternut Squash Hummus
Butternut squash and Madras curry powder add a twist to homemade hummus.
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20
Beetroot Hummus
Beetroot hummus distinguishes itself with its vibrant pink color and rich, earthy taste, achieved by blending eight simple ingredients, including cooked beets, into this delicious hummus dip.
6 8-ingredient dessert recipes
Try one of these easy desserts like peanut butter stuffed dates or edible cookie dough packed with chocolate chips. These easy recipes will make it into your weekly favorites list with their simple ingredients.
21
Easy Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
An easy snack of dates stuffed with peanut butter and drizzled with dark chocolate. Top with kosher salt for the sweet and salty vibe!
22
Butter Pecan Ice Cream | No Churn Ice Cream
Try this 8-ingredient no churn ice cream with candied pecans.
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23
Chickpea cookie dough balls
A no-bake dessert or snack made with chickpeas, maple syrup, and brown sugar! Irresistible and doesn't taste like chickpeas.
24
Blueberry Cheesecake Bar
Creamy smooth cheesecake bar with fresh blueberries - with a no-bake filling and only 8 ingredients.
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25
No-Bake Energy Balls
A great no-bake recipe with oats, coconut, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.
26
Small Batch Brownies Recipe
The fudgy and chewy one bowl brownies are ready in just 30 minutes.
6 8-ingredient bread recipes
Homemade bread recipesare some of my favorite recipes for having short ingredient lists. The basics are flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and water - so simple!
Check out the list below, complete with biscuits, sandwiches loaves, and easy flatbreads.
27
Easy Focaccia Bread
Try this quick and easy focaccia bread for tasty, one hour bread that's crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside.
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28
Easy Whole Wheat Bread Recipe + Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
A 50% whole wheat bread recipe for a soft and flavorful sandwich loaf. Use half white flour and half whole wheat flour to keep this loaf from getting too dense and also to keep the flavor from being too overwhelming for some in my house. The result is a soft and fluffy delicious loaf of bread or dinner rolls - your choice.
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29
Sourdough Sweet Potato Biscuits
These easy Southern-style buttermilk biscuits are made with sourdough discard and mashed sweet potatoes. They’re flaky, tender, and perfect served with hot honey butter!
30
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
Soft and flaky biscuits don't require special ingredients and this recipe proves it. Homemade buttermilk biscuits are great for breakfast or with dinner.
31
No Yeast Flatbread
This easy flatbread recipe is perfect for beginners, using baking powder and yogurt instead of yeast, for perfectly soft on the inside bread with crispy exteriors.
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32
Sweet Potato Pita Bread
These Sweet Potato Pita Breads are perfect for lunch with your choice of filling. Pan fry to keep them pocket-less for an easy dinner like individual pizzas. Cut into wedges and dip in olive oil and balsamic vinegar for simple appetizer.
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I hope you found a bunch of new recipes to try on this list. If you like this type of post, read my What to Serve with Ravioli blog post for more easy family dinner ideas.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
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Hi I'm Jacqueline
I've been blogging for 10 years as I learn how to cook from scratch. I share my recipes to help you create easy, delicious, and (mostly) healthy food. I love fresh ingredients, spicy noodles, anything on toast, and reading a new cookbook with a glass of wine at my cabin. I'm so glad you've joined me.
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