20 Tasty Things to Eat Right Now That Only Take Like 5 Minutes to Prepare

1. Buttered Noodles

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You seriously can’t go wrong with some simple buttered noodles. Add some salt and pepper (and maybe some parmesan if you’re feeling extra fancy) and you’re good to go.

(Obviously, eating pasta every day isn’t the healthiest option, but if you’re just looking for something cheap and tasty, this is it.)

2. Pasta Aglio e Olio

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If buttered noodles aren’t quite hitting the spot, give Pasta Aglio e Olio a try — it sounds complicated, but it’s just pasta with noodles and oil. And some parsley chopped up.

Here’s a video (including the recipe) that is seriously making my mouth water.

3. Pasta Carbonara

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There are very few things in the world that aren’t made better when bacon is added. Add some bacon, eggs, and cheese to whatever pasta you’ve got in your pantry and you’ll be in business.

4. Pasta with Sauce from a Jar

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It’s true! Even if you’re limited to using a jar of Prego (or, perhaps more accurately, the store brand stuff), you can make a delicious meal.

To take a jar of pasta sauce to the next level, toast some garlic and dried herbs in some olive oil or butter and add that to the sauce. A dash of cream also elevates the dish.

5. Buttered Tortilla

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Again, not an everyday type of meal, but dang if it isn’t delicious.

Pop a tortilla in a toaster oven for 30 seconds, then smear some butter on that thing. Add some honey if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

And while we’re talking about tortillas, who could forget this next classic?

6. Quesadilla

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Tortilla. Shredded cheese. Microwave.

Is it the fanciest meal in the world? No. Did I literally make one as I was writing this article? Yes.

7. Spanish Chickpeas

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Chop an onion and simmer it in oil until it turns golden. Add some chorizo sausage and cook until it’s heated through. Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas, then dump them in to cook until they’re heated through. Season with salt, pepper, and parsley, and voila!

(You can also add some bell peppers and parsley to this dish.)

8. Ramen

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If all you’re doing with ramen is boiling noodles and adding that packet of what is essentially salt, you’re doing it wrong, my friend.

An easy (and again, super cheap!) way to elevate ramen is to add a bag of frozen veggies and crack an egg in there while it’s cooking. You can use the provided seasoning packet, but I recommend cooking everything either in broth or using miso paste mixed in water. Don’t forget the Sriracha!

9. Stir Fry

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Stir fry is a brilliant dish that can be customized in hundreds of different ways. The cheapest method is cooking whatever protein you want in a pan, then dumping in some frozen veggies. Maybe cracking in an egg or two. Add some soy sauce, sriracha, and/or a drizzle of sesame oil and serve over rice. Ta da!

10. Grilled Cheese

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Grilled Cheese sandwiches are so simple, it almost seems like you’re cheating in order to end up with a final product that tastes so delicious.

For the best grilled cheese of your life, use one slice of gouda and one slice of sharp cheddar — the gouda melts beautifully. Also, use mayo instead of butter. Trust me on this one.

Now let’s talk about another grilled sandwich phenomenon…

11. Croque Monsieur

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Don’t get thrown off by the French name. This delectable sandwich is basically just a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. (Plus, “croque monsieur” translates to “Mister crunch,” so there’s really nothing to be intimidated by, here.)

12. French Toast

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And while we’re talking about “fancy” French foods, we can’t forget French toast. Milk, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar. That’s all it takes to make the batter for French toast. Easy peasy.

13. Applesauce

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As it turns out, applesauce is actually pretty darn easy to make. Here’s a simple recipe:

Toast 3/4 cup of sugar in a glass dish for about 45 minutes until it turns an ivory color. Chop 12 medium apples and put them into a Dutch oven with the sugar, a cinnamon stick, 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and a 4-inch strip of orange peel. Cook on medium heat for 25 minutes. Remove the orange peel and cinnamon stick and blend to your desired consistency.

14. Mashed Potatoes

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And while we’re talking mashed foods, mashed potatoes are also way easier than you probably think.

Chop potatoes into bite-sized pieces (if you use Yukon golds, you don’t even have to peel ’em!). Boil in salted water until tender (do not skimp on the salt). Drain and mash with butter and milk. That’s it. Your favorite Thanksgiving side dish just became your favorite year-round side dish.

15. Eggs

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Eggs can be cooked in dozens of different ways — my current favorite method is shirred eggs, which really just requires a bit of cream and butter added to the eggs.

Of course, there’s also scrambled eggs, omelets, poached eggs, hardboiled eggs, softboiled eggs — you get the idea.

16. Boxed Mac and Cheese

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Hey, it’s a classic for a reason.

If you’re looking for a way to step up your mac-and-cheese game, you could add some chopped hot dogs or scrambled eggs and cheese (I know it sounds weird, but I promise it’s good).

But let’s be honest. Mac and cheese is pretty perfect as-is and doesn’t really need any embellishments.

17. Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches

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I bet you were waiting to see this one on the list.

Just like with eggs, there are so many ways to customize the classic PB&J. Crunchy peanut butter! Creamy peanut butter! Jam! Jelly!

(My personal favorite way to make a PB&J is to lightly toast the bread and add a thin layer of plain butter underneath the peanut butter — but I am open to other suggestions!)

18. Nutella and Peanut Butter Sandwiches

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Why limit yourself to one kind of spreadable nut-based product when you could have two?

While you’re at it, toss some banana slices on that thing!

19. Rice Krispie Treats

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OK, yes, this isn’t really a main dish, but it belongs on the list all the same.

There are only three ingredients in Rice Krispie Treats! There’s clearly some kind of magic going on there.

20. Brownies (from a Boxed Mix)

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Yet again, more of a dessert than a main dish (unless you’re me on a weekend).

I want whoever was in charge of creating brownie mix to run my life because they clearly know how to do the important things in life.

(If you wanna make your boxed brownies extra delicious, add 1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1 cup of chocolate chips to the mix before baking. It’s heaven, I tell ya.)