Three. It’s amagic number. The number of wishes from the genie in the bottle. The types of medals at the Olympics. The best Harry Potter movie installment (arguably).
But in this case, it’s the maximum ingredients (with exceptions for water, salt, and pepper — let’s be reasonable here) required to make a variety of delicious recipes.
That’s right, the mind-blowing selections featured below are prepared with only three (count ’em!) components, which makes them ideal any timegrocery shopping is particularly stressful. Not only do they deliver on flavor, but by keeping things minimal, they’ll save onmoney,cooking time, andclean-up.
So let’s dive into your new favorite, couldn’t-be-easier meals. They’re as simple as 1, 2, 3.
3-ingredient main dishes
Cacio e pepe
Parents of picky eaters, pay heed. Cacio e pepe is a simple crowd-pleaser that not only appeals toskeptical youngsters’ palates,but is also a satisfying meal for adults. Think of it as the peppier, more upscale version of buttered noodles.
Get ourcacio e pepe recipe.
Baked cracker-crusted chicken fingers
Here’s another family-friendly favorite that’s so easy to make you canput your kids on (supervised) cooking duty. The chicken is coated in crunchy whole-wheat crackers and then baked, which makes this a healthier but no less tasty alternative to your standard fried finger.
Get ourbaked cracker-crusted chicken fingers recipe.
Grilled chicken thighs with soy marinade
Ketoeaters can get on board with this Asian-inspired chicken dish. A minimum 4-hour bath in soy and garlic will infuse your thighs with plenty of flavor. Noodles orriceare optional.
Get our grilled chicken thighs with soy marinade.
Grilled sweet chili and lime shrimp kebabs
Shrimp on the barbiegets an extra kick witha brush of sweetchili sauce. A squeeze of lime at the finish adds welcome brightness (and you can skip thecilantro).
Get ourgrilled sweet chili and lime shrimp kebabs recipe.
Ham and cheese quesadillas
This meaty, melty ‘dillawill take you back to the time in high school when you couldn’t decide between taking Spanish or French. Apparently the best solution was a combination of both. Now the question is: Which cheese is speaking your language?
Get our ham and cheese quesadillas recipe.
3-ingredient gnocchi
If you don’t count salt, this homemade gnocchi has just two ingredients: whole wheat pastry flour and Russet potatoes. Not bad for when you’re watching your grocery budget! Add a simple jarred sauce and dinner is served.
Get the 3-ingredient gnocchi recipe.
Egg in a nest
Eggs in a nest. Toad in a hole. Whatever you want to call it, this slice of toast with an egg center is a great way to start the morning — or end the day.Be careful to ensureyour yolk is a little runny so the bread can sop up all that liquid gold.
Get ouregg in a nest recipe.
3-ingredient side dishes
Crispy prosciutto-wrapped asparagus
At its peak in spring,asparagusis delicious roasted, but even better when wrapped in cured pork. Baconis a totally acceptable substitute here if you don’t haveprosciutto. Either way, the meat mummy treatment makes even out-of-season stalks taste good.
Get ourcrispy prosciutto-wrapped asparagus recipe.
Roasted broccolini
The thin, tender florets on broccolini are well suited for the oven. The stalks slightly soften but still have snap, and when gently brushed with olive oil, the leaves develop a satisfying crispiness. Although they’re just fine without it, consider adding a squeeze oflemonfor extra zing.
Get ourroasted broccolini recipe.
Jalapeño poppers
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere and these happy hour favorites are calling out your name. Peppers. Cream cheese. Salt. Boom!
And yeah, we know they’re really gooddeep-fried, but that’s an unnecessary hassle at home when they’re so easy to make in the oven, not to mention way healthier (and still damn tasty).
Get the jalapeño poppers recipe.
Perfect baked potatoes
There’s a baked potato. And then there’s a perfect baked potato. Follow these steps to achieve spuds nirvana, then consider taking things to the next level with a fully loadedbaked potato bar.
Get ourperfect baked potatoes recipe.
Deviled eggs
For a tasty one-ingredient snack, you can’t go wrong with ahard-boiled egg. Even better, add a touch of mayo and sprinkle of paprika for a devilish upgrade.
3-ingredient extras
Homemade ricotta cheese
Whole milk, salt, vinegar or lemon juice — that’s all that’s required to makericottafrom scratch.
That said, you will need some extra hardware, including cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, and an instant-read thermometer. The investment is worth it to have fresh, fluffy cheese for your toast,pizza, orlasagna. Pass thestuffed shells!
Get ourhomemade ricotta cheese recipe.
Fall herb butter
Though these herbs are technically seasonal to fall, you should be able to find them year-round at your grocery store. Pick out a couple of your favorites, then mince and mash with room temperature butter.
Spread the tasty mixture onbreador let it melt atop a sizzling searedsteak. Either way, make a large batch ‘cuz itkeeps in the fridgefor as long as unseasoned butter and freezes well, too.
Get ourfall herb butter recipe.
3-ingredient desserts and treats
3-ingredient crème brûlée
Thiscrème brûléehackis a make-ahead dish perfect for dinner parties. Prep the custard in the afternoon, refrigerate, and when you’re ready to serve a fancydessertlater that evening, just gently caramelize sugar in a small pan, pour, and you’re golden.
Get the3-ingredient crème brûlée recipe.
Dalgona coffee
Like3-ingredient crème brûlée, this caffeinated beverage inspired by South Korean Dalgona candy earned viral status on TikTok. Its 15 minutes of frothy glory on social media may be over, but it’s still a fun treat to whip up when you can’t get to your favorite coffee shop.Instant coffee, sugar, andmilk(plus hot water) are all you need.
Get thedalgona coffee recipe.
2-ingredient banana ice cream
This frozen delight is essentially blendedbananas(with no added dairy) soveganscan feel free to indulge.Foster-izewith a drizzle of caramel sauce and consider adding a sprinkle of fleur de sel — a little goes a long way.
Get our2-ingredient banana ice cream recipe.
Toasted cashew and bacon brittle
Nuts, bacon, and sugar are all it takes to make this crunchy confection (we’re letting water and salt slide since they’re always on hand). Make sure you own a reliable candy thermometer to ensure optimal consistency.
Get ourtoasted cashew and bacon brittle recipe.
Easy lemonade
Don’t settle for the artificial stuff. Just as its name suggests, this recipe is oh-so-easy to prepare. Simply combinesimple syrup, water, ice, and an obscene amount of lemons, and you’ll be quenching your thirst all summer long.
Since water doesn’t officially count as an ingredient, throw in some iced tea or perhaps a shot or two ofvodkato hit the ingredient trifecta.
Get oureasy lemonade recipe.
tl;dr
Great meals, sides, snacks, and desserts don’t have involve a mountain of ingredients to be a work of art. And these days, with grocery prices through the roof, it’s nice to know you can whip up something tasty with just a trio of elements. These 3-ingredient recipes prove the old adage that, sometimes, simple is best.
