40 Fast and Filling 4-Ingredient Recipes

By , SparkPeople Blogger
You mean well. You bookmark yummy recipes with the best of intentions, but when it comes time to shop for ingredients, the list just looks so—long. And your evenings, filled with carpools, exercise classes and rush hour, are quite the opposite. Before weeknight chaos renders the drive-thru dangerously appealing, allow us to introduce some of our favorite four-ingredient recipes. Don't let their simplicity fool you: These dishes are low on hassle, but high on flavor.

Entrees

1. Four-Ingredient Chicken Pesto Bake: Throw together a delicious, whole-food dinner in just five minutes.
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Image via Simply Sissom

2. Turkey Burger, Avocado and Egg with Sweet Potato Hash: Move over, beef burgers and fries, there's a new crave-conqueror in town.

3. Oven-Baked Pork Chops: Discover this delicious, gluten-free twist on a classic family favorite.

Image via Avocado Pesto
 
4. Orange Mustard Glazed Salmon: High in protein, low-calorie, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb and ready in just 15 minutes? Sign us up.

Image via Tastes Lovely

5. Chicken Carnival Cones: There's plenty to celebrate about this simple, yet sassy, 10-minute dinner.

6. Healthy Four-Ingredient Enchilada Casserole: Ole! Enjoy festive Mexican flavors in less than 15 minutes—with none of the guilt.

Image via The Seasoned Mom
 
7. Dead Easy Steak Marinade: This simple, all-season marinade will turn your choice cut of meat into a slice of heaven.

8. Chicken Pasta Casserole: Budget-friendly, super easy and downright delicious, this is sure to become a weeknight staple.

Image via Gimme Delicious
 
9. Chicken Enchilada Casserole: Add a little spice (and simplicity) to your life with this zesty and easy Mexican dish.

Image via Jo Cooks
 
10. Low-Fat Pineapple Chicken Tenders: The pineapple, brown sugar and soy marinade adds a tropical twist to classic grilled chicken.

11. Four-Ingredient Chicken and Pineapple Stir Fry: Enjoy this mouthwatering medley on whole-wheat tortillas, or just with a fork.

12. Stuffed Chicken Breast: Gorgonzola cheese, tomatoes and tarragon create a tantalizing filling for these pan-fried chicken breasts.

13. Four-Ingredient Vegetarian Lasagna Rolls: Veggie ground is the star of this easy Italian dish, which is great for Meatless Monday or any day.

14. Veggie Kebab: Yet another benefit of fresh veggies: They grill to perfection in just two minutes.

Image via 4 Ingredients
 
15. Four-Ingredient Salsa Verde Chicken: This versatile shredded chicken mixture is great in soups, on tortillas, in salads or on top of potatoes.

Image via Simply Sissom


Appetizers

16. Four-Ingredient Potstickers: Instead of calling for takeout to curb your craving for Chinese, throw together these versatile, portable potstickers as a healthy, and no less delicious, alternative.

17. Chickpea Crepes: Just four ingredients and 20 minutes of prep will yield these crispy delicacies.

18. Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings: Who says chicken wings have to be fried and fatty? This healthier version is cooked in the oven and flavored with an amazing sweet-and-salty sauce.

19. Four-Ingredient Bean Dip: Take Taco Tuesday to a new level with this smooth, flavorful bean dip that comes together beautifully in just two quick minutes.


Breakfasts
 

20. Eggs in Clouds: It's like biting into a cloud—only with a whole lot more flavor. This light, airy and low-calorie dish gets an egg-celent rating from us.

Image via The Cooking Jar
 
21. Grain-Free Crepes: If you've got a blender, four ingredients and just a few minutes, you can enjoy these grain-free, Paleo-friendly crepes for breakfast, dessert or a satisfying post-workout snack.

Image via The Roasted Root
 
22. Pink Power Smoothie: Get your day off to a rose-colored start with this refreshing concoction—it's also a great post-workout hydration option.

Image via Occasionally Eggs
 
23. Date Loaf: What if we told you that you could enjoy a moist, flavorful loaf with no eggs, sugar, butter or cream?

24. Pineapple-Raspberry Smoothie: Life is short, so don't settle for a smoothie that's anything short of delicious, healthy and positively gorgeous.

Salads, Soups and Sides
 

25. Easy Italian Flatbread: This doughy deliciousness is great dipped in marinara or sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

Image via Gimme Some Oven
 
26. Broccoli and Cheese Squares: Sneak a serving of veggies into these grab-and-go squares, and the kiddos will be none the wiser.

27. Four-Ingredient Chili with Cauliflower Couscous: We're always on the lookout for unique chili recipes and this one’s zesty cauliflower couscous fits the bill.

28. Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad: Fill up on superfoods with this clean, refreshing and flavorful veggie medley.
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Image via What's Gaby Cooking
 
29. Avocado Egg Salad: Good, quality fats have a place in every healthy diet, and they're deliciously utilized in this easy, lunch-transforming recipe.
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Image via The Roasted Root
 
30. Zucchini Tater Tots: We can't think of a more fun, family-friendly way to use up leftover zucchini.

31. Four-Ingredient Quinoa Salad: Sometimes it's the most unlikely combinations—like the hummus and salsa in this flavorful, filling recipe—that work best.
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Image via Fannetastic Food


Desserts


32. Four-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse: Chocoholics, take note: This Paleo-approved indulgence will quickly become your non-guilty pleasure.

Image via The Roasted Root
 
33. Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies: Take peanut butter off your "naughty" list and add these gluten-free, naturally sweetened cookies to your rotation.

Image via The Roasted Root
 
34. Healthy Applesauce Cookies: In less than 15 minutes, these gluten-free, vegan cookies can take center stage on your after-school snack or breakfast table.

Image via The Big Man's World
 
35. Banana Blondies: These naturally sweetened treats are gluten-free and low-carb—but your taste buds would never guess!

Image via Fit Chick's Kitchen
 
36. Healthy Chocolate Raspberry Cake: If a moist, gooey, shockingly healthy chocolate and raspberry cake in less than two minutes sounds too good to be true…then you've never tried this recipe.

Image via 4 Ingredients
 
37. Banana and Date Milkshake: Bananas and dates add natural sweetness to this rich, creamy treat. "Dessert" is kind of a misnomer, as we love it for breakfast or a pre- or post-workout snack.

Image via Occasionally Eggs
 
38. Strawberry Granola Yogurt Bark: When you want the taste and nutrients of yogurt but you've just got to have that satisfying crunch, this naturally sweet bark won't take a bite out of your goals.
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Image via Six Sisters Stuff
 
39. Banana-Oatmeal Cookies: Banana, oats, peanut butter and dairy-free chocolate chips are a quarter made in smart snacking heaven.
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Image via The Pretty Bee
 
40. Oreo and Strawberry Popsicles: These petite treats satisfy any size sweet tooth. In addition to cooling down hot summer days, they also work as festive party favors all year round.

Have you tried any of these recipes? What are some other four-ingredient meals you'd add to the list?