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17 Recipes with 10 Ingredients or Less for When You Want to Cook, But Not Really

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Craving a delicious home-cooked meal but not in the mood for a long grocery list or complicated prep? These recipes with 10 ingredients or less are perfect for when you want to cook but keep it simple. Easy to make and full of flavor, they’ll satisfy your hunger without overwhelming your kitchen time.

Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

A piece of cheesy garlic bread being pulled apart, showing melted cheese and herbs.
Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

When you want to cook but not really, this cheesy garlic pull-apart bread is here to save the day. With just six simple ingredients, it’s crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and oozing with melty cheese. This recipe keeps it easy while delivering that epic “cheese pull” you’ll love. Minimal effort, maximum deliciousness—what more could you want?
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Bowl of taco soup with shredded chicken, avocado, cilantro, cheese, sour cream, and lime on a marble surface.
Slow Cooker Taco Soup. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

For those days when you want to cook but not really, this slow cooker taco soup makes it effortless. Just a few ingredients come together in the slow cooker to create a hearty, comforting meal. With chicken, meatballs, fresh cabbage, and spices, it’s as easy as it is delicious. Top it off with some cheese and avocado, and dinner practically makes itself.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Honey Mustard Salmon

Honey mustard salmon with a glossy glaze, garnished with herbs and served with lemon wedges on a white plate.
Honey Mustard Salmon. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

When cooking feels like a chore, honey mustard salmon has your back. With just a few ingredients, this mix-and-bake recipe delivers tender, flaky fish with a sweet and tangy glaze. It’s so simple, it’s almost like you didn’t cook at all—but the results are special enough for any dinner. Perfect for nights when you want to cook, but not really.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup topped with bread pieces next to sliced bread on a wooden board.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

This broccoli cheddar soup is perfect for those nights when cooking feels like too much. With fewer than 10 ingredients, it’s a creamy, cheesy bowl of comfort made right in your slow cooker. Toss in some broccoli, cheddar, and broth, and let it do the work. Homemade soup doesn’t get any easier than this.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Broccoli Casserole

Close-up of a spoon scooping creamy broccoli casserole topped with a golden, crispy layer from a baking dish.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

For when you want to cook but not really, this broccoli casserole is a must. Tender broccoli is mixed with a creamy cheese sauce, topped with buttery crackers, and baked to perfection. With minimal ingredients and effort, it’s the easiest way to get a comforting, homemade dish on the table. Everyone will think you worked harder than you did.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Piece of chicken cutlet on a fork resting over a larger portion with a lemon wedge.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Parmesan crusted chicken is here for nights when you want to cook, but not really. With just a handful of ingredients, it transforms simple chicken breasts into something crispy, cheesy, and irresistible. Prep is a breeze, making this your new go-to for a quick and satisfying dinner. Minimal work, major flavor.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Pork chops seasoned with herbs alongside a serving of mashed potatoes garnished with parsley on a white plate.
Air Fryer Pork Chops. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

These air fryer pork chops are ideal for when you want to cook but not really. They’re juicy, perfectly golden, and come together in under 10 minutes with just a few ingredients. A quick, easy recipe that delivers a homemade dinner without all the fuss. Who knew cooking could be this effortless?
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops

Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Close-up of a slice of cheesy casserole with bits of meat and vegetables on a plate, with a fork taking a piece.
Overnight Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

This overnight breakfast casserole is a lifesaver when you want to cook but not really. It’s loaded with fluffy eggs, sausage, and melty cheese, all prepped the night before. With fewer than 10 ingredients, it’s ready to pop in the oven in the morning for an easy, stress-free breakfast. Perfect for busy mornings when you just need breakfast done.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Stuffed Mushrooms

Three stuffed mushrooms topped with melted cheese and diced vegetables on a plate.
Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

For when you want to cook but not really, these cream cheese stuffed mushrooms are the answer. Just a handful of ingredients create a cheesy, flavorful filling that turns simple mushrooms into a crowd-pleasing snack. Quick to prep and easy to bake, they’re perfect for appetizers or a light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms

Salmon Quiche

A hand lifting a slice of salmon quiche from a pie tin, revealing a golden, crispy top and creamy filling.
Salmon Quiche. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Salmon quiche is the dish to make when you want to cook but not really. With fewer than 10 ingredients, it’s a flaky, cheesy, and savory pie that’s surprisingly easy to whip up. This recipe keeps the effort low but the flavor high, making it great for brunch, dinner, or any meal in between.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Quiche

Chicken Quesadillas

A cheesy quesadilla on a white plate, partially opened to show melted cheese and chicken.
Chicken Quesadillas. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

These chicken quesadillas are a lifesaver when you want to cook but not really. With just a few ingredients, like chicken, cheese, and tortillas, you’ll have a crispy, gooey meal ready in minutes. Add sour cream or salsa for a quick, satisfying dinner that couldn’t be easier to make.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas

Sheet Pan Eggs

Sheet pan eggs cut into squares, featuring sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, and greens.
Sheet Pan Eggs. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

When you want to cook but not really, sheet pan eggs are the ultimate breakfast hack. All it takes is a few ingredients to bake thick, fluffy eggs perfect for slicing and serving. This one-pan recipe is low-stress, easy to clean up, and great for feeding a crowd. Breakfast has never been simpler.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Eggs

Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Close-up of shredded chicken with vegetables in a pan, being stirred with a wooden spoon.
Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Slow cooker salsa chicken is your go-to for when you want to cook but not really. With just two ingredients—chicken and salsa—you’ll have a tender, flavorful dish ready to use in tacos, salads, or rice bowls. Toss everything in the slow cooker, and let it do the work for you. Dinner doesn’t get easier than this.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

A plate with a cooked steak cut into pieces, accompanied by mashed potatoes and green beans.
Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Bacon-wrapped filet mignon is perfect for nights when you want to cook but not really. Just a few ingredients and simple steps give you a tender, juicy steak wrapped in crispy bacon. It’s fancy enough for a special occasion but simple enough for an effortless weeknight treat.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

Sausage Rolls

A hand dips a sausage roll into a bowl of ketchup on a plate with several other sausage rolls.
Sausage Rolls. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

These sausage rolls are a game-changer for when you want to cook but not really. With buttery puff pastry and savory sausage filling, they’re made with just a handful of ingredients. Quick to assemble and bake, they’re perfect for snacks, appetizers, or an easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Rolls

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Slow cooker mashed potatoes are a no-brainer for when you want to cook but not really. Just toss a few ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do all the work. The result? Creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes with minimal effort and cleanup. Perfect for holidays or any busy day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potato Waffles

A stack of golden-brown waffles topped with a dollop of sour cream and chopped chives sits on a plate.
Mashed Potato Waffles. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

For when you want to cook but not really, mashed potato waffles are the perfect fix. With just a few ingredients, they turn leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, golden waffles. They’re easy to make and endlessly versatile for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Lazy cooking never tasted so good.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Waffles

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