Simple dinners with 10 ingredients or less make it easier to keep things on track without overthinking every step. These 11 recipes cut down on shopping, prep, and cleanup while still giving you solid options. Some lean on pantry basics, others use a short list in smarter ways. Either way, they keep dinner straightforward without feeling repetitive.
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Chilaquiles Rojos with Fried Eggs
Chilaquiles Rojos with Fried Eggs keeps dinner simple while still feeling complete. The tortillas, sauce, and eggs come together with a short ingredient list that doesn’t overcomplicate things. It cooks quickly and uses pantry basics you likely already have. This is the kind of meal that proves you don’t need much to get dinner done right.
Get the Recipe: Chilaquiles Rojos with Fried Eggs
Kimchi Ramen Noodles
Kimchi Ramen Noodles make it easy to build flavor without adding extra ingredients. The kimchi does most of the work, turning simple noodles into something more balanced. It comes together fast and keeps cleanup minimal. This is a straightforward option when you want dinner handled with very little effort.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Ramen Noodles
Miso Glazed Salmon
Miso Glazed Salmon keeps things focused with a short list of ingredients that still deliver depth. The glaze comes together quickly and coats the fish without extra steps. It cooks fast, making it easy to fit into a busy night. This is a clean, simple dinner that doesn’t feel like a shortcut.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon
Savory Dutch Baby with Fresh Herbs and Fried Egg
Savory Dutch Baby with Fresh Herbs and Fried Egg keeps prep minimal while still feeling structured. The batter uses a few basics and bakes into something that holds everything together. Topped with herbs and an egg, it becomes a full meal without extra components. This is an easy way to keep dinner simple without losing balance.
Get the Recipe: Savory Dutch Baby with Fresh Herbs and Fried Egg
Mongolian Pork

Mongolian Pork works with a short list of ingredients that still build a strong flavor. The sauce comes together quickly and coats the pork in minutes. It’s a fast cook that doesn’t require much prep. This is a dependable option when you want something easy but not flat.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Pork
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Homemade Eggnog
Homemade Eggnog keeps things simple with a handful of ingredients that come together quickly. It’s easy to prepare without needing anything complicated. While often served as a drink, it can round out a light dinner or act as a quick finish. This is a low-effort addition that keeps things straightforward.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Eggnog
Firecracker Shrimp
Firecracker Shrimp delivers bold flavor using a short ingredient list that doesn’t slow you down. The sauce comes together quickly and coats the shrimp evenly. It cooks fast, making it easy to slot into a simple dinner plan. This is a quick option that keeps things interesting without adding work.
Get the Recipe: Firecracker Shrimp
Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas
Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas simplify the process while keeping ingredients to a minimum. The filling and sauce come together quickly without needing extras. The air fryer cuts down cooking time and cleanup. This is an easy dinner that stays within limits without feeling stripped down.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas
Garlic Chili Oil Noodles
Garlic Chili Oil Noodles rely on a few ingredients that do all the heavy lifting. The oil and garlic come together quickly to build flavor without complexity. It’s ready in minutes and doesn’t require much prep. This is the kind of dinner that keeps things easy without feeling basic.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chili Oil Noodles
Green Chili Chicken Soup
Green Chili Chicken Soup uses a short ingredient list to build a steady, comforting base. The chicken and broth come together quickly without extra steps. It’s filling enough to stand on its own while staying simple. This is a reliable option when you want dinner handled without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Green Chili Chicken Soup
Chicken Egg Foo Young
Chicken Egg Foo Young keeps things efficient with a small set of ingredients that still feel complete. The eggs and chicken cook together quickly, forming a solid, filling dish. It’s easy to prepare and doesn’t require much cleanup. This is a straightforward dinner that keeps everything simple and on track.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Foo Young
Robin Donovan is an AP syndicated writer, recipe developer, food photographer, and author of more than 40 cookbooks including the bestsellers Ramen Obsession and Ramen for Beginners. Her work is featured by major media outlets including Huffington Post, MSN, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Buzzfeed, Cooking Light, Mercury News, Seattle Times, Pop Sugar, and many others. More about Robin