Archive for the ‘5 Ingredients or Less’ Category
Frosting Fudge
This is a 2 ingredient fudge that is originally from a Betty Crocker cookbook. You can change this up any way you like by adding flavorings to the fudge, adding candies, cookies, trail mix, etc.
Ingredients
- 1 can frosting, (16 oz / 454 g)
- 1 bag chocolate chips, (12 oz / 340 g bag)
Instructions
Basic Instructions
- Line an 8x8 baking pan with foil.
- Add the chocolate chips to a heatproof mixing bowl, microwave on full power for 30 seconds, take the bowl out of the microwave. This softens them up.
- Open the frosting and remove the foil seal, discard the lid and seal. Place the frosting container in your microwave, microwave on full power for 1 minute. Pour the hot frosting onto the chips.
- Stir together until the chips are melted and everything mixed together, takes just 30 seconds to a minute.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread out evenly.
- Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Cut into squares and place on a serving tray. Serve and enjoy.
With Cookies
- To add cookies to the fudge, place 10 cookies (think store bought, like Oreo's or chocolate chip cookies, in the fridge for about 10 minutes to chill, then chop and divide. Once the frosting and chocolate chips are mixed, stir in half of the chopped cookies, pour into the pan and top with the remaining chopped cookies.
With Flavoring
- To add a flavoring, such as peppermint, which works very well, simply mix in 1 teaspoon after the frosting and chips are mixed.
With Dark Chocolate Kit-Kat Bars
- Use a package of dark chocolate chips in the base recipe along with a can of chocolate frosting. Place two king size dark chocolate kit-kat bars in the freezer for 10 minutes. Remove the candy bars, unwrap, chop 1 bar and place pieces in a bowl. Chop the second bar. Prepare the base recipe, once the chips are melted and mixed in then add the kit-kat pieces from the bowl, stir until just coated. Pour into the prepared pan, top with the rest of the chopped kit-kat pieces, press them in just a bit.
- Once chilled and firmed up, cut into squares, serve, and enjoy.
With White Chocolate Chips, Peppermint, and Kit-Kats
- Chop two king size dark chocolate kit-kat bars. You need some peppermint extract and red or green food coloring. Prepare the base recipe with a package of white chocolate chips and a can of white frosting, when mixed, stir in 2 teaspoons peppermint extract and about 8 drops of food coloring, when mixed in, stir in half the chopped kit-kats then pour mixture into the prepared pan, spread out evenly and top with the remaining chopped kit-kats and press in gently to ensure they are set into the fudge.
- Once chilled and firmed up, cut into squares, serve, and enjoy.
With Milk Chocolate Chips and Pecans
- Chop a cup of pecans, divide in half. Use a bag of milk chocolate chips and a can of chocolate frosting and prepare the base recipe, when mixed together, stir in half of the chopped pecans, pour into your prepared pan. Top with remaining chopped pecans and press into the fudge as needed. Cool then chill in the fridge for a few hours.
- Once chilled and firmed up, cut into squares, serve, and enjoy.
With Butterscotch Chips and Caramel Bits
- Use a bag of butterscotch chips and a can of vanilla frosting and prepare the base recipe, when mixed together, pour into your prepared pan. Sprinkle the top with about a cup of caramel bits. Cool on the counter, then place in the fridge to firm up better.
- Once chilled and set, cut into squares, and enjoy.
With Mint MM's
- Prepare the base recipe with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting, when mixed together, mix in 1/2 cup mint MM's, pour into the prepared pan, then top with another 1/2 cup of mint MM's. Cool on the counter then place in the fridge.
- Once chilled, cut into squares, serve and enjoy.
With Coconut and Mini MM's
- Prepare the base recipe with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting, when mixed together, mix in 1 cup shredded coconut, pour into the prepared pan, then top with 1 cup of Mini MM's, I used the bottom of the measuring cup to press the MM's into the fudge. Cool on the counter then place in the fridge.
- Once chilled, cut into squares, serve and enjoy.
With Dark Chocolate, Coconut, and Almonds
- Prepare the base recipe with dark chocolate chips and chocolate frosting, when mixed together, mix in 1 cup shredded coconut and 1/2 cup of slivered almonds, pour into prepared pan, then top with 1/2 cup of sliced almonds, press them into the fudge just a bit. Cool on the counter then place in the fridge.
With Trail Mix
- Prepare the base recipe with semisweet chocolate chips and vanilla frosting, when mixed together, mix in 1 cup trail mix, pour into prepared pan, then top with 1/2 cup or so of more trail mix. Cool on the counter then place in the fridge.
- Once chilled, cut into squares, serve and enjoy.
With Coconut Pecan Frosting
- Prepare using Coconut Pecan Frosting and milk chocolate chips, after microwaving and mixing, pour into prepared pan, top with sprinkles. Cool on the counter then place in the fridge.
- Once chilled, cut into squares, serve and enjoy.
Notes
Variants: 1. Chocolate frosting and chocolate chips. 2. Vanilla frosting and dark chocolate chips. 3. Strawberry frosting and white (vanilla) chocolate chips. 4. Vanilla frosting and white (vanilla) chocolate chips and green food coloring and peppermint extract. 5. Add cookies of your choice. 6. Add sprinkles on top of your choice. 7. Be creative.
Quick Quesadillas
I say quick for these as I use a microwave and only a few ingredients. These are excellent for a quick meal. This is basically a make with what you have on hand or want to use. A full quesadilla uses 2 tortillas, a half quesadilla use 1 tortilla that is folded. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 2 flour or corn tortillas, 8-10 inch size
- cooked chicken, chopped
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- sour cream, for serving, as desired, Shortcut
Instructions
- This will make 1 full quesadilla. Place both tortillas on a microwave safe plate, microwave for 15 seconds. Remove the top tortilla, sprinkle some Cheddar or Mozzarella on the tortilla on the plate.
- Spread some chopped chicken on the Cheddar. I had some diced red bell pepper on hand so I added some of that as well.
- Sprinkle some Cheddar, then some Mozzarella over the chicken.
- Place the other tortilla on top and press down just a little to even everything out. Place back in the microwave for 1 to 1½ minutes.
- Cut in half or quarters, top with sour cream, serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Sour Cream.
Variants: 1. Use cheeses of your choice. 2. Add refried beans. 3. Add chopped green chilies. 4. Use no meat or add cooked chopped meats of your choice.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Chocolate Fudge
I came up this from a previous fudge I made and is based on that way of making it. For the cookies, store brand is used, and Kroger brand "Chunky ChipMates" is highly recommended. Only 4 ingredients and 1 is optional.
Ingredients
- 1 can chocolate frosting, (16 oz / 454 g)
- 1 bag semisweet chocolate chips, 12 oz / 340 g bag)
- 10 chocolate chip cookies, store brand
- candy sprinkles, optional, as desired
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 baking pan with foil. Count out the chocolate chip cookies and place them in your freezer for 5 minutes to firm up, then take them out and chop them coarsely. Here is the chopped cookies and the can of store brand frosting.
- Add the chocolate chips to a heatproof mixing bowl, microwave on full power for 30 seconds, take the bowl out of the microwave. This softens them up.
- Open the frosting and remove the foil seal, discard the lid and seal. Place the frosting container in your microwave, microwave on full power for 1 minute.
- Pour the hot frosting onto the chips, stir together.
- Stir in half of the cookies you chopped earlier.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread out evenly.
- Top with the remaining cookie pieces and push them onto the top. Sprinkle with candy sprinkles as desired, I used some chocolate sprinkles.
- Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Cut into squares and place on a serving tray. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
United States.
Tortilla Pizzas
This is a cheater recipe when you want a fast and simple pizza. This is a base recipe for 1 tortilla meatball pizza, this is a make as much as you want guide. The use of a microwave makes this quickly with no heating up of your kitchen. Go with store brand items as I did for additional savings. Even though these are inexpensive and quick to make, they are actually well liked. Sometimes simple really is best.
Equipment
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 flour tortilla, 8-10 inch size
- pasta sauce
- Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- cooked frozen meatballs, thawed, cut in half
- Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Place a tortilla on a microwave safe plate.
- Spread some sauce evenly on the tortilla, keeping about ½ inch from the edge. Amount of sauce is up to you. I used a sauce with mushrooms. Add some meatballs, cut side down.
- Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese as you desire and sprinkle the cheese with Italian seasoning as desired as well.
- Cook in the microwave for 2 minutes. Microwaves can vary, so start with 1 minute first and check to make sure the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per pizza.
Tortilla Alfredo Pizzas
This is a cheater recipe when you want a fast and simple pizza. This is a base recipe for 1 tortilla pizza (1 serving), no quantities are listed, this is a make as much as you want guide. The use of a microwave makes this quickly with no heating up of your kitchen with an oven.
Equipment
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 flour tortilla, 8-10 inch size or so
- alfredo sauce
- Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- chicken, cooked and cubed, canned chicken is perfect
- Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Place a tortilla on a microwave safe plate. Spread some Alfredo sauce evenly on the tortilla, keeping about ½ inch from the edge.
- Add some chicken.
- Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese as desired.
- Sprinkle with Italian seasoning as desired. Cook in your microwave on full power for 2 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, and serve right on the plate it was cooked on. Enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per pizza.
Variants: 1. Add some diced red bell pepper or tomato. 2. In place of chicken, use chopped ham, cooked and crumbled bacon, or pepperoni.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
This is excellent fudge! I use a double boiler for melting chocolate as I have had chocolate seize on me when using a microwave. This comes together quickly and is tasty! Highly recommended.
Ingredients
For the Fudge
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk, (14 oz / 396 g)
- 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips, (12 oz / 340 g)
- 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
Optional Toppings - Use 1 or More
- peanuts, chopped
- pecan halves
- chocolate chips
- sprinkles
- mini Reese cups, cut in half
- peanut butter MM candies
Instructions
- Line a 8x8 pan with foil.
- Setup a double boiler and add the condensed milk and chocolate chips.
- Heat until the chocolate is melted and stirred into the condensed milk.
- Add the peanut butter and stir until the mixture is smooth. No photo of the peanut butter mixed in, as once you add the peanut butter and mix that in, it will begin to set, so do not delay getting it into the prepared pan.
- Spread the fudge into the prepared pan.
- Top with additional items as you like, pressing them into the top of the fudge. I added a couple of handfuls of peanut butter MM candies.
- Place in the fridge for 1 hour to chill or leave on the counter for several hours to set.
- Lift out of the pan with the foil, cut into squares, enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
United States.
Butter Cracker Thin Mints
You can use Ritz crackers for this or go the frugal route (I know I will) and use a store brand butter cracker. This is incredibly easy and I wonder why I never thought of this. Quantity made is approximate.
Ingredients
- 500 grams chocolate compound, (chocolate bark, 1 lb)
- 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 40 butter crackers, Ritz or your choice, and as needed
Instructions
- Setup a double boiler and add the chocolate compound. Heat until the chocolate is fully melted. Stir in the peppermint extract. Line a baking pan or two with parchment paper or foil.
- When the chocolate is ready, drop a cracker in the chocolate, flip it over with a fork then lift it out and drip off excess, place the cracker on the paper or foil.
- Repeat until all the chocolate is used, I sprinkled the mints with some chocolate sprinkles I had on hand. I used 2 sleeves of a store brand cracker and made 45 mints.
- Allow crackers to fully cool or if in a rush, place them in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
This is low cost based on the amount of mints made.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
United States.
Easy Stuffed Shells
This sounds good, and easy, and only 5 ingredients. This comes together quickly and is a delicious meal. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells, about 35 shells, (12 oz / 340 g box)
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce, (24 oz / 1 lb 8 oz / 680 g), Shortcut
- frozen meatballs, fully cooked, about 35, Shortcut
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, (8 oz / 250 g)
- Italian seasoning, as desired, Shortcut
Instructions
- Heat a pot of salted water to boiling then add the pasta shells. Cook until just tender, then drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- While the shells are cooking, heat the meatballs. I place them on a plate, single layer and microwave on high for 2 minutes, roll them around then microwave again for 1 minute.
- Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Grease a 9x13 pan with butter. Spread 1/2 cup pasta sauce on the bottom of the pan. Place a meatball in a shell and place in the pan.
- Repeat until all the shells are stuffed and placed in the pan.
- Pour the pasta sauce over the shells.
- Top with the shredded cheese and sprinkle with Italian seasoning as desired.
- Cover with foil, place in the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 5 more minutes or until bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
I have never seen pasta shells in Thailand but I would assume this could be made easily with any pasta, Low cost per serving when making the meatballs yourself.
Shortcut: Italian Seasoning, Frozen Meatballs, Pasta Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
4 Bean Chili Mix
This is a straight forward bean mix using common beans. This makes 1 bean mix of 452 grams (1 pound). Measurements are in grams as that is more accurate. This is a make ahead recipe, and you can make several types of bean mixes at one time and the beans are then all prepped for use in another recipe. The recipe that uses this mix is in the Recipe Notes section at the end.
Ingredients
- 113 grams dry Pinto beans
- 113 grams dry red beans
- 113 grams dry red kidney beans
- 113 grams dry black beans
Instructions
- Weigh each bean type, place in a zip lock bag, label, use as directed to make bean soup.
Notes
These are common beans in Thailand and this is low cost per mix.
Used in Recipe Listed on this Site:
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My creation from researching a bag of chili bean mix, Lee Thayer, United States.
Ambrosia Salad
I remember this salad from when I was growing up, this is an excellent fruit salad. On my list to make this.
Ingredients
- 1 can Mandarin oranges, drained, (15 oz)
- 1 can pineapple tidbits, drained, (8 oz)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows, white or fruit flavored
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Add the orange segments, pineapple pieces, marshmallows, and coconut to a mixing bowl. I used the fruit flavored marshmallows to add a little color to the salad.
- Give everything a gentle mix together.
- Add the sour cream and gently mix that in.
- Pour the salad into a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.