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    Cooking Gorgeous » MSN Posts

    Easy Weeknight Dinners with Just 5 Ingredients

    Published: Nov 18, 2025 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Do you ever stare into the fridge wondering what to cook, but nothing jumps out? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Some nights just call for something easy that doesn’t need a long list of ingredients or much effort. That’s where these simple dinners come in.

    All of the recipes below are made with five ingredients or fewer, not counting basics like salt, pepper, or olive oil. They use everyday ingredients and come together quickly, which makes them perfect for weeknights when you’re short on time or just not in the mood to cook.

    Menemen - Turkish Scrambled Eggs

    menemen - Turkish scrambled eggs served with turkish tea
    Ayla Clulee

    If you're looking for a meal that is both delicious and easy to make at any time of the day, then look no further than this Menemen - Turkish Scrambled Eggs Recipe! 

    With soft, perfectly scrambled eggs mixed with juicy tomatoes and Turkish green peppers, this one-pan dish can be ready in 20 minutes or less. These Turkish-style soft Scrambled Eggs are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even a light dinner.

    To learn more: Menemen Recipe - Turkish Scrambled Eggs

    Oven Baked Turkey Tenderloin

    A plate with turkey tenderloin, broccoli and mashed potatoes
    Ayla Clulee

    Baking Turkey Tenderloin in the oven is a simple way to make a delicious dish that the whole family will love! It is the perfect dish for a family weeknight meal or a small Thanksgiving celebration. They are full of Mediterranean flavours from a basic marinade and cook up in just 30 minutes.

    To learn more: Turkey Tenderloin in Oven

    Honet Glazed Baked Ham

    sliced honey glazed ham is garnished with lemon slices
    Ayla Clulee

    Honey Glazed Baked Ham is a classic dish that is perfect for any occasion. Whether it's for a holiday gathering or a simple family dinner, this incredibly delicious dish is sure to please everyone. The sweet and savory flavors of the honey and ham complement each other perfectly, making it a star of any holiday table.

    To learn more: Honey Glazed Baked Ham

    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    air fried chicken legs and potatoes on a plate
    Ayla Clulee

    These deliciously Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are foolproof, budget-friendly, and quick to make, a real game-changer for weeknight dinners. You only need a handful of pantry staples and there’s no need to heat up the whole kitchen. They come out golden on the outside, juicy inside, and take under 30 minutes from start to finish. A great family dinner, especially paired with a quick salad or rice.

    To learn more: Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Mediterranean Baked Salmon

    salmon fillet is baked until fork tender
    Ayla Clulee

    Mediterranean Baked Salmon is a simple yet impressive and delicious dish, perfect for serving as the centrepiece of a holiday dinner table on special occasions or as a quick weeknight dinner.

    It is the perfect combination of fresh salmon fillet marinated in Mediterranean flavours, including lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic. Ready in just 25 minutes, this tender, perfectly flaky baked salmon will be your new favourite seafood recipe!

    To learn more: Mediterranean Baked Salmon

    Air Fryer Rib-Eye Steak

    A steak and asparagus on a plate.
    Ayla Clulee

    This perfectly cooked, juicy Air Fryer Rib-Eye Steak is ready in just 10 minutes with only three simple ingredients and a few easy steps! Serve it along with Easy Air Fryer Asparagus and Crispy Air Fryer New Potatoes for the best weeknight family meal.

    To learn more: Air Fryer Rib-Eye Steak

    Baked Sea Bass

    whole baked sea bass in foil served with lemon slices
    Ayla Clulee

    Baked Sea Bass in Foil (known as Fırında Levrek in Turkish) is a straightforward dish that’s full of flavour and quick to prepare. This light white fish cooks gently in the oven, staying tender and moist without much work. It’s a great option for a relaxed family meal or when you want something simple but a little special. Pair it with couscous, rice, or a fresh salad to make it a complete dinner.

    To learn more: Baked Sea Bass in Foil

    Tandoori Chicken

    Ayla Clulee

    This no-fuss, easy-to-follow recipe is the perfect way to create the most delicious and tender oven-baked Spicy Tandoori Chicken you've ever tasted!

    It is healthy, great for meal prep, and comes together in just minutes with only five ingredients.

    To learn more: Spicy Tandoori Chicken Recipe in Oven

    Adana Kebab

    acili ezme served with adana kebab and pita bread
    Ayla Clulee

    Adana Kebab is a delicious hand-minced meat kebab mounted on a skewer and then grilled over charcoal or in the oven. All you need is a few ingredients and 4 metal skewers to make this easy recipe at home. The best way to serve these flavoursome and juicy kebabs is on flatbread or with rice.

    To learn more: Adana Kebab (Adana Kofte)

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    Chicken thighs with rice and parsley
    Ayla Clulee

    Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are one of my favorite cuts of chicken to cook in my air fryer. Whether I’m in a rush or just looking for a no-fuss dinner option, air frying these chicken thighs always gives me juicy, flavorful meat with minimal effort. Plus, I use less oil, making it a healthier option compared to traditional roasting, while still achieving that perfect golden crisp.

    To learn more: Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

    Mediterranean Green Beans

    turkish green beans are served in a bowl
    Ayla Clulee

    Mediterranean Green Beans (Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye in Turkish) is a popular vegetarian/vegan dish that is cooked quite often in most Turkish homes. 

    This simple yet delicious dish can be made beforehand and usually served warm or at room temperature. All you need is green beans, ripened summer tomatoes, onions, and good-quality olive oil.

    To learn more: Mediterranean Green Beans (Taze Fasulye)

    Inegol Kofte

    5 pieces of inegol kofte is served with Piyaz and grilled chillies
    Ayla Clulee

    Try out these soft, juicy, and delicious Turkish beef meatballs namely Inegol Kofte (Inegol meatballs), which is a classic and one of the nation's favorites.

    Inegol Kofte is very easy to make, but it requires overnight marinating after the first stage of preparation. They are best when grilled on the BBQ, but you can also cook them in the oven or a skillet.

    To learn more: Inegol Kofte - Turkish Beef Kofta Recipe

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

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