Leading a busy life is exciting and productive, so why should it limit your food options? Unfortunately, many people are sacrificing their morning breakfast or home-cooked dinner to save time and effort.
These time constraints limit the exploration of a wide variety of foods, especially as healthy food often takes slightly longer to prepare than the less nutritious options.
However, we have curated tasty, healthy recipes that are ready to serve in just five minutes! We hope these easy recipes compel you to make these delicious 5 minute meals at home for a healthy, balanced, and stress-free lifestyle.
Easy 5 Minute Meals To Try At Home
Quick Meals With Few Ingredients At Home
All the recipes mentioned in this post are extremely convenient for those constantly on the go, due to their use of common ingredients and great alternate options provided for any ingredient substitutions that you may require. From midnight snacks to dinner and dessert, these recipes are great for time-constrained cooking as well as being easy, minimal effort recipes for when you do finally get a rest!
Few Appliances For Tasty Meals
These recipes are also fitting for first-time kitchen cooks, as the instant recipes ensure a trouble-free cooking experience. Essentially, the easier the recipe, the better the cooking process. Luckily, nearly all the recipes listed below only use common day-to-day kitchen appliances and these appliances can be easily substituted for alternate options in case you do not own a specific one! Generally, the appliances used to create these instant hassle-free meals include pressure slow cooker, ovens, microwaves, and stovetops.
Proper Good 5 Minute Meals!
Proper Good specializes in making and selling pre-made healthy meals that prioritize health, nutrition, and convenience. All of these meals are ready to eat in just 90 seconds, simply needing to be microwaved or stove warmed first.
The packaging of these meals also makes them brilliant for traveling or storing at work. As a result, you can easily store a delicious meal pouch at your place of work for your lunch! It is always ready to be heated up in the microwave whenever you choose to eat it, and its quick preparation time means that you can make the most of your lunch break.
Each meal is also packed with essential nutrients as they are made using various veggies and proteins, for an energizing serving to overcome that midday slump.
The following Proper Good options are perfect for providing a nutritious and balanced meal full of flavor, without the cooking or prep time! All Proper Good meals are ready in just 90 seconds. Keto, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free options are available too.
Southwest Chili
The southwest chili pack is a delicious plant-based meal suitable for vegans and vegetarians. With just 290 calories per serving and a healthy 19g of protein, the chili pack is filling and energizing whilst still being compatible with the most popular diet regimes.
Chicken Noodle Soup
This classic soup is full of antioxidants and vitamins due to its bone broth base, and packs in 16g of protein with chicken and egg noodles. The naturally high levels of collagen found in bone broth will help to rejuvenate your skin cells for a more youthful appearance. Restoring collagen to the skin will also help to fill out any harsh fine lines or wrinkles, as well as reduce the likelihood of acne breakouts.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
The flavorful broccoli cheddar soup is keto-friendly with only 6g of net carbs per pouch! With no added sugar, the soup uses turmeric and real cheddar cheese to produce a delectable taste.
Butternut Squash Soup
This delicious butternut squash soup is a healthy 350 calories as well as both vegan and gluten-free! Featuring flavors of cinnamon, coconut, and turmeric, this soup will be a warming comfort on a busy day.
Meatball Minestrone
Packing in 20g of protein, our meatball minestroneis perfect for meat lovers! Not only does it have a bone broth base too, but it is also filled with veggies for a balanced, healthy combination of the key food groups.
5 Minute Snack Ideas
These 5 minute snack ideas are both convenient and tasty! Snacks are important for providing small bursts of energy to people throughout the day when it is most needed. These snacks can be small pick-me-ups to help maintain blood sugar levels when you are feeling deflated or tired.
1). Lemon Fudge
These bars of lemon fudge are the perfect midday pick-up for when you’re fancying something sweet! All you will need to make this is a spare 5 minutes, 2 ingredients, a microwave and a pan. A creamy fudge texture contrasted with the zesty flavors of lemon will provide a beautiful mix of flavors that everyone will love.
Cooking Information:
Cook time: 5 minutes
Resting time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 16
Ingredients:
12.7 oz Lemon Curd
24 oz. White Chocolate Chips
Coconut Oil, for baking pan
Instructions:
1. Add the lemon curd and white chocolate chips to a large microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave for 90 seconds, until 3/4th of the chocolate is melted.
3. Let it rest for 3 minutes in the microwave.
4. Microwave for another 10-30 seconds to melt the remaining chocolate.
5. Pour the lemon fudge into an 8x8" baking pan lined with parchment paper and lightly greased with coconut oil.
6. Chill in the freezer for 1 hour or the fridge for 3-4 hours before slicing into 16 equal squares. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
2). Granola Trail Mix
You can make 11 cups of this family-friendly granola trail mix just by combining 4 ingredients, including peanuts, granola, raisins, and chocolate based M&Ms! This is the perfect snack to take with you to school or work. Nuts have a good amount of healthy fats in them to ensure that you will remain full for the next few hours until your next meal.
Cooking Info:
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
16 oz. Granola
15 oz. Dried Cranberries or Raisins
12.6 oz Milk Chocolate M&Ms
12 oz. Roasted Peanuts
Instructions:
1. Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Store in airtight containers for 4-6 weeks.
3). Cake Batter Frozen Yogurt
Make healthy ice cream without a machine - just a food processor! Cake batter frozen yogurt is the perfect dessert for warmer weather. With plain yogurt and cream cheese, this recipe is fitting for those on a keto diet.
Cooking Information:
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
8 oz Cream Cheese
1/4 cup Maple Syrup, or Honey
3-4 tbsp. Sprinkles
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
1. Add the yogurt, cream cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla into a food processor.
2. Process for 1-2 minutes, or until creamy and smooth.
3. Fold in the sprinkles.
4. Transfer the frozen yogurt to an airtight freezable container.
5. Freeze for a minimum of 5 hours to overnight. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month.
5 Minute Breakfast Ideas
Eating breakfast on a regular basis is so important for maintaining a healthy weight, as well as preventing binges throughout the day. These healthy and simple breakfast ideas will ensure that you start the day off on the right foot!
4). Microwave Omelette in a Cup
For this morning meal, you will need milk, cheese, eggs, a microwave, and a microwavable mug! Packed with energizing nutritious ingredients, this microwave cup omelet is guaranteed to keep you full throughout the day.
Cooking Info:
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 Eggs
1 tbsp. Kefir or Milk
2 tbsp. Shredded Cheese
2 tbsp. of any or all of the following Add-ins:
- Scallions, chopped
- Parsley, chopped
- Tomatoes, diced
- Bell Pepper, diced
Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Spray an 8-oz microwave safe mug or cup with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Add the eggs and kefir, then whisk till one creamy color.
3. Add in the shredded cheese and add-ins. Stir to combine.
4. Microwave for 2 - 3 minutes.
5. For a fluffier texture, stir the eggs after 1 minute then return to the microwave to finish cooking.
5). Yogurt Breakfast Drink
Smoothies are great for providing fresh energy in the morning! Using vanilla and peach yogurt, this fruity yogurt breakfast drink is a fantastic lower calorie option. If you want to add some fresh fruit to the smoothie too, try using plain yogurt instead.
Cooking Info:
Servings: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cups Vanilla Yogurt
2 cups Peach or Blackberry Yogurt
1/2 cup Orange Juice
2 cups Ice Cubes
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a high-speed blender, add all the ingredients together. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
2. Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately.
6). Cinnamon and Honey Gluten-Free Waffles
Full of fiber, thesegluten-free waffleswill keep you full throughout the day. The natural sugars in the banana will provide you with a burst of energy that won’t cause a sugar crash!
Cooking Info:
Servings: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Total time: 13 minutes
Ingredients:
1 - 2 Frozen Gluten-Free Waffles, toasted
2 tbsp. Almond Butter
1/4 cup Yogurt
1/2 Banana, sliced
Fresh Fruit, for serving (optional)
Pecans, crushed (optional)
Instructions:
1. Toast the frozen waffles until warm, then add a generous slather of the almond butter on each.
2. Top with a dollop of yogurt, banana slices, fresh fruit, and crushed pecans. Enjoy warm!
5 Minute Lunch Ideas
These lunch ideas are both great for family units as well as preparing on-the-go meals to take to work with you!
7). Chicken and Veggies Stir-Fry
With a prep time of just 10 minutes, this stir-fry quick recipe uses frozen vegetables for minimal effort without compromising on the health benefits. With this recipe serving 4 people, chicken and Veggies stir-fry is the perfect balanced meal for a family lunch. Pop all your ingredients into a pan on medium heat, add olive oil into the pan, then season to taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 pouch Proper Good Chicken and Mushroom Soup
- 1 large carrot, cut julienne
- 1 green bell pepper, cut in thin strips
- 1 red pepper, cut in thin strips
- 1/2 white onion, cut into thin strips
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1-inch ginger, zested
- 2 large zucchini, spiralized
- 2 Tbs sesame oil
- 2 Tbs soy sauce
- 2 Tbs oyster sauce
Instructions:
1. In a large saute pan over medium heat to high heat, add oil and carrot, green and red peppers, onion, garlic, and ginger. Saute for 3-5 minutes to soften vegetables.
2. Once vegetables have softened, add zucchini noodles, Proper Good Chicken & Mushroom Soup, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
3. Cook until sauce has warmed. Add hot sauce for extra flavor. Serve immediately.
8). Pesto Pasta
This pesto pasta recipe only uses 4 ingredients to create a tasty dish perfect for lunch and its an alternative to using the regular pizza sauce! This dish can be eaten hot and any leftovers can be refrigerated and eaten cold for future meals. Serve with some garlic bread and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese & arugula for the perfect Italian meal spread.
Cooking Info:
Servings: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Total time: 13 minutes
Ingredients:
1 lb. Linguine Pasta, dry
12-oz container Basil Pesto
Fresh Arugula, for serving (optional)
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated or shaves, for serving
Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta until al dente, or according to package directions.
2. Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 1/2 cup, then pasta return to pot.
3. Stir in the basil pesto until the pasta is evenly coated. Add the reserved pasta water as necessary to make a more creamy pasta sauce.
4. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Serve with grated parmesan and fresh arugula (optional).
9). Crispy Oven Baked Chicken
Thiscrispy oven baked chicken is a great lunch to serve with some hearty green beans. It is great for those following a low-carb diet, such as keto, as it has a healthy protein content to keep you satisfied throughout the day. With only 5 minutes of prep time, this recipe gives you a stress free & healthy lunch to enjoy.
Cooking Info:
Servings: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
2 Chicken Breasts
1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
1/2 cup Fine Breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Flour
1 Egg, beaten
1 tbsp. Dried Italian Herbs
1 tbsp. Cooking Oil Spray
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
Proper Good's Quinoa & Brown Rice Blend, for serving
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Set out two bowls. In the first bowl, add the beaten egg. In the second bowl, mix the fine breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, flour, dried herbs, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Toss the chicken breasts in the beaten egg, then transfer to the breadcrumb bowl to evenly coat.
4. Add the chicken to the prepared baking pan, then lightly spray with oil.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until fully cooked. Let rest for at least 4 minutes before slicing.
6. Serve with steamed green beans and Proper Good's Quinoa & Brown Rice Blend. Add hot sauce for an extra kick and enjoy warm!
5 Minute Dinner Ideas
Dinners are a time for enjoyment and relaxation. Make sure your body gets the nutrients it needs before bed to help with the replenishment process.
10). Salsa Tuna Melt
With a prep time of just 5 minutes,this recipe features Proper Good's Spicy Seasoning. Touching on all food groups from carbs to protein, this quick and simple dish will be light yet nutritionally dense end to the day. You can cook this along with a side of chopped veggies and hummus for larger meal size.
Cooking Info:
Servings: 1
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
1 English Muffins, sliced and toasted
1 tbsp. Cream Cheese
2 tbsp. Salsa
12-oz can White Albacore Tuna, drained
2-3 tbsp. Shredded Cheese
1/2 tsp. Proper Good Spicy Seasoning
Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
Microgreens, for serving (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, add the tuna, cream cheese, salsa, and spicy seasoning. Mix to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
2. Evenly divide the tuna on each toasted english muffin half, then top with the shredded cheese.
3. Broil for 1-2 minutes, until melted.
4. Top with additional salsa and microgreens (optional).
11). Ham Potato Casserole
This hearty, warming family dish only takes 5 minutes to prepare and bakes in the oven for around an hour - letting you get on with other tasks! With ham and oozing cheese,this dinner recipe boasts all the healthy food groups in one full meal.
Cooking Info:
Servings: 1
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
4-5 Russet Potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup Ham, chopped or sliced into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup Gruyere, or Italian Cheese Blend, shredded
1 1/3 cup Whole Milk
1/3 cup Flour
3 tbsp. Olive Oil, or Butter
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8x8" baking dish.
2. In a saucepan over medium high heat, stir the flour and olive oil until a paste-like texture. Stir continuously for 1 minute.
3. Gradually pour in the milk as you whisk to create a creamy, smooth sauce. It will thicken up quickly, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the cheese, salt, and black pepper. Turn off heat.
4. Add a layer of 1/3rd of the peeled and sliced potatoes, then add a 1/3rd of the chopped ham. Repeat with another layer of potatoes, then pour on top half of the sauce mixture. Use the back of a spoon to evenly spread it out. Repeat once more.
5. (Optional) Top with additional shredded cheese.
6. Cover with aluminum foil to bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 more minutes, until top is golden brown. Enjoy warm!
12). Thanksgiving Cranberry Oven Bake Chicken
Incorporate aspects of thanksgiving into your dinner at any time of year with these easy cranberry chicken breasts. Using 2 boneless chicken breasts, pour a packet of french onion soup seasoning to add some convenient pre-seasoned flavor. This creates a delicious contrast between the sharpness of the glaze and the coziness of the chicken and onion. Feel free to add some extra flavor by seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
Cooking Info:
Servings: 2
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
2 Chicken Breasts, boneless and skinless
French Onion Soup Mix
Cranberry Sauce, for serving
Proper Good Broccoli Cheddar Soup, for serving
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Pat dry the chicken breasts with a paper towel. Season each chicken breast generously with the french onion soup mix.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until fully cooked. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
4. Top the chicken with leftover cranberry sauce and serve warm with a side of Proper Good Broccoli Cheddar Soup and steamed green beans.
5 Minute Dessert Ideas
No day is complete without dessert! Whether you are entertaining guests or you just fancy something sweet, these 5-minute dessert ideas will definitely satisfy your sugar cravings within just a few minutes.
13). Chocolate mousse
Chocolate mousse is a delicious light and fluffy dessert option that will satisfy your sweet tooth. To make this dessert, you will only need 4 ingredients! These are sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and heavy cream. Simply whisk these together in a large mixing bowl before folding them into a bowl to serve.
Cooking Info:
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 3-4
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
1/3 cup Powdered Sugar
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
1. In a chilled mixing bowl, begin whipping the heavy cream until frothy and slightly thickened.
2. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.
3. Continue whipping until soft peaks.
4. Spoon into a plastic bag or a piping bag to pipe into small serving glasses.
Enjoy immediately. Refrigerate leftovers until ready to serve again.
14). Chocolate Mug Cake
This bakedchocolate mug cake is a great comfort food option for a last-minute dessert when you are craving something sweet after dinner! With a prep time of just 3 minutes and a further cook time of 2 minutes, you will be satisfying that craving before it turns into a sugar-filled binge.
Cooking Info:
Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. Flour
2 tbsp. Milk
1 tbsp. Sugar
2 tsp. Cocoa Powder
1 tsp. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Salt
Vanilla Ice Cream, for serving
Instructions:
1. In a microwave-safe mug, whisk all ingredients together.
2. Microwave on high for 30-35 seconds. Let it cool for 2-3 minutes.
3. Enjoy warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or vanilla bean ice cream!
15). Raspberry Sorbet
This recipe forraspberry sorbet is a fat-free healthy option for dessert. You will just need frozen raspberries, sugar, and fresh lemon juice to make this sorbet. All you will need to do is mix these ingredients together in a food processor until it is smooth. Depending on the texture, you may want to freeze the mixture before serving, especially if you are using fresh raspberries.
Cooking Info:
Servings: 6
Prep time: 5 minutes + Freezing
Ingredients:
4 cups Frozen Raspberries
1 cups Confectioners’ Sugar
1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
Instructions:
1. Add all ingredients into a food processor or high-speed blender.
2. Process until smooth.
3. Transfer the sorbet to an airtight freezer container to chill until firm, about 2-3 hours.
Conclusion
In summary, not everyone has the time to spend preparing a full meal on a daily basis. However, this should not mean that you can’t also enjoy healthy and filling meals regularly. With this blog detailing quick and nutritious recipes that you can prepare in just 5 minutes, you can gather inspiration for your future meals.
Eating too much fast food can have a catastrophic effect on your health, from causing headaches and depression to heart disease and stroke! For those living busy lives, any ill health will have a negative impact on your productivity levels. In fact, recent research has discovered that eating too many processed foods may actually cause more people to die prematurely than smoking cigarettes.
As a result, it is essential that you provide your body with its needed vitamins and minerals. If cooking is not for you or you are just too on the go,Proper Good offers convenient and delicious meals that are ready to eat!
One of our top picks is our cream of chicken soup.
Proper Eat has a range of healthy meal options that can be heated in a microwave for just 90 seconds before being ready to serve. At affordable rates for the whole family, there is no compromise in health or taste quality. These meal pouches are available for different dietary requirements, including gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and keto-friendly options.
