Are you short on supplies and looking for some simple recipes to satisfy your family? Odds are, your grocery store might be out of the ingredients you need to make the FASTer Way meal plan recipes. We definitely understand, we’ve been there in the last couple of weeks, too!

Heading to the grocery store only to discover a shortage of the ingredients you need probably means raiding the dark corners of your pantry and digging into the very bottom of your freezer. Once you discover these “forgotten” ingredients, it’s time to put them to good use!

If you’re having a hard time coming up with new recipes or you just need some inspiration, look no further! We’ve got you covered with these five simple recipes that use only five ingredients for low carb AND regular macro days. No need to head back out to the grocery store to pick up yet another hard-to-find ingredient. These recipes are FASTer Way-approved, full of nutrients, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters! Be sure to plug the ingredients into your MyFitnessPal for accurate macronutrient breakdown. 

Build-Your-Own Smoothie Bar (Super Kid-Friendly!)

Regular Macro | Makes 1 Serving

Set out all your ingredient options and let your kids help you choose what they want in their smoothie. This a fun and creative way to get kids involved in making healthy choices using simple ingredients! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk 

• 1 cup frozen berries + fruit (strawberries, blueberries, mixed berries, mangos, raspberries, peaches, anything will do!)

• 1 fresh or frozen banana 

• ¼ cup protein powder (optional, chocolate or vanilla) 

• 1 ½ tablespoons peanut butter or almond butter

DIRECTIONS

1. Choose desired ingredients and add to a blender. 

2. Blend, pour into a cup, and enjoy!

Here’s another delicious smoothie idea:

Cinnamon Roll Smoothie: blend together almond milk, frozen banana, a bit of pure maple syrup, almond butter, and cinnamon for a healthy, fun twist on a morning classic!

One-Bowl Baked Oatmeal

Regular Macro | Makes 6 Servings

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups dry oats (quick or rolled)

• 1 ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk

• ½ cup pure maple syrup

• 1 banana (mashed)

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Add all wet ingredients to a bowl, including the mashed banana. 

3. Stir in dry oats and cinnamon.

4. Pour into greased square 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes, until just about set.

5. Serve and enjoy!

More Ideas:

• Garnish with berries (fresh or frozen)

• Drizzle melted peanut butter or almond butter over oatmeal when done baking

• Add protein powder into the mix before baking for an extra boost of protein! 

Simple Spaghetti

Low Carb & Regular Macro Options | Makes 4 Servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb fresh or frozen ground turkey or beef (omit for vegetarian option)

• 1 jar (24 oz) clean spaghetti sauce 

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 

• 1 bag (12 oz) fresh or frozen zoodles (for low carb)

  • OR use 1 box of regular brown rice spaghetti noodles (for regular macro)

DIRECTIONS

1. Thaw frozen meat, if necessary.

2. Preheat large skillet over medium heat.

3. Cook ground turkey or beef until cooked through (season with salt and pepper while meat is cooking).

4. Add fresh or frozen zoodles to pan until heated through (or cooked brown rice noodles).

5. Pour the jar of spaghetti sauce into the pan.

6. Season with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.

7. Serve and enjoy!

More Ideas:

Don’t have any zoodles on hand and you want to keep it low carb? Serve prepared meat sauce over cooked broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach (cut into small pieces) for a nutrient-packed, low carb spaghetti option!

Sheet Pan Chicken + Veggies

Low Carb | Makes 4 Servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb chicken breast or tenderloins (fresh or frozen)

• 1 cup veggies (fresh OR frozen, try broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mixed veggies, etc.)

• 2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil

• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425ºF.

2. Add chicken and veggies to a sheet pan.

3. Drizzle oil over ingredients and add seasonings (can add more to taste)

4. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until vegetables are roasted and chicken is cooked to 165º internally.

5. Serve and enjoy!

More Ideas:

For regular macro day, serve over brown rice, quinoa, or alongside a baked potato or sweet potato!

Easy Mexican Rice

Regular Macro | Makes 6 Servings 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 ½ cups corn (fresh or frozen)

• 3 cups brown rice, instant or dry (prepared according to package directions)

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 cup salsa

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add black beans and corn, cook until heated through.

3. Add in cooked brown rice, then stir in the chili powder and salsa.

4. Serve and enjoy!

   More Ideas:

• Add in cooked chicken breast, ground turkey, or beef for a boost of protein

• Garnish with sliced avocado for healthy fat

• Use rice mixture as stuffing for an easy burrito! Just place mixture in a whole wheat tortilla.

There are plenty of simple 5-ingredient recipes to satisfy your family while keeping up with a nutrient-dense, whole-food diet! Feel free to share any of the recipes you try and tag us on social media @fasterwaytofatloss! Remember, if you’re stuck in a “recipe rut” and don’t know what to make, check your pantry to see what you already have! Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new things! You never know what delicious meal you might just whip up.

The next round of the FASTer Way to Fat Loss starts MONDAY, Mar 23! If you have been impacted by COVID-19, use the code STAYWELL during registration to save $50.