These home cooks said “so long” to long grocery lists! These winning recipes may be short on ingredients, but they're not short on flavor.
Presenting the Winners from Our 5-Ingredient Contest
Updated on Aug. 12, 2024
1/12
Grand Prize: Feta Peach Salad
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 salads
From the Recipe Creator:
This refreshing, five-ingredient side salad is a perfect way to celebrate the peach harvest. Incorporate it into your weekend brunch menu to introduce an explosion of color, freshness and flavor. —Rebecca Etienne, Tallahassee, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 91 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 90mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1/2 fat.
2/12
1st Place: Fig Balsamic Walnut Flatbread
Total Time
35 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With sweet figs, tangy balsamic and rich goat cheese, this is one of my favorite flatbread recipes. It’s also delicious with arugula and caramelized onions. I reach for it often when I host a special event or have friends over for dinner. You can use any store-bought flatbread or pizza dough. —Rebekah Ranes, Sedona, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 168 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 178mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
3/12
2nd Place: Easy Pesto Risotto with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love this recipe because the pressure cooker does the work for you. I’m able to make the rest of my meal while the rice is cooking. Be sure to use arborio rice with this recipe. —Carrie Dault, Baxter, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 328 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 759mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
4/12
3rd Place: Sushi Squares
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was pregnant with my last child, the only thing I wanted was sushi—but pregnant people aren’t supposed to eat raw seafood. This simple yet delicious recipe is a safe way to satisfy a sushi craving. Add a thinly sliced jalapeno garnish to take this appetizer over the top. —Lizzy Richtig, Wisner, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 sushi square: 41 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 23mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
5/12
Runner-Up: Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Crunch
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1-1/2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love chocolate and peanut butter, you’ll love this easy candy recipe! Anyone who’s ever tried it wants me to share it with them. Serve it straight from the refrigerator or at room temperature. —Pat Parsons, Bakersfield, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 ounce: 156 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 73mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
6/12
Runner-Up: Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Potatoes are one of our favorite side dishes. These potatoes take a little effort, but you can save time by boiling them ahead of time. The night you want them for dinner, just crisp them up with garlic and Parmesan cheese. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3 smashed potatoes: 354 calories, 22g fat (5g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 253mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein.
7/12
Runner-Up: Hoisin Chicken Wonton Cups
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This is an easier take on the sesame chicken wonton tacos from Applebee’s. I made these recently for the big game and they were the star of the buffet! I toasted the wonton cups the day before to make assembly even faster on game day. —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 wonton cup: 62 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 108mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
8/12
Runner-Up: Mini Bagel Eggs Benedict
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Why not make eggs Benedict with mini bagels instead of English muffins? The bagels soak up all the yummy hollandaise sauce. Garnish with a bit of thinly sliced green onions or chives for a delicious breakfast. —Theresa Ravencraft, Marysville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 bagel half with 1 egg and 1/4 cup sauce: 490 calories, 45g fat (25g saturated fat), 469mg cholesterol, 594mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 14g protein.
9/12
Runner-Up: Pesto Parmesan Tilapia
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a delicious fish dinner that requires just three ingredients! Prepared pesto sauce flavors mild tilapia fillets to make a gourmet dinner any night of the week. Use homemade pesto sauce if you prefer. This also works well on any firm-textured white fish. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 281 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 445mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 35g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 3 fat.
10/12
Runner-Up: Saucy Maple Brussels Sprouts
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to toss oven-roasted Brussels sprouts with a mixture of maple syrup and mayo for a delicious side dish. They taste so good that even kids ask for seconds! —DonnaMarie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 175 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 302mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein.
11/12
Runner-Up: Scalloped Butternut Squash
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Not only is this winning recipe delicious, it has just five hardworking ingredients. I make it at least once a month and receive nothing but compliments every time. If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk. —Dee James, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 659 calories, 53g fat (33g saturated fat), 174mg cholesterol, 1158mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 27g protein.
12/12
Runner-Up: Stuffed Olive Spread
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy spread can be served as an appetizer with crackers or slathered on a bagel. I’ve tried several combos of stuffed olives and nuts and can’t decide which one is my favorite! —Chuck Ropp, Phoenix, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 90 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 149mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
