There’s something great about low waste recipes—they’re simple, smart, and make you feel like you’re doing something good without it being a big deal. These are the kinds of meals that use what you've got, skip the trash, and still hit the mark. It’s not about perfection or some big lifestyle shift—it’s just cooking in a way that makes sense. And let’s be real, when you’re using every bit of what’s in your fridge or pantry, it feels like a tiny win. You get to eat well and cut down on waste. That’s a hero move.
3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Just three ingredients and a 30-minute cook time make this casserole a quick win. It's a simple side that helps you waste less and still get something great on the table.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Din Tai Fung Green Beans
This four-ingredient green bean dish is fast, easy, and doesn’t overcomplicate things. It’s a smart way to use what you have and keep dinner on track.
Get the Recipe: Din Tai Fung Green Beans
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus cooks fast and sticks to five ingredients. It’s a solid side that makes use of fresh produce without adding any extra work.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus
Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
With just three ingredients, this pasta dish comes together quickly and still feels complete. It proves you don’t need much to make something worth serving.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Five ingredients and 20 minutes are all you need for these crispy Brussels sprouts. It’s a fast side that helps cut down on waste without cutting corners.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Quick Jeera Rice (Indian Cumin Rice)
Light and simple, this jeera rice is beginner-friendly and made with pantry staples. It’s an easy pick for using what’s already in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Quick Jeera Rice (Indian Cumin Rice)
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs
These chicken thighs use just two ingredients and come out bold and crispy. A quick dinner like this makes low-effort, low-waste cooking feel easy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs
Easy Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
These lemon pepper tenders are ready in 15 minutes with just three ingredients. It’s a no-hassle way to make a solid meal without extra cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
This Instant Pot mac and cheese keeps it simple with five ingredients and quick cook time. It’s a great go-to for casual nights that need something fast and low-waste.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Easy Caprese Salad
Caprese salad uses just five fresh ingredients and takes almost no time. It’s a simple side that makes use of fresh produce without any waste.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad
This pasta version of caprese keeps things easy with five ingredients or fewer. It’s a smart way to stretch fresh ingredients across meals and leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad
Two Ingredient Chicken Nuggets
Two ingredients and a fast cook time make these chicken nuggets a reliable choice. It’s a low-prep meal that cuts down on waste and still does the job.
Get the Recipe: Two Ingredient Chicken Nuggets
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
Flank steak grills in 20 minutes and gets a boost from a quick chili butter topping. It’s a five-ingredient dinner that keeps things bold and simple.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
Chicken Salad
This five-ingredient chicken salad is fast to prep and easy to adjust. It’s great for using up leftovers and making a quick lunch or light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad
Pesto Salmon
This pesto salmon bakes in under 25 minutes and sticks to just five ingredients. It’s a fast way to get something fresh on the table without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken
A few ingredients and a slow cooker are all this chicken dish needs. It’s a smart dinner choice when you want something low-effort and low-waste.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken
Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops
These ranch pork chops cook in the Crock Pot with only three ingredients. It’s a hands-off dinner that keeps things simple and reduces food waste.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops
Easy Potato Soup
This potato soup comes together with four pantry basics and minimal steps. It’s a solid pick when you want comfort food without the clutter.
Get the Recipe: Easy Potato Soup
Zucchini & Summer Squash Casserole
Zucchini and squash bake together with just five ingredients. It’s a colorful, easy side that makes the most of summer produce.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini & Summer Squash Casserole
Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
This casserole takes five ingredients and delivers bold flavor fast. It’s a good way to feed a group without overthinking dinner.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta
Five ingredients and under 30 minutes is all it takes for this walnut sauce pasta. It’s a great way to turn pantry items into a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta
Squash Casserole
Yellow squash bakes into a simple casserole with just a few ingredients. It’s an easy dish that works for weeknights or gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole
Quinoa Flatbread Pizza Crust
This flatbread pizza crust is made with just five ingredients and comes together fast. It’s a simple way to skip the box and use what’s in your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Flatbread Pizza Crust
Pork Chop Casserole
This pork chop casserole bakes with five ingredients and minimal prep. It’s a good way to get dinner going without any extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chop Casserole
Low Carb Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine Alfredo comes together fast with homemade noodles and just five ingredients. It’s an easy pasta dish that feels complete without the waste.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Fettuccine Alfredo
Pasta Carbonara
Pasta Carbonara takes under 30 minutes and only five ingredients. It’s a go-to when you want a full meal without creating food waste.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Carbonara
Air Fryer Everything Bagel Salmon
This salmon cooks in under 15 minutes with just two ingredients. It’s a quick, no-stress dinner that’s great for low-waste cooking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Everything Bagel Salmon
5-Ingredient Hash Brown Casserole
This hash brown casserole mixes sausage, eggs, and cheese in a one-dish meal. Five ingredients make it an easy option for any time of day.
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Hash Brown Casserole
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Legs with Dry Rub
These air fryer chicken legs use a dry rub and just two ingredients. It’s a budget-friendly dinner that’s done in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Chicken Legs with Dry Rub
Blackstone Green Beans
Green beans cook fast on the griddle with five ingredients and almost no cleanup. It’s a good way to keep your sides simple and low-waste.
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Green Beans
5-Minute Spicy Chicken Wrap
Leftover chicken tenders turn into wraps with just five ingredients. It’s a fast lunch that cuts down on waste and saves time.
Get the Recipe: 5-Minute Spicy Chicken Wrap
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