Some days I feel like making a grocery list is not worth the time and effort. This is where these three-ingredient meals come to save the day. All of these recipes require simple ingredients and are brainless. That means you have more time to spend with the people and the couch you love. Pick up three items from the store and let’s make dinner easy!
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1) Peanut Butter Cookies
I still can't believe these chewy cookies take no flour, no butter, and not a single complicated step!
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Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stir the peanut butter, sugar, and egg together in a bowl until a thick dough forms.
- Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and space them out on the sheet.
- Flatten each ball with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look soft.
- Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving them; they firm up as they rest.
Notes
2) Banana Pancakes
You can easily make these fluffy pancakes with just one sad, speckled banana. It will be the easiest breakfast of your week!
Banana Pancakes
Ingredients
Method
- Mash the banana in a bowl until mostly smooth.
- Whisk in the eggs, then stir in the oats and let the batter sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium heat.
- Pour small rounds of batter and cook until bubbles form, about 2 minutes.
- Flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes, until golden.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of syrup or extra banana slices.
Notes
3) Tomato Basil Pasta
What do I do when the pantry is empty but I still want a taste of summer? This recipe is my one stop shop.
Tomato Basil Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the spaghetti in salted water until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain.
- While the pasta cooks, simmer the tomatoes in a little olive oil over medium heat until they burst and soften, about 8 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta to the tomatoes along with a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Toss until the sauce clings to the noodles.
- Stir in the torn basil right before serving and season with salt and pepper.
Notes
4) Salsa Chicken
I love dinner that cooks itself and a sauce that I didn't have to make from scratch.
Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and place them in a skillet.
- Pour the salsa over the top and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165F.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken and cover until melted, about 3 minutes.
- Spoon the warm salsa from the pan over each piece before serving.
Notes
5) Nutella Brownies
Fudgey brownies made from a chocolate hazelnut spread, an egg, and a bit of flour seem like a cool magic trick!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment.
- Whisk the chocolate-hazelnut spread and eggs together until smooth and glossy.
- Fold in the flour just until no streaks remain.
- Spread the batter evenly into the pan.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the top is set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before slicing into squares for clean edges.
Notes
6) Baked Parmesan Salmon
Cheating a little bit with a fancy feeling salmon dish! This salmon has a nice cheesy crust that feels fancy, with just three ingredients and twenty minutes to make!
Baked Parmesan Salmon
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and place them skin-side down on the sheet.
- Stir the parmesan and mayonnaise together into a thick paste.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the top of each fillet.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily and the topping is golden.
- Season with a pinch of salt and pepper before serving.
Notes
7) Egg Fried Rice
Turn leftover rice into an easy skillet meal that is even better than takeout!
Egg Fried Rice
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a little oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble until just set, then push them to one side.
- Add the cold rice and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps, for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Drizzle in the soy sauce and toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Cook another 2 minutes until the rice is hot and slightly crisped.
Notes
8) Cherry Dump Cake
You just throw 3 ingredients in the pan and 23 minutes later you get a deliciously buttery dessert, no mixing bowl needed.
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Cherry Dump Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the cherries.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the top, trying to cover as much of the dry mix as possible.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling bubbles at the edges.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before scooping; it sets up as it rests.
Notes
9) Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
At every event, these rolled-up bites vanish without a trace. With just three ingredients and zero cooking time, they're super easy to prepare.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Ingredients
Method
- Spread a thin, even layer of softened cream cheese over each tortilla.
- Lay slices of ham flat over the cream cheese, covering the surface.
- Roll each tortilla up tightly into a log.
- Wrap the logs in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Slice into 1-inch pinwheels and arrange on a platter.
Notes
10) Pumpkin Spice Muffins
All you need to do is combine a box of cake mix and a can of pumpkin. Super cozy muffins are ready and no oil or eggs are required!
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- Stir the cake mix, pumpkin puree, and water together until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then move to a rack.
Notes
11) Pesto Grilled Cheese
The grilled cheese of my dreams just got a herby green upgrade that elevates it from a snack to an actual lunch!
Pesto Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Spread pesto on the inside of both bread slices.
- Layer the mozzarella between the slices to make a sandwich.
- Heat a buttered skillet over medium-low heat.
- Grill the sandwich for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden and the cheese melts.
- Slice in half and serve hot.
Notes
12) Mango Smoothie
This smoothie is sunshine-colored and sweet and creamy for a morning reset. Smoothies like these can be made quickly and easily.
Mango Smoothie
Ingredients
Method
- Add the frozen mango, yogurt, and orange juice to a blender.
- Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy.
- Add a splash more juice if it's too thick to pour.
- Pour into glasses and serve right away.
Notes
13) Garlic Butter Shrimp
I completely support cheating by cooking shrimp that are restaurant quality in less than 10 minutes.
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
- Toss the shrimp in the garlic butter to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Notes
14) Crispy Baked Tofu
Even the tofu skeptics in my family go back for seconds when it's this golden and crunchy!
Crispy Baked Tofu
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Toss the cubed tofu with the soy sauce, then sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss to coat.
- Spread the tofu in a single layer with space between each piece.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp on all sides.
- Serve hot over rice or in a stir-fry.
Notes
15) Pineapple Whip
This treat is fluffy and frosty and reminds me of spending big bucks at a theme park. Good thing it only takes up space in my freezer.
Pineapple Whip
Ingredients
Method
- Add the frozen pineapple, coconut milk, and honey to a blender or food processor.
- Blend, stopping to scrape down the sides, until thick and creamy like soft serve.
- Add a splash more coconut milk only if needed to keep it blending.
- Scoop into bowls and serve immediately for the softest texture.
Notes
16) Avocado Toast
Yes, it is a trend, but there is no question that a perfectly smashed avocado on crusty toast deserves the hype.
Avocado Toast
Ingredients
Method
- Toast the bread until golden and crisp.
- Scoop the avocado into a bowl and mash it with the lemon juice.
- Season the mash with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Spread the avocado generously over the warm toast.
- Serve right away while the toast is still crisp.
Notes
17) Cucumber Dill Salad
When it's too hot to cook during the summer, I make this repeated summertime side dish. It's cool, crunchy and deliciously tangy!
Cucumber Dill Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Thinly slice the cucumbers and place them in a bowl.
- Stir together the sour cream and chopped dill, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss to coat evenly.
- Chill for 15 minutes to let the flavors come together.
- Toss again and serve cold.