58 (Really Good) 3-Ingredient Recipes To Save For Later

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Charlotte Gomez / BuzzFeed

We're all trying to do more with less these days — and that includes cooking. 🍴

Below you'll find recipes that only need three ingredients each, so you can spend less time and money in the kitchen and at the grocery store. They're divided into categories: breakfast, lunch, snacks, sides and sauces, dinner, and dessert. (We're also assuming you already have a few staples on hand, like oil, salt, and pepper!)

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1. Ground Turkey & Egg Skillet

lexiscleankitchen.com

Instead of turkey, you can also sub in ground chicken, beef, pork, or soyrizo.

Recipe: Ground Turkey & Egg Skillet

2. High-Protein Pancakes

Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com

All you need to make these fluffy pancakes are rolled oats, cottage cheese, and eggs.

Recipe: High-Protein Pancakes

3. Dalgona Coffee

mamacheaps.com

It's a quarantine duty to make this at least once!

Recipe: Dalgona Coffee

4. Baked Egg Cups

feelgoodfoodie.net

Just bread, eggs, and cheese — and 15 minutes in the oven.

Recipe: Baked Egg Cups

5. Morning Tonic

simplegreensmoothies.com

Out of tea bags? There's a good chance you already have everything you need to make a cup. Just steep ginger + lemon in hot water, and add a dash of cayenne for an extra kick.

Recipe: Morning Tonic

6. Sheet Pan Granola

eatyourselfskinny.com

Once you make your own granola (oats + coconut oil + maple syrup), you'll never go back to the storebought stuff.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Granola

7. Protein Skillet With Chickpeas & Egg

thealmondeater.com

This version tosses in some cajun seasoning for extra flavor — but feel free to use any spices you have on hand.

Recipe: Protein Skillet With Chickpeas & Egg

8. Pineapple Mango Smoothie

ambitiouskitchen.com

Light coconut milk is the secret to making this tropical smoothie extra creamy.

Recipe: Pineapple Mango Smoothie

9. Whole Wheat No-Knead Skillet Bread

tasteloveandnourish.com

Breadmaking = a prime quarantine past time. (But if you haven't been able to find yeast at the store, here are a whole bunch of recipes you can make without it.)

Recipe: Whole Wheat No-Knead Skillet Bread

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10. Sundried Tomatoes, Kale, and White Bean Skillet

budgetbytes.com

Quick to assemble, filling, and high in protein and fiber.

Recipe: Sundried Tomatoes, Kale, and White Bean Skillet

11. Easiest Pizza Rolls

messforless.net

Pizza Bites always burn the roof of your mouth. Ditch 'em for these.

Recipe: Easiest Pizza Rolls

12. Keto Crock Pot Meatballs

myproductivebackyard.com

Just ground meat + eggs + Parm. (Plus, the slow cooker does all the hard work.)

Recipe: Keto Crock Pot Meatballs

13. Chicken Nuggets

inspiredtaste.net

The key ingredient? Potato chips. 😱

Recipe: Chicken Nuggets

14. Black Bean Soup

honeyandbirch.com

If you've got a can of beans on hand, blend them up with chicken broth and canned tomatoes. You won't be disappointed.

Recipe: Black Bean Soup

15. Wedge Salad

bonappetit.com

Wedge salads are salads for people who don't really like salad. Or cooking.

Recipe: Wedge Salad

16. Easy Tomato Soup

inspiredtaste.net

Grilled cheese not included. (But encouraged!)

Recipe: Easy Tomato Soup

17. Banana Peanut Butter Rolls

Christine Byrne / Via instagram.com

Nothing wrong with turning this into a light lunch. Just saying.

Recipe: Banana Peanut Butter Rolls

18. Goat Cheese Olive Tapenade Sandwich

saveur.com

Tired: PB&J. Wired: GCOT.

Recipe: Goat Cheese Olive Tapenade Sandwich

19. Veggie Noodle Fritters

nutritionbymia.com

Have produce that's about to go bad? Flour and eggs can transform pretty much any veggie into a fritter that you can freeze for those days when you just can't.

Recipe: Veggie Noodle Fritters

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20. Healthy Fruit Dip

blessthismessplease.com

Yogurt, peanut butter, and honey. Protein-packed — and pairs with everything.

Recipe: Healthy Fruit Dip

21. Baked Banana Chips

popsugar.com

You absolutely do not need to brave Trader Joe's to get this snack; just bake banana slices in apple juice and cinnamon.

Recipe: Baked Banana Chips

22. Spinach Green Onion Dip

littlespicejar.com

The fourth ingredient? Everything and anything you want to dip.

Recipe: Spinach Green Onion Dip

23. Pumpkin Pie Dip

motherthyme.com

Gourds are an essential part of a balanced diet year-round, IMHO.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin Pie Dip

24. Baked Feta With Honey And Thyme

savorysimple.net

Now this is cheese done right.

Recipe: Baked Feta With Honey And Thyme

25. Easiest Fridge Dill Pickles

smittenkitchen.com

Pickling is a surprisingly fun way to rescue your veggies before they get old. Just stuff 'em in a jar with vinegar and dill, and you're on your way.

Recipe: Easiest Fridge Dill Pickles

26. Homemade Larabars

onegoodthingbyjillee.com

Protein bars are absurdly expensive. Make your own by blending nuts, dried fruit, and dates, then flattening the mixture out and sticking it in the fridge.

Recipe: Homemade Larabars

27. Vegan Queso

pinchofyum.com

Blended cashews + taco seasoning + chiles. So good!

Recipe: Vegan Queso

28. Jalapeño Poppers

tasty.co

Can never go wrong with bacon, peppers, and cream cheese.

Recipe: Jalapeño Poppers

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29. Roy Yamaguchi's Soy-Mustard Sauce

food52.com

With mustard powder, soy sauce, and rice vinegar, this works on everything from fish to edamame.

Recipe: Roy Yamaguchi's Soy-Mustard Sauce

30. Chorizo Potatoes

ohsweetbasil.com

If you're about to prepare your 87th baked potato, it's time to spice things up. Dice that potato and bake it on a sheet pan with garlic and chorizo.

Recipe: Chorizo Potatoes

31. Apple Sage Salad Dressing

karissasvegankitchen.com

Why spend money on dressing when you can make your own in five seconds?

Recipe: Apple Sage Salad Dressing

32. Cheesy Drop Biscuits

thebigmansworld.com

These biscuits just need flour + cheese + milk, and include a vegan-friendly option.

Recipe: Cheesy Drop Biscuits

33. 3-Ingredient Pizza Sauce

thekitchn.com

This would work on pasta, too. 🍝

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Pizza Sauce

34. Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

masonfit.com

Honey and whole-grain mustard can turn this love-hate veggie into a family favorite.

Recipe: Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

35. Carrot Top Cashew Pesto

onebitemore.com

Don't toss carrot stems! Instead, use them in this pesto — it's flavorful enough to mix into pasta, slather on a sandwich, or dress up a salad.

Recipe: Carrot Top Cashew Pesto

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36. Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

thekitchn.com

Doesn't get much easier than this.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

37. Stuffed Poblano Peppers

ambitiouskitchen.com

Keep these basic with just peppers + beans + cheese — or dress them up with your favorite toppings.

Recipe: Stuffed Poblano Peppers

38. Lemon & Thyme Salmon

BuzzFeed

If you've never cooked salmon before, this is the perfect starter. It cooks low and slow in the oven — and is basically impossible to mess up.

Recipe: Lemon & Thyme Salmon

39. Pork Cutlets

brit.co

If you have mustard and breadcrumbs on hand, you can throw these pork cutlets together in about 10 minutes.

Recipe: Pork Cutlets

40. Pasta with Garlicky Broccoli Rabe

smittenkitchen.com

A simple recipe doesn't have to taste simple. Garlic and broccoli can make a boring old pasta night feel like a trip to a classy Italian restaurant.

Recipe: Pasta with Garlicky Broccoli Rabe

41. Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

seededatthetable.com

Perfect for tacos, rice bowls, or piled over greens.

Recipe: Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

42. Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Mushrooms & Shallots

thekitchn.com

If you've never roasted gnocchi in the oven before, you're missing out. They get lightly crispy and (even more) delicious.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Mushrooms & Shallots

43. Creamy Tomato Shells

pinchofyum.com

Cashews are the key to making your favorite tomato sauce even better.

Recipe: Creamy Tomato Shells

44. Can-to-Pan Chili

iheartnaptime.net

Canned tomatoes + canned beans + beef. Basically impossible to mess up!

Recipe: Can-to-Pan Chili

45. Chili-Glazed Salmon

tasty.co

Not sure how to use that frozen salmon you bought right as quarantine was ramping up? Chili sauce + scallions will make you want to bake a fillet every single night.

Recipe: Chili-Glazed Salmon

46. Italian BBQ Chicken

plainchicken.com

If you have Italian dressing and barbecue sauce in your fridge, then you have everything you need to make deliciously juicy chicken.

Recipe: Italian BBQ Chicken

47. Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese

budgetbytes.com

If you've got noodles, milk, and cheese, you've got dinner.

Recipe: Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese

48. Sweet Potato Gnocchi

foodwithfeeling.com

All you need to make these delightful dumplings are sweet potatoes, flour, salt — and a little bit of patience.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi

49. Cauliflower Pizza Crust

wholesomeyum.com

You know those days when you haven't eaten a single vegetable, but you're really craving a slice? This cauliflower crust solves both problems.

Recipe: Cauliflower Pizza Crust

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50. Fudgy Nutella Cake

BuzzFeed

PSA: Sharing is not mandatory.

Recipe: Fudgy Nutella Cake

51. Frozen Yogurt Berry Bowls

anediblemosaic.com

An easy way to get you and your kids to eat fruit for dessert.

Recipe: Frozen Yogurt Berry Bowls

52. Cinnamon Sugar Twists

messforless.net

Just crescent rolls + cinnamon + sugar — and it comes together in minutes.

Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Twists

53. Mint Chocolate Swirl Bark

loveandoliveoil.com

Basically an edible art project.

Recipe: Mint Chocolate Swirl Bark

54. The Easiest Pie Crust Ever

apt2bbakingco.com

The only thing more relaxing than baking is tearing into this buttery, flaky crust.

Recipe: The Easiest Pie Crust Ever

55. Peach Sorbet

chefnotrequired.com

It's! Finally! Peach! Season!

Recipe: Peach Sorbet

56. Chocolate Crunch Doughnuts

nadiashealthykitchen.com

Dark chocolate + almond butter + Rice Krispies. (And if you don't have donut molds, these totally work as little cookies or scoops, too.)

Recipe: Chocolate Crunch Doughnuts

57. Cream Cheese Danish

rockrecipes.com

The best use of frozen puff pastry, if you ask me.

Recipe: Cream Cheese Danish

58. Watermelon Margaritas

minimalistbaker.com

Watermelon juice, lime, and tequila definitely counts as dessert.

Recipe: Watermelon Margaritas

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