Short on time and ingredients? Try these 4 ingredient Dinner Recipes with basics you're sure to have around to make your day easier and your dinner yummier!
What is a 4 ingredient dinner recipe?
Picture it with me: it has been an extra busy day, it's nearing 5 o' clock, and your pantry is nearly bare. We are all familiar with what comes next - the dreaded question - "what's for dinner?" Let me help you with that dreaded question with one of these delicious 4 ingredient dinner recipes. One of my goals here at Jordo's World is to give you quick, healthy, delicious recipes that help you reach your goals.
I think you'll find that these 4 ingredient dinner recipes are all 3 of those things! They are flavorful, yet simple. They are sure to be crowd pleasers for the whole family! So before you give up and order that take-out, take a look at these five delicious recipes:
- Mac & cheese + chicken sausage + peas
- Orange chicken bowls
- Beef stir fry bowls
- Broccoli beef bowls
- Carnitas bowls
Mac & cheese + chicken sausage + peas
This recipe is just the ticket when your mac & cheese is in need of an upgrade! By just adding some chicken sausage and peas, you add both protein and veggies to a otherwise normal box of mac & cheese.
I have friends with kids who absolutely love this dish - it's a great way to get some extra protein and sneak some veggies into a meal. There's no need to feel guilty about serving boxed mac & cheese, but this way just packs some additional nutritional value.
There’s delicious mac & cheese (we chose a chickpea version for extra protein, but you can use whatever you have on hand), chicken sausages, and peas. Honestly, this meal is high-protein, has fiber, and tastes delicious. It’s ready in just about 15 minutes too!
Ingredients:
- 1 box chickpea mac & cheese
- 12 oz chicken sausages (4 links)
- 10 oz bag peas
Instructions:
- Start by cooking the mac & cheese according to the box instructions.
- Slice the chicken sausages into pieces. In a separate skillet, heat the chicken sausages so they’re hot & crispy.
- Add chicken sausages and peas to the mac & cheese pot. Stir well.
- Serve and enjoy.
Find the recipe video on Instagram here!
Orange chicken bowls
Orange chicken bowls are a family favorite over here. There’s delicious crispy orange chicken (protein), hearty grains (rice), and veggies (broccoli). This meal comes together so easily and it so delicious! The leftovers are great when reheated as well. Sometimes simple really does do the trick!
Ingredients:
- 24 oz bag frozen orange chicken
- 2 cups minute jasmine rice
- 10 oz bag broccoli florets
Instructions:
- Start by cooking the orange chicken according to instructions on the bag.
- While chicken is cooking, separately cook the jasmine rice and broccoli.
- Combine the orange chicken, rice, and broccoli together in a skillet.
- Top with red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Serve and enjoy.
Find the recipe video on Youtube here!
Stir fry bowls
Stir fry bowls are so easy and perfect for customization! We chose ground beef for the protein (you can sub any ground protein), stir fry veggies for the veggie, rice for the grain, and stir fry sauce for fats and flavor. Feel free to adjust portions to fit your preferences!
This dish whips up so quickly and the leftovers taste delicious. This is the perfect recipe to use up any old vegetables you may have in the back of the fridge about to go bad!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 bag stir fry veggies
- 2 cups minute jasmine rice
- 1 cup stir fry sauce
Instructions:
- Cook ground beef in skillet. Cook until browned, about 8 mins.
- Add frozen veggies and cook until soft, about 4 mins.
- Add in cooked rice (rice cooked separately).
- Add in ½ - 1 cup stir fry sauce. Mix really well and simmer on low.
- Serve and enjoy.
Find the recipe video on Youtube here!
Broccoli Beef bowls
These broccoli & beef bowls are great when you need something quick & easy! There’s shaved beef for the protein, broccoli for the veggie, rice for the grain, and Japanese BBQ sauce for flavor.
If you don't have shaved beef on hand, you could always sub a ground beef for a different flavor. This meal is delish and is perfect for meal prep too!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shaved beef
- 1 bag broccoli florets
- 2 cups minute white rice
- ¼ cup Japanese bbq sauce (soyaki from TJ’s works great too)
Instructions:
- Thinly slice beef. Add olive oil to heated skillet.
- Cook shaved beef in a skillet.
- Add sauce.
- Add broccoli.
- While cooking, cook rice.
- Make bowls with rice on the side and top with broccoli and beef.
- Serve and enjoy.
Find the recipe video on Youtube here!
Carnitas Bowls
This recipe calls for a couple more ingredients but it is still just as quick and easy a 4 ingredient dinner recipe. Perfect for meal prep, these bowls store really well and are easy to take to work for lunch. They are packed with veggies and flavor and honestly are one of my favorite
These Carnitas bowls are perfect for a 15-minute meal for the whole family. You only assemble 6 ingredients for this recipe (and add whatever variety you like!)
Ingredients:
- Romaine lettuce
- @delrealfoods carnitas
- Black beans
- Southwest corn
- @mateos salsa
- Avocado
Instructions:
- Lay out four containers.
- Add chopped romaine for the base.
- Top with the shredded carnitas.
- Add a layer of black beans and corn.
- Scoop some salsa on top.
- Finish with sliced avocado.
- Optional toppings are cilantro, cheese, or whatever sounds good to you!
- Enjoy!
Find the recipe video on Instagram here!
Other simple recipes
Try these other simple, yet delicious recipes at Jordo's World:
Sarah says
Love these easy dinner receipes!