Try Our 5-Ingredient Meal Plan for Your Easiest Week of Dinners Ever
Seven dinners, five ingredients each. It's that simple.
Meal planning is often a puzzle, where you're piecing together which meals make the most sense to serve in the same week. You're aiming for a line-up that feels exciting and different enough, yet capitalizes on ingredients so your groceries don't end up in the compost bin. The situation gets even *more* complicated when you add calorie counting to the equation (just see our 1,300-, 1,400-, 1,500- and 1,800-calorie meal plans.)
But, there's a simple solution that takes a lot of stress out of the equation: Opt for dinners that only require a handful of ingredients. Then, choose a few big-batch breakfasts and lunches to feature for the week. By shrinking your shopping list, you increase the chances that you will actually use everything you bought (read: no more tossed produce or dollars wasted). And, life is just easier when you don't have to haul so many groceries home each week.
That's why the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen put together this five-ingredient meal plan. Each of these dinner recipes serves four people and requires only five ingredients (plus salt, pepper and olive oil). And, this dinner game plan is varied, so everyone will come to the table excited each night. Plus, with each dinner, you also get a breakfast or lunch idea to help use up extra ingredients (looking at you, herbs!). Scroll to the end for a complete shopping list for all seven meals. Ready to get started?
Balsamic Chicken Caprese
This one-skillet dinner is brimming with flavor, thanks to a combination of melty cheese, balsamic vinegar and in-season produce.
Get the Balsamic Chicken Caprese recipe.
Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Balsamic vinegar
- Fresh mozzarella
- Basil
- Tomatoes
LEFTOVER LUNCH: Feature any extra chicken, tomatoes or mozzarella in a chopped salad. Cut everything into small pieces, then toss with chopped lettuce and cannellini beans. Add a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil.
Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Roasted Radishes
Umami-rich miso and butter are proof you only need one or two ingredients to seriously up the delish factor of dinner.
Get the Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Roasted Radishes recipe.
Ingredients:
- Radishes
- White miso
- Salmon
- Sesame seeds
- Butter
LEFTOVER LUNCH: Very thinly slice extra radishes to make a light-and-bright radish salad. Serve with your go-to protein (leftover salmon, perhaps?).
Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini
Sausages (like chorizo!) tend to be seasoned, making them a smarter choice over ground beef or pork if you're looking to cut down your grocery list.
Get the Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
Ingredients:
- Zucchini
- Chorizo
- Scallions
- Monterey jack cheese
- Cilantro
LEFTOVER BREAKFAST: Cook chorizo in a skillet, breaking into pieces, then toss with roasted veg. Top with a fried egg and some cilantro.
Paprika Chicken with Crispy Chickpeas and Tomatoes
Juicy tomatoes — and a ton of garlic! — create a built-in sauce for the chicken, as everything roasts together on a single sheet pan.
Get the Paprika Chicken with Crispy Chickpeas and Tomatoes recipe.
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Chickpeas
- Chicken breasts
- Paprika
LEFTOVER LUNCH: Wrap up any leftovers in a warmed pita, topped with a spoonful of Greek yogurt or labneh.
Shrimp and Sweet Corn "Grits"
Peak-season corn blitzed in the food processor stands in for hominy or stone-ground corn to make a grits-inspired creamy canvas for juicy shrimp and crisp bacon.
Get the Shrimp and Sweet Corn "Grits" recipe.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Bacon
- Basil
- Shrimp
- Smoked paprika
LEFTOVER BREAKFAST: Crisp up bacon and layer into a sandwich, along with a fried egg and shredded Cheddar. Or, feature some in these B.E.C. Breakfast Bites.
Pork, Pineapple and Onion Skewers
The jalapeños are optional, but a great add if you're seeking a li'l sweet-heat to this grilled dinner.
Get the Pork, Pineapple and Onion Skewers recipe.
Ingredients:
- Pork
- Pineapple
- Red onion
- Baby peppers
- Teriyaki sauce
LEFTOVER LUNCH: Use teriyaki to marinate chicken or tofu before grilling, then assemble a quick sandwich by piling the protein onto a bun along with grilled pineapple slices.
Creamy Kale Pasta
Cottage cheese adds creaminess and body (and a good dose of protein!) to this nut-free pesto — ideal for tossing with pasta.
Get the Creamy Kale Pasta recipe.
Ingredients:
- Pasta
- Scallions
- Baby kale
- Cottage cheese
- Parmesan
LEFTOVER BREAKFAST: Top toast with cottage cheese and fresh fruit (pineapple, berries, you name it). Drizzle with honey if desired.
SHOPPING LIST
Here is what you'll need to make all seven dinners:
PRODUCE
- 1 red onion
- 1 head garlic
- 4 zucchini
- 10 ears corn
- 8 oz. baby peppers
- 12 oz. cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 vine-ripe or heirloom tomato
- 1 1/2 lb. small to medium radishes
- 1 small pineapple
- 4 scallions
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1 small jalapeño (optional)
MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD AND DAIRY*
- 8 6-oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 small links fresh chorizo sausage
- 1 lb. pork loin
- 20 large peeled and deveined shrimp (about 12 oz.)
- 1 1/4 lb. skinless salmon fillet
- 1 container cottage cheese
- 3 oz. Monterey Jack cheese
- 8 oz. Parmesan
- 6 oz. fresh mozzarella
- unsalted butter
PANTRY
- 1 15-oz. can chickpeas
- 12 oz. short pasta (like orecchiette or gemelli)
- 1 bottle teriyaki sauce
- 1 bottle balsamic vinegar
- 1 container white miso
- sesame seeds
- paprika and/or smoked paprika
*We scheduled these meals to maximize on the freshness of ingredients. That said, if you'd like to switch up the order, pop chicken and/or salmon in the freezer (and check out our guide for how to defrost meat).
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