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5 Ingredient Recipes for One

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If you're cooking for one or working with a small kitchen, these easy 5 ingredient recipes will make things simple. Not only do they come together quickly with minimal ingredients, they also cut down on leftovers and waste. A win-win.

Four food images: everything bagels with cream cheese, avocado toast (one with tomatoes and cilantro), a plated calzone on a yellow napkin, and a plate of peanut butter cookies with a fork pattern.

When it comes to meal planning, I find myself continually gravitating towards the recipes that I don't actually have to think a whole lot about. Because I don't know about you, but I'll take a few fresh ingredients over a long grocery list any day of the week!

I have more than 60 recipes on One Happy Dish made with five ingredients or less, but for this collection, I've gathered up my most tried and true favorites. These are the ones I make these week after week here. And just to note, most of these recipes are written for one serving while some are small batch recipes like desserts which yield a few servings and save well. And ALL of them can easily be scaled to make more. 🙂

For my five ingredient recipes, I count main ingredients only, including spices but excluding water, salt and pepper (since most of us have these readily available.) Optional garnishes or toppings are likewise excluded from the count unless they're essential to the finished recipe.

And some are even simpler. Several recipes in this collection use just three ingredients (or even two!), including these reader favorites:

Easy 5 ingredient breakfasts

Start the day simply with easy breakfasts that keep both prep and ingredients to a minimum.

1
Greek scrambled eggs on a white plate.

Greek Scrambled Eggs (Easy Mediterranean Breakfast)

This delicious Greek-inspired breakfast is light and savory, featuring fluffy scrambled eggs and feta with fresh ripe tomatoes and arugula.
2
Kimchi scrambled eggs on a white plate.

Kimchi Scrambled Eggs

These kimchi scrambled eggs for one are unexpectedly delicious and take just minutes to make. Serve over rice or alongside some crusty bread.
3
Whipped Greek yogurt in a serving dish topped with mixed fresh berries and granola.

Whipped Greek Yogurt for One (with Heavy Cream)

This whipped yogurt recipe is creamy and SO delicious, made from Greek yogurt and heavy cream with just a touch of added sugar and vanilla.
4
Scrambled eggs with cream cheese and chives on a white plate.

Scrambled Eggs with Cream Cheese (For One)

Soft, creamy scrambled eggs made with cream cheese and cooked to perfection. This easy savory breakfast for one is ready in just 10 minutes.
5
2 ingredient everything bagels with a side of cream cheese.

2 Ingredient Bagels (with Greek Yogurt)

Learn how to make small batch bakery-style bagels with just two ingredients; no yeast, rising time or boiling required.

Smoothies & bowls

If it's a busy morning or a warm day, what could be more refreshing than a naturally sweetened smoothie or smoothie bowl for one?

6
An acai bowl topped with sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and granola. A white napkin and granola bowl are nearby.

Easy Acai Bowl for One

This easy acai bowl for one is thick, fruity, refreshing, and ready in 10 minutes with frozen acai, berries, banana & your favorite toppings.
7
An acai smoothie with a glass straw.

Easy Acai Smoothie Recipe (For One)

This simple acai smoothie is thick and refreshing, with frozen berries, banana and acai blended into a quick single-serve breakfast or snack.
8
A mixed berry smoothie alongside fresh mixed berries.

Mixed Berry Smoothie (Easy Recipe for One)

This single-serve mixed berry smoothie recipe is creamy, refreshing, and naturally sweetened with only a touch of added honey or maple syrup.
9
Blueberry kefir smoothie topped with fresh blueberries.

Blueberry Kefir Smoothie (Easy 5-Ingredient Kefir Smoothie)

This simple kefir smoothie recipe features fresh blueberries, vanilla kefir and a touch of honey for a naturally sweet, refreshing breakfast.
10
5-minute strawberry banana smoothie bowl in a white desert bowl.

5-Minute Smoothie Bowl for One (with Greek Yogurt)

This easy smoothie bowl recipe with Greek yogurt is thick, creamy, and ready in just 5 minutes. A perfect single-serve breakfast or snack.

Simple meals for one

These 5 ingredient meals make it easy to pull together something fresh and satisfying no matter the time of the day.

11
Caprese salad on a white serving plate.

Easy Caprese Salad (10 Minutes)

Learn how to make Caprese salad in just 10 minutes! This classic tomato mozzarella salad pops with fresh basil and drizzled balsamic glaze.
12
Avocado toast with egg on tan ceramic plates.

Easy Avocado Toast with Egg (Ready in 10 Minutes)

This smashed avocado toast with egg recipe needs just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to make. Perfect for a simple breakfast or quick lunch!
13
Two slices of avocado toast with different toppings.

Avocado Toast for One (20+ Toppings & Easy Seasoning Ideas)

Get creative with your avocado toast! This easy guide includes 20+ avocado toast toppings & seasoning ideas with a quick base recipe for one.
14
Kimchi grilled cheese sandwich on a white plate.

Kimchi Grilled Cheese

This kimchi grilled cheese sandwich combines gooey melted cheese with tangy kimchi for a delicious zesty twist on the classic comfort food.
15
Cheese calzone sliced in half on a white plate.

Easy Calzone for One (Crispy & Cheesy)

Make a quick and easy calzone for one with simple ingredients and an irresistibly crispy crust. Perfect for a cozy dinner without leftovers.

5 ingredient sides

Fresh and easy side dishes you'll reach for again and again because they're simple, delicious, and incredibly versatile.

16
Jicama fries with ketchup.

Crispy Baked Jicama Fries

These savory and easy homemade jicama fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; oven baked & air fryer instructions included.
17
Sautéed broccolini with garlic on a white plate.

Sautéed Broccolini with Garlic (Easy Small Batch Recipe)

Learn how to cook broccolini with this easy sautéed broccolini & garlic recipe. A simple 10-minute side dish that makes two perfect servings.
18
A white bowl filled with roasted sweet potato cubes sits on a white napkin next to a silver fork.

Small Batch Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Learn how to make roasted sweet potatoes using just a few ingredients. This quick oven-baked recipe is perfect as a side dish or bowl add-in.
19
A white bowl filled with cooked wild rice sits on a tan napkin with a dark blue plaid pattern.

Small Batch Wild Rice (2 Servings)

Learn how to cook wild rice with this easy stovetop recipe. Perfect fluffy wild rice every time with simple ingredients and bright flavor.
20
Steamed broccoli in a white bowl.

Quick Small Batch Steamed Broccoli (10 Minutes)

Learn how to steam broccoli for one or two people. This small batch recipe includes tips on how long to steam, and steaming in the microwave.

5 ingredient desserts & treats

When you're craving something sweet, these easy small batch goodies keep things simple with five ingredients or less.

21
A bowl of chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, with two strawberries, a spoon, and a white napkin beside it on a white countertop.

Microwave Chocolate Mousse for One

This easy microwave chocolate mousse is rich, fluffy and made with just a handful of ingredients; no stovetop or complicated steps required.
22
Chocolate bark with almonds, dried cranberries and sea salt.

Easy Dark Chocolate Bark (with Almonds & Cranberries)

This easy dark chocolate bark combines almonds, dried cranberries & sea salt in a simple homemade treat that stores and freezes beautifully.
23
3 ingredient peanut butter cookies on white plate atop a white napkin.

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (with Brown Sugar)

These easy 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies with brown sugar are soft, chewy & ready in 20 minutes. The perfect small batch cookie recipe.
24
Chocolate sauce drizzled into in a glass bowl.

2-Minute Small Batch Chocolate Sauce (with Cocoa Powder)

This easy homemade chocolate sauce is made with cocoa powder and maple syrup in just two minutes; no cream, corn syrup or stove required.
25
Three bars of homemade dark chocolate on parchment paper.

Homemade Dark Chocolate (Small Batch)

Learn how to make delicious homemade dark chocolate in a small batch using simple ingredients. Easy, customizable, and perfect for beginners.

Whether you're looking for an easy meal or something sweet, I hope these 5 ingredient recipes make cooking for one a little easier. Let me know if you've found a new favorite to add to your own rotation!

Continue exploring

Looking for more fresh and simple recipes for one? Here are a few more collections to explore next:

15-Minute Meals for One - Quick homemade meals for your busiest days.
Breakfast for One - Easy breakfasts to start your day.
Lunch for One - Fresh and simple lunches for one.
Dinner for One - Easy dinners for every night of the week.

Seasonal favorites

Or explore more recipe collections featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients:

Summer Recipes for One - Fresh salads, easy dinners, smoothies, and more.
Caprese Salad Ideas - Five fresh twists on a summer classic.
Simple Spring Recipes for One - Light, seasonal meals for spring.
Greek Yogurt Recipes - Sweet and savory ideas for one of my favorite versatile ingredients.

More Breakfast for One

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