As much as I love getting into the kitchen and experimenting with a whole host of exciting ingredients, less sometimes really is so much more.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on tons of different foods to make deliciously satisfying and nutritious meals, and there are plenty of healthy recipes with 5 ingredients or less.
From breakfast to lunch, dinner to dessert, and everything in between, I’ve scoured the archives here at Slimming Violet and some of my favourite foodie sites from across the web, and created this list of 33 recipes that you’ll want to try today.
Though they’re in no way associated with Slimming World or Weight Watchers, the vast majority of them are compatible with any kind of healthy eating plan that you might be following right now.
Here they are…
We all think of trifle as being an occasional indulgence, but this slimming friendly version is so light that it can easily be incorporated into any weight loss or healthy eating plan.
Get The Recipe: Raspberry Trifle
Wait, can sausage rolls really be healthy? Actually, yes. This super simple recipe calls for lighter pastry and just a handful of ingredients, and makes a filling lunch served with a leafy green salad.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Scotch eggs might be tricky to make, but they’re surprisingly easy. Serve these al fresco for a picnic lunch.
This is one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make, and it’s also one of the all-time most popular recipes here on Slimming Violet. Once you’ve given them a try, you’ll want to make them again and again!
Get The Recipe: Marmite Roast Potatoes
These slimming friendly steak bakes are the ideal choice when you fancy something indulgent but want to stick to plan. They’re super easy, too.
A quick and easy frittata is the perfect breakfast when you want something fuss-free that will keep you satisfied until lunchtime. This one is super colourful and tasty.
Get The Recipe: Tomato, Feta, & Spinach Frittata
These delicious glazed chicken breasts can be on the table in just 20 minutes, and would be perfect served with rice and salad.
Get The Recipe: Cider Glazed Chicken Breasts
Sometimes, the simplest recipes really are the best. Buy asparagus when it’s in season (around April until mid-June here in the UK), and serve this vibrant side dish alongside beef, pork, poultry, or seafood.
Get The Recipe: Oven Roasted Asparagus With Lemon Zest
These breakfast banana bars have just 3 ingredients, and are perfect for lunchboxes or snacking. They’re also gluten free and vegan friendly.
Get The Recipe: Banana Breakfast Bars
This quick and easy salad is satisfyingly creamy and makes for a great sandwich filling.
Get The Recipe: Avocado Egg Salad
You only need three ingredients to make this vegan black bean chilli, and it would be perfect served with fluffy white rice or tortillas.
Get The Recipe: Black Bean Vegan Chilli
This recipe proves that you don’t need a ton of ingredients and hours slaving over a hot stove to make a comforting roast chicken dinner. With asparagus and baby potatoes, it’s a great choice for spring weekend lunches.
Get The Recipe: Roast Chicken Dinner
If you’re looking for a fresh summery dish to be served outdoors, look no further.
Get The Recipe: Lemon Orzo With Asparagus & Chickpeas
Banana, oatmeal, and peanut butter make the basic version of this moist and chewy treat, or you can add your own mix-ins like coconut flakes or chocolate chips! A great option for using up store cupboard staples and bananas that otherwise might not get eaten.
Get The Recipe: Banana Oatmeal Cookies
With just 5 ingredients and one pot, broccoli pasta with brie and walnuts comes together in 15 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Broccoli Pasta With Brie & Walnuts
Smoothies can be a great way to pack in extra fruits and veggies, and this tasty recipe would be perfect for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack.
Get The Recipe: Kale Apple Green Superfood Smoothie
You only need 3 ingredients (banana, eggs and oats) to make these health, banana pancakes. EASY, kid-friendly and perfect for using up bananas. Add a spoonful of peanut butter and a pinch of cinnamon to take these to the next level!
Get The Recipe: Banana Egg Oat Pancakes
This sheet pan chicken and brussel sprouts is a no-brainer winner of a chicken dinner that will please even the pickiest eaters in your house.
Get The Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Brussel Sprouts
Cherries and almond is such a delicious flavour combination, and this quick and easy recipe gives you your sweet fix without any of the guilt. It also packs in several portions of your 5-a-day.
Get The Recipe: Cherry Smoothie With Almond Milk
I absolutely love cooking with chicken thighs. They’re tender, they’re flavoursome, and they’re also much more budget friendly than breasts. This recipe right here takes just 5 minutes to prepare and is oh so satisfying.
Get The Recipe: Oven Baked Maple Garlic Chicken Thigh Cutlets
Did you know that you can make sweet treats in an airfryer? These apple chips are tasty and nutritious, and are likely to be a big hit with the whole family.
Get The Recipe: Easy Airfryer Apple Chips
If you’ve got leftover bananas then you really need to try this frozen banana ice cream! It requires just three ingredients, and you don’t need an ice cream maker.
Get The Recipe: Frozen Banana Ice Cream
These fruity slushies would be perfect on a summer day in the garden.
Get The Recipe: Watermelon Lime Slushies
You can’t beat a good old sandwich, can you? This one combines fresh tomato and avocado with crisp bacon and a runny egg, and it’s the kind of lunch that you’ll want to have over and over again.
Get The Recipe: Bacon, Tomato, & Avocado Sandwich
You can’t beat a fresh piece of salmon, and this recipe proves that you don’t need to add a load of different ingredients to create an absolutely delicious meal.
Get The Recipe: Airfryer Salmon
This tasty pudding is ready in just 5 minutes and is loaded with calcium, protein, omega-3 and antioxidants. It’s also gluten and soy free, vegan, and easy to prepare and customise too!
Get The Recipe: Coconut Chia Pudding
This superfood salad would be beautiful served alongside freshly grilled meats from the barbecue. Or of course, serve it on its own for a colourful and vegan friendly feast.
Get The Recipe: Superfood Salad With Quinoa, Chickpeas, & Kale
This one is super simple to make, but packs in a whole load of traditional Italian flavour. Serve with a leafy green salad for a fresh, summery dinner.
Get The Recipe: Healthy Pesto Chicken
Waking up to your breakfast already prepared and waiting for you is just one of the reasons why overnight oats are so popular with those dedicated to healthy eating. This option is simple to make and has lots of fruity flavour.
Get The Recipe: Raspberry Jam Overnight Oats
This easy recipe of pan-grilled polenta is topped with a colourful combination of black beans, roasted red pepper, and spinach. As a main dish, this simple preparation is light and satisfying, and it can also be served as a hearty warm appetiser.
Get The Recipe: Pan-Grilled Polenta With Spinach & Black Beans
Make a jug of nutritious and delicious smoothie using fresh or frozen ingredients, and enhance it with a plant-based milk for extra creaminess. This tropical flavored strawberry mango smoothie is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and vitamin C.
Get The Recipe: Strawberry Mango Smoothie
Another three-ingredient wonder, these tasty little bites would be perfect for kids, or for date night.
Get The Recipe: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Greek Yoghurt Bites
Three ingredients and less than 20 minutes is all you need to make these fabulous prosciutto egg cups. Best of all, you can choose between cooking your egg cups in the air fryer OR the oven!
Get The Recipe: Prosciutto Egg Cups
As you can see by the wide variety of recipes right here, there are so many deliciously healthy recipes with 5 ingredients or less.
Save the pin below to Pinterest so you can come back to this post next time you need a bit of inspiration.
If you found these useful, do check out my best tinned tuna recipes and best tinned salmon recipes, too.
