Kid Food

12 Impossibly Easy 3-Ingredient Dinners

Kelli FosterCulinary Producer
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer (and The Kitchn's Dinner Therapist), with more than 10 years professional experience. Since graduating from The French Culinary Institute, I've authored 3 cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.
published Mar 25, 2023
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Bowl of spaghetti with grated cheese and black pepper on a marble surface, next to a green napkin and fork.
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Amelia Rampe

Lately by the end of the week, I have absolutely zero energy to cook or I’m lazy and don’t feel like cooking. That’s when I lean on dinners with the fewest possible ingredients and the smartest grocery-store shortcuts. Some rely on ready-made items like salad dressing or hummus, while others start with pre-prepped produce to save time. Whatever helps you get dinner on the table.

Here are 12 ridiculously-easy three-ingredient recipes for when you need to spend the bare minimum effort to get dinner on the table.

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Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Chili Crisp Salmon

All you need is mayonnaise, salmon, and chili crisp to make this easy, extra-flavorful dinner. Trust us — it'll never leave our weeknight rotation.

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2 / 20
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park
3-Ingredient Corn Soup

This comforting soup uses canned corn to deliver a sweet-and-savory taste in a pinch.

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3 / 20
Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Sweet Thai Chili Ground Pork Stir-Fry

This incredibly flavorful stir-fry comes together with just ground pork (or chicken), sweet Thai chili sauce, and a bag of coleslaw mix.

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4 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Who says you can't have breakfast for dinner? These high-protein three-ingredient cottage cheese pancakes have the most incredible fluffy texture and subtly sweet flavor.

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6 / 20
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage and Peppers

All you need is gnocchi, Italian sausage, peppers, and a hot oven to make this easy dinner that's ready in no time.

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7 / 20
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Herb Butter Steak Bites

Tender steak bites get seared in a fragrant herb butter for this easy weeknight dinner.

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8 / 20
Credit: Maria Siriano
3-Ingredient Kimchi Hash Browns

You know what tops diner-style hash browns? Adding kimchi to the mix.

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9 / 20
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Mixed Mushroom Sheet Pan Gnocchi

A pack of gnocchi, pre-sliced mushrooms, shallots, and a sheet pan are all you need for this foolproof dinner.

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10 / 20
Credit: Olive & Mango
3-Ingredient Baked Caesar Chicken

Think of this as the baked chicken equivalent of Caesar salad. All it takes is a pack of boneless chicken breasts, your favorite Caesar dressing, and grated Parm.

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11 / 20
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Brett Regot
Cacio e Pepe

A good bowl of creamy, peppery cacio e pepe is one of the most dreamy pasta dinners around. Plus, you only need 3 ingredients to make it.

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12 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
3-Ingredient Yogurt Marinated Chicken

The yogurt marinade in this recipe makes for flavorful, juicy chicken every single time.

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Credit: Olive and Mango
Hummus-Crusted Chicken

Hummus is for more than just snacking. It's also our favorite low-effort way to give boneless chicken breast a big boost of flavor.

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15 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
3-Ingredient Oven-Baked Cajun Chicken Breasts

Here's all the proof you need that you don’t need much to cook up really great chicken breast for dinner. With a little help from the spice cabinet and a staple we all have in the fridge, you’ll get a juicy, super-savory, and slightly smoky piece of chicken.

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16 / 20
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: Pearl Jones/Kitchn
Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Dumpling Skillet

Even though this recipe calls for dumplings from Trader Joe's, any kind of tortellini or mini ravioli make a great substitute for this 20-minute skillet dinner.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
3-Ingredient Pesto Zoodle Bowl

Keep this in your back pocket for those nights you really don't want to cook. All you need is some zucchini noodles, an egg or two, and a jar of pesto, and bam: You've got dinner.

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18 / 20
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: Pearl Jones/Kitchn
Warm Sesame Brussels Sprouts and Lentil Salad

This is the most delicious way I know to turn lentils into dinner. It's a huge time saver to start with pre-steamed lentils, but if you can't find them, simply cook up a pot of brown or green lentils.

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19 / 20
Credit: Joe Lingeman
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork

This big batch of saucy shredded pork almost feels too good to be true. With just a few ingredients and barely any effort you've got plenty of meat to feed the whole family. Pile it on sandwiches, stuff it into tacos, or use it to finish off a grain bowl.

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20 / 20
Credit: Photo: Tara Donne; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell
Instant Pot Penne Pasta

Here, the Instant Pot is your best friend and gets dinner on the table in about 20 minutes. Add the marinara to the pot, scatter the dried pasta over top, then pour in the water. Let it cook, then finish with some sour cream for a super-saucy penne that’s cooked just until al dente.

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This post was originally published on The Kitchn. Read it there: 12 Impossibly Easy 3-Ingredient Dinners

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