10+ Three Ingredient Recipes for Quick and Easy Meals

Three ingredient recipes are a fantastic way to simplify cooking while still enjoying delicious meals.

These recipes allow you to create satisfying dishes without the need for long grocery lists or complicated preparations.

Whether you’re short on time or just want to keep things easy in the kitchen, three ingredient recipes can be a game changer.

With just a few items, you can whip up a variety of tasty options for any meal of the day. You might be surprised by how much flavor and variety you can achieve with so little.

Embracing these simple recipes can make your cooking experience enjoyable and stress-free.

1) Garlic Olive Oil Pasta

Garlic olive oil pasta is a simple yet delicious dish. It uses just three main ingredients: pasta, garlic, and olive oil. You can whip it up in no time.

To start, bring a pot of salted water to a boil.

Add your favorite pasta and cook until it’s al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Add minced garlic and sauté it until it’s golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Once your pasta is done, drain it and mix it into the pan.

Toss well to coat the pasta in the garlic oil.

You can finish off with a dash of salt and optional red pepper flakes for some heat.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. pasta (like spaghetti or linguine)
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil salted water in a pot.
2. Add pasta and cook per package instructions.
3. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add minced garlic and sauté until golden.
5. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan.
6. Toss to combine and season with salt and red pepper flakes if desired.

2) Black Bean Tacos

Black bean tacos are a fun, quick meal that you can whip up in no time. With just three simple ingredients, they’re perfect for busy weeknights.

You’ll use black beans, your favorite tortillas, and optional toppings like cheese or salsa. These tacos are healthy, filling, and full of flavor.

To cook them, just heat the beans and fill the tortillas. You can enjoy them as is or add toppings of your choice for extra taste.

Ingredients

• 1 can of black beans
• Tortillas
• Optional toppings (cheese, salsa, lettuce, etc.)

Cooking Instructions

1. Drain and rinse the black beans.
2. Heat the beans in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C) until warm.
3. Fill each tortilla with the black beans.
4. Add any optional toppings you like.
5. Serve and enjoy!

3) Spinach White Bean Soup

Spinach white bean soup is a simple and tasty dish. You can whip it up quickly, making it great for busy days. This soup is healthy, filling, and comforting.

All you need are a few ingredients to get started. The beans provide protein, while spinach adds vitamins. Plus, it cooks in just about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 can of white beans (like cannellini)
• 4 cups of fresh spinach
• 4 cups of vegetable broth

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, heat the vegetable broth over medium heat.
2. Add the white beans and stir.
3. Once the broth is warm, add the spinach.
4. Cook for about 5 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

4) Roasted Vegetable Platter

Creating a roasted vegetable platter is simple and delicious. You can choose a variety of fresh vegetables like asparagus, mushrooms, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. The mix of colors and flavors makes it a great dish for any meal.

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

Cut the vegetables into similar sizes for even cooking. Then, spread them out on a baking sheet, making sure they are in a single layer.

Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Roast them for about 20-25 minutes until they are tender and slightly caramelized. You can add your favorite herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• Asparagus
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Cut vegetables into similar sizes.
3. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
5. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender.

5) Tuna Salad

Tuna salad is a quick and tasty meal option. You can whip it up in just a few minutes. This recipe is simple and uses only three ingredients.

You will need canned tuna, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish. Mix these ingredients in a bowl until well combined. You can add salt and pepper to taste if you like.

Serve the salad on its own, or pile it onto bread for a delicious sandwich. You can also use it as a filling for lettuce wraps. Enjoy your fresh and easy tuna salad!

Ingredients

• 1 can of tuna
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish

Cooking Instructions

1. Open the can of tuna and drain the liquid.
2. In a bowl, combine the tuna, mayonnaise, and relish.
3. Mix until everything is well blended.
4. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
5. Serve on bread or as desired.

6) Broccoli Pasta

Broccoli pasta is a simple and delicious meal you can make in no time. With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a healthy dish that the whole family can enjoy.

You start by boiling your favorite pasta. While that cooks, add fresh broccoli florets to the pot. This way, everything cooks together, saving time and effort.

Once the pasta and broccoli are tender, mix them in a bowl with cheese, like ricotta or goat cheese, for extra creaminess. You can also sprinkle some herbs or spices for flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pasta (your choice)
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• ½ cup ricotta or goat cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a large pot.
2. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions.
3. In the last 3 minutes, add broccoli to the pot.
4. Drain pasta and broccoli.
5. Mix in cheese and enjoy!

7) Sheet Pan Salmon With Asparagus

Sheet pan salmon with asparagus is a simple and tasty meal you can make in no time. It uses fresh ingredients and requires only three main items. This dish is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

You will need salmon, asparagus, and olive oil. The salmon cooks beautifully with the asparagus, making clean-up a breeze.

Ingredients

• 1 lb salmon fillets
• 1 lb asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
3. Place the salmon and asparagus on the pan.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
6. Enjoy your delicious meal!

8) Fresh Tomato Pasta

Fresh tomato pasta is a simple and delicious dish. You can make it with just a few ingredients. The ripe tomatoes bring a bright flavor that makes the pasta shine.

You will need pasta, fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and salt. Optionally, you can add garlic and fresh basil for extra taste.

Start by cooking your pasta in salted water. While it cooks, chop the tomatoes.

Heat olive oil in a pan, add the tomatoes, and cook until soft. If you like, add minced garlic for more flavor.

Once the pasta is done, drain it and mix it with the sauce. Serve it hot, topped with fresh basil and a sprinkle of salt.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or your choice)
• 4 ripe tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Optional: garlic, fresh basil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions.
2. Chop the fresh tomatoes.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
5. Drain the pasta and mix it with the tomato sauce.
6. Serve hot, garnished with basil and salt.

9) Herbed Chicken Thighs

Making herbed chicken thighs is easy and delicious. This recipe requires just a few ingredients and brings out amazing flavors. You can enjoy juicy, tasty chicken in no time.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need chicken thighs, olive oil, and your favorite herbs. A simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic can also enhance the taste.

For cooking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Coat the chicken thighs with olive oil and season with herbs. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

These herbed chicken thighs are perfect for a quick dinner. Serve them with vegetables or rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon mixed herbs (like rosemary and thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Coat chicken thighs with olive oil.
3. Season with herbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until done.

10) Coconut Shrimp Curry

Coconut shrimp curry is a simple and flavorful dish that you can whip up quickly. This recipe uses just three main ingredients, making it perfect for busy nights. You’ll love how easy it is to make delicious food at home.

Start with fresh or frozen shrimp. The creamy coconut milk adds richness, while curry powder brings warmth. Serve it over rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 can (13.5 oz or 400 ml) coconut milk
• 2-3 tablespoons curry powder

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pan, heat coconut milk over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Stir in curry powder and mix well.
3. Add shrimp and cook for 5-7 minutes, until they turn pink and opaque.
4. Serve with rice and enjoy!