3 Ingredient Side Dishes & Salads
Delicious, Fast & Easy Lunch or Dinner Side-Dish Recipes & Ideas
Dec 22, 2007
These four simple recipes with only three ingredients each are tasty and fast to make. Try them for every day meals or when a last-minute dish is needed for a party or event.
Recipes include Easy Tomato-Feta Salad, No-Egg Potato Salad, Macaroni and Cheese, and Potato Salad with Egg. Some of the recipes have easy variations when one has a bit more time to cook.
3 Ingredient Easy Tomato-Feta Salad Recipe
(Adapted from Good Housekeeping online)
Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes (about 1 1/4 pounds)
- 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
To Do:
- Cut the tomatoes into 1/2 inch chunks.
- Chop the pitted olives.
- Add crumbled feta cheese
Toss all in bowl.
Variation Idea: If desired, substitute small, fresh mozzarella balls, cut in quarters, for the feta cheese.
3 Ingredient Fast & Easy No-Egg Potato Salad
(Adapted from Good Housekeeping online)
Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds small red potatoes
- 1/3 cup bottled creamy Italian dressing
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (Fresh is best, but if not available, use 1/4 cup dried)
(If desired, add up to 3/4 teaspoon salt to taste)
To Do:
- Put 1 1/2 pounds small red potatoes into pot. Cover with water.
- Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender (about 15 minutes). Rinse under cold water and drain well.
- Cut potatoes into 1" chunks and place in bowl.
- Stir in Italian dressing and basil.
- (If desired, add up to 3/4 teaspoon salt to taste)
- Chill before serving.
- Re-mix before serving. If too dry, add a bit more dressing.
Super Simple Three Ingredient Macaroni and Cheese
This recipe is very fast and easy. Perfect for kids to eat and help cook.
Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter.
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
(Milk, optional)
To Do:
- Cook macaroni on stove top per package instructions & drain.
- Return noodles to the stove over medium-low heat; add butter and Velveeta, stirring occasionally while butter and cheese melt.
- (If desired, thin sauce with milk to desired consistency.)
- Serve as soon as sauce is melted and mixture is well combined.
Recipe variations ideas:
- Add drained canned peas, diced ham, or diced cooked carrots.
- Put into casserole and top with sliced tomatoes.
Easy 3 Ingredient Potato Salad with Egg
Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients:
- 4 potatoes
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 to 1 cup Mayonnaise
(if desired, salt and pepper to taste)
To Do:
- Boil potatoes in skins.
- Hard boil eggs.
- Allow potatoes to cool; peel and chop into 1" chunks.
- Peel eggs and chop into chunks.
- Carefully combine potato and egg in large bowl (do not mash).
- Add mayonnaise, (and salt and pepper if desired).
- Mix lightly and chill for 4 to 5 hours.
- Re-mix before serving. If too dry, add a bit more mayonnaise.
Recipe variations ideas:
- Add diced sweet pickles.
- Add diced raw onion.
- Add bacon bits.
- Add raw celery.
For more 3-Ingredient recipes and 4-ingredient foods, see Easy 4 Ingredient Holiday Cookies, Best Delicious Party Punch Recipes, 3 Ingredients Easy Dessert Recipes, and Easy 3 Ingredient Holiday Cookies.
Creating 3 Ingredient Recipes Takes a Bit of Brainstorming, Simplifying, and Experimentation
Cooks should not be afraid of exploring new things. When time allows, anyone can try combining three of four foods that sound like they might taste good together and voila - a new recipe may just be born.
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