Low-Cook Recipes for Quick & Easy Meals

It’s summer and we don’t want to heat up the kitchen too much, but we also can’t have cereal every single night?!?

Introducing: Low-Cook Recipes for Quick and Easy Meals to Make this Summer!

What is a Low-Cook Recipe? 

So, Erin...what is a low-cook recipe?! 

I’m glad you asked! First, let’s define what it is not…

It’s not a “no-cook” recipe. 

It’s not a “slow cook” recipe.

It’s a low cook, meaning the meal can be ready in a fast, short amount of time. Sometimes that’s 5 minutes, sometimes it’s 10 minutes. 

It just needs a little time to cook. 

Think: grilled cheese, quesadillas, nachos, pasta salads… 

How is Low-Cook different from Slow Cook or No-Cook?

So a slow cooked recipe is one that cooks in the slow cooker (or Instant Pot) and we let the countertop appliance take care of the cooking. These kinds of recipes usually require very little hands-on time, but they have to be started towards the beginning of the day, to allow time for the slow-cooking to happen. 

No-Cook recipes involve no cooking – think: PBJ, cereal, or something like a hearty salad with pre-cooked protein. Also, a wrap or burrito or taco with pre-cooked ingredients or fresh veggies + sauce. 

(Often time these pre-cooked proteins and ingredients can be more expensive, so watch your prices!)

Low-Cook recipes require a little cooking and can usually be served within 10 or 15 minutes!

Now that I’ve explained the difference, let’s get to the best low-cook recipes that we have here on $5 Dinners!

Best Low-Cook Recipes from $5 Dinners

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

• Caprese Grilled Cheese
• Garlic Bread Pizza Grilled Cheese

Quesadillas & Pitas

• Avocado & Black Bean Quesadillas
• Ground Beef Gyros

Nachos

• Skillet Nachos
• BBQ Chicken Nachos

Pasta Salad

• Tuna Pasta Salad
• Summer Tuna Pasta Salad
• Toss Pasta Salad

Light Breakfast

• Banana Breakfast Split
• Yogurt Parfait