21 Few Ingredient Recipes That Practically Cook Themselves

When time is tight and energy is low, fewer ingredients and less effort are the name of the game. These recipes practically cook themselves, with no complicated steps, just simple, delicious dishes that get the job done. They’re perfect for hectic nights, empty fridges, or anytime cooking needs to feel easy again.

2-Ingredient English Muffins

These 2-ingredient English muffins are perfect for mornings that need to stay simple. Made with just eggs and shredded cheese, they cook up fast and deliver fluffy, delicious results with almost zero effort. No kneading, no rising, no stress, just simple protein-packed muffins ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: 2-Ingredient English Muffins

No-Bake Cheesecake Fluff

When the craving for dessert hits but energy is low, this no-bake cheesecake fluff saves the day. It’s smooth, sweet, and rich with that classic cheesecake flavor, all without turning on the oven. Made with just a few ingredients and minimal prep, it’s one of those few-ingredient recipes that practically make themselves, a great option when you want something indulgent with zero hassle.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Cheesecake Fluff

Cream Cheese Pancakes

These cream cheese pancakes are what happens when breakfast meets simplicity. The blender batter takes just minutes to throw together, and you only need a handful of ingredients. They’re soft, slightly tangy, and ready in a snap, perfect for mornings when cooking feels like a chore, this low-effort recipe fits right into the “practically cooks itself” category.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Pancakes

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken

Slow cooker cheesy ranch chicken is the definition of easy, just a few simple ingredients tossed into the pot, and by dinnertime, you’ve got tender, flavorful chicken smothered in creamy, cheesy ranch goodness. It’s a crowd-pleasing favorite that takes zero brainpower to pull off. Let the slow cooker do the work while you get on with your day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken

Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

Bacon-wrapped pineapple brings together two ingredients and delivers major flavor with almost zero effort. Juicy pineapple gets wrapped in crispy, salty bacon for a sweet-savory combo that’s completely addicting. You’ll only need about 10 minutes of prep time, and the oven does the rest, this easy snack proves that less really can be more.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Salsa chicken is one of those slow cooker meals that’s almost too easy not to make. Just toss chicken and salsa into the pot, and by dinnertime, you’ve got tender, flavorful meat perfect for tacos, bowls, or wraps. With just two ingredients, it’s as low-effort as dinner gets, family-friendly, foolproof, and completely hands-off.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Peanut Butter Brownies

These peanut butter brownies bring major dessert energy with just five ingredients. Fudgy chocolate swirled with creamy peanut butter bakes into something rich and comforting without a bunch of steps. When you want a sweet treat but don’t feel like making a big mess, this one’s a no-brainer; it feels like a win every time.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Brownies

Breakfast Sausage

Cooking breakfast sausage doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you keep the ingredients and process simple. Whether pan-fried, baked, or cooked in the air fryer, it’s an easy, hearty option that basically cooks itself while you take care of other things. Serve it with eggs or toss it into a casserole, it’s a few-ingredient breakfast classic that always comes through.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Sausage

Chicken Quesadillas

With just tortillas, shredded chicken, and cheese, these chicken quesadillas come together in minutes. They crisp up beautifully in the pan while the inside turns warm and melty, a kind of low-effort recipe that looks and tastes like more than it is. Keep this one in your back pocket for hectic weeknights or lazy weekends.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas

Peanut Butter Cups

These 3-ingredient peanut butter cups are an easy win when the sweet tooth strikes. A quick melt, mix, and chill is all it takes to get a batch of rich, chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness. There’s no baking, no fuss, and no long ingredient list, perfect for an easy homemade treat that practically makes itself.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cups

Slow Cooker Applesauce

This slow cooker applesauce is the definition of set-it-and-forget-it comfort food. Just apples, cinnamon, and a touch of sugar melt together into a naturally sweet sauce. It fills your kitchen with the best kind of smell while you do literally anything else, minimal ingredients, maximum flavor, and cozy vibes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Applesauce

Homemade Sauerkraut

With only cabbage and salt, this homemade sauerkraut might be the simplest thing you’ll ever ferment. It’s hands-off once prepped and turns into a tangy, crunchy side that pairs with just about anything. Few ingredients, no special tools, and it keeps well for weeks; this one’s a pantry staple made easy.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sauerkraut

3-Ingredient Baked Custard

When you crave dessert without the hassle, this 3-ingredient baked custard is your go-to. Simply mix, pour, and bake for a silky, rich treat that feels surprisingly effortless. It’s the perfect balance, easy enough for weeknights, yet fancy enough to impress guests.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Baked Custard

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

This bacon-wrapped filet mignon is easier than it looks and tastes like you spent hours. All it takes is three ingredients and a simple pan-sear before it finishes in the oven. The result is a tender, juicy steak wrapped in crisp, flavorful bacon with no guesswork, a great example of how few-ingredient recipes can still feel seriously impressive.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

Maple Bacon

Maple bacon takes two ingredients and turns them into something irresistible. Sweet maple syrup meets salty, crispy bacon for a candied, caramelized bite that’s dangerously good. Pop it in the oven and let the magic happen while you go about your morning, this is a no-fuss recipe that practically handles itself and delivers every time.
Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon

Cheesy Pickle Chips

These cheesy pickle chips are a total win when you’re short on time and ingredients. With just pickles and shredded cheese, this snack bakes up in minutes and delivers serious crunch with that salty, tangy flavor combo everyone loves. You can toss in a little seasoning if you want, but they’re already loaded with flavor straight out of the oven.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Pickle Chips

Cheese Curds

Cheese curds don’t have to be a restaurant-only treat; this easy version takes just four ingredients and comes together in a snap. Whether you bake them or give them a quick stovetop pan-fry, they crisp up beautifully with gooey cheese on the inside. No fancy tools or tricky steps here, it’s comfort food that feels homemade without the usual effort.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Curds

Homemade Asparagus

If you’ve been disappointed by soggy asparagus, this no-fuss recipe is a game-changer. Just a handful of ingredients, a little oven time, and you get crisp-tender stalks with amazing flavor and none of the usual limpness. You don’t need complicated prep or loads of seasonings to make it shine, this is a veggie side that practically makes itself and finally gets asparagus right.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Asparagus

Sausage Rolls

These sausage rolls pack big flavor into a few simple steps and ingredients. Just wrap savory sausage in store-bought puff pastry, bake until golden, and enjoy a flaky, meaty snack that feels way more impressive than it is. They’re great straight from the oven, easy to prep ahead, it’s the kind of recipe that easily becomes a go-to because it’s simple, filling, and practically effortless.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Rolls

Mexican Omelette

Mexican omelette is the answer when you want something bold without a pile of prep. Just a few simple ingredients bring in all the flavors of taco night tucked into fluffy eggs. It’s a quick stovetop meal that’s ready in 10 minutes and doesn’t leave a sink full of dishes, perfect for mornings when time is tight but flavor still matters.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Omelette

Egg Casserole with Ground Beef

This egg casserole with ground beef is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal with barely any work. You’ll only need four ingredients to pull together this all-in-one bake that’s perfect for breakfast or dinner. It’s the kind of few-ingredient recipe that fills you up without wearing you out.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole with Ground Beef